Biesemeyer 78-960 T-Square Table Saw BladeGuard System for 50-Inch and 52-Inch Fences

by Biesemeyer

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Biesemeyer 78-960 T-square Table Saw BladeGuard System for 50-inch and 52-inch Fences is compatible with the Biesemeyer BC50, BHS40 and BHS52 saw fence systems. This blade guard can perform non-through cutting operations without needing to be removed. And because of its overhead design, there is no mounting bracket behind the blade to interfere with molding operations or dado cutting. Features include a U-shaped support arm that allows users to cut to the full capacity of the fence and a separate, removable splitter for use during through-cutting. Also included is a see-through blade guard that allows for any blade angle. This same blade guard is counter balanced to permit perfect weight adjustments. This blade guard system includes a T-arm assembly, a blade guard, a splitter, an installation bracket, and mounting hardware.

From the Manufacturer

This blade guard does not have to be removed for non-through cutting operations. The overhead design means there is no mounting bracket behind the blade to interfere with dado cutting or molding operations. A separate, removable splitter is included for use during through-cutting, allowing safer operation. The U-shaped support arm allows you to cut to the full capacity of the fence. The see-through blade guard allows for any blade angle and is counter balanced to permit perfect weight adjustment. Even lifts away with the touch of the finger to provide instant clearance for a sliding table. Includes guard assembly, splitter, installation bracket, hardware, and instruction manual. Shown with optional dust collection hose kit.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 42.1 x 33.3 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 38 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000226AK
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 78-960
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,274 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #63 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tool Accessories > Blades > Table Saw Blades

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well designed and highly recommended., December 24, 2001

By 

kevan d western (Keller, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Biesemeyer 78-960 T-Square Table Saw BladeGuard System for 50-Inch and 52-Inch Fences (Tools & Home Improvement)

The Biesemeyer BladeGuard System is very well designed.
It comes packaged in 4 major pieces.
Overall, the installation span was an unhurried and calm 1 hour
with liberal coffee breaks. The time to perform specific
assembly operations are described below.

The splitter is a primary piece of safety equipment that is
extremely convenient to use. The initial installation takes
about 5-10 minutes. Once installed, installation/removal of
the splitter is fast (5-10 seconds)and is accomplished by
turning a knurled nut. The nut itself is captured on a shaft
and held inplace with a snap ring. So, you don't have to worry
about it falling off at anytime.

The arm and clear shield, are composed of 3 seperate pieces.
The first is a fixed (or stationary)and solidly mounts to the saw.
It is the only peice of hardware that actually requires any
effort to install. (15 minutes to drill and install)
The fixed peice of the arm mounts to the steel rear rail and

requires drilling 6 bolt holes through it.
I used a high quality bit with low RPM and oil lubricant.
I found it to be no problem to actually drill the holes and
install the 6 bolts. There are 4 additional screws used in the
atthachment. The install effort is insignificant. (2 minutes)

The second piece of the arm slides into the fixed piece of the
arm. (5 minutes to install)
It provides left/right translation/positioning of the guard over
the blade. It attaches to the fixed peice of the arm via an
all-thread rod (part of the fixed arm assembly).
You simply turn a crank on the all-thread rod and the second
piece of the arm screws into the first.
I was dreading having to turn a crank forever to move the guard
out of the way for blade changes.
But, the design has a nice feature that enables the operator to
quickly (3 seconds) disengage the rod and translate the shield
about 12" to the right of the blade.
The design allows the operator to finely position the shield
over the blade via a hand crank or quickly move it out of the way.

The last peice of the BladeGuard System is the clear blade guard
and counter balance. It simply slips into the translating piece
of the arm and is held in place with a large hand screw.
(1 minute to install, only because I had to drink some coffee)

This is well designed, easy to install, and simple to use.
Because it is so quick to use, I no longer have to dread
swapping blades or removing the splitter to perform a dado or
tenon cuts. Since it is so convenient to use, it's always on
my saw. I use it and I feel much safer because of it.

It is expensive but worth it.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Blade Guard Made!, December 10, 2003

By 

Ralph E. Brewer Jr. "radarralph" (Linton, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Biesemeyer 78-960 T-Square Table Saw BladeGuard System for 50-Inch and 52-Inch Fences (Tools & Home Improvement)

I was tired of taking the standard splitter/guard assembly off my Unisaw. I did the usual research and made a trip to a distant retail woodworking store to check them out in person. I liked the Biesemeyer blade guard system much better than any of the others.

I placed my order with Amazon and the FedEx lady showed up with it in only a few days. I have a Biesemeyer fence/table board on my Unisaw so I was hoping it would be a simple bolt on operation. Nope..I had to drill five (the instructions call for six holes but a cross brace on the Biesemeyer table board obstructed the hole position) holes in the hard Biesemeyer rails. It took less than five minutes to drill the holes and mount the base. Hint: Tighten the bolts down gradually and watch the vertical arm of the base assembly to make sure you don't get it cocked over at an angle. It doesn't effect how it works just looks funny if it canted over a tad.

The rest of the assembly went painlessly. The overall fit and finish was very good. One minor complaint was that the sliding arm was rusted at the unpainted portion where it slides into the
base assembly arm. Only took a minute to clean it up with a wire brush and smear some grease on it.

One pleasant surprise was the inclusion of the dust pickup on the guard assembly! This is usually part of a hundred dollar kit! I figure I can get some 2" plastic hose at a local hardware store for a few dollars and get it hooked up to my
Shop Vac I store under the table board of my Unisaw.

I had to move the spring to the third hole so the guard would stay up in position. The counterbalance weight seems a little light to do much..but the guard stays up nicely when you want to move it up a tad. There is also a handy mechanical latch that is very easy to use to latch it up and out of the way

I had already seen the Biesemeyer splitter that comes with this unit and had already ordered the one Biesemeyer sells as an upgrade for the Unisaw. Contrary to an earlier post these are NOT the same parts! The one that comes with the Biesemeyer guard is a much less impressive unit (came in a Delta box marked made in Taiwan BTW) than the Biesemeyer accessory splitter. I wish Biesemeyer sold the guard without a splitter but having seen the splitter I don't think it would change the price much if it were left out or made an option.

All in all I'm very, very happy with the guard. It wasn't what I'd call cheap, but then keeping all ten fingers intact and avoiding 200mph flying hardwood boards isn't cheap to get fixed either.

Buy one...it will be some of the best woodworking money you'll ever spend.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars High Quality Bladeguard, September 21, 2003

By 

Terry Kilgore (Newton, Kansas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Biesemeyer 78-960 T-Square Table Saw BladeGuard System for 50-Inch and 52-Inch Fences (Tools & Home Improvement)

I purchased a Delta Unisaw in January of 2003. Completing the installation I ripped several pieces of wood and immediately disliked the factory bladeguard and splitter that came with the saw. I used the saw for about 8 months with no problem without a splitter or bladeguard. One afternoon as I was trimming drawer bottoms to size, I had my first and only encounter with kick back. It took my breath away. The saw blade picked up the drawer bottom and hurled it at me. The drawer bottom glanced off my hip and lodged in a hollow core door, even poking through the other side.

I stopped what I was doing, got on the internet and began researching bladeguards and splitters. After reading reviews and even the "Table Saw Book", I decided to order the Biesemeyer Bladeguard from Amazon.

It arrived about several days later in one large box. I was expecting some shipping damage because the box looked battered but upon opening the box, everything was in good shape. The packaging was first rate.

The bladeguard was very easy to install. I had the job completed in less than an hour. My only complaint was that the basket was cloudy and very sticky. I took it apart and used some househould cleaner to remove the blotches. After the cleaning it was crystal clear and smooth to the touch.

I installed the splitter that was included also. It is simple and quick to remove when using a dado blade etc.

The fit and finish of the bladeguard is first rate. The instructions were concise and clear. Using the bladeguard and splitter isn't a problem like the factory guard. The adjustments are easy to make and the basket can be locked in place above the blade when not needed.

I certainly feel that I am working safer now with this equipment installed and my wife is a lot happier also.