On Jul 15, 2020, at 3:24 PM, Sang Luu <sangluu@...> wrote:

?A while back I started a discussion about my regret for not getting the overhead saw guard for my K700s. I toyed with getting a 3rd party solution, but ultimately ended up with a temporary bracket made out of baltic birch. That solution left me wanting more rigidity and generally something more beefy, so I decided a few months ago that I would make a permanent version with better materials.

When doing the research for the 3rd party guard, I came across several manufacturers that offer sliders and discovered that in the middle tier, they were made pretty much identically and likely at the same factory in Taiwan. So I got in touch with Grizzly and ordered just the dust guard assemblies and was pleasantly surprised how well made they were. They're ABS with polycarb windows and allow for both straight and miter cuts. It consists of a top assembly with two lower sliding parts, one for straight and one for miter/bevel cuts.?

Looking at both the Felder and other designs for inspiration, I went ahead and prototyped one up out of 80/20. It uses 1530 profile and attaches directly to the K700s mounting points and extends out enough to cut a 8' sheet at exactly 48". 1530 profiles have a decent deflection rating at the lengths required for the arm, so I chose them rather than the larger 3030 which would have weighed a lot more. There's some additional reinforcement using 80/20's 45 degree brackets and plates. Going with 80/20 made it easier to put together without the prep, and finish work needed with welded steel but with a bit of added cost.?

There are several plates/brackets that will connect the Grizzly assemblies to the profile and for kicks, I've decided to add a simple linear actuator to raise/lower the head. There are other ways to do this using gas springs but decided the actuator was the simplest approach for me. The brackets ride on 80/20 linear bearings to allow for the movement.?

I am currently waiting for aluminum stock to arrive to mill out the brackets for the top dust guard assembly but wanted to share the work in progress and some design shots.?

Let me know what you think!?

PS. Yes, I could have ordered the OEM guard after the fact but what's the fun in that??

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