Guard and Fence Modifications

Preamble : I don't want to write another list of what each woodworker should know in order to work safely. Everybody may find what matters using a search engine with key words "woodworking safety". Albeit all these articles talk to the others and I would have liked to find someone writing : "for my own safety I try to..." which means many more people convey a standard point of view about safety without wondering anything. I avoid these kind of topic that lead to nothing most of time. On the other hand I get involved in every exchange that tend to explain why something would be unsafe et try to find out a better way. It's all about mental attitude and the last one requires the point of view to be argued. Nothing good nothing bad but keeping open minded.WhyDi
Lurem bridge guard
Although the swivel mechanism of the bridge guard is convenient for most combination machines it doesn't fill its purpose with mine. The rip fence stays in the way, albeit it can be removed. On the other hand heavy shaped fence is hard to handle when not used. After much thought and given I often use this other method to establish two perpendicular faces I decided to modify both fence and guard. They had to stand near the machine and should be set and removed without tool. I was afraid it takes much time to set up the two accessories before planing but in the real world it has turn out rather handy. I think this guard really increase safety. Despite the modification over the paste ten years I have never planed without guard and I won't. This other document shows how adjusting the guard.


Workshop


After removing the mount I made the rod threaded then retrieved a 23mm socket and epoxied a nut into the square recess. This shop-made knob locks the guard and when removed prevents the operator from wounding at the end rod.

Guard


Two wooden pads help the shaped fence to slide along tables without scratching them. A lever set up between two washers and a spring wedge the fence against the base end. A bolt locks the fence at the base start. In spite of the mechanism tables and fence remain square.

Fence