Micro Jig - MJ Splitter Steel PRO System w/Double Splitters (Rating: 4)
I've actually had this for about over a year new in the package, but shortly after I got this I also picked up a Betterley Tru Cut insert which has an aluminum body and a pre cut slot for a splitter preventing the use of the Micro Jig system, so the MJ Splitter got put in a drawer.
Recently I was cutting some white oak and was getting some binding. I have a Steel City cabinet saw and it uses a bulky splitter/blade guard. For a couple of reasons, I don't use the factory splitter and the mounting on this saw really doesn't allow for fitting a smaller splitter plate. I wasn't really getting kickback, but I was burning the white oak and getting some sawdust over the top due to blade contact on the back. The amount of remedial sanding was starting to add up, so I decided to figure something out.
Remembering I had the MJ Splitter, I cut a new insert plate out of HDPE plastic and installed the splitter system. The installation was relatively straight forward, especially with the HDPE insert which drills easily. The ergonomics of drilling the holes was a bit rough as you have to lean over the saw and drill behind the blade, so keeping it straight was a challenge. For my plastic insert it was not that big of a deal due to the easy drilling, but trying to do this with a phenolic insert plate could represent an issue. I could easily see wallowing out the plastic guide before getting the hole drilled in the phenolic plate. I'd probably only drill enough to get a little bit of a pilot and then transfer to the drill press to finish drilling through.
The splitters fit tightly in the holes and slipped in with just a little pressure. After a few test cuts I settled on the no offset splitter on the fence side and the ++ offset on the off cut side. I went back to the white oak and had significantly less burning and over the top dust.
Only negative impression I have was something small in the instructions. When you are preparing the templates for installation the instructions has a note about making sure the back edge of the template is 90 deg to the side. Because the installation jig registers against the back of the template, this is critical, but the instructions don't really emphasize it.
All in all, it worked as advertised. Give the advantage of a splitter for those of us who for whatever reason don't use the factory splitter. Overall I give it 4 stars and would recommend it someone like me who is not using the factory splitter and doesn't have a riving knife option.
I've actually had this for about over a year new in the package, but shortly after I got this I also picked up a Betterley Tru Cut insert which has an aluminum body and a pre cut slot for a splitter preventing the use of the Micro Jig system, so the MJ Splitter got put in a drawer.
Recently I was cutting some white oak and was getting some binding. I have a Steel City cabinet saw and it uses a bulky splitter/blade guard. For a couple of reasons, I don't use the factory splitter and the mounting on this saw really doesn't allow for fitting a smaller splitter plate. I wasn't really getting kickback, but I was burning the white oak and getting some sawdust over the top due to blade contact on the back. The amount of remedial sanding was starting to add up, so I decided to figure something out.
Remembering I had the MJ Splitter, I cut a new insert plate out of HDPE plastic and installed the splitter system. The installation was relatively straight forward, especially with the HDPE insert which drills easily. The ergonomics of drilling the holes was a bit rough as you have to lean over the saw and drill behind the blade, so keeping it straight was a challenge. For my plastic insert it was not that big of a deal due to the easy drilling, but trying to do this with a phenolic insert plate could represent an issue. I could easily see wallowing out the plastic guide before getting the hole drilled in the phenolic plate. I'd probably only drill enough to get a little bit of a pilot and then transfer to the drill press to finish drilling through.
The splitters fit tightly in the holes and slipped in with just a little pressure. After a few test cuts I settled on the no offset splitter on the fence side and the ++ offset on the off cut side. I went back to the white oak and had significantly less burning and over the top dust.
Only negative impression I have was something small in the instructions. When you are preparing the templates for installation the instructions has a note about making sure the back edge of the template is 90 deg to the side. Because the installation jig registers against the back of the template, this is critical, but the instructions don't really emphasize it.
All in all, it worked as advertised. Give the advantage of a splitter for those of us who for whatever reason don't use the factory splitter. Overall I give it 4 stars and would recommend it someone like me who is not using the factory splitter and doesn't have a riving knife option.
