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Forum topic by RipFence | posted 11-19-2011 11:09 PM | 25372 views | 0 times favorited | 35 replies | ![]() |
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11-19-2011 11:09 PM |
Hello All: |
35 replies so far
#1 posted 11-20-2011 03:48 AM |
I don’t know anything about the Bork but I’d think that a safety device turning into a hazard at a 2% rate would be unacceptable from a design perspective. -- Visualize whirled peas |
#2 posted 11-20-2011 04:50 AM |
That’s quite a first post. I’ve had good performance from my BORK since August 2008…..really like it. It’s possible that the knife wasn’t tightened down fully. -- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth.... |
#3 posted 11-21-2011 05:26 AM |
Hello All: On 11/20/2011 7:04 PM, Bob Ross wrote: Rather than get into a public debate with you on the forums, I will ask you to amend your posts to include the following facts: Six months after purchase you wanted to return the BORK because you were having trouble adjusting it. Following that exchange and your reporting that you had successfully aligned the splitter, you suggested using Locktite to keep the adjustment screws in position when the splitter was not in use. I responded that keeping the fender washer tightened against the adjustment screws would hold them in place. The BORK splitter is mounted to the adjustment plate using a star or lock washer and a fender washer which compress the splitter against four small screw heads. When properly tightened, it is virtually impossible to rotate or move the splitter on the adjustment plate. In addition, a safety stop is included below the splitter mounting bolt as a backup. This stop prevents the splitter from rotating if the tightening knob is not secured. In other words, if the BORK is properly aligned and the knob is tight and the stop is properly positioned and tight, the BORK splitter cannot contact the saw blade. Therefore, if the BORK splitter contacted the saw blade, it was misaligned or the mounting hardware was loose. I would call this user error. Bob |
#4 posted 11-21-2011 04:41 PM |
I’m sorry if this is an improper response for here remove it if you like I really don’t want to start trouble but want to express my opinion. The views and comments expressed here may not necessarily be the personal views of all persons but are solely the personal views and comments of the writer and not that of all LumberJocks or the LumberJocks internet site or it’s owners. -- See pictures on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/ And visit my Facebook page - facebook.com/MTEnterprises |
#5 posted 11-22-2011 01:49 AM |
ON the other hand, any two-bit half-wit attorney can break a waiver at the courthouse door. In liability issues a waiver isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. Git him. Steve -- Steve in KY. 44 years so far with my lovely bride. Think I'll keep her. |
#6 posted 11-22-2011 01:56 AM |
RipFence |
#7 posted 11-22-2011 02:13 AM |
Thanks for the post. I have thought about a riving knife for my unisaw, and I will certainly pass on this one. -- Mel, |
#8 posted 11-22-2011 02:18 AM |
To the best of my knowledge this is the first accident that’s been brought to light…Bob mentioned that there had been 3 occasions where the back of a BORK knife contacted the blade due to user error, but the knives were secure enough that they stayed put, resulting in no injuries… which further suggests that this one was loose. He’s made some updates to the design, so it’s hard to know which versions are in question. With only 200 units or so in the field, it basically is a prototype. AFAIK, they’re all hand made by Bob in his little workshop, not mass produced. He’s just a part time woodworker like many of us and retired military medic, trying to develelop an alternative to older saws that don’t have a riving knife, so why would anyone want to ”git him” Steve? -- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth.... |
#9 posted 11-22-2011 02:46 AM |
Here is a post, a few months old, by an LJ designing a riving knife to retrofit an old Delta cabinet saw. His design, fit and finish looks very professional and robust. I would encourage anyone interested in riving knives and older table saws to check out the link to his blog. He’s finished it and has video. -Jack |
#10 posted 11-22-2011 03:38 AM |
I am not familiar with Bork. I have installed an after-market riving knife on my Powermatic a couple of years ago. It does have an open slot. I have been very pleased with it and I have had no problems. I have attached the website to the maker if you are interested in trying someone else’s. Lee is an excellent person to work with and very responsive to questions. http://www.leestyron.com/sharksplitter.php -- Wayne - Plymouth MN |
#11 posted 11-22-2011 08:39 AM |
Knotttscot, While I do not advocate lawsuites as a way of life, nor do I discourage people from using their brains to invent something useful, people who short circuit the development and testing process in order to rush a product to market in hopes of making a quick buck at the risk of people’s lives, deserve to be “gitten” (gotted?). Instead of a bad bruise, Jim could have been KILLED. And being part-time tinkerer, former medic, or savior of mis-placed children does not relieve him of his liability. What is most disturbing, is his reluctance to admit a problem with a product, that with the limited exposure seen here, sends chills up and down my spine. Anyone who jumps into a market niche that big manufacturers have studiously avoided does so at considerable risk. At the very least, he should have sought Underrighter’s Laboratory approval and had several millions of dollars in liability insurance. To do otherwise is at the least overly optomistic, and at the worst lunacy. It’s expensive, but is so for a reason; product safety. I bear Bob no ill will, but by golly, this is going to bite him in the patushka. Scott, I find your posts informative, and your willingness to help fellow LJs refreshing, but I must disagree with you here. But anyway, have a happy and SAFE Thanksgiving. Steve -- Steve in KY. 44 years so far with my lovely bride. Think I'll keep her. |
#12 posted 11-22-2011 06:26 PM |
Hello All:
I can’t respond on SMC; I’m persona non gratin there. It’s ironic that when the was being developed, discussions were prohibited because they were considered advertising and now the feeding frenzy is front and center. To those of you that have not seen or used a , you’re opinions are welcome but a lot of you are assuming details that are not true. Also, I’m not doing this to get rich and I’m not knowingly putting something dangerous out there. Properly installed and maintained (like any other power tool accessory), the has proven itself to be safe and useful. As to my being a dork, I’ve been called worse by better. The photo marked #5 is from the old instructions (the new ones are dated 3/19/11). I don’t remember exactly when I added the star/lock washers but I’m pretty sure you got one. The new instructions do not mention the washers at all. I can tell you from my own experience that lock washer or no, if the knob is tightened reasonably tight, the splitter will not move. The other photo is of a prototype. I don’t think I’ve ever shipped one that had a closed slot. The thinking is that if the splitter can be removed without removing the knob and washers, dropping the knob/washers into the bottom of the saw can be avoided. Once affixed to the mounting plate, the strength of splitter is not compromised by the through cut of the slot. I am considering including a plate and screws to allow those that aren’t confident that they can keep the knob and safety stop tight a method of closing the slot. I hope this helps,
|
#13 posted 11-25-2011 04:25 AM |
The discussion over at Sawmill Creek has been even more spirited. |
#14 posted 02-24-2013 01:00 AM |
I understand the early BORKs were aluminum. The saw tooth marks on the one in question are very apparent. Problem is, aluminum is a sticky material, and can easily get grabbed by saw teeth. Seems to me that steel (or SS, if you prefer) is a much better material than aluminum. I did get the impression that BORKs are now made with steel, which is a good modification. -- I admit to being an adrenaline junky; fortunately, I'm very easily frightened |
#15 posted 11-17-2013 04:51 PM |
I’m not going to get into a debate with anyone reference the Bork or no Bork. I didn’t like the way this thread was run and I didn’t care for the attacks even though the author said he was providing full disclosure. It still seemed like an attack to me. Having said that. I agree that the early BORK’s had a problem the main one being that the riving knife itself was a poor design using an open end instead of a closed end. I fully believe that the authors experience with his older generation BORK caused the inventor of the BORK to redesign his BORK with a closed end and upgraded the material to stainless steel. As far as I can tell, the new design is far superior and infinitely safer than the old. And that is why I’m going to buy a BORK my two cents -- "Nothing happens until you build it" |
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