Riving knife for TS55 - thin kerf cutting

[jimlad]

I would like to make some thin kerf cuts using a 1.8mm blade on a TS55. The cuts will be in 18mm MDF, using the guide rail. The riving knife on the TS55 is 2.2mm, however because I can't find anyone who sells a replacement knife in the UK, (Tenryu sells a thin blade and a knife together in the US) I intend to remove the knife temporarily to make the cuts. Given that MDF is grainless and the cuts are shallow presumably is it unlikely to bind on the blade? Or, should I don my body armour and hockey mask while using it.

 

[sancho57]

You'll be fine not using the riving knife.

 

[demographic]

Or buy another and maybe slim it down on a coarse diamond plate/grinder?

 

[Michael Kellough]

Years ago I needed to make pocket cutouts in pre-finished ply. I found this small narrow kerf 20mm arbor blade which I pretty much leave on my old ATF 55 all the time. The kerf is very slightly wider than the Bosch reverse cut jigsaw blades I use to finish the cutout, and too narrow for the riving knife so the knife is not used.

Clamping the rail, using rail stops, and plunging carefully has never produced kickback with the little Freud blade.

 

[jimlad]

Thanks for the responses, much appreciated.