Delta 34-976 Deluxe Uniguard Table Saw Blade Guard

List Price: $476.23 Discount Price: $270.58

Features:

• Provides operator protection even for non-through cutting operations
• Separate splitter is removable for dado cutting and molding operations
• Split basket design allows close to the fence cutting while using a push stick
• U-shaped support arm allows cutting to full capacity of the fence
• Fits Delta 10-inch Unisaws and Contractor's Saws

Accessories:

Empire Manufacturing TOOL-6D The Complete ToolSaver System

Customer Reviews:

Good Value - But read the warning below [Posted on 2004-12-11]
The Deluxe Uniguard is a good value at $270 - and I took advantage of Amazon's $25 off sale so my final cost was $245. Such a deal!
Now the details:
The UPS people did their usual guerilla routine with the package. So even though Delta packs this guard very well using both wood and cardboard, UPS still destroyed it. On delivery day when I answered the doorbell, I found the 6 foot tall package at my door - one end crushed and wide open and the UPS driver already back in his truck and driving away.
Upon inspection I found that the plastic accessory tray was cracked and that the splitter assembly was nowhere to be found. It's probably on a UPS loading dock somewhere.
I called Delta immediately and to my suprise, a human answered the phone! No waiting, no music on hold and no message telling me how important my call was to them. They took my information and they agreed to send out replacement parts. Satisfied that I wouldn't need to return the rest of the unit, I decided to go ahead and install it.
It was pretty straight forward and the instructions were clear. Just a couple of things I should mention. The clear plastic blade shields slip over a steel pin and are held by allen head set screws. It seemed that they required a tiny allen wrench. I mean really really tiny. Smaller than any I had ever seen before. I am embarassed to admit that I puzzled over this for a full 15 minutes before I figured out that the set screws had been installed backwards at the factory - on BOTH guard shields. Simple matter to unscrew them and put them in right. Sheesh!
Also, the instructions suggest cutting 12 inches off both the top and the bottom of the main "J" shaped steel tube if your fence is less than 52 inches (mine is). Based on suggestions I read here on Amazon reviews I waited to cut mine and I'm glad. In the end, I cut just 9 inches off mine for a perfect fit.
And last, my shop-built right extension table has a double thickness top (one and a half inches thick). This guard attaches to the saw at three points. Two are pre-drilled and tapped holes on the rear of the cast iron top of the unisaw. The third mount attaches with an "L" bracket to the underside of the extension table way out at the corner farthest from the saw. With my thicker table, the third mount was 3/4" lower than the other two. Fortunately, there was enough room on the mount to redrill it. Had my table been any thicker, I would have had to get more creative.
The final installed guard is solid. I don't plan to relocate my table saw's ON/OFF switch to the supplied switch bracket but I installed the bracket anyway. I have found that it's the perfect spot to attach one of those magnetic base task lights. Delta sells a light made just for the uniguard but the mounting holes for it are out on the detachable part of the uniguard. This would put it closer to the blade for brighter light but would also require you to deal with the electrical cord when you remove the guard for raised panel cuts.


***** WARNING - WARNING - WARNING *****


I'm editing my review to warn everyone that the Uniguard will prevent you from fully opening your motor cover. If you have a right tilt unisaw with the metal box-shaped motor cover you'll find that it can't swing open more than about 6 inches before it hits the uniguard's steel pipe. It opens far enough to get a vacuum hose in for cleaning or for one arm to reach in to feel around for that arbor nut you dropped inside ;) but it won't open all the way after you install this guard.
I called Delta and they said that's "normal" and they suggested that I leave the cover off or unscrew the hinge each time I want to get full access. Seems to me that Delta should let us know these things before we buy.

Excellent Safety Feature [Posted on 2005-01-01]
Purchased this blade guard for my contractors saw after reading a table saw book that opened my eyes to the dangers of the table saw. This is the blade guard that should be included with the saw. The splitter is removable for dado operations, but the fact that the blade guard is on a separate arm means that I can use the blade guard even with the splitter removed. If you use a table saw, I highly recommend purchasing this (or another) blade guard as it almost completely eliminates the danger of losing a finger while using the saw.

A guard I will actually use [Posted on 2005-01-15]
For too long now I've been operating my saw without a guard (yes, stupid). I removed it once to cut dadoes and never replaced it. I finally bought the uniguard and I never have to remove it-even when cutting dadoes.

The guard is everything you expect from Delta: beefy, well engineered, and everything fits as it is supposed to. I was able to fit the guard on my Contractors saw with a 30" extension table without having to cut the support arm (the instructions suggest cutting it as an option). There is no need to do so if you have the room behind the saw. The support arm is fairly heavy-awkward but you can easily set it up by yourself. Tip: Before sliding the arm through the clamps (3 of them), make sure they are in line. The one clamp attached to the extension table can be adjusted, the others are attached to the saw table and will not need adjustment. An easy way to do this is to push a broom handle or similar item through the 3 clamps and sight down the handle.

The instructions are fine, although more than once I wished for a close up photo and that the photos were better lit, but I managed.

Finally: It does what it is supposed to do - the guard covers the blade at all heights and angles, and moves up easily when passing the material to the blade.

Well worth the investment, ensuring I'll be able to count to ten for years to come.

Great Guard and Splitter [Posted on 2006-01-22]
I wanted to upgrade from the flimsy splitter/guard on my Grizzly G1022SM. The Delta 34-976 Deluxe Uniguard Blade Guard, was the obvious choice. It came with the splitter, sold separately at over $100.
The huge box has everything in it, but the instructions. Using the instructions online, I had it assembled in a couple of hours. I ran into one problem. The index pin should go into a notch in mounting bracket. However the notch was too tight, causing the pin to sit on the notch instead of in it. When tightened, the splitter leaned to the left. I grinded the notch down, so the pin fell inside the notch, and it worked great. Last, the unit has an auxiliary switch mounting bracket, but the switch is hard to order. It appears that the original Unisaw switch or tilting arbor switch can be relocated onto the arm. I would suggest you pick up the switch and Lamp accessory 25-858, with your order. That being said, the unit is awesome. I have no complaints at all!

Delta deluxe Uniguard [Posted on 2008-04-11]

After much research I chose the Uniguard over all other options and it has been a terrific choice! The Uniguard split basket design Keeps the blade covered during operations that would leave it exposed when using any of the other guards. Of all the guards I considered, Biesemeyer, Exactor, Brett etc; it is by far the easiest to install and adjust and move out of the way for blade changes and adjustments. I was concerned about installation because I have a Biesemeyer 50 inch fence with its rear angle iron rail on my Unisaw. After looking at many options that others had used such as the Delta flat bar to replace the angle iron and others who had notched the angle to accomidate the mounting brackets I chose to simply mount the brackets face down on the top of the rear angle iron by drilling three holes and using the bolts and nuts supplied. Very simple and it does not affect the operation and positioning of the guard at all. I now have a very user friendly safety device that I use for virtualy ALL cutting operations!

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