Safety First — New Zero Clearance Plates

	This little green tab (arrow) may be the least expensive and the best addition to your table saw — and mine. It is the MJ Splitter, and it is made by the people who gave us the Grr-Ripper — they really do have safety in mind.
This illustration is from their website and shows the components that make up the system. The little green tab we see is shown in the lower right. The rest of the items are part of their very clever and complete installation kit. After all, adding the green sliver exactly in the kerf of the blade had better be close to zero tolerance — ± nothing.
	Beth will follow the directions that come with the set. She is also using a brand new insert. The plastic one that we often use has a grid underneath and that doesn't give proper support for this splitter. On the other hand, this splitter is ideal for the countless woodworkers who make their own zero clearance insert plates.
The first step is to cut a blank that will be 4_1/8" X 15" of 1/2" stock. Beth is using 1/2" MDF.
	She draws a line 4" up from one end.
Next, she sets the fence to get a rip exactly two inches wide.
	She sets the blade height to be about 1/4" above the MDF.
She carefully saws until she reaches the line she drew. At that point she turns off the saw and lets it come to a complete stop. The Grr-Ripper is the perfect saw aid for this kind of operation.
	Then with the saw unplugged, she raises the blade to its full height and slips the Drill Guide in the kerf and brings it forward until it just touches the first saw tooth.
Beth has put the feather boards snugly into place to hold the MDF in position. She then lowers the saw blade and secures the green drill guide with the four screws provided.
	Now she can use the drill guide and the bit that comes with the kit to accurately place three holes in the zero clearance plate in the saw.
Beth inserts the three feet of the splitter into the holes drilled. The pegs are actually slightly offset to make up for any minor inaccuracy of the process. If it doesn't fit one way, it can be turned around.
	This is what we wanted to see. The splitter should slide into the kerf as the cut is made — it does.
Here is a new insert plate for my shop. I wanted to see if the MJ Splitter would work on this and allow the wood insert piece to move out of the base.