(Dear Uncle Nick: Can you add a Subject Prefix for "Rant"? Thank you.)

Well, I just got a nasty shock -- and it's always a particularly sad and scary thing when it's yer own government delivering it. I just learned about "riving knives", and that good old fashioned table saws that are free of "safety" contrivances and gewgaws are now as much of a thing of the past as lawnmowers that functioned simply and reliably. I want to cry.

So what are you other old-school woodworkers recommending for newbies these days? I always liked the 10" Delta Contractor's Saw as a full-size machine that was way inexpensive for what you got, was light and agile enough to move around the shop as needed, yet solid enough to handle even heavy lumber pretty darn well. I also like the conventional cast iron top that allows throat plates to be easily made from 1/2" plywood, and allows use of magnetic accessories like featherboards. Plus it comes with, or ready to accept, a professional grade fence system (Unifence rules!!).

The people who sell 'em aren't allowed to answer this next one, so can we talk amongst ourselves for a minnit? How possible is it to buy a new contractor's style saw, like a Jet, Powermatic (now redundant, sigh), or Grizzly, and shuck all that crap off so to get a saw like everybody sold and used up 'til just a few years ago? And please, no safety/responsibility comments, just stick to the question .... in return for the courtesy, I seriously doubt I'd ever suggest removal of the stuff unless the victim, I mean buyer, was as experienced as me; it's not like I need any blood on my hands. And besides, I think just knowing options exist would help my attitude tremendously. I am finding this incredibly distressing, and suddenly anxious that my Delta Contractor's Saw is gonna last the rest of my life.

Photo: My god, just look at this horrible bloody death trap -- the mind truly boggles.....