Overhead blade guard

[photobug]

I am trying to move my shark guard from the riving knife mounted to overhead mount.  I have the tailfin in hand.  I am looking at using Unistrut or super strut.

Neither is available nearby so I need to figure out which parts are needed so I can order them.  The setups I see illustrated on the Sharkguard web site shows the strut mounted from the ceiling with a knob and other piece of metal coming down from there.  I am looking for suggestions on the knobs and the metal bar that goes inside the strut.

This is what I am looking to emulate.

https://www.thesharkguard.com/tail-fin-o...tructions/

[Tapper]

Not sure precisely what you're looking, but I'm guessing you can find it at either Rockler or Incra - can recommend both based on past experiences.

Doug

[MstrCarpenter]

I've been thinking of doing this for my Uni. The over-arm guard support is designed to be bolted to the bottom of the table, and I've never mounted it due to restrictions of ripping sheet stock. I checked out the link you provided and it doesn't appear like like they've given much consideration to where it's mounted to the ceiling. In my mind, I think the mounting point has to be in front of the blade so the forces of a kick-back event would be directed towards lifting the ceiling vs. bending the top bracket using a 4' to 8' lever.

So, to your question; Have you considered pipe? One inch black iron pipe is quite strong, as are malleable fittings (vs. cast iron). I'm thinking a tee with three 1' nipples,( all horizontal at the ceiling), 6 or 8 two hole straps, and  a 90* elbow for the "down-rod" (length to be determined on site). If you want vertical adjustment, 3/4" black iron pipe fits inside 1" sched. 40 with a few thousandths to spare. Drill and tap the 1" for set-screws, then file a "V" at your favorite locations. I'm sure you can figure out a way to mount you particular guard, which may be as simple as cutting a slot and drilling for a few through bolts. The only thing missing is a beefy diagonal brace to direct "kick-back forces" towards the ceiling pivot point.

[MstrCarpenter]

Not trying to hijack a thread, but has anyone seen an overhead guard support where the arm itself was the dust collection duct as well?

[skeeterk]

Not trying to hijack a thread, but has anyone seen an overhead guard support where the arm itself was the dust collection duct as well?

Like this?   2 1/2" stick of conduit.

[mike4244]

Not trying to hijack a thread, but has anyone seen an overhead guard support where the arm itself was the dust collection duct as well?

Years ago I bought a plastic guard with an 1-1/2" or so nipple for dust collection. I use the guard when sawing mdf because of the dust created.
Penn State sold this with a contraption to hold the guard over the blade  without interference . I only bought the guard and mounted it on a device from the bottom of a plywood box that holds a box fan and filters. I tried to find the guard I bought on their website. Apparently Penn State and MCLS a sister store do not carry this item anymore. You could make a saw guard from plexiglas sheet stock, probably least expensive. A search for joining plexglas will show you a simple way to do this. I have done this twice for display cases for old time model cars. Worked well.
Try a search for overhead saw guards, theirs plenty to choose from.
mike

[hcbph]

mike4244 pid='8010420' dateline='1629416142'][attachment=37286]
Here's one I designed and built a few years ago.  Modular so it could be mounted on the saw, ceiling or floor.  Even lets you switch out the blade basket etc.

[Cooler]

I mounted a guard on an inverted light stand that I hung from the joist above.  It was very handy, but it was prone to twisting out of alignment with the blade and I took it down. 

I'm sure that there is an answer to this issue somehow, but I was not sufficiently invested in the idea to solve the problem.