Also, that's an excellent text you linked to!
Actually, this is a bit similar to what the HSE recommends here and here:
"To prevent kickback, the front of the fence must be
no further than the base of the gullet at table level."
I believe that this recommendation works best in comination with a riving knife.
Good to know that I am obviously not alone with my thinking.
I'm glad you had no serious accident. Hearing you have spilled blood from every power tool sounds scary. Although I have to admit that I even managed to cut off one of my fingertips (luckily re-attached by the doctor) ...with a hand tool!
Oh well, I think I went a bit off-topic with that.
Bottom line: I will have a serious look at how (if) I will be able to incorporate a reliable riving knife to the Byrnes saw or, should this not be possible for me, at least add a splitter.
Have a look here: http://www.hobbymillusa.com/byrnes-saw-operation.php Particularly how he sets the fence further away from the blade at the rear of the blade.
Yes, these saws are small which to me makes them more dangerous because we underestimate the damage that can occur. I use the featherboards (not religiously ) and pushsticks (always) and have still had kickback with a bit of wood flying off. Depending on the size of the flying wood, it can do some damage so I stand off to one side, just in case.
Just exercise caution and don't get overconfident. I've managed to get bit and have spilled blood from every power tool I own. So far, I've been lucky... but I'm more cautious now.
nobotch got a reaction from WackoWolf in Saw Kick Back