Designing my Blade Guard

[Rougespear]

Howdy all,

I'm building a linn-style mill and I'm wondering if there are any opinions on preference with regards to blade guard design.  I just order a sheet of 14ga metal and in a week or so I will begin fabbing guards up.  I prefer the "circular-style" guards like the WM LT-40 for two reasons: (1) I don't have a metal brake, and (2) visual preference.  That being said, I've also seen many companies utilize a "square-styled" guard, that hinge outward individually, left and right.  While the hinge location for the square guards seems logical, the only hinge design I can think of for the circle-style guards is having the whole guard (both sides connected) swing upward for blade changes (I'm not sure if this is the best way to do it).

So does anyone have any suggestions on style and hinge location options?

Thanks all!

[thecfarm]

I have a Thomas,with the square guards. Mine are hinged on the top. There is a T handle that holds them so called closed. Than when I need to open them the T handle is used to hold the guards up and open.

[Ga Mtn Man]

Most Wood-Mizer mills have the squared off design to allow for hinging.  The only ones that don't are the LT40 and LT50. The reason for that is those mills are still using the old two-post design that traps the blade guard behind the post.

I have had mills with and without hinged blade covers and, given a choice, I'd take the hinged ones any day.

[21incher]

On my mill they are round and it takes 2 nuts to remove each end. It would be much quicker to change the blade if they were hinged plus you wouldn't have to worry about loosing the nuts in the saw dust.