If you have the pleasure of owning a SawStop table saw, you know they are more than just a fancy safety device. They are darn good table saws. That being said, the best way to make any saw perform better is to make sure you always have a good Zero Clearance Insert that is cut by the blade your using. With the stock Insert you have to buy a whole new unit for each blade, angle, and dado you cut—not to mention the kerf does wear over time and requires replacement. Unlike the stock plate, the SawStop Zero Clearance Throat Plate, 100-358 uses inexpensive replacement inserts allowing you to have a perfect ZCI for every cut you make.
What is a ZCI?
In short, a Zero Clearance Insert, or ZCI for short, is an insert that you cut with your blade so there is no gap on either side. This zero clearance provides several distinct advantages. First, it creates cleaner cuts by creating a shearing surface for the blade. Second, it improves dust collection by helping trap dust below the table. Finally, it improves safety by reducing the chance of small offcuts getting trapped between the insert and blade. All of this combined means your saw will perform to its fullest potential.
What makes the SawStop Zero Clearance Throat Plate different?
The answer to that question is easy. Replaceable inserts. Unlike the stock throat place, the SawStop Zero Clearance Throat Plate, 100-358 is a two-piece design consisting of a powder-coated aluminum body and a replaceable insert. The inserts are made of inexpensive melamine coated MDF which provides a smooth and stable material without breaking the bank. Let's talk about the aluminum body first: it is guaranteed not to cause an accidental brake activation. Blades can be run at any angle and at full height without issue. You can even run a full dado stack full height without issue. That's not something most of us will ever need to do, but you can.
Three types of inserts
Because the table saw is used to make different types of cuts, the SawStop Zero Clearance Throat Plate, 100-358 has three different types of replaceable inserts. The "open-back" 100-358.BG insert is for use with the blade guard/splitter. The "closed-back" 100-358.RK insert is for use with the riving knife. Finally, the "Dado Insert" 100-358.DIP is for use with dado blades where no splitter or riving knife is needed. When you order your ZCI it will include one of each of these inserts. Additional inserts are available in packs of four, allowing you to choose the type that best suits your need.
New and improved
The SawStop Zero Clearance Throat Plate is newly updated with some key features. First, the replaceable insert is longer than previous versions. This added length makes the insert stiffer and more durable when the blade slot is cut. The insert is now also significantly wider. This allows the Anti-kickback pawls to fall on the replaceable insert and not the aluminum body. The added width eliminates the chance of accidentally lowering the blade and having the pawls dig into the aluminum. The combination of length and width also means the rear of the inserts no longer need to be secured with screws. This little detail means that changing an insert for a different blade is as easy as sliding the old one out and sliding the new one in. No tools, and only seconds required.
How it fits
The SawStop Zero Clearance Throat Plate fits very similarly to the stock insert. There are a pair of T-slots at the back of the insert. These slots capture the head of the rear leveling screws and lock the rear of the plate in place. They also allow for easy leveling. Three set screws toward the front of the plate take care of leveling the front and provide rock-solid support. A pair of set screws in the side of the plate allows you to get rid of any side-to-side movement. The whole thing is simple and easy to get dialed in. Because each of the screws comes with a little non-permanent thread locker pre-applied, the adjustment process is a one-and-done task.
An insert for every SawStop
The SawStop Zero Clearance Throat Plate, 100-358 fits the Contractor "CNS", Cabinet "PCS", and Industrial "ICS" saws. It also fits the original "CB" model SawStop saws. For those with the SawStop Jobsite "JSS", we have an insert specifically for you with many of the same great features. The SawStop ZCI for Jobsite Saws, 100-352 gives you many of the same great features and is a perfect fit for the lighter and more portable machine.
