Harvey Table Saws: Are the two screws on the arbor washer required? Do I have to use European saw blades with the additional holes?

Created by Gabriel Izzo, Modified on Fri, 22 May at 5:40 PM by Gabriel Izzo

Table Saws · Saw Blades & Arbor

Arbor Washer Screws — Are They Required? Do I Need European Blades?

Harvey Alpha table saws include an arbor washer with two locating screws — a feature carried over from European manufacturing standards. This article explains what those screws are for, whether they are required for use in North America, and how to handle blade installation with standard U.S. blades that do not have the corresponding locating holes.

Why the Arbor Washer Has Two Locating Screws

Harvey table saws are equipped with an arbor washer featuring two locating screws — a design driven by European safety regulations, which require additional securing points for saw blades.

The German-made Leitz Destroyer blades include matching holes on either side of the arbor cutout, allowing the screws to seat securely into the arbor flange.

This design provides enhanced blade stability and safety, particularly at high rotational speeds.

Using Standard U.S. Blades — Screws Not Required

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If you are using standard U.S.-made saw blades that do not have locating holes, it is acceptable under U.S. safety regulations to remove the two screws from the arbor washer.

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Removing the screws allows the blade to seat properly against the flange without interference.

Important

Always ensure the blade is properly aligned, secured, and torqued to manufacturer specifications after any modification or blade change.

Install the arbor washer with the bevel (chamfered face) facing away from the blade. If installed backwards, the washer will not seat correctly against the blade.

Install the arbor nut with the taper facing inward toward the blade. If the nut is installed with the taper facing the wrong way, it will not seat correctly — causing the blade to rotate out of round and wobble, which is a serious safety hazard.

Correct Arbor Washer and Nut Orientation

Blade Installation Video

Blade Installation — Harvey Alpha Table Saw

For questions about arbor washer compatibility or blade installation, please contact our support team.