When making replacement zero-clearance inserts for my tablesaw, I found that, when equipped with a standard 10" blade, my tablesaw couldn’t lower the blade far enough to make the initial cut in the inserts. By making a ¹⁄₄ "-plywood “riser” (clamping the riser blank over the regular throat insert while raising the blade), I was able to lift each new phenolic insert high enough above the blade to safely make the starting cut. Just drop the new insert onto the riser to align it perfectly, then clamp a board over both to hold them in place during the cut.
—Jim Moorehead, Barrigada, Guam