Zero clearance inserts help prevent tear out by essentially enveloping the blade on all sides which doesn’t allow the wood to tear out since there is not gap between the blade and insert.
This is especially true when cutting plywood. Without a zero clearance, the wood has no support by the blade to prevent the wood from tearing out. Another great reason to use a zero clearance insert is to help reduce that pesky and irritating tear out you always tend to get on your cuts.The opening is more like a custom slot cut to the exact width of your table saw blade. Zero clearances help minimize this situation from happening since there is no gap between the blade and the zero clearance opening. This can cause that piece of wood to jam up against the blade and go flying across the room or worse yet, right back at you. If you own a table saw, then you probably have had smaller pieces of wood get caught between the saw blade and the factory supplied throat plate opening.Insert colors may vary from images shown.
Also be aware of the shape of your current insert of whether its round, square ends or if there are any indents or protruding notches. Since every table saw brand and manufacturer is different, we recommend that you measure the exact length, width and thickness of your table saw insert or opening and compare it to the size we list. Zero Clearance inserts are table saw specific.