Table saw throat plate with blade height scale

A throat plate insert for installation in a recessed throat opening in a table saw top surface through which a rotary circular saw blade projects at a height which is adjustable by an operator, a throat plate comprising:

• a generally planar plate member having a substantially flat upper surface, an outer peripheral shape generally corresponding to the throat opening of the table saw top surface and a thickness which enables the plate member to be installed in the throat opening with the plate member upper surface generally flush with the table saw top surface;
• the plate member having an elongated slot formed therein with a width sufficient to enable the saw blade to pass therethrough and a length which equals or exceeds a maximum chordal length of a segment of the saw blade protruding through the elongate slot at a maximum saw blade height;
• and
• the plate member having a permanent non-removable scale on the upper surface thereof, located on a region adjacent the elongate slot and generally flush with the table saw top surface, the scale having indicia providing an indication of the height of a specific diameter saw blade corresponding to the chordal length of the segment of the saw blade protruding through the elongate slot, thereby enabling the operator to accurately adjust the height of the saw blade without additional components oriented above the table saw top surface to directly measure blade height.