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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
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    7,696

    Default Do All Your Machine Fences Cut to Exactly the Same Length?

    We are told and advised not to use different rules and tapes when building something because they do vary from one to the other and it can lead to problems. Do your machine fences all cut to the same length? I have six fences and thought it would be a good idea to find out if they did so I made a length of aluminium tube to an exact length measured with verniers and adjusted them all using that as a reference. Now they all cut the same and my OCD has calmed down.
    CHRIS

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
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    34
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    6,127

    Default

    This post made me realize that we only have 3 physical scales/rulers on the machines at work that matter; the thicknesser and rip and crosscut on the panel saw. I set the ruler on our big rip saw when we got it, but it's just for breakdown, so accuracy isn't really an issue.

    The docking saw has a CNC stop, the sander is digital, the spindle moulder, bandsaws and drills don't even have scales and the CNC router goes without saying.

    Our next panel saw will be digital as well, so once that happens the entire factory will effectively be using the same ruler for all the machines.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Brisbane (Macleay Is)
    Posts
    268

    Default

    Hi Chris
    While they may all now cut the same do they produce the correct dimension when set using the scale?
    My table saw has a digital readout on the fence and I normally get it roughly calibrated by bringing the fence up against the ( stationary) blade and then zero out the readout. This produces a rough calibration but for accurate work I always make a trial cut, measure the actual cut wood with callipers and set the Digital scale to read the exact width of the cut piece. Most digital scales allow you to dial in a known dimension with the fence at any place along the scale. (Just like a metal lathe or Mill DRO).
    Ron

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
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    7,696

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by elanjacobs View Post
    This post made me realize that we only have 3 physical scales/rulers on the machines at work that matter; the thicknesser and rip and crosscut on the panel saw. I set the ruler on our big rip saw when we got it, but it's just for breakdown, so accuracy isn't really an issue.

    The docking saw has a CNC stop, the sander is digital, the spindle moulder, bandsaws and drills don't even have scales and the CNC router goes without saying.

    Our next panel saw will be digital as well, so once that happens the entire factory will effectively be using the same ruler for all the machines.
    Digital or CNC is very nice to have if you can justify it. I used to build specialised enclosed trailers using CNC and when designing and building them we never measured anything.
    CHRIS

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Sydney Upper North Shore
    Posts
    4,464

    Default

    My table saw is home built so there is no rule on the fence; I set it for each cut with a 600mm steel rule.
    I fitted a Wixey to my thicknesser and it's always spot on BUT when I start a new thicknessing job, I ALWAYS run the timber through on a trial cut (above the thickness required) then check the set Wixey figure against the actual timber using a vernier. Think I must have OCD as well
    Last edited by Lappa; 18th August 2017 at 09:43 AM. Reason: Additional

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Perth WA Australia
    Posts
    828

    Default

    Hopefully this doesn't make people cringe...

    I've got one tape measure which I use for everything, I've never used the rulers on any of my equipment including the Incra on my table saw.

    Having said that it is incredibly annoying when i forget where i put my tape measure.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
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    7,696

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    Quote Originally Posted by tonzeyd View Post
    Hopefully this doesn't make people cringe...

    I've got one tape measure which I use for everything, I've never used the rulers on any of my equipment including the Incra on my table saw.

    Having said that it is incredibly annoying when i forget where i put my tape measure.
    I lost a tape measure not long ago in my workshop and I still can't find it.
    CHRIS

  9. #8
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    North of the coathanger, Sydney
    Age
    68
    Posts
    9,417

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Lappa View Post
    My table saw is home built so there is no rule on the fence; I set it for each cut with a 600mm steel rule.
    ...
    I do the same but have noticed that the measurements can vary depending on whether I'm wearing my glasses or not!
    regards
    Nick
    veni, vidi,
    tornavi
    Without wood it's just ...

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 1999
    Location
    Westleigh, Sydney
    Age
    77
    Posts
    9,542

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Parks View Post
    I lost a tape measure not long ago in my workshop and I still can't find it.
    So did I, so I just used one of the other six or seven.
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