Thread: Saw alignment MK3

I've had a request for a bit more information on how I use a feeler gauge to adjust the saw.

A feeler gauge has many very thin blades ranging from 0.001mm to 1mm. By selecting a number of these blades and folding them together any thickness can be obtained. Most automotive shops would have them and is on special this week at Supercheap.

The saw in the WC is held down by 4 clamps, one on each corner of the saw. These clamps are in 2 parts, the top being the saw clampdown and the bottom being the stop to keep the saw in place.

With the saw carriage and saw being the right way up I remove the top parts of the clamps. I then loosen the bottom part of one clamp and insert the feeler gauge (set to the size I need to move the saw) between the stop and the side of the saw and retighten. This will create a gap between the stop and the saw, being the amount the saw will need to be moved.

I then repeat the above with the other stop.

With the two stops set I move the saw and move the remaining stops to the side of the saw and clamp the saw securely with the top clamps.

Using the feeler gauge you should be able to accurately set the saw as you can repeat it to get 0.001 accuracy.


Peter.

Now it makes sense, however any accuracy is still dependent on having the skill and eyesight enough to set the fence accurately - if someone can make that job easier I'd be a happy little vegemite.

Denn

Originally Posted by dennford

Now it makes sense, however any accuracy is still dependent on having the skill and eyesight enough to set the fence accurately - if someone can make that job easier I'd be a happy little vegemite.

Denn

Denn,


That's the easy part.

I got a pair of cheap magnifying (3.5 magnification) reading glasses from a $2 shop and used the lenses to make the this addition to the fence.

As the lenses are plastic they are easily shaped to fit on a belt sander and the lenses and little wooden height blocks are glued onto the fence with clear silicone. Make the blocks higher than the low side of the fence but still below the highside so that magnification is increased and you can blow/suck any dust out.

With this addition the ruler marks are easy to see and no real skill is needed any more.

Peter.

Now you have me thinking about putting a fine wire hairline underneath rather than the crappy old pointer, keep this up and I wont need to upgrade to a thousand dollar table saw!

Thanks
Denn

Good one as usual Peter..

Al

Sturdee, what a bonza idea.
Stewie

Despite my earlier thread about the Mk3 I must admit dead accurate saw alignment was a bugbear. This method with the feeler gauges et al should do the trick nicely.
Thanks
Stewie