Thread: Sliding table accuracy

I have had a problem setting up the extension table (ETA100) to be accurate for both ripping and cross cutting for about 12 months now. I have fiddled with it on and off for during that time. I finally spent a full day trying to get it right and I succeded. As I have seen a few threads in the past regarding this I thought I would share my experiences in case it is useful to others.

I originally followed the instructions in setting up the sliding table and set the rip fence of the workcentre against the rulers of the table and adjusted the inner rail of the table to match. After that I could rip with accuracy. The problem started when I tried to crosscut and realised that the sliding table fence was not square to the saw blade. After much fiddling over the course of a year here is what finally worked.

Start by ensuring your saw blade is correctly aligned against the rip fence of the workcentre. The saw blade then becomes your point of reference and everything else must match to it. Also make sure the height of the sliding table is correct. Check that if you push down on the inner corners of the sliding table there is no movement. If there is adjust the height of the outer rail until you get it right. Use a long straight edge across the whole sliding table and work centre and ensure the height is consistent. All this is prelimenary stuff.

To get the table lined up accurately I have found it is better to get the crosscut right first. Adjust the inner rail so that it is pulled up tight against the workcentre. Set the crosscut fence either close to you or away from you depending on your preference and slide the fence onto the workcentre up to the saw blade. Tighten the fence down. You can now take a square and check the fence against the saw blade. Adjust one side of the inner rail outwards as needed until the fence is square to the blade. You have effectively lined up the inner rail so that it is parallel to the saw blade. Do some cuts and ensure they are square.

To adjust for ripping you use the workcentre rip fence as before. The difference is that you do not adjust the inner rail to get your rulers to line up as this would undo what you have just done. Instead you move the rulers on the sliding table to match up with the workcentre's rip fence. You can do this by loosening the four bolts that run along the frame under the ruler and sliding the ruler to the correct position before retightening. There is about 3mm of slide play available. If you didn't start this whole process with the inner rail tight up against the workcentre you may run out of play.

I hope this helps someone out there.