Thread: Chasing accuracy and convenience with sleds and mitre gauges

Originally Posted by barri

OMG, another one that's completely missed the point of the video. Of course aligning the slots to the blade is the most critical part of a table saw adjustment. Its the first thing I did with both my table saws and it will be the first thing I do with my next table saw but this video is NOT about that its about aligning a miter gauge to cut at 90 degrees and showing why referencing off the blade can be inaccurate compared to referencing off the slots. That's it! All I'm talking about is that video and what he's trying to show! Why do you think he deliberately took the blade out of parallel? Why is that hard to comprehend?

Exactly right Barri. I spent some hours on the very same issue a few years back in another thread. It's hard for most guys to get their mind off the blade when squaring the mitre gauge or sled, but we have to if we really want square. It's all about the slot.

Then separately, align the blade parallel to the slot to ensure clean safe cuts. Simples!

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

He at no time recommends or shows how to adjust the table so the mitre slot is parallel to the blade which is the first thing that should be done. Anyone reading this should take note, release the table clamping bolts and the slot can then be aligned. Then align the fence with slight toe out to prevent contact with the back of the blade and then check if the mitre gauge is set to zero against the blade or slot.

Actually Chris, they are two separate but equally important operations.

1. Align the mitre gauge/sled to be 90 degrees square the slot to ensure square cuts

2. Align the blade to be parallel to the slot to ensure clean and safe cuts.

The two operations have distinctly separate objectives

Originally Posted by Bendigo Bob

1. Align the mitre gauge/sled to be 90 degrees square the slot to ensure square cuts

2. Align the blade to be parallel to the slot to ensure clean and safe cuts.

The two operations have distinctly separate objectives

The voice of reason. Well said Bob!

Given its title, this thread and its corresponding videos are ALL about number 1.