If youre a woodworker, you know that one of the essential tools in your shop is the table saw. You must ensure that your fence is properly aligned, as this is an extremely important tool.
Having a properly aligned table saw fence is crucial for making accurate cuts. If the fence is off even a little bit, it can cause your cuts to be inaccurate, leading to mistakes and wasted wood.
So how do you go about aligning the table saw fence? Well, there are a few different ways that you can do it. In this blog post, well show you how to align your table saw fence quickly and easily. Let’s get started, without further delay!
How Do You Align A Table Saw Fence.
There are a few different ways that you can go about aligning the table saw fence. We will show you the most popular methods in this blog post.
Align Your Blade To The Miter Slots
The first way to align your table saw fence is to adjust the blade. You will need to remove the bolts holding the blade in place. Then, adjust the blade so that it aligns with the miter slots. To ensure the blade is correctly aligned, you can use a ruler and a tape measure.
Once the blade has been aligned, tighten the bolts and attach the throat plate.
Align Your Rails
The following way to align your table saw fence is to adjust the rails. This can be a bit more tricky than adjusting the blade, so its essential to take your time and ensure that everything is aligned correctly.
To adjust the rails, you will need to remove the bolts holding them in place. Next, align the rails using a level. After they are aligned, tighten them and reattach fence.
Try This With A Combination Square
You don’t need a ruler or tape measure to align your blade. Instead, use a combination square. To do this, set the combination square against the fence and blade. Ensure that the blade is perpendicular to the fence, and then tighten the screws on the combination square.
Secure The Aligned Parts
Once youve aligned the blade and rails, its essential to ensure they stay aligned. You can do this by securing them in place with clamps. This will ensure your table saw fence is correctly aligned.
Truing The Trunions
In addition to aligning the blade and rails, you may also need to true the trunnions. Adjusting the trunnions to be perfectly perpendicular with the table saw’s surface is called this.
If you find that your cuts are inaccurate, then its likely that your trunnions arent aligned correctly. Either adjust them yourself, or hire a professional to align them.
Align Next The Rip Fence
After aligning the table saw fence it is important to make sure that the rip fencing is properly aligned. Adjust the screws to adjust the rip fence. Make sure that its parallel to the blade and that the teeth are lined up with the slots in the table saw.
Finding The Sweet Spot
After aligning the blade, rails and rip fence it is important to find the sweet spot. This is the spot on the table saw where the blade is at its most accurate. Test cuts are a good way to find the sweet spot.
Once you have found your sweet spot, keep it in mind and use it whenever you make critical cuts.
Here’s The Riving Knife
The riving knife is another essential part of the table saw. This is a piece of metal that fits between the fence and the blade. It helps prevent kickback.
Your riving knife may not be aligned properly if your cuts are uneven. Adjust it yourself, or bring your table saw to a professional for alignment.
Trim As Necessary
Once youve aligned the blade, rails, and rip fence, its essential to trim the excess material to neat everything. This can be done with a hacksaw or miter saw.
And thats it! You now know how to align your table saw fence correctly.
FAQs:
Should The Fence Of A Table Saw Be Parallel To Its Blade?
Yes, the fence of a table saw should be parallel with the blade. This will ensure accurate cuts.
Where Can I Find The Sweet Spot?
You can find the sweet spot by making a few test cuts. Once youve found it, please note it and always use it when making critical cuts.
How Do I Adjust The Blade?
You can adjust the blade by using a combination square or a ruler. Ensure that the blade is perpendicular to the fence, and then tighten the screws on the combination square or ruler.
How Do I Align The Rip Fencing?
Adjust the screws to align the fence. You should align the rip fence parallel to the blade. Also, ensure that the teeth line up with the slots on the table saw.
Conclusion:
It is crucial to align a table saw fence correctly. There are a few different ways to do this, and the most common method is to adjust the blade. Use clamps to ensure alignment and the sweet spot for critical cuts.
