Micro-Adjuster for a Misaligned Table Saw Top
If you have a cabinet saw whose table is misaligned with the blade, cutting accuracy is compromised. So it’s important to correct any misalignment by adjusting the tabletop.
To adjust a saw’s table, first unplug the machine and loosen all four bolts that secure the table to the cabinet. Make a pencil mark in the space between two sawblade teeth. Rotate the blade toward the front of the saw and use a dial caliper to measure the distance between the miter slot and the side of the blade at the mark. Now rotate the blade toward the back of the saw, measure, and compare to the front measurement. If the distance is smaller at the front of the blade, tighten the bolt at the left-front corner of the saw; if it’s smaller at the back of the blade, tighten the bolt at the left-rear corner of the saw. Leave the other three bolts loose.
Next, clamp a 2×4 to the guide rails as shown. Drive 21.2-in. drywall screws into the board so that when tightened they will come in contact with the cabinet near the corners of the saw. Now recheck the blade-to-miter-slot measurement at the locked-down corner. Rotate the blade to the other position, and, holding the calipers with one hand, begin tightening the screw at that corner to move the table into alignment.
Before you arrive at the desired caliper reading, stop and recheck the reading on both sides of the blade because invariably the readings will change slightly. Keep turning the screw and making very subtle changes until the readings match.
Before unclamping the 2×4, tighten the rest of the tabletop bolts and recheck the blade-to-miter-slot gap one last time.
Drawing by Jim Richey.
Drawing by Jim Richey.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Incra Miter 1000HD
MicroJig Matchfit dovetail clamps
Double Sided Tape
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