John-
I am setting up my first table saw, a Ridgid TS 3650. No problem on the overall assembly, but I can’t seem to get the blade assembly aligned. I am using a MasterPlate and SuperBar for aligning but here’s the issue: When running the SuperBar from front to rear in the left miter slot I get a runout of +0.003 from the front of the MasterPlate to the arbor, then it goes -0.003 from the arbor the far end, essentially back to 0 on the gauge. Either the miter slot is closer to the blade near the arbor, or the MasterPlate itself is slightly warped.
I hope I described the runout appropriately; I’ll reiterate that the distance from the arbor (middle of MasterPlate) to the miter slot is smaller than the distance from the front edge of the MasterPlate to the miter slot, if that makes sense. Essentially the distance from the front and rear of the MasterPlate is the same to the left miter track, but the middle is off by 0.003 inch.
Thanks for any help!
Dave
Replies
Dave : IHMO I would take the plate off and lay it on the table and see if it rocks. Make sure there are no burrs on plate or table , stone them off if there are. Make sure there are no burrs on arbor flange.If you have and indicator on a megnatic base set it so that indacator tip is touching plate laying on table ... Hold down on one side with thumb and altenately apply presure to oppsite corner. and see if indicator moves.
I would also check for arbor flange runout . It should be with in .001 IMHO. The manufactuer may tell you different . But if there is runout here it will multply by the time it gets to the edge of 10" blade. Chris
Thanks Chris. The Plate does not seem to have any burrs anywhere, but when I turn it around (measuring the back side) and measure again from the left miter slot, the opposite measurements happen with a slightly convex shape around the arbor.
I checked the arbor flange and it is within 0.001 and the slot is squared to the fence within 0.002. It seems to me that it is the Plate that is not true, but I'm a rookie at this.
I guess as long as it is within tolerances for safety, then I am OK with it. I am going to exchange the Plate to check for variation also.
Dave
Dave : (1) Also check to see that the table slots is parallel to the plate( or saw blade) with the arbor tilted over to a 45 deg angle .
(2) Also check that both slots are parallel to each other.
Chris
Thanks Chris -
I guess you check the 45 degree the same way you check at 90 degree? What is the easiest way to check the slots against each other??
I did check each slot against the fence with the fence placed in between the slots.
Dave
Dave : What kind of indicator do you have ? Plunger or stylus ?
This is easest done with a stylus type indicator
The easesat way to check slot to slot is to put megnetic base on a piece of steel, thickness and size dosen't matter, jut so long as the megnetism does not go through it. and it is largest enough so that extension rod will reach over to other slot.Bottom should be smooth so as to get a good reading. I prefer using a piece of 3/4" x 3/4" cold rolled steel (CRS) as long as the table is deep . Insert it into slot and slide it against crs bar with ind tip touching inside of other slot.If bar is lose fit shim with paper or what ever you have on hand.Shim on one side only.
If you have a morticeing attachment attach megnetic base to that and extend ind over to other slot. Anything that will slide in the groove or against the crs bar will; work.Miter gauge could also be used if it is snug fitting in slot
If blade is out of parallel at45 deg you will have to shim under saw where it is bolted to under side of table. If your saw is hanging off bottom side of table.
Chris
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