T-slots, that is.
I’ve never had a tool with t slots, just ordinary miter slots. I’m very quickly thinking that t slots are a major design flaw, not a feature.
I never had a problem keeping a bar in a miter slot without the tee. But I find that sawdust and detritus in the slot make the bar stick, way too much. A square slot gets swept out by the bar, but the tee just jambs it in here. I’m thinking about just taking off the washer on the bottom of the bar that creates the tee.
Any thoughts?
Replies
Do whatever works for you
I have a different opinion about t-slot miter gauge slots than you, but hey it's your saw you don't need our permission to remove the washer. Just don't throw it away in case you change your mind.
I have a pile of parts that says I never throw anything out!
I'm just a little unclear on the necessity. I never found a need for the t slot, and now I'm just wondering if I'm doing something wrong.
John, I have thought about this too at times, especially while balancing Incra's large sled in front of the saw and threading the T-washer in while the whole thing wobbles and I worry about accidently twisting the bar, but less often with the typical miter gauge. I've never noticed binding, but I admit that if sawdust accumulates much at all, I normally brush out the channel from paranoia about anything that will throw off an accurate cut. I guess the primary purpose is to prevent against sled/gauge/stock tipping up when cutting wider stock? I have wondered if that T washer provides any measure of safety other than the tipping prevention. I guess maybe manufacturer lawyers might like the fact it prevents you from removing the bar and whatever its attached to anywhere except far from the blade? So, also interested if anyone understands if it adds any other dimension of safety or advantage.
I have a mixture, but my main saws both have T slots.
Initially I too hated them as it sort of seemed harder to get a strip to run true in them. A 'standard' slot seemed so much more sensible and, of course, is much easier to brush out.
Now, I prefer the T Slot.
It is not so hard to make a narrower runner for a sled, should that be required, but it is very hard to make something stick fast in an open slot. With a sliding saw, I do a lot of that.
T slots allow firm fixing in place, as well as smooth running, though I would not try to constrain something designed to slide as there is no large advantage. We don't try to constrain sleds vertically in a standard open slot after all.
The annoying tendency to collect sawdust is easily dealt with using compressed air.
I hadn't thought about locking things in, only about sliding, so thanks for that. And it's good to know that this might simply be a case of old dog/new tricks.
I'll stick with it for a while and see how it goes. I can always take the tee off later.
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