[OP]
Contributor
Hi Guys,
I am putting together my Sawstop and soon I will need to check the blade alignment to the miter slot. On my old saw I did it with dial calipers. I was wondering what everyone is using to do their alignment. I have several dial indicators but the problem is getting something to run in the miter slot without any movement.
Izzy
Moderator
My tool of choice, Universal Base & 1" travel indicator:
Please help support the Creek.
"It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."
Andy Rooney
Member
I simply align with the slot. Now getting the slot aligned with the blade ... for that I use a dial indicator and a sliding base. Hopefully a "one-time" affair.
[OP]
Contributor
Bruce is there a rail or something you fit into the miter slot?Originally Posted by Bruce Page
I use a shop made that matched the readings from a TS Aligner Jr. that a friend brought by. I like to get my machines as precise as possible and am willing to spend the money where required. This function just didn't require it ;-).
22124 Alingment 004.jpg . 22124 Alingment 005.jpg
22124 Alingment 009.jpg . 22124 Alingment 012.jpg
"A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".
– Samuel Butler
Member
+1 If you have one (any flat/parallel piece), slide the indicator base along the slide to measure from the side of the slot.
Contributor
For a cheap check, take a combination square and slide it towards the blade, until the straight part of the head falls into the slot. Hold it in place and adjust the blade until it just touches a piece of carbide. Lock the blade in place. Slide the combination square until it is opposite the other side of the blade (if you started in the front of the blade, slide it back until you're at the back of the blade). Turn the blade until the same piece of carbide is in line with the blade. See if you're touching. Use feeler gauges to determine the difference on the short side.
This is so much easier to show with some pictures than to describe.
Mike
[Okay, I took a couple of pictures.]
BladeAdjustment01.jpgBladeAdjustment02.jpg
Last edited by Mike Henderson; 04-06-2015 at 5:10 PM.
Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.
Moderator
Izzy, this is a common machinist tool. There are 4 hardened pins that are movable with a friction fit, one in each corner of the base. In my example the 2 rear pins are pushed through and are protruding into the T-slot. You simply slide the base while keeping a light pressure on the pins against the wall of the slot.
Grizzly sells a cheap one for $16 that should work fine: http://www.grizzly.com/products/Surf...ges-4-7-/H2712
"It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."
Andy Rooney
Member
I've had one of these since 1960 when I was a Tool & Die Maker apprentice. Works great!
Moderator
I attach a block of wood to the miter gauge with screws and use a wood screw to attach my dial indicator to that block of wood. My miter bar fits tight in the slot. I get repeatable measurements.
Lee Schierer
USNA '71
Go Navy!
My advice, comments and suggestions are free, but it costs money to run the site. If you found something of value here please give a little something back by becoming a contributor! Please Contribute
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote