Keys to Table Saw Alignment

A table saw is a powerful tool. It has the potential to create beautiful, accurate cuts. It also has the potential to cause mayhem and physical harm. It is vital to keep your table saw clean and well maintained. Alignment of your saw is one of the most important tasks in your table saw shop.

You should check your table saw alignment at least once a year. Take this opportunity to lubricate your table saw as well. Make sure to use a greaseless lubricant-anything else will attract dust and debris.

Start Smart
Use a neat and methodical approach when aligning your table saw. Unplug the table saw as a first step. Have the owner's manual handy for suggested tolerances and detailed instructions.

Perfect alignment is the goal when adjusting a table saw. With tolerances measured in thousandths of an inch, cheap tools or homemade jigs won't cut it. Do yourself a favor and invest in highly accurate tools. Quality squares and levels and a table saw alignment tool with a dial indicator are essential for accurate alignment.

A Parallel Universe
Miter slots are the one part of a table saw that can't be changed. The miter slots control the path of sleds and jigs. Your table alignment tool will also ride in the miter slot. The miter slot closest to the blade is used as a reference mark for all measurements made during alignment.

Clean Once, Measure Twice
Remove the blade from the arbor and clean the blade arbor and washers. It doesn't take much dirt or dust to throw off your measurements! With the blade removed, check the arbor and the inner washer if it's attached to the shaft. Zero out your dial indicator and run it completely around the outer edge of the arbor flange. If you measure more than 0.002 inch difference, contact your table manufacturer. You may need to have the arbor replaced.

The Bevel Stops Here
Setting the bevel with a square or bevel finder is the best way to make accurate bevel cuts. The 0-degree and 45-degree stops can be set with a square. Make sure the square rest on the face of the blade and not the teeth.

Blade Running
With the table saw blade in place, check to see that the blade is parallel to the miter slot. Make a pencil mark on the side of the blade below the teeth. Place this mark at the front of the table saw and measure with the table saw alignment tool. Rotate the marked part of the blade to the back of the table saw and measure again.

The goal is to have zero difference. Check you owner's manual for blade tolerance. Most manufacturers allow a 0.001 to 0.003 inch variance. Check your owner's manual for adjustment procedures. Adjust as needed then re-measure the blade.

Don't Fence Me In
A skewed rip fence can cause wood burn, splintering or kickbacks. This happens on a table saw when the back of the fence is angled toward the blade. This inward angle pushes the wood toward the table saw blade near the end of a cut.

An intentional outward skew of 0.001 to 0.003 inch will keep the wood free and prevent binding. Your table saw's owner's manual will provide specific adjustment instructions.

A True Miter Gauge
Although some owner's manuals recommend aligning the fence of the miter gauge to the blade, aligning it to the miter slot is more accurate. Use a metal square or right triangle to align the miter fence.

Wax On, Wax Off
After you've completed your table saw alignment, consider waxing the tabletop. A non-silicone waxing product will help the wood slide more easily, resulting in safer cuts. A good coat of wax will also help protect the table saw surface.