Ed in Tampa
07-02-2008, 04:39 PM
Daring fate and sanity, I broke out my complete A Line It Kit and dared to check my saw. Yikes.....dial indicator had my settings off a sinful .009!
Hmmm.....Not to follow Ed down the WIA road, I grabbed my miter gauge, long 5/32 key, then checked the way I learned at the three TA's I attended. Saw was dead -on. I checked the alignment on my fence and the new overhead fence jig. Again....dead on.
If anyone is interested in a barely used, full A Line It Kit, PM me. That puppy will drive you nuts.
An easier method for checking vertical alignment: I watched The Woodsmith Shop and they showed removing the insert plate, then using a good miter square, you can check how the entire blade width is aligned with the table. A check with a flashlight will show daylight if not at 90. Easier....better.
We have driven each other nuts on this forum over this topic. I remember Doug Reid claiming that he did simple checks each morning... and his had yet to have a correction made. Lesson? Once you have it "squared up", it's best to leave it alone.
Lets' all enjoy this weekend. Say a prayer for our troopers who won't be here for the festivities, but are paying so we can enjoy it.
Doc, USArmy...Retired
Doc
I totally agree!!! A while back I declared dial indicators in wood shop were put there to make you crazy. I believed it then and I really believe it now.
When I first got my SS I set it up using the methods in the book (much like you describe above) and cut for nearly 25 years only realigning it when I got the my 510 upgrade. It cut like satin, smooth and straight, no swirl marks no out of true.
Then about a year ago everyone started talking about dial indicators and "accuracy" I went out and bought one. Since then I really believe my quality of cut has shown a decline. One thing is for sure I was cutting less and playing with the stupid dial indicator more. :mad:
I for one will not offer to buy your "A line it" kit. :p
A long hex wrench in the mitre slot does a really really super job!!!!! Incidentally after I set my SS up with the dial indicator the last time I checked my work using the old method. I know for a fact had it been off according to the old method I would have changed it. However God watches over idiots like me and He didn't want me to damage anymore of my body so by his grace my table was aligned perfectly according the mitre gauge method. ;)
Ed
Hmmm.....Not to follow Ed down the WIA road, I grabbed my miter gauge, long 5/32 key, then checked the way I learned at the three TA's I attended. Saw was dead -on. I checked the alignment on my fence and the new overhead fence jig. Again....dead on.
If anyone is interested in a barely used, full A Line It Kit, PM me. That puppy will drive you nuts.
An easier method for checking vertical alignment: I watched The Woodsmith Shop and they showed removing the insert plate, then using a good miter square, you can check how the entire blade width is aligned with the table. A check with a flashlight will show daylight if not at 90. Easier....better.
We have driven each other nuts on this forum over this topic. I remember Doug Reid claiming that he did simple checks each morning... and his had yet to have a correction made. Lesson? Once you have it "squared up", it's best to leave it alone.
Lets' all enjoy this weekend. Say a prayer for our troopers who won't be here for the festivities, but are paying so we can enjoy it.
Doc, USArmy...Retired
Doc
I totally agree!!! A while back I declared dial indicators in wood shop were put there to make you crazy. I believed it then and I really believe it now.
When I first got my SS I set it up using the methods in the book (much like you describe above) and cut for nearly 25 years only realigning it when I got the my 510 upgrade. It cut like satin, smooth and straight, no swirl marks no out of true.
Then about a year ago everyone started talking about dial indicators and "accuracy" I went out and bought one. Since then I really believe my quality of cut has shown a decline. One thing is for sure I was cutting less and playing with the stupid dial indicator more. :mad:
I for one will not offer to buy your "A line it" kit. :p
A long hex wrench in the mitre slot does a really really super job!!!!! Incidentally after I set my SS up with the dial indicator the last time I checked my work using the old method. I know for a fact had it been off according to the old method I would have changed it. However God watches over idiots like me and He didn't want me to damage anymore of my body so by his grace my table was aligned perfectly according the mitre gauge method. ;)
Ed