Alignment of Table Saw Blade, Slot and Fence using dial gauge and shop made fixtures.

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CORRECTION: Starting at time 10:47 in the video is shown a method of checking the 45 degree cuts - this method does not work. A method that does work is to cut a piece in half with the blade at 45 degree, then place cut edges together as in a picture frame corner, and then check with a square that they form a 90 degree corner. Here is a snippet of video showing the correct method: • Bevel Sled constructio...
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Inspired by the book: "Shop Machines" by John White, I found that I could get excellent results with shop made fixtures. The only expensive thing to purchase is a good dial indicator.
Blade alignment on a table saw should be checked at three blade positions: 1) vertical at maximum height; 2) vertical at minimum height; 3) bevel 45 degrees at maximum height.
Some table saws, such as SawStop ICS, have separate adjustment for each of these alignments, but even on a saw without separate adjustments it is good to know what the alignment errors are.
Most instructions for alignment say to measure off of the blade. A better approach is to replace the blade with a rigid arm. I used 1/2 inch phenolic for the arm. An arm has two advantages, over a blade: 1) deviations on the dial gauge are amplified, which gives a better indication of the alignment error; 2) when the blade is at minimum height the arm still projects above the table so a standard dial gauge can still be used, whereas with a blade, a special vertical dial gauge would be required.

[@thomasbrubaker4627]

Best alignment video I have seen. Some good points about referencing slot, fence, blade. Thanks for another great video.

[@tomwrzos9251]

Best alignment video I have ever seen. This is what woodpeckers should be selling at a fraction of the cost of their alignment device. Really a great video.

[@steven.woodward]

Thanks for feedback. Spend your Woodpecker budget on a good dial indicator and make the simple fixtures. ;-)

[@tomwrzos9251]

@@steven.woodward Even a cheap dial indicator! Have you seen the TSAlighnor? I would very much like to build something similar. Anyway fantastic video and information.

[@chuckgrumble5440]

Best ive seen, and ive seen a lot. Thank you!

[@clavicus]

Thanks this is excellent

[@peterloring7361]

Hey Steve, I found that the zero clearance blade insert (mine are from Rockler) make a good substitute for a dedicated piece of phenolic. The insert that I use is made from phenolic and have a 1 inch finger hole which I slipped over the blade arbor and tightened in place with the blade washer and nut. I did make a spacer to make a better fit but found this was an unnecessary step. This might make it easier for others to use this method.

[@steven.woodward]

Great idea.

[@jaykepley5238]

Very interesting video. Thanks for sharing this.

[@peterloring7361]

Hey Steven, This is a really well thought out process. Thanks for sharing. I remember reading that it's okay to have the fence have a 2-4 thousands runout at the back of the blade. This is much like the you stated with the 45 degree blade alignment, it doesn't have to be perfect if the runout is slight and not binding. Do you try for perfect parallel fence to blade, or a slight runout at the rear of the blade, to release pressure?

[@steven.woodward]

I have not tried setting the fence to runout slightly at the back of the blade, but seems like a good idea to avoid the back end of the blade rubbing against the wood when ripping. The amount of runout should be small because when doing other cuts, such as dado, then no runout would be best. I may give it a try next time I check alignment, which should be soon, as my last alignment check was when I made the video more than a year ago. Thanks for mentioning Peter.

[@jvh3253]

Thanks definititly trying this. Altough I only have a very old delta. Needs a new motor and a good amount of TLC

[@steven.woodward]

Thanks Johan, let us know if the alignment works on your machine. An old machine, well restored, can be better than a new machine. I restored an 1984 Delta thickness planer and would not trade it for a new planer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHfHlIaBnplqkLc

[@steven.woodward]

If your arbor needs to be trued up this video may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmabiGaeqq-YiM0

[@GCheung55]

Thanks for the informative video. Does it matter which miter slot the blade is aligned with?

[@steven.woodward]

The blade on saw shown in video, tilts away from the miter slot that the jig slides in, which makes it easy to measure with the dial indicator when the blade is tilted to 45 degrees. On some saws the blade tilts the other way, then it would be better to use the other miter slot. Hope this makes sense.

[@GCheung55]

@@steven.woodward yes I think it makes sense. I think what you’re saying is to align with the miter slot that the blade tilts away from. Thank you.

[@steven.woodward]

@@GCheung55 Well said