Table Saw Jigs to Align a Crappy Table Saw Fence / Table Saw Fence Alignment

[@theusconstitution1776]

Absolutely the best answer short of spending 400 bucks on a new fence system. I love the idea it’s quick it’s painless no math involved bing bang boom square fence thank you sir.🙏🏼❤️‍🔥🇺🇸

[@skampp]

I love this because it could improve my cheap table saw cuts and it doesn't modify anything on the table. Genius. Thank you sir, I'll try it tonight.

[@jimsmith2601]

LOL... made me chuckle when you said "I am going over to the table saw to drill a couple of holes".... I have said stuff like that and my family teases me all the time.

[@tuftoro7111]

I'm glad you caught that too. 😁

[@cullenbohannon7099]

As a new woodworker with a jobsite saw I thank you so much for this video. I will definitely make the sliding arms jig for sure that's amazing

[@chongminliang5468]

Hello there, Mr. Colin, I'm very happy to see many of your impressive video you're done. Even I'm not a carpenter, but because of your very detail explanation, I slowly pick up some knowledge, but due to much of the material I can' get in my hometown. I am slowly grathering them here and there. I really appreciate what you spare time in teaching and sharing your experience. Thanks a lot for what you've done. This will take up most of my time staying doing nothing at home. God blessed you and Happy Father's Day. Amen.

[@CharlesNolanArt]

Incredibly, simply, genuis! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@whomadethatsaltysoup]

Very good tips for those of us that don't have a couple of grand burning a hole in our pockets. I've used some pretty rubbish - but expensive - job site table saws over the years, with terrible, wobbly and woefully inaccurate fences, as a jobbing carpenter. The one I use now is, well, let's just say it's okay for the money, and the fence is as good as some at 2 or 3 times the price. I've already implemented your excellent 'story board' idea, where I set the fence to the usual suspects by aligning the blade with the fence to carry out repeat cuts. Thank you for that! Now, with this easy to make alignment jig, I can check to see if the fence is, indeed, parallel with the blade, and make any adjustments easily, without having to squint at a tape or rule. Much obliged!

[@emmetttoomey736]

Colin Im 79 male and i will try in the near future support your wonderful wood working knowledge

[@danricks2042]

I just built the 2 measuring stick system to align my table saw fence. A little while ago, I built the 45 degree miter cut sled. Both systems/jigs work great. I have found that Colin Knecht's jigs are brilliant simple designs.

[@patrickfreeman8816]

I was just about to turn my ancient Craftsman table saw into an anchor when I saw this video! The fence on that variant is impossible to set accurately! After watching this I use a light duty aluminium clamp (I added wood sides to the clamp for vertical alignment) for a fence and use these sticks. Works every time!! Thanks so much!!

[@cathyb2204]

same!

[@snarkfinder2621]

I am pretty new to woodworking, so I am using low-end cheap gear to start with. I bought an Aldi table saw. Fairly small, just 485mm x 445mm table size and an absolutely crappy fence. Even the rules at either of the fence do not match up. They are about 5mm out of whack. I saw this video and thought what a brilliant idea. I then realised that Colin is a very experienced man and could probably see if something was square by sight alone. I can't. I made the sliders 120mm long out of timber and made them 10mm higher than the mitre slot. I cut a piece out of the slider about a third of the way along so that the rail could sit flush to the table. The rail slops about in the slider, but I can use a square against the rail and the raised part of the slider so that I know that I have everything square. Thanks for the video Colin.

[@leonardnoel888]

Clever and simple thinking to fix the challenge. Thank you.

[@robertblalock5009]

thanks Colin, I have an older Craftsman belt drive and my fence ineeds help with setting. This is a very good idea, I am amateur woodworker and To late in life to buy a new saw. thanks for the tips. Always enjoy your tutorials. Mostly I make sawdust, but I enjoy doing it.

[@grandmastermicochero]

Great inexpensive way to set the fence Colin, great idea!

[@user-qf7lq5ym4o]

Last jig looked ace! Will definitely make my life easier. I did think that I needed to go out and buy a new rip fence or a new table saw, but with things like this, you really don't need to do so.

[@TheNW9mm]

Thanks, I have a crappy table saw and these will make life much better.

[@HWPcville]

I've watched this several times as I plan on making some fence alignment sticks such as yours. I just realized that at 7:10 you said you were going over to the table saw to drill a couple of holes...lol I came to the comments to see who else caught it but no one did (or at least no one mentioned it). I like all your videos and appreciate you taking the time to video and post very useful content.

[@jdaniel11405822]

I love the last idea the most! You could even mark the distance on each of the pieces to make getting the distance even quicker. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@drt4789]

jdaniel11405822 Me too, What a brilliant idea.

[@sitgesvillaapartmentneilsc7924]

@@drt4789 just put a self adhesive tape on the jig to give you a measure,.........

[@vincentferrari]

These are great! Truthfully seeing stuff like this makes me glad I have a Dewalt table saw. Even though it's comparatively small, the geared fence system they use is remarkable and my fence is never out of parallel to the slots. It's the one feature I wish more saws had.

[@hooper2493]

Thank you. Been getting fed up with my fence. This'll be super helpful.

[@richardgordon3611]

Your twin fence gauges are a Godsend, they have saved me so many times !!!

[@shawns8012]

As a person just getting into the fascinating world of woodworking, thank you very much. I only have a job site table saw and always struggle getting the right cut with it. This will help me a ton. Thanks again

[@knecht105]

Hope it helps! Thanks for watching!

[@ralphconnell8163]

Colin..The measuring sticks are excellent. Like how toy cut the slots too. Thank you.

[@LUckybones25]

I think I will apply this to my horrible router table fence. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@DebHeadworth]

Thank you for your great insights! You’re a fantastic teacher!

[@philgoulding5219]

Thanks Colin. I have a fence that takes some attention each time and your jigs will definitely help. I will keep watching!

[@VirgilAllenMoore]

I love the two sliding arms, that will make adjusting my job site saw incredibly easier. Thank you

[@zanshin753]

On the sliding arm you could attach a ruler to the sliding arms, aligned to a set fixed point (centerline of the slide). This should allow for even faster set up. I'm new to wood working so if this suggestion is impractical or just plain wrong, please set me straight.

[@UldisHofmanis]

Thank You Mr. Knecht, I made almost like You did. It's really works fine for me.

[@Cadaver1actual]

Of course! Thanks Ken I’d been rolling the mitre slot material conundrum around for a while

[@samhazen6776]

Those arms are going to save me SO MUCH time! THANKS

[@oceanspark9850]

So helpful - I wish I had thought of/seen this so many years ago - thanks for sharing -

[@ThePrevo02]

that last jig you made is really good. the fence on my table saw has always given me fits. Going to make one of those. Thank you.

[@mikeprell2747]

I've got my Grand Father's 1950's vintage Craftsman table saw with the fence that came with it. Thanks for producing this valuable video! Part two is just what I need to do. Thanks!

[@knecht105]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@GuillaumePicquet]

The last jig really made my day. I'll definitely build one. Simple & effective. Thank you.

[@knecht105]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@Exodus_Johnson]

Same, so simple and quick but does the job perfect!

[@jeanettesharrow4101]

I think I'm going to add measurements to it also.

[@a..d5518]

jeanette Sharrow same, use a bit of tape measure with the adhesive backing

[@DanDanroonie]

@@jeanettesharrow4101 Yes! that way you don't need the tape measure step at all - you can even put it on a piece of painters tape 'til you perfect the measure - with a test piece! - Wish something like this was available on Amazon!

[@MichaelFemia]

I really like the last jig setup! My only concern is that it seems easy to set each pointer at a slight angle, so I'm going to try to make a version with longer miter slot runners, and tack on a couple of short guides that keep the pointers perpendicular to the miter slots. Wouldn't have thought of this otherwise, so thank you for helping me make the best out of my decrepit fence!!

[@consumerg]

If set at the same length, the angle does not matter as long as it is locked down. The same concern occured to me

[@anthonyscardino7387]

I have a hand me down table saw I’m starting to use and looking to make safer and friendlier to use. I’m so happy I found your channel. Can’t wait to go through the rest of your videos

[@TheMusicman961]

Nice Jigs, I like the second one best. I have a Kobalt table saw which has 2 locks front and back. Getting the front aligned is easy but the back is always the challenge as it is always off a little bit. I really only need one sliding jig piece which will go a long way in helping. Thanks for the tips!

[@LosoIAm]

The last jig (with the two adjustable arms) is very useful - Thank you for sharing, Sir.

[@TR4zest]

I really enjoy your practical, common sense approach. I have learned a lot from you. Thank you.

[@JusBidniss]

Superb jigs, sir! Much simpler and more elegant than an idea I was playing around with to help align my crappy old Craftsman contractor saw's wiggly rip fence. My jig (that I never got to work) was sort of a combination of both of yours, a narrow one-runner sled, onto which was mounted a large square chunk of plywood with long left/right slots, so that its square edge could square up the fence like your fixed jig, but be adjustable to whatever place the fence was moved to. Basically it was your second jig, but with the 2 pieces bridged by a big piece of plywood that could slide left and right, while keeping its square edge parallel to the miter slot like your fixed jig does. Except it wouldn't stay square when moved due to the small amount of play between the screws and my left/right adjusting slots. Attempts to replace the screws and slots with my own short 6" 'miter slots' and runners mounted on the sled, at right angles to those of the table saw, ended up being too complex and requiring exact precision, than I wanted to deal with. (My right-angle runners would bind in my sled's 6" slots, then after just the slightest bit of sanding, they'd be entirely too loose and the square edge was no longer square. Very frustratingly precise tolerances! Likely, the 6" slots were just too short to achieve anything like 'square'.) Given all the time I wasted on that thing, I could have bought a Biesemeyer fence. Plated in gold.... (And you can tell by my 'wordiness' this is a topic that has frustrated me for some time!) :) Your take, setting the length of 2 simple 'depth gauges' at the leading point of the blade, then using them to separately align the extreme front and back of the fence, is the simplest and best way to go! (Basically what I have to do with the tape measure every time, but easier and more precise as it doesn't involve looking at a tape while tapping the fence into alignment, then re-measuring several times to be sure.) Or your first jig, using a large fixed chunk to square the fence to a width you commonly cut. Both simply genius!

[@knecht105]

Hope it helps! Thanks for watching!

[@Rickeoni005]

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

[@pathardage1880]

Thank you, sir. I gotta try this.

[@alanmullock381]

My cheap saw will be getting a new lease of life,thanks Colin👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@knecht105]

Hope it helps! Thanks for watching!

[@marksvoboda3797]

Thanks for the simple tip.

[@garryprendergast6183]

Great idea so simple thanks for your idea.

[@yukangli6385]

Brilliant idea! I was always doubtful if my table saw fence was parallel to the blade. Now I know how to make sure of that. Thank you!

[@sapelesteve]

Good ones Colin! I will have to put those on my back burner for now............Thanks!

[@knecht105]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@iwpsurf]

Great video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!

[@jonbrowning7340]

I know it is 3 years old but awesome video! I am going to make that last jig. I have gotten into wood working over the last year and have the world's cheapest used table saw and the fence is so bad I just clamp a level on instead. Thanks!

[@ooCHICOoo]

Mr Colin my friend great 👍 amazing video

[@stevegodfrey6063]

Hi Colin, that last jig is so simple. I have a budget table saw, the fence is "OK", but this is so quick and simple and ensures lovely parallel cuts 😁 thank you...

[@kevin_1979]

I really like that last tip. I've watched a bunch of your videos and that's the tip that made me subscribe.

[@massimilianoradossi9980]

Wow!! The 2nd one is very very ingenious tool!!!

[@turgutersoy]

Thank you master. This is really good trick for beginners like me🤗🙋🏻‍♂️🫡

[@heinimunch8636]

By far the best tip i found at u tube! Thank you from northern germany

[@jonchivers1149]

So simple, many thanks 👋👍

[@huwdavies5264]

You keep showing tips that will make life in the workshop so much easier. The plastic, your using, I believe is HDPE and is used a lot for mould making for casting resin in pressure pots as it is practically non stick. Thanks Colin. Cheers, Huw

[@knecht105]

Yes, it's HDPE. Thanks for watching!

[@colsanjaybajpai5747]

Wonderful tips

[@knecht105]

Thank You!

[@jakenbates]

Great stuff, CK!

[@Claus1234]

Love all your tips!

[@1981JONE]

Big thanx from Germany ! So Easy Tool...

[@knecht105]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@murrayglick8524]

Thank you for these ideas.

[@pedromartinez7915]

Estoy aprendiendo mucho de tu canal Tus conocimiento son compartidos Gracias

[@henryskinner1092]

Thank you Sir. Great idea.

[@reggiesmith6423]

Enjoyed the way you made the two slotted boards. Much quicker than using a router.

[@knecht105]

Yes, not everyone has a router. Thanks for watching!

[@vincepresto759]

LOVIT, I like the 2nd Set much better and will make for my Craftsman Table Saw that came with No Fence and have to Clamp a Straight Edge Down for my Fence ! Thx’s for Sharing

[@Thom4123]

Both jigs are going to be a great addition to my shop. Awesome information and Colin I’m with you I use the same white material it’s perfect and I can get it in the same size as my miter slots. Take Care.

[@knecht105]

Hope it helps! Thanks for watching!

[@johnthomas9204]

Your last jig caused me to face palm. Why didn't I think of that!?! The fence on my saw isn't the greatest and I am always double checking my distance at the near and far ends before I cut. Thanks for a terrific idea.

[@kathywinn6869]

I love the second one! Gonna make one today for my sad little HF table saw fence!! Thank you.

[@harrydavis6903]

Bless your heart and your saw! Be safe.

[@knecht105]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@garychandler4296]

HF fences...ok if you're cutting cheese!

[@herkamer98]

This is great... if your table saw has the miter grooves.

[@dclamby]

The second jig is actually a pretty good idea. What I did was this. I loosen my fence adjustment screws and then I simply brought my fence up against my saw blade and put a clamp on both the fence and blade. Yes, my blade is aligned with my miter slots. Then I tightened down the fence adjustment screws and that aligns my fence with the blade. It's worked pretty amazing for me.

[@aliindradi3876]

Great idea. Thanks for sharing.

[@mariesaintlager139]

Toujours de très bonnes idées. Bravo et Merci de les mettre à notre disposition !

[@docolemnsx]

I'm only 33 seconds in the vid but not sure if I can watch the entire thing right now so I'll just drop this quick comment - for quick alligning the fence, I use the simple half-sled that I made for cross cutting. Since it runs on the left side of the blade, the right side edge is pretty much perfectly aligned to the blade, so I pinch the blade between the fence and the sled without pushing on it, to get a pretty good adjustment quick and easy. There may be flaws in this method but it works decently. I'm curious what you have to show in the video but it'll probably take me most of the day to watch it 🤪

[@CharlesReiche]

The long stick jig is a great idea.

[@knecht105]

Thank You!

[@ethancole0420]

This is great I’m always fighting with my table saw to make my fence square

[@drelamad]

Thanks for the tips, I will definitely make one tomorrow. I would suggest to augment the process by insuring the jigs are at 90 degrees to the blade using a high quality square.

[@rod1148]

Have to try this! Thank you.

[@rod1148]

I tried the last one--works great! So far it's the best solution for my crummy table saw fence.

[@rod1148]

I have a Sears 113 series table saw with a junky fence. I've used these measuring arms for every cut I make. Thanks!

[@papounetpatenaude]

I love it! The second one was more exciting.. but on second thought, the first one will get more use! Fast, reproducible, uniform sizes!

[@knecht105]

Thank You, Gilbert!

[@RANDALLOLOGY]

The second jig is more useful and versitle. Thanks for sharing.

[@knecht105]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@DavidWhite]

Yepper that last jig is awesome

[@knecht105]

Thank You!

[@padoco73]

I'd been using 123 blocks to align my fence to my blade. It never really occurred to me that I should be aligning to the miter slots, though. Excellent information, Colin. Thanks!

[@akbychoice]

Patrick Connors and align the blade to the miter spot as well.

[@JBattler]

Simple, straight forward...Thanks so much!

[@knecht105]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@bozarthm2]

for a short and quick option to making some arms to measure the track to the fence, use two combination squares. Catch the inside of the track and then be used the same way. Thanks for the tips, this is now my go-to

[@nobull-dozer3356]

Thank you for sharing Colin.

[@knecht105]

You're Welcome!

[@shootsandscoots]

The parallel guides are good. I thought about making one prior? I like your idea of using the front of the saw blade for alignment so you don’t get the sticks and measurements offset.

[@ephraim.1964]

Increíble stuff. All 3 are awesome but the last is my choice and will definitely make one. Thank you for sharing your expertise. BTW, Happy Holidays!!

[@Dsoginventor]

AWESOME JIGS!!! I will make them!

[@kathrynnewton8721]

I like that! Thank you

[@richardstarring596]

Thanks for the tip I’m going to make it!

[@dougclevenger6748]

Good Video !

[@shawnmanuel9817]

Another great tip..I really liked the last one..Thanks Colin..👍👍

[@knecht105]

You're Welcome!

[@jbb5470]

Another great tip! I'll have to put one together for my saw. Thank you

[@knecht105]

You're Welcome!

[@jonnyboy1116]

] y Hynes

[@acjmathis]

Thanks for your help.

[@Ferndalien]

Both are more complicated than the ruler-holder design I found in a magazine-book published by Better Homes and Gardens in 2005 and titled "450+ Best-Ever Shop Tips". Simpler than either Mr. Knecht's jigs. You'll have to look in used book stores for it, as far as I can tell, it's out of print. But well worthwhile to get.

[@baja67]

Do a KZbin video of said ruler holder and share your method!

[@michaeldillon4070]

Hi Colin.... Great tips my table saw fence is appalling and they will both be helpful regards Mike

[@knecht105]

Thank You!

[@robertbrunston5406]

Thanks Colin.

[@tommyandtammy1]

I really enjoy your videos. Thanks and God bless.

[@knecht105]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@johne7100]

Excellent ideas! I'll be making myself a couple of your setting fingers this weekend. Thanks! FWIW my table saw is a Bosch PTS 10 and the fence is a piece of rubbish.

[@knecht105]

Ya, fences seem to be an issue on many table saws, even brand names. Thanks for watching.

[@notthestig.]

Looks like a combination square will do the same thing as well, and it's a cheap and common tool that many already have :)