Incorrectly aligned table saw fences can cause a variety of problems, including burnt cuts, excessive saw dust, and excessive sawdust. Here are some tips for making sure your table saw fence is straight. Use a sliding jig to make adjustments and ensure that your saw is safe for the next project. The following article will walk you through the process. You can also try using a sliding jig to align your saw.
Misaligned table saw fence can cause burnt cuts
If you’re having trouble cutting through wood, you may be suffering from misaligned table saw fence. This can cause uneven pressure on the wood and, consequently, burning. To fix the problem, you should check the fence and miter’s height and align them correctly. If they are misaligned, the blade will be positioned too low, which can lead to excessive heat.
To check the fence, unplug the saw and align the blade. Then, slide the fence toward the miter slot and measure the gap. If you find it’s too low, try moving the fence further to the back until it doesn’t allow light to pass through. After measuring the gap, adjust the fence as needed. If the gap is too wide, you can replace the fence with another one.
Excessive saw dust
One of the most important ways to prevent excessive saw dust on your tablesaw fence is to always check your blade alignment. If it is out of line, you may suffer from poor cuts and excessive sawdust. To fix this problem, use the outfeed level and dial indicator on your table saw. You can also use an anti-kickback pawl or a vacuum dust collection system. These features will keep sawdust away from your face and protect your eyes from the debris.
To collect excess sawdust, you can also install a dust collection guard. These are essentially trash bags that swing out of the way whenever you use your table saw. Alternatively, you can install a dust collection guard that fits over the blade. This will capture finer blade dust and keep it out of your lungs. Depending on the table saw model, you may need to purchase two separate pieces of equipment.
Burnt cuts
The fence on your table saw is a crucial piece of your work, and it should be positioned correctly to cut accurately. A properly aligned fence will support the blade more securely when cutting thick wood like plywood. It will also help you support your workpiece in vertical cuts, like cutting the cheeks of a tenon or raising a panel. Besides the fence, you can use it to hold other things as well.
To align the fence, use two pieces of wood and insert them into the miter slots. Slide the fence against the two pieces to check for proper alignment. Another way to check fence alignment is using a feeler gauge. Make sure that the pointer on the gauge is perpendicular to the blade. If the fence is parallel to the miter slot, then your cuts will be accurate. The alignment of the fence is crucial, so make sure it’s level and parallel.
Using a sliding jig
When ripping wood, the fence may not be as straight as you’d like it to be. Wood that is wavy, knotted, or has uneven drying can cause it to warp. This can result in burn marks or kickback. To prevent this, use a sliding jig that clamps 3/4-in. of wood against the fence. This will allow the trapped piece to bend without pushing against the blade. Clamping the piece against the fence with a sliding jig prevents these problems by keeping the hands away from the blade. Push sticks can also be used to work around the clamps.
A sliding jig can also help you support larger pieces of wood, such as panels. This means that your table saw can make more vertical cuts without losing its level or tilt. The fence also prevents your hands from coming into contact with the blade during cutting. A sliding jig can be a great tool for making sure the table saw fence is straight, but you should be sure to check it first before attempting a cutting project.
Using a dial caliper
Before you start working on a project, you should check the squareness of your table saw fence. To do this, use a piece of wood as wide as your table saw fence, but smaller than its width. The longer the board is, the more accurate your measurement will be. MDF or plywood are good choices for squareness checks. After measuring each side of the fence, make any adjustments necessary to get the saw fence square.
You can also use a digital caliper to check the straightness of your fence. Just make sure to use the measurement distance provided by your dial caliper, and lock the fence in place while you take the measurements. Once you’ve verified that it’s straight, adjust the fence according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In most cases, this process will take just a few minutes.
