Accessory Table (Crafstman 21829 specific??)...

[Lee280zx]

I finally got around to setting up my Crafstman 21829 saw.

While the SMT seems to line up perfectly when I slide it all the way up to the blade section, the Accessory Table does not. When I slide it all the way to the left (up against the blade section of the saw), there is a small gap at the rear.

I don't know if this is normal. I'm guessing that it doesn't matter too much since it is basically just additional support when you are cutting with the saw blade, but I'd still like to know if this is normal.

(I also noticed that there is a table clamping bracket that the manual says may need to be used when a router is mounted--due to the weight of the router. It mounts at the rear of the table, so maybe it can/should be used to adjust this gap.)

I'd appreciate any information any of you can offer about the usual alignment of the accessory table (and whether it is a concern). Thanks.

[LCHIEN]

the BT3x series of saws differsfrom conventional saw in that the saw arbor and blade are not aligned to the table. Therefore the alignment of the SMT to the main tbale is not guaranteed nor required since the SMT travle is aligned to the actual blade.

The Auxiliary/router table is not aligned to anything is the normal BT setup. The clamp is jus to keep the table from shifting or vibrating as you use the router.

[Lee280zx]

LChien...

I'm glad to know that the accessory table needn't line up perfectly with the blade portion of the table (nor the blade itself). But, is it UNUSUAL for the accessory table to not line up perfectly when slid up against the blade portion of the table?

I'm very surprised to hear you say that the blade and arbor aren't aligned to the table itself. You say that even the SMT needn't lign up perfectly; that only its travel, by which I think you mean the miter table base, needs to be aligned to the blade. How can that be? There are miter angle measurements on the SMT itself. For those to be accurate, doesn't the SMT have to be perfectly aligned to the blade??

[maxparot]

If the SMT travel is parallel to the blade then the index on the SMT will be lined up. I would still check all angles off the blade for critical cuts.

[LCHIEN]

LChien...

...
I'm very surprised to hear you say that the blade and arbor aren't aligned to the table itself. You say that even the SMT needn't lign up perfectly; that only its travel, by which I think you mean the miter table base, needs to be aligned to the blade. How can that be? There are miter angle measurements on the SMT itself. For those to be accurate, doesn't the SMT have to be perfectly aligned to the blade??

The sliding miter table obviously follows the base. If the base is aligned to the blade then the miter table slides parallel to the blade and the miter angle markings on the table will be correct.

you might find reading the FAQ to be helpful. You can find the FAQ link in the first thread under "getting Started".

[fiasco]

how is the "table lock" clamp used? I didn't see it referenced in the instructions.

[maxparot]

how is the "table lock" clamp used? I didn't see it referenced in the instructions.

It comes with the router kit. The instructions for the router kit show how it locks on to the rail with a single T-nut and a hand screw,