"Align-a-cut" on my Craftsman?

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  • rlah
    Forum Newbie
    • Dec 2006
    • 73
    • Indiana
    • Craftsman 21829

    "Align-a-cut" on my Craftsman?

    I'm still trying to figure out all the features of my new Craftsman 21829 (~ BT3100-1). There is something on the tabletop that I can't find anything in the manual on or in the archives on this forum. See attached picture - sorry for poor quality, it says "ALIGN-A-CUT" in the yellow circle. Is this on the original Ryobi TS? If not, any ideas what or how to use it? I suppose I could "paint the red line" over it...

    rlah
    Attached Files
  • fiasco
    Established Member
    • Nov 2006
    • 144

    #2
    It is for pencil marks

    Comment

    • Stytooner
      Roll Tide RIP Lee
      • Dec 2002
      • 4301
      • Robertsdale, AL, USA.
      • BT3100

      #3
      It's actually a bit more accurate than a red line. You use a straight edge and mark on it with a pencil. You can use this mark as both a rip and crosscut reference. You can also mark either or both sides of the blade.
      Lee

      Comment

      • Stray_shot
        Forum Newbie
        • Sep 2006
        • 26

        #4
        Yeah, I thought this was kind of weird when I first got it, but man do I love this little feature! The best way I have found to use it is to get a piece of scrap and do about a 1" crosscut using the SMT. The pull it back and use a sharp pencil (I use a .3mm mechanical) to scribe the insides of the cut. YOu now have a clear mark for your blade kerf. Lining up crosscuts is now a breeze. Just measure, mark on the lower side of the material, and line it up with you blade marks on the yellow/orange dot. Aside from some laser alignment system, it couldn't be easier.

        Comment

        • rlah
          Forum Newbie
          • Dec 2006
          • 73
          • Indiana
          • Craftsman 21829

          #5
          Nifty... I thought it was a cover over some adjustment screw, but now I'm thinking how to use it for cross-cut line-ups.

          Thx for the tips to all!
          rlah

          Comment

          • Jeffrey Schronce
            Veteran Member
            • Nov 2005
            • 3822
            • York, PA, USA.
            • 22124

            #6
            They have that feature on the 22124 and I was just as clueless! Absolutely no mention in the manual.
            Thanks!

            Comment

            • LCHIEN
              Internet Fact Checker
              • Dec 2002
              • 20914
              • Katy, TX, USA.
              • BT3000 vintage 1999

              #7
              A piece of Scotch magic tape on the front edge of your throat plate does the same thing - marks easily with a pencil and can be removed, erased or replaced.
              Loring in Katy, TX USA
              If your only tool is a hammer, you tend to treat all problems as if they were nails.
              BT3 FAQ - https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...sked-questions

              Comment

              • crokett
                The Full Monte
                • Jan 2003
                • 10627
                • Mebane, NC, USA.
                • Ryobi BT3000

                #8
                Dumb question but since the blade never moves, why not just use a permanent marker (sorta like the red line)?
                David

                The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment.

                Comment

                • dlminehart
                  Veteran Member
                  • Jul 2003
                  • 1829
                  • San Jose, CA, USA.

                  #9
                  Well, you might use a thin or thick kerf blade. Or a dado blade.
                  - David

                  “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” -- Oscar Wilde

                  Comment

                  • Stray_shot
                    Forum Newbie
                    • Sep 2006
                    • 26

                    #10
                    That is precisely why. It changes whenever you switch blades. Even a different blade with the same nominal kerf might create a slightly different offset depending on manufacturing tolerances, how tight you twisted the arbor nut, etc..

                    Comment

                    • crokett
                      The Full Monte
                      • Jan 2003
                      • 10627
                      • Mebane, NC, USA.
                      • Ryobi BT3000

                      #11
                      Originally posted by dlminehart
                      Well, you might use a thin or thick kerf blade. Or a dado blade.
                      Oh yeah. Never mind. I'm an idiot sometimes.
                      David

                      The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment.

                      Comment

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