BT3K Rip fence alignment question

[Ed62]

I check my alignment every so often, and when I checked it this morning, I found that my fence was .006" closer to the blade (BT3K), on the outfeed side. Alignment has been holding very steady, and I've never had to change it. So my question is, Is this enough to be concerned with? If it were "away" from the blade, I'd consider it "right on". If I need to adjust it, what's the easiest way to move it when you consider we're talking a few thousandths of an inch? I know we're talking about wood, but I don't want to risk a kickback.

Ed

[cgallery]

PITA, but yes, I would adjust it to be perfectly parallel or toed-out. Requires a bit of trial and error and patience.

One trick that can help is a piece of wood that is short enough to rest between the blade body (not touching teeth) and the fence. Loosen the fence's rear clamp adjustment screw, and the front fence bolt (just the front one, not both). Then, clamp the blade to the fence with the stick in-between. Now, tighten the bolts.

If you want it toed-out a little, put a business card between the wood and the fence on the outfeed side of the blade before clamping.

Although the clamped stick trick helps, you may need to do it a couple of times to get it right.

[Black wallnut]

If my math is right that figures to about 1.8 minutes of angle assuming it is .006 off at 1'. IMHO that is probabaly not enough to cause a kaickback as long as you are using the riving knife but it could and probabaly will cause stock burning.

The easiest way might be to place the fence on the left side of the blade with contact (light contact) to the front of the blade. Lock down only the front block, then loosen the two adjusting screws and push the fence over until it touches the rear of the blade without deflecting the blade. Tighten the screws, move the fence back to the right of the blade and recheck.

[Ed62]

Thank you for the help. Hopefully I'll get the time to "git 'er done" before the weekend.

Ed