Can't operate the rip fence-shouldn't it go all the way to the blade?

[Pappy]

Most don't use the scale on the fence. Because they are designed to move for wider rips or to gain more support to the left of the blade as needed, the front rail would have to be reset in the exact same position anytime this was done. Much easier to measure for set up with a steel rule or tape measure.

[LCHIEN]

Most don't use the scale on the fence. Because they are designed to move for wider rips or to gain more support to the left of the blade as needed, the front rail would have to be reset in the exact same position anytime this was done. Much easier to measure for set up with a steel rule or tape measure.

Subject of this poll.
Many do use the scale. 40% according to the poll.
http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...ght=poll+scale

[poolhound]

FIXED IT! thanks to all....it was the square shiny steel things the front rail slides onto, they just needed to be turned so as to take up the play, which was up and down play , in the front rail. Now ALL parts work together and slide smoothly. |BUT---any suggestions for the right lube on all the sliding parts>?| Some kind of teflon, I heard?

Great that you fixed it. As far as lubrication goes there is not much to do. As Pelligrini already mentioned you could rub some wax paper on the inside of the rails, a little dry lube would also work. Unless you are continually resetting the width for large sheets of ply you wont move the rails that much.

Some of the internal gearing that raises/tilts the blade can do with an occasional clean and dry lube. Unless you use it 10hrs every day you may not need to do this more than once/yr

Give the table top and face of the fence a light application of paste wax (Johnsons or similar).


I know it may be counter intuitive but DO NOT lube/wax the outside and tops of the rails where the fence runs. this will create a slick surface where the fence needs to grip and you will have trouble setting it. As a last step to your setup and lube I would clean down both rails with mineral spirits to get rid of any residue.

[poolhound]

Most don't use the scale on the fence. Because they are designed to move for wider rips or to gain more support to the left of the blade as needed, the front rail would have to be reset in the exact same position anytime this was done. Much easier to measure for set up with a steel rule or tape measure.

Thats what I do. Once set with a tape I do occasionaly use the scale as a relative measurment e.g. if after cutting I need to take off an extra 1/16 I can just use the rail settings.