What's the best way to remove play on the stock miter gauge?

[ryan.s]

I saw a post earlier that dimples using a nail punch could eliminate play on a miter gauge. What's the best way of doing this so the fit is good? Would it be to put dimples on the top of the miter bar while it sits in the miter slot? How many dimples? Short of getting an after market adjustable miter gauge how do you guys adjust the fit of a stock gauge to remove play?

[Ken Massingale]

I think you want the dimples on one side of the bar. When you make the depression the edges will raise around the dimple, this is what will effectively widening the bar to fit your miter slot. You will end up with craters, with raised rims. I suggest 3 of these, one near each end and one in the middle. I have seen ones with 2-3 holes drilled in the side of the bar and threaded for small nylon set screws, also.

[AlanWS]

I used a punch on one side of my miter gauge bar, and a file to smooth it so it slides easily without play. A spring-loaded punch makes it easy to prevent overdoing it. This is the sort of punch I mean:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91080

[ryan.s]

I'm glad I checked with you guys. I thought the technique was to dimple the top or bottom of the bar but now I see the proper way to do it is to dimple the side of the bar. Luckily I have the HF spring loaded punch, I'll give it a try.

Thanks!