TS Alignment Help

[rh111]

About 6 months ago I got a Delta contractor saw. It worked great and have had no problems with it. Until now. I was kind enough to let a very good friend use it. Most of my friends know well enough that most of my hand tools and smaller equipment can be borrowed until I have to go get it myself or it is returned in not so good condition. Then that is it. One strike and your out (I know it's a little harsh, but got severly burned in the past).

I let my buddy use it in my garage this past weekend while I was away. He is a good enough friend to have a key to the garage and is more than trustworthy and has never let me down before. I went out to make some dust tonight for a small box for the lady. It appeared to me that my cuts were just a little off compared to normal. After checking every angle with the prehistoric angle, etc that I have, I have come to the conclusion that my glasses were on straight and that the saw is cutting off kilter. I changed the blade and still there.

What suggestions, tools, help can you members of the forum offer me?

[cgallery]

Do you have a manual for your saw? There are normally instructions in manuals for aligning your saw. You'll want to observe the blade on start/stop and make sure there is no visual wobble (there is always measurable wobble). Then follow the manual for aligning the blade to the miter slots, and the fence to the miter slots, too.

[RodKirby]

"just a little off" "the saw is cutting off kilter"

What do you mean

[drumpriest]

Check that there is no debris impeding the blade from properly seating. Then check the trunnions to ensure that the miter slots are parallel to the blade. You can do that with a combo square or for more accuracy a dial gauge. Then check that the rip fence is parallel to the blade by checking 1 tooth at the front and the same tooth at the back of the blade travel.

Check your miter gauge if you are off on cross cuts, ensure that it's perpendicular to the blade. This only matters if the miter slot is already correctly aligned.

Also, make sure that your splitter is aligned behind the blade, make sure that it isn't pushing the workpiece in some strange way.

Just a few off the top of my head.

[Tom Hintz]

I have a story with photos and video on basic TS alignment at the link below. It's a very good idea to go through this once in a while regardless of if someone else has used it or not, just to be safe.

http://www.newwoodworker.com/basic/tsalign.html