Miter Saw fence is not straight!?

[Rob25]

I have a makita miter saw, and the fence is not straight. Would this be somthing I can heat and bend? I think the fence is cast aluminum. I need some options and ideas! The framing square is straight in the pictures...

[LCHIEN]

I think the point where they join in the middle is skinny and weak, a little judicious bending may straighten it out if indeed that's where it got bent and the two sides are straight. No heat required.

Before you do this, are you aboslutely sure the ruler is sraight?

[Rob25]

Im positve, I cannot get accurate 45 degree cuts. I have also tried with other straight edges with the same results. I will give it a whirl this weekend and see how it goes...

Could using this tool in the winter in a cold shop have caused the fence to bend?

[RayintheUK]

I can't be sure what model your Makita is, but on my LS1013, the fences are carried on a sub-frame that is bolted to the saw bed. The sub-frame has a semi-circular central section to clear the blade and the fences are removable.

If severe enough kickback occurs, this can be strong enough to break off a small casting on the subframe which will allow the left-hand fence to sit out of line, as in your picture. If that casting is still present, then I can only suspect the sub-frame casting is a poor one and needs to be replaced. Have you removed the fences and run the straight-edge across the sub-frame face?

Ray.

[Rob25]

Ray-I have the makita model LS1220. My fence system is all one piece like yours. I did not see where any castings were out of place or broken. I have never had any kickbacks on this saw so im not sure what could have caused this. I am going to try and bend it back into place this weekend and see what happens...

For some reason, its not letting me add pictures...

[Rob25]

The saga continues...

So, I tried bending the whole fence system with no luck. I am now thinking of just cutting the fence into two pieces and squaring both sides to the blade. Thoughts are welcome...

[Duff]

How tough would it be to take the fence to a machine shop which typically does car heads and have them machine it? Shouldn't be more than 10-15 bucks if it's aluminum I would guess. . .