Rip fence problems

[allegra]

Ever since I installed the T-nuts on top of the rip fence for the router fence, the rip fence has not been the same. The locking handle has an uneven action and sort of snaps and pops as I lock it down. It used to be very smooth and easy. Also, and more frustrating, the fence moves slightly as I lock the handle down making it very tough to make acurate adjustments. I have cleaned, and tried all the adjustments in the manual but cant seem to get it right. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

[leehljp]

I would be willing to bet that the back end was dropped or may have fell on the clamper. Several things can go wrong at this point.

See this post: http://www.bt3central.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1954

Several things there to show. Uneven action can come from the back end bolt having damaged the hole; The threads are catching on the edge of the hole/tube more than likely. Also, it is probable that the tang inside the rear plastic housing has been flattened from the fence dropping/falling/bumping on the clamper end.

Hank

[allegra]

Hank, thanks for the reply. Though I did manage to let the mitter fence fall off the storage hooks, the rip fence has not been dropped. The problem started as soon as I finished installing the T-nuts, after retightening the screw that was removed. Thanks again.

[leehljp]

A couple of questions: Does it work OK when the T-nuts are removed? Can you see any dent marks where a bolt may have gone through the T-nuts and into the aluminum? Overtightening the T-nuts a smidgin too much might warp the fence and cause what you described. Just my thinkin.

Hank

Hank

[Tazz]

My fence started doing the same last night. I have not installed any T-nuts as of yet. All I did was play with the adjustment screw at the far end of the fence and thats when it started. Was trying to make the fence stay square to the balde as I slide the fence from side to side: my fence moves about 3/16" at the far end as I lock it down. I have not come up with a solution yet but seems to be related to how far that adjustment screw is turned in.

Tazz

[Don Houston]

Tazz, ideally you should be able to lift the rear up enough that it can't hook the rail, push the clamp lever down, and the rip fence parallel with the blade. The rear clamp doesn't make sure it's parallel, it just keeps it from moving once the front has brought it to parallel. If your fence rear starts to move as you slowly press the lever down, the problem is under the front T. The two plastic pieces under the ends need adjustment unless I'm seriously mistaken.
JMHO

[JimD]

I suggest watching the hook at the back end of the rip fence as you tighten it down to make sure that it is hooking the rear rail near the end of the handle movement. If not, it may be simply that you didn't get it into position quite right when you put it back on after installing the T-nuts. I don't know why it would have happened but if the rear clamping arrangement is in place on the rear rail correctly but isn't clamping, that is what the screw on the back of the rip fence at the top is for. It adjusts when in the handle motion the rear rail is clamped.

Jim

[smackdab2]

If I remember correctly, when you take the rear clamp (not the T handle) off the fence you also disengage the steel rod from the tube in which it sits. You have to be very careful to get the clamp rod back in place. I don't know if that is what's causing your problem or not but its something to check. Also, when you put the end back on make sure its nice and tight and square in there before you tighten it down.


Tazz

Here is what it sounds like is happening with your fence. When you move the clamp handle down it begins a three step process. Step one is the T head of the fence is pulled snug against the front rail to square the fence against the blade. Step two is to lock the rear locking mechanism, and the third step is to lock the front locking mechanism.

What you are seeing when the fence moves is step one taking place. It's caused by the fence not being held square to the rail during open movement. There are a pair of little plastic tabs under the T head of the fence that hold it snug against the rail. Those are probably in need of a little adjustment.

One way to correct it is to simply pull the T head of the fence forward to snug it up against the fence while setting the measurement. That way there will be no correction when step 1 engages.

The simple adjustment is to loosen the screws and move the pins forward a little. Set the fence on the rail and push them up till they are snug, then carefully remove the fence and tighten the screws and your done. That is for a perfect world.

The tabs in question are made of plastic. The screw that holds them in place is made of metal. Its been there for a long time, thus it has without a doubt formed its self a nice little groove to sit in causing a depression in the plastic and a slight bulge on either side of the screw. If you loosen it, move the tab slightly, and tighten it back it's going to return to the original groove which puts it back in the wrong adjustment. I had to remove both tabs, cut the bulge area off to flatten the slot the screw tightens in, and modify a washer or two with a dremmel tool to fit in the groove to prevent the same thing from happening again then try several times to get the piece to stay put while I lifted the fence out to no avail and finally just give up and cut a piece of hard wood (red oak I believe I used) and cut it to the exact width of the front lip of the front rail and adjust the fence to the piece of wood. As you may expect, this turned out to be something of an all day job for me.

Howard

[allegra]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I will not be able to fiddle with it until Memorial weekend. Then I will try to adjust the rear clamp assembly.

[RodKirby]

Howard - Excellent post! Very clear explanation.

I wish I could write that well - I rely on pics to offset my literary limitations.

SAM - This would be great for the FAQ...

A Professional is someone who does what they say they will do.

[DUD]

Howard that is a very straight forward explanation of how to align the fence. Bill

If You can't be good for nothing, do it for free!

[Stytooner]

SmackDab on the money and not a frog hair off. Great write up. I second the FAQ nomination.

Lee

http://www.leestyron.com