This device at the ShopNotes site utilizes a traditional tablesaw
alignment technique which involves subjectively judging the feel or
sound of a scrape/rub of one surface (a screw head in this case)
against another (the blade or fence). It definitely works (for some
people). I have sold several Aligners to people who previously used
this technique and later let me know that they had their saw properly
aligned all along. For each one of these, at least 10 people let me
know that the Aligner has revealed that their saw was significantly
misaligned all along. Despite hours and hours of tedius "hear the
scrape" or "feel the rub" their efforts were in vain. Some of us just
aren't any good at making these sort of subjective judgements. Both
groups are very happy with their purchase because the Aligner does a
lot more than just blade and fence alignment.

If you just want blade and fence alignment, and you don't feel
confident in your ability to make these subjectve judgements, then just
get a low cost dial indicator ($15 max) and attach it to a stick. You
can use it with your miter gauge. Here's an example of what I'm
talking about:

http://www.ts-aligner.com/tsjrlitevsdistick.htm

It may not be as nice as an Aligner but this solution is significantly
better than some commercially made jigs costing $70 or more. And it
beats the subjective methods hands down.

Ed Bennett

http://www.ts-aligner.com

PS: Note to Neanders: The dial indicator really is an "old tool". I
recently discovered that James Watt (credited with the invention of our
modern steam engine) is also credited with the invention of the dial
indicator - IN 1772! This pretty much pre-dates all power tools (and a
whole bunch of Neander-tools too!).

wrote:
charlie b wrote:
wrote:

http://www.woodworkingtips.com/etips/etip030411sn.html

After aligning the blade parallel to the miter slot the
same or a similar tool can be used to align the fence
to the miter slot, right?

--

FF


Should just let this thread be - but

Got ANY slop between the piece of wood you slip in the miter
slot and the sides of the miter slot? If you do it comes
acrossed in your measuring. If you don't then the wood
or even UMHW (or is it UHMW - ultra heigh molecular weight)
may/will bind in the miter slot as you slide down it to take
your second measurment.

Mr. Bennett's product (see how I got around using TS-Aligner?)
has three bearings under the part that travels down the
miter slot - two fixed and one moveable left/right to eliminate
slop while avoiding binding.

Did you note the screw in the home-made device?

I think if you adjust the fence so the device doesn't quite bind
nor develop any slop as you run it along the fence then
you're golden.

--

FF