Dial indicators alignment systems for table saws and wood tools?

[richard poitras]

Dial indicators alignment systems for table saws and wood tools?

I am just wondering what dial indicator systems (reasonably priced) you guys would recommend for checking saw alignment, run out, fence alignment, ext…I know you can buy the individual parts and make your own shop built jigs. But I am not into make one. What systems do you have or recommend that are any good?

Thanks Richard

[Chris Ricker]

I've had really good luck with the HF Dial Indicator and magnetic base.
I think it cost me about $14.00 on sale.
Others may see it differently but it has worked well for me.
Good luck!!

[Michael Heffernan]

I have the TS Aligner Jr. system. IMO and other reviews, it is one of the best and most accurate alignment systems out there. I align my table saw, including miter track squareness to the blade, fence squareness, it check arbor runout, blade flatness, etc. I also use it to align my drill press, bandsaw and radial arm saw. It's not cheap (about $160 for the system, dial indicator, case and instruction video. But it's precise, easy to use and has aligned all my machinery pretty much dead on.
Here is the link for the gentleman who manufactures it.
ts-aligner.com
I bought mine through ChadsToolBox.com
chadstoolbox.com

There are plenty of other alignment systems out there that will probably do the trick. Just check out forum posts and reviews for accuracy and versatility.
Woodpeckers sells an alignment system.
woodpeck.com
Rockler sells one as well.

[Stephen Edwards]

Here's one that I've been considering:

http://www.eagleamerica.com/product/424-0221/maintenance

This is nice set of points for the dial indicator that increases your options:

http://www.eagleamerica.com/product/424-0205/maintenance

I currently have a Grizzly dial indicator and it's OK. I use it with a stick of wood to tune my table saw. It works.

After using a friend's really nice one, now I want one, too! The extra assortment of points that my friend has with her dial indicator comes in handy. The fit and finish of my friend's DI is much nicer than the one that I have. It may not be anymore accurate but it sure feels smooth when you're using it.

My major beef against the Grizzly DI is that it came with no instructions at all. It has the magnetic base, some arms, etc. but no instructions on how to use it. You're pretty much on your own to figure it out. It does come in a decent plastic case.

[Jason Hallowell]

For woodworking, the cheap HF dial indicator is plenty accurate. I picked up a couple of them and another magnetic base last time they were on sale.

[Harold Shay]

Richard this is the one I have and it is very acurate
http://www.in-lineindustries.com/alineit.basic.html

not affiliated
Harold

[Todd Hoppe]

I have a grizzly dial indicator with base that I bought as a "president's special" item, for about $20. It works really well. To check fence runout, I simply screw the dial indicator to a jointed board and clamp the board to the miter gauge.

IMO there is not reason to buy the $75 or $100 indicators, etc. for setting up woodworking tools. The eagle america one posted above, with the extra points, looks nice though, but would be several times the price

[Robert Chapman]

I really like my Woodpecker Saw Guage. It's very easy to use, accurate and only costs about $80.00. Check the Woodpecker website.

[Joe Scharle]

Here's mine $4.99 HF DI and some scrap. Notch in runner holds the adjustable arm at 90 deg and runner fits miter slot w/o slop.

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/194/Alignment_Setup.JPG

[Barry Vabeach]

Richard, I haven't bought from him, but he appears to offer a few different product lines http://www.ts-aligner.com/tsjrlite.htm
Here is his price list http://www.ts-aligner.com/Retail-Price-Sheet.pdf , I like that he offers different dial indicators, though that of course effects the price. He also has some detailed pages on setup - you have to register but it is free and I have not been bombarded with junk email - http://tablesawalignment.com.

[glenn bradley]

Like Joe's. Woodsmith article, IIRC. http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=111878

[Steve Rozmiarek]

I use a Starrett "Last Word" set. It has the advantage of being easily adapted to whatever else I want to test. $50 for a used one off ebay.

[Bill Huber]

I think just about any of the dial indicators will work fine for your needs. I myself do not like the mag base ones, I want one that sets in the miter slot and that way I am using the same reference for both the blade and the fence.

I also like using a master plate of some type, I have the Master Plate, it is not cheap but I like using it a lot better then the blade. Who is to say the blade is not flat. With the Master Plate you know everything is right with no question.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=6039

[Tom Walz]

Woodpecker is great stuff

Fastcap has a magnetic micro square for $20 that works well

http://www.fastcap.com/magmicrosquare.aspx

[richard poitras]

Thanks for all the ideas and help .. I just ordered one of these. The sale price made my mine up for me.

Richard



A-Line-It E-Direct Special Price

with FREE Set Up DVD a $10.00 value

$47.99



A-Line-It System

http://www.ptreeusa.com/Peach%20Graphics/a_line_it_01.jpg

The A-Line-It was selected as the "Top Value" in the WOOD Magazine article that compared woodworking machine alignment tools.


• The perfect tool alignment system for hobbyists and small shops.
• The 1" capacity dial indicator reads in .001" increments for absolute precision.
•Self-adjusting "Smart Bar" so the perfect fit in the miter groove is automatic.
• Leveling knobs adjust for any miter groove depth.
• On a table saw, it will allow you to test table saw alignment, arbor shaft runout, saw blade runout, rip fence alignment, and fence straightness.

http://www.ptreeusa.com/Peach%20Graphics/a_line_it_lineup.jpg
The A-Line-It can be configured to do various tests in your shop. Some of the things you will be testing include:



Table Saw Alignment Saw Arbor Runout Saw Blade Runout
Rip Fence Alignment Rip Fence Alignment Rip Fence Straightness
Planer Alignment Jointer Depth of Cut
No.Description

Price
Quantity
SP3157E


A-Line-It with "Smart Bar" and DVD
$79.99
$47.99

[Alex Shanku]

The best, cheapo dial indicator, IMO are the ones I bought from Enco.

I needed a small profile 1/4 throw gauge to set planer knives and it was a great buy at around $15 I think.

MUCH MUCH MUCH smoother than my grizzly

[Bruce Wrenn]

I have both the A-LINE IT, and the ShopNotes version, equipted with a HF $7,99 DI. There is absolutely no difference in performance. The A-LINE IT came free with when I bought my Dubby at the Woodworking Show a couple years back. I put nylon tipped set screw in the miter bar on my ShopNotes version. This allows for fitting to track. Point sets can be had from several sources. I use ENCO (use-enco.com). Their monthly sales flyer almost always features both DI, magnetic base, and points set.

[Bruce Page]

This is how I do it.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=32315