Adam Merritt
03-23-2017, 9:56 AM
I recently upgraded my table-saw to a SawStop PCS31230 with an Incra TS-LS Joinery package (72''). I have it "set-up", but realize I need to do some fine tuning of the extensions and then blade/fence parallelism to the miter slot. I am new to this forum, and, to this quality of tool in general, so I hope you'll forgive me if my questions are a little on the uneducated side of things. I realize I may have bought a little more than I need as a hobbyist, but I would rather buy once, and cry once to have a little more than I need now so I don't end up regretting and buying again later. Also, I fully understand that adjust to .001 tolerances aren't required, and that wood will move beyond that with humidity changes, but I would prefer my tools be as accurate as possible, so any issues that arise are solely my fault. I don't mind being the problem; it just lets me know where I need to improve. Here are a few pictures of it now (http://imgur.com/a/pOUHl), but I still have a long ways to go.
For the extension tables, how close to co-planar should I aim for? In my initial attempt at leveling them, I could not seem to get the entire extension perfectly level. For instance, I could get the front half level to the point I couldn't feel any difference between the two segments, nor would a fingernail catch running in either direction. However, when I would attempt to bring the back half into the same alignment, I would throw the front off slightly, and thus began a vicious back and forth struggle. I did purchase a Taylor Toolworks 38'' straight edge (supposedly accurate to .001''/ft, but without another confirmed straight edge to test, I can't say for sure it is that accurate), but couldn't find my feeler gauges at the time. My goal was to get it as close to perfect as I could by touch, and then use feeler gauges to go from there. Aside from loosening the bolts and using dead blow hammers to adjust (I have a 1lb and 4lb), is there a better way? What tolerances should I strive for between the main table and extensions?
I have played around with the Incra TS-LS fence and have it adjusted fairly parallel to the left miter slot. I bought an iGaging digital saw gauge (https://www.amazon.com/iGaging-35-0928-Digital-Saw-Gauge/dp/B00AQGLB1K/) which I'm not that impressed with. It has magnets on one side to hold against the miter slot and spring loaded bearings on the back. 2 of the three small magnets have already come loose in the few days I've tried to use it. However, I used that holder and adjusted the Incra fence with both the digital dial indicator and a mechanical Taylor Toolworks. If I zero at the front end of the fence, I see between readings from <-.0005'' .0000'' from the front to middle, and then from .000'' to .0015'' variance total to the back edge of the miter slot. I would assume this must be acceptable, but let me know if you think otherwise. Also, I noticed when I placed the dial indicator in the very center of the fence and used the micro adjust knob to bring the fence forward .001'', it takes about 3 clicks before I see any real movement. After that, each click of the wheel brings it right at .001'' as expected. It would seem that the Incra positioner has about .003'' slack that has to be taken up before it really starts moving. Is that normal operation (this is my first time with an Incra system)?
Finally, I haven't started to calibrate the blade/arbor to the miter slot. I briefly looked last night and it seems from the center of the arbor to the front is about -.001'' and arbor to the rear is .0025''. I plan to go by the manual and adjust all three axis parallel, but again, any advice is welcome.
For the extension tables, how close to co-planar should I aim for? In my initial attempt at leveling them, I could not seem to get the entire extension perfectly level. For instance, I could get the front half level to the point I couldn't feel any difference between the two segments, nor would a fingernail catch running in either direction. However, when I would attempt to bring the back half into the same alignment, I would throw the front off slightly, and thus began a vicious back and forth struggle. I did purchase a Taylor Toolworks 38'' straight edge (supposedly accurate to .001''/ft, but without another confirmed straight edge to test, I can't say for sure it is that accurate), but couldn't find my feeler gauges at the time. My goal was to get it as close to perfect as I could by touch, and then use feeler gauges to go from there. Aside from loosening the bolts and using dead blow hammers to adjust (I have a 1lb and 4lb), is there a better way? What tolerances should I strive for between the main table and extensions?
I have played around with the Incra TS-LS fence and have it adjusted fairly parallel to the left miter slot. I bought an iGaging digital saw gauge (https://www.amazon.com/iGaging-35-0928-Digital-Saw-Gauge/dp/B00AQGLB1K/) which I'm not that impressed with. It has magnets on one side to hold against the miter slot and spring loaded bearings on the back. 2 of the three small magnets have already come loose in the few days I've tried to use it. However, I used that holder and adjusted the Incra fence with both the digital dial indicator and a mechanical Taylor Toolworks. If I zero at the front end of the fence, I see between readings from <-.0005'' .0000'' from the front to middle, and then from .000'' to .0015'' variance total to the back edge of the miter slot. I would assume this must be acceptable, but let me know if you think otherwise. Also, I noticed when I placed the dial indicator in the very center of the fence and used the micro adjust knob to bring the fence forward .001'', it takes about 3 clicks before I see any real movement. After that, each click of the wheel brings it right at .001'' as expected. It would seem that the Incra positioner has about .003'' slack that has to be taken up before it really starts moving. Is that normal operation (this is my first time with an Incra system)?
Finally, I haven't started to calibrate the blade/arbor to the miter slot. I briefly looked last night and it seems from the center of the arbor to the front is about -.001'' and arbor to the rear is .0025''. I plan to go by the manual and adjust all three axis parallel, but again, any advice is welcome.