Always check setup; even on premium TSs

[Rich Person]

I have been working with my new Sawstop TS for a while now, but having some issues with the cut quality. At first, I was having problems, because the Incra fence I installed was bowed. Incra replaced it with a strait one, but I was still having problems. This weekend, I finally had time to work with it. I put on a new auxiliary fence, which turned out to be <90 degrees to the table. So, I had to shim the mount between the Incra arm and the fence. I finally got the fence perpendicular to the table and aligned with the miter track. I put the fence right up to the blade, and guess what? When the front of the blade just touched the fence, the same teeth when rotated back, were >1mm away from the fence.

I had heard so many stories about how perfectly these saws came set up that I never checked the blade/top alignment. I took my digital caliper to and checked the distance between the miter track and saw tooth. Sure enough, it read +0.040 inches (about 1mm). So, I ended up adjusting the top and now everything is aligned just right.

Lesson of the day--don't assume anything.

If the alignment had been off in the other direction, I'd probably have a piece of 8/4 maple sticking through me (but for the riving knife).

[Phil Thien]

At least when you're all done the alignment will stick forever.

In terms of it being off from the beginning, I think it is entirely possible that the top shifted during shipping. I'll bet they have a jig at the factory that can align the top to the fourth decimal place. But you can't account for the way stuff gets treated in shipping.

Enjoy that saw!

[Alan DuBoff]

At least when you're all done the alignment will stick forever.I wouldn't count on that. The reason the alignment is adjustable is that, well, it adjusts.:p

Many things other than the moving of the alignment parts could effect the alignment, such as flatness of the tables, the weather, or similar. I think it's best to check and align a table saw as often as one can, it certainly can't hurt, but find that if I can do it once a year I will be able to keep it pretty much in alignment. In theory, knocking the saw hard could put it out of alignment.

At least speaking for myself, I will continue to check mine when I can, even if it seems that it's aligned properly. I trust a gauge better than my own judgement.:rolleyes:

[glenn bradley]

Time well spent Rich. When a TS is setup well it is a joy to use.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

"Premium" is a concept that can vary substantially from person to person.

Some folks I know think Martin qualifies as premuim.
I suspect they are right.