Tool Setup and Alignment

[Paul Fitzgerald]

I just bought a new CMS (DeWalt DW716) and need to setup and align it. I should probably also re-setup and realign my TS while I'm at it.

I was just wondering what you guys use to ensure everything is square. I've used a framing square in the past, but I figure there's probably a more accurate way of going about this.

I have looked at the Incra Guaranteed Square and Guaranteed 45, but they're a bit pricy.

Just looking for opinions on what works and what doesn't.

Thanks!

Paul

[Guy Germaine]

A lot of guys use the plastic triangles that you get at art supply stores. They're very accurate, and only cost 6 or 8 bucks. Others (myself included) use a dial indicator to align the blade with the miter slot, and the fence to the blade. For setting the blade to 90* to the table, I have the Wixey digital angle guage that works great. It can also be used on the band saw, or the CMS.

[glenn bradley]

I bought a dial indicator and stand at HF thinking I was getting a good deal. It was . . but a "real" set was only a few dollars more:

http://www.victornet.com/cgi-bin/victor/productlist.html?subdepartments=Indicator+Sets:19

P.s. I still use the HF set and it's OK.

[Ted Miller]

Paul, Check out some of Ed's products, well worth the price and very accurate:

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

[Paul Fitzgerald]

Wow, some of those are quite expensive too. I guess you get what you pay for though. :)

I do have a pretty decent metal combination square I could use. I think I'll just use that until I can get one of those fancy guages. :)

Thanks,

Paul

[Ben Grunow]

Try it first, cut a 1x8 and place the 2 piece end to end onthe TS top (flip one piece) on their edges. If they are tight then you have the most accuracy you could ever see with your eyes (AFAIK) and the same test for the vertical cut with 1x6.

THat said I have a nice, thin, blue steel square that fits against the blade when down that I use to check my CS.

[Jeff Miller]

Try this tip to check your miter guage or radial arm saw for squareness;)

http://benchmark.20m.com/articles/TheFiveSidedCut/TheFiveSidedCut.html

[Paul Fitzgerald]

Try this tip to check your miter guage or radial arm saw for squareness;)

http://benchmark.20m.com/articles/TheFiveSidedCut/TheFiveSidedCut.html

That's a dang good suggestion! Thanks for the link!

Paul