This is the fourth post in a series of table saw alignment articles.
Here we will talk about aligning the sliding miter table. The sliding miter table is an interesting twist on the standard miter gauge. It offers a larger working area to hold the material being run through the saw.
Because of its design it there are two things that need to be checked for alignment the height of the sliding miter table relative to the main table saw and run parallel to the saw blade, within 0.004”.
What are we trying to accomplish?
- The sliding miter table will be parallel to the table saw blade.
- The sliding miter table will be even or slightly higher than the top of the main table.
What is the effect when the sliding miter table is out of alignment?
If it is not parallel, the cross cuts will not be square. If the sliding miter table is below the main table the stock may catch on the main table and result in a dangerous situation. If the sliding miter table is too high, it can lead to chipping and tear out on the bottom of the stock, or worse, the stock jambs the saw blade and becomes a dangerous situation.
Alignment process
Safety First
Unplug the table saw.
Adjust the side free play
The sliding miter table uses a set of plastic guides to control the free play and the friction of the table. Loosen the lock nut on the top of the table. Adjust the cam until there is as little free play as possible. If the guides are too tight the table will not slide. Once the free play has been adjusted, tighten the lock nut.
Over time these guides will wear down and will need to be replaced.
Adjusting the height of the sliding miter table
The sliding miter table’s height is controlled by the four clamps. On each clamp are two set screws that control the height of the table and the table angle relative to the main table. The height can be check with a straight edge and a feeler gauge. Adjust the set screws on he clamps as needed.
Adjusting direction of travel
A simple jig will be used to measure the alignment. The jig consists of a scrap piece of wood and a screw threaded into the end of it. Slide the jig and screw head over to the table saw blade until it barely touches the marked saw blade tooth. Clamp the jig to the sliding miter table or to the cross cut bar. This is the ‘zero’ or reference point.
Turn the table saw marked tooth towards the back of the table saw and slide the miter table until the screw touches the marked tooth.
If the screw head barely touches the marked saw tooth, the sliding miter table is parallel to the table saw blade!
If there is a gap between the screw head and the marked saw blade tooth, the sliding miter table is angled away from the saw blade. Measure the distance with a feeler gauge. Any gap greater than 0.004” needs to be adjusted to bring the sliding miter table into alignment.
If the screw head protrudes the saw blade, the sliding miter table is angled into the saw blade.
To adjust the sliding miter table’s alignment:
- Unlock the sliding miter table’s clamp levers.
- Loosen the infeed side clamp plate screws.
- Adjust one of the screws.
- Retighten the clamp plate screws.
- Lock the sliding miter table’s clamp levers.
- Recheck the alignment to the saw blade.
If you can’t get the sliding miter table to be in exact alignment, then it is better to have the table be slightly angled away from the saw blade to prevent kick back.
Once the sliding miter table has been aligned it should keep its alignment until the rip fence rails are moved.
