Miter gauge slips when using extension

3D_Wood_Worker · Post by **3D_Wood_Worker** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 10:46 pm

Need advice.
I placed a long board against my miter gauge extension. The screw holding the miter gauge angle was tight. When I began to cut, I noticed slight movement of the miter gauge throwing the cut angle away from what I had set.
What should I do to prevent the set angle from slipping - use pliers to tighten the screw, rough the seat with sandpaper, etc.?

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:23 am

3D_Wood_Worker wrote:Need advice.
I placed a long board against my miter gauge extension. The screw holding the miter gauge angle was tight. When I began to cut, I noticed slight movement of the miter gauge throwing the cut angle away from what I had set.
What should I do to prevent the set angle from slipping - use pliers to tighten the screw, rough the seat with sandpaper, etc.?

You shouldn't need to use pliers to tighten it. You could try a miter gauge extension. Make sure your table and extension are waxed to reduce drag on the board. Also, check the nylon glide supports on the bottom of the miter gauge. They need to make contact with the table so that you don't have metal on metal contact between the miter gauge and the table. Adjust them so that the miter gauge is stable and doesn't rock side to side.

reible · Post by **reible** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:34 pm

Hi,

I wanted to add a couple of thoughts... first take a look at the exploded parts diagram and see if you have all the washers and have them positioned correctly (I got a used one without the second washer on top and it was very hard to tighten until I figured out what was wrong).

The holes in the lock knob are for the hex wrench so use those and the hex wrench instead of the pliers....

Please let us know what you find out as you solve your issue.

Ed

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:17 pm

I'll add another thought. You can doctor up your miter gauge all you want, but the real solution for accurate crosscuts in long boards is a "sled." We call it a "sliding table" in the catalog to make it sound sexier. The link is http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... ytable.htm or page 39 in the latest catalog, if you want to take a look. We've also started carrying a really nifty (and really expensive) sliding table from Incra -- page 41 in the catalogue, no joy on the web site just yet. And you can make your own. That's one of the jigs we show you how to make in the "Jigs and Fixtures" class at the Academy.

With all good wishes