Shopsmith Forums

I was reading some of the alignment procedures that accompany the Rockler Master Plate. Those procedures incorporate some tests that I have never performed.

http://www.woodshopdemos.com/align-1.htm

I was then forced to check out the system again. I am happy to say that I found that the Mark V performs exceedingly well when tested this way. What this all tells me is that if there is a weak point in my system it is in the blades and/or arbors. I doubt that the arbors contribute significantly to the error.

I will post the images in three sets with no more text than necessary to post. The pictures speak for them selves. If anyone has questions, post them.

In each set, the dial readings depict the high and the low readings.

I think it is important to note that this is a twenty year old machine running with all of its original bearings and bushings.

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The second set:

The third set:

Notice that EXCEPT for runout, ALL adjustments were made DIRECTLY relative to the blade(MASTERPLATE)!

Look at what I was doing yesterday. This is a wordless example of something I alluded to yesterday. If you understand what you see then fine other wise just disregard this post. Details are not yet ready for prime time.

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Ed

This is taken out of context but I found it to be an interesting statement. To me, it implies that if using a 10" blade, I might not get better than .010" of accuracy (while checking parallelism).

Am I reading that wrong or reading something into it?

While zero difference across the length of the MasterPlate(TM) is the goal, less than one thousandth of an inch is more than acceptable. Most manufacturers allow a parallelism tolerance of 0.001" per one inch of blade diameter. Obviously, the less error the better and with the SuperBar(TM) and MasterPlate(TM) combination, near zero alignment is very easy to attain.

Then you take off the MasterPlate and put on a blade (that the procedure does not address). I guess that if I know the table and miter track is aligned to the MasterPlate to within .001", I can accept whatever the blade might be.

The worst that could result would be a wide kerf - I think??

dusty wrote:This is taken out of context but I found it to be an interesting statement. To me, it implies that if using a 10" blade, I might not get better than .010" of accuracy (while checking parallelism).

Am I reading that wrong or reading something into it?

While zero difference across the length of the MasterPlate(TM) is the goal, less than one thousandth of an inch is more than acceptable. Most manufacturers allow a parallelism tolerance of 0.001" per one inch of blade diameter. Obviously, the less error the better and with the SuperBar(TM) and MasterPlate(TM) combination, near zero alignment is very easy to attain.

Then you take off the MasterPlate and put on a blade (that the procedure does not address). I guess that if I know the table and miter track is aligned to the MasterPlate to within .001", I can accept whatever the blade might be.

The worst that could result would be a wide kerf - I think??

Methinks a valid goal is to get everything else as good as possible, and accept the blade for WHATever it is. It does NOT make sense to align to a given blade(unless that is the ONLY one to be used). The SS being a 'multiple-purpose tool, the saw blade is not a factor in accuracy of 'other' operations.

Interesting how you 'lead; us into new areas/aids.

SORRY I did NOT realize that was Ed's Masterplate I was looking at! I responded as if it were Dusty's.

WHAT size are the 'holes' in the masterplate 5/8" & ???"

Hi,

The standard plate is 5/8" and 1" but I think they also offer a 30mm if memory serves me.

Ed


[quote="JPG40504"]Methinks a valid goal is to get everything else as good as possible, and accept the blade for WHATever it is. It does NOT make sense to align to a given blade(unless that is the ONLY one to be used). The SS being a 'multiple-purpose tool, the saw blade is not a factor in accuracy of 'other' operations.

Interesting how you 'lead]