How often do you align your table saw?

I check it every 3-6 months. Only needed to redo it once.

hmm…once when I bought it a year ago, and never since. Reminds me that I probably should sometime soon…

-- Sometimes the creative process requires foul language. -- Charles Neil

I aligned my little contractor saw when I first set it up. I check it when I change blades, or load it on the truck for a move. Only had to re-align once(in twelve years, after my helper dropped his end).

-- One of these hammers oughta fix that...

Boy, I can’t even tell you how long I’ve had my Unisaw, 15 years? Might see if I can look that up. But to answer your question, never. I check it ever so often but never had to align it again.

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI

Depends on how many other people use it. AND how rough people are on it. I rarely let others on my good saw. I check it if I have to move it. Rarely do I have to make any adjustments. If its cutting smooth and straight…..WHY FIX IT.

-- "My mission in life - make everyone smile !"

When I notice it’s not cutting square. This hasn’t been
an issue with my present saw at all.

Pretty much like the others, check it every few months but very seldom do I have to adjust it.

I’ve never had to do anything to mine once I got it set up, adjusted, and alighned from the get-go….My saw never moves, and it’s dead-on accurate on every cut…..It’s been in the same spot going on 3 years.. I bought it in 2009, moved it in, and that’s it…...Rock solid, and dead-on….Actually both of my saws are like that since I’ve got them back-to-back wdith an outfeed between them…...they are there to stay…..!!!

-- " I started with nothing, and I've still got most of it left".......

As you may have guessed from the answers above, you align it as needed. Checking it is another matter :)

I check mine with a gauge about every 6 months, but any time you suspect something might be out of whack you should check.

Typically, once properly aligned the saw itself should not go out unless you move it a lot or some other unusual occurrence happens.

The fence can more easily go out and should be checked frequently.

Ralph

-- www.consultingwoodworker.com

I check mine when ever I change saw blades.I have adjusted it twice in 15 yrs.

From the looks of the responses. A good table will not go out of alignment if it’s not whacked or moved too much. That’s good to know. I’m going to be doing all the alignments soon on my project and wanted to gauge how much one of those alignment tools would come in hand. I guess I’ll be skipping the alignment tool!

-- Joe Kwon

Joe – no fancy tools needed. A simple combination square can be used. Just place the short edge in the miter slot and line up the end of the rule with the blade and run it back and forth sliding in the miter slot. Distance to the blade should be constant. Turn it around and measure from the miter slot to the fence. You’re not looking for the absolute distance, just the variation along the length of the fence. It takes only a couple of minutes to do this check and while not super precise, if the rule comes away from the fence or the blade at all, you’ll know it.

-- Some problems are best solved with an optimistic approach. Optimism shines a light on alternatives that are otherwise not visible.

I aligned my old Crapsman just once in 20 years. I now have a used Ridgid 4511 which I am restoring.

-- "Of all the things I have lost in life, I miss my mind the most."

I aligned once….check it every now and then.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

Good timing. I checked mine a couple of days ago. After about 18 months of usage it hadn’t changed. I did have to make a small adjustment to my sliding compound miter saw – after 3 years. Of course me being the genius that I am I checked them both and after checking them bought new blades. Now I get to do it again.

-- "Actions speak louder than words but not nearly as often." - Mark Twain