The Ultimate Guide on How to Adjust a Table Saw

For a table saw to work best, you need to adjust the blade; it should be parallel to the miter gauge slot. After that, adjust the fence indicator, and that’s it. Of course, there are alternative ways to make this adjustment, too; you can also learn those methods of how to adjust a table saw with this article.

Note: Factors other than blade adjustment matter as well, such as the thickness of a blade. Learn more about the topic here.

The table saw is an efficient tool, and there is no doubt about its cutting efficiency. It is the reason which makes the table saw the best tool for all of your carpentry projects.

But how could you benefit from this saw if it is not adjusted at your convenience? Therefore, knowing How to Adjust a Table Saw becomes crucial for every operator. If you don’t know how to make these needed adjustments, this article has the solution to your problem!

Of course, if you’re looking for a more specific adjustment manual on one part of the table saw, such as the fence, we offer a quick guide on adjusting Dewalt table saw fences as well, so feel free to check that out, too.

Step 1: Gather the Materials

• A combination square or callipers
• Paste wax
• Digital angle gauge
• A cleaning toothbrush (Old toothbrushes are ideal)
• Measuring tape
• A screwdriver to loosen the knots

Step 2: Keep Safety In Mind

Before you begin working, you must keep your safety in mind. Check the manual that came with the table saw to see the detailed safety rules. In general,

• Be sure that the saw is unplugged before starting.
• Wear safety glasses, hearing protection, and a face mask to protect your face.
• Use blade guard, miter gauge, and rip fence always when making cuts, as this will help you prevent kickback.
• Use push sticks to move the material closer to the blade to prevent your hands from going too close to the blade.

Step 3: Blade Adjustment

Firstly, ensure that the blade is perpendicular to the table you are working on. You should usually use a square or a digital angle gauge to measure this.

Next, measure this to see if the blade is perpendicular and in the right place or if you need to tilt the blade. The gauge further helps ascertain whether you need to tilt the blade to the right or the left. Mostly, table saws have small bolts which can be rotated to adjust the blade, and you can use this to aid you.

After confirming to which side we are to tilt the blade, loosen the bolt, and rotate it to the desired side. This will adjust the blade and place it perpendicular to the table. The Dewalt table saws are adjusted in fairly the same way! If that’s what you are looking for, check this out!

Step 4: Ensure That The Blade Is Parallel To The Miter Gauge Slot

Secondly, you must make sure that the blade is parallel to the miter gauge slot. This is where a miter gauge will be when making cuts. You can ensure this by using a square or callipers. Our aim is to measure the distance between the front and back of the blade and the miter gauge slot.

Once you place the calliper on a miter gauge slot, raise the blade to its full length. If any changes are to be made, they will now be very obvious. All saws have a different adjustment method in this case. Kindly refer to your saw’s manual. Check whether the distance is the same on both sides. Once the adjustments are made, the blade can be lowered back, and the next step can be completed.

Step 5: Adjust the Fence Indicator

Lastly, you must adjust the fence indicator. The easiest way is to cut a random workpiece to size, use a measuring tape or a calliper to measure the piece, and adjust the indicator accordingly. 

Alternatively, you may use a fast but less accurate method. Just measure the distance between the fence and the blade and make changes if the distances are not the same on both sides. Adjusting a table saw may seem complicated, and there may also be a little confusion regarding aligning blades, so refer here for added guidance about aligning table saw blades! 

Moreover, you can also think about watching a video to find out how to adjust a table saw, which goes in great detail and carefully covers the topic with a practical demonstration:

Alternative Ways to Tune Up your Table Saw

Replace the Stock Blade

Sometimes, we end up using the wrong kind of blade for a particular task, damaging its teeth. This leads to less accurate cuts. For instance, a blade with fewer teeth is used for ripping. Replacing the table saw blade will help refine the cuts and make your rip cuts more accurate, thus helping tune your table saw to usable levels.

Regularly Clean your Table Saw Blade.

Leftover pieces of wood may accumulate around the blade and corrode it with time. Hence cleaning the blade might do the trick. If this is the problem, you should check this out to learn how to clean your table saw effectively!

Reduce Friction of your Table Saw To Adjust Saw Blade

With time, not only your blade but your table’s condition may worsen as well. Polishing your table with wax will make it easier to clean, reduce the possibility of oxidation, and, most importantly, reduce friction, overall allowing you to tune up your tool.

Conclusion

Table saws are beautiful tools that are a must for wood carpenters. Tuning them frequently helps them perform their task more efficiently, giving you your desired results. Keep yourself safe while working, and take good care of your table saw.

Be sure to find the root cause of the problem, which could be anything from a need to be cleaned to replacement of the stock blade to even readjustment. And if you want to learn more about the tool you’re working with, you can always read in detail about table saws, too.

Learn more table saw knowledge with “How much is a used table saw worth.”