How to Adjust Table Saw Fence Guide

Adjusting your table saw's fence guide (also called a rip fence) is quick and easy but must be done properly to avoid the possibility of material being kicked back toward the operator later. This is often caused by the misalignment of the fence guide and the saw blade itself.The table saw fence guide can be placed to either the left side of your table saw blade or to the right side. It is designed to be moved in incremental amounts to allow you to cut material to very specific widths. If your fence guide, for example, is set to 3 1/16 inches away from your saw blade, then any material that you run through your saw, and which is run up against your fence guide, will be cut to exactly a width of 3 1/16 inches. Adjusting the distance between your fence guide and your saw blade is extremely easy.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• No tools or special equipment is required.

How to Adjust a Table Saw Fence Guide

1. Unlock your saw's fence guide so that it can be easily moved. The locking mechanism varies between saw manufacturers, but is almost always located on the end of the fence guide itself closest to the operator. The mechanism may be a lever, which is raised to allow the fence to be moved and lowered to lock it into place, or it may be a knob that is turned counter clockwise to release the guide and then turned clockwise to lock the guide in place. There may be other variations as well. Refer to your saw's owner's manual if you need specific assistance.

2. Move your guide so it is the proper distance away from your saw blade. You will find a measuring guide along the front edge of your saw's table. Release the fence guide and move it along this measuring guide until it is the proper distance from the saw blade and then lock it in place. Double check that the guide is set to the correct distance by measuring the distance from the guide to the blade using a tape measure.

3. Remove your guide fence from the saw's table. This is a simple matter as long as the fence is unlocked. The fence may be placed on either the left or the right side of your saw's blade depending on the nature of the cut you are making. Use the measuring guide along the front edge of your saw's table to set the proper distance regardless of which side of the blade you have placed your guide.

4. Lock your guide in place, making certain that your guide is perfectly aligned with your saw's blade. Use a T-Square or a Tri-Square to check the alignment of the blade and guide fence as some guide fences can be unaligned even after being locked. If your guide fence and saw blade are not in perfect alignment it could cause binding and result in material being kicked back toward the operator during cutting.

5. Align your material so that it is set firmly against your fence guide as it runs through your saw. This will not only insure that the material is cut to the proper width but it will also prevent the material from binding against the spinning blade and possibly kicking back toward the operator.If the fence guide is set at a distance of 3 inches or less from the saw's blade do NOT push material through the saw by hand; instead use a push stick to avoid the possibility of injury.

Tips & Warnings

• Frequently check to make sure that your fence guide is perfectly parallel with your saw's blade. Use a T-Square or Tri-Square to check that the blade and fence are parallel. This prevents possible binding of the material and the possibility of a dangerous kickback of material toward the operator.
• If your fence guide is set for a distance of 3 inches or less from your blade do NOT push material through with your fingers; always use a push stick.
• Never stand directly behind the spinning blade of a table saw when cutting material. Always stand to one side as a precaution in case material is kicked back by the blade.