How to Align Radial Arm Saws

A radial arm saw needs the proper adjustments to make precise cuts. Adjustments that are left too loose allow excessive play and result in sloppy cuts. The ideal is to have clamps that lock tightly and sliding parts that are neither too loose nor too tight. You must adjust the table, clamps and sliding mechanisms before every project. The steps below show you how to square the blade so that the saw is correctly aligned.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Carpenter's square Screwdriver

1. Set the yoke to crosscut and install a blade. Open the bevel clamp, tilt the motor counter-clockwise as far as it will go, then lock the clamp.

2. Hold the edge of a carpenter's square against the side of the blade between two teeth. If there is a gap, open the bevel clamp, loosen the clamp screws and tilt the motor until the blade is flush against the square.

3. Hold the motor steady while a helper locks the clamp and tightens the screws. Tilt the motor to the 45-degree position and then back to 0 degrees. Check the blade again with the square.

4. Open the miter clamp, turn the arm to the right as far as it will go, then lock the clamp. Open the rip clamp and butt the carpenter's square against the fence and the lowest blade tooth.

5. Hold the blade steady and slide the yoke slowly along the arm. If a gap appears or the blade binds against the square, loosen the screws on the column base.

6. Tighten the top right screw to close a gap and the top left screw to eliminate binding. When the arm is square, tighten the lower screws in alternating fashion.

[23-skidoo]

on 6/2/2009 "Cerf" cut? The **kerf** is the thickness of any single cut left behind by a blade. A **dado** cut is a groove; most often a rectangular cut (whether made with a single pass or multiple passes) that doesn't go all the way through the material.