'Stumpy Nubs' explains the same things, but in a completely different way. Just as skilled and knowledgeable I would think, but far from as entertaining as this channel. It is always a pleasure to watch these videos, and very educational.
I feel the same way. I don't care what he's explaining. He's one of those rare individuals who explains everything absolutely clearly and makes everything relevant.
It's simply astounding to me the level of mastery you have as a presenter and educator. The delivery of clear, concise technical instruction is a discipline that has baffled mortal man since time immoral and without doubt the is a highly technical subject. They say analogy is the key to learning but it's rare to see someone build their own analogy out of plywood and set it 10 degrees off axis so they can teach a concept. It is a privilege and absolute pleasure to have you as our teacher.
This is high praise and kind words, and we do appreciate you're saying. Travis and I work hard at the content, delivery, and pace of these videos, and comments like yours make the effort worthwhile.
You might be uploading in 4K but UA-cam isn't showing you in 4K. My jobsite saw has some rubbing on the back of the blade, I didn't realize my table was crooked. Thank you. Now for my miter saw. Gimme a perfect miter saw and I'll give you perfect miters. I been using miter saws for going on 3 decades but for the life of me I cannot get that thing dialed in. Replaced all the wear parts already went through the whole saw and still get almost a half degree off on my test cuts. Maybe I need a new saw, because why settle for being close when you can be precise. I appreciate you sir. Thank you for sharing your skills knowledge and experience
UA-cam has options to change the resolution of a video. A lot of times it automatically chooses 480p or 720p for people and you have to change it. Also some scenes are in 1080p for time lapse or because of zooming in the editing process. Thanks for the feed back and glad our video was helpful.
Wow - I watched this video in bed one night before turning out the light. It was so good I wanted to leap up, run to my shop, grab some tools and tear into my table saw. My wife said otherwise 😉. Seriously, the clarity of subject material plus the informative graphics ( loved the wooden saw blade!) was a joy to watch and absorb. Well done sir 👍👍
I have watched thousand of hours of UA-cam and hundreds of hours of woodworking videos. This is literally my very first youtube comment on any video... He's amazing! Its so well explained and interesting at the same time. Have a foundational understanding of the tools you use makes you a better woodworker. Thank you!
Awesome video! No more guessing about how to achieve precision when making all of the adjustments he covered. Also, interesting history about the Wright bros. A++ on content and delivery. Bravo!
This was the best presentation I've ever seen on this subject! Thank you for the lesson and the history. I was a native of the Dayton area for 30 years and never knew. Many decades ago, I even worked in the Front St area as a firefighter for 8 years. Thanks again for the memories!
Did you ever visit NCR or the CARLON Bells park. There's a model of the Wright Brothers Air plane in a building by the Canale mock up. Lot of history in that park and OMG I miss listening to the bells I lived by the Fairgrounds by the hospital. NCRs gone its now part of IBM IBM and NCR are the same company just different devisions I grew up in Dayton I also knew about the Wright Brothers shop and the airplane , but ill have you know the Wright Brothers might not have been the first to fly. There is speculation somone from Europe did it first, and Leonardo the artist might have done it years before anyone else. History's pretty cool. I love the design of the saw s tilting table seemes like a better option, oh but the same ideas were used on a shopsmith mark V also made in Dayton. Why is it so many cool things came from Dayton? Or that part of Ohio .
Despite measuring and re-setting the angle of my table saw blade with a variety of squares and digital tools, I couldn't for the life of me cut a true 45-degree miter. It was always very slightly off regardless of what any of my measuring devices said to the contrary. After learning about marking the blade runoff from this video, I got a perfect miter after one attempt. Never would have considered that myself, but it makes so much sense once you point it out. Thanks so much for the guidance!
In early 70's I used to work for a woodworking company called Dankeart in UK. What this great man is teaching, we used to do them very often. I'm retired now and I enjoy watching his videos. He's unique. God bless you Sir.
You do have to spend some time setting the saw up... blade, fence, etc. But once done, the saw is great. Fairly compact which is Nice ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxXh-4_3-ZT1fFWP91ZV7iVqzElr0lEb-a I did get an Incra Miter Gauge which takes some setup as well. The stock miter gauge can be adjusted in the miter slot with a little painter's tape... this tightens up the side to side play a lot.
Never thought of that, but this would make an exceptional jobsite saw. Rock solid, yet small enough to be portable. I'm going to have to find one of thee without so much history behind it.
I knew most of these, but had completely missed taking into account the blade runout - I shan't make that mistake again, so thank you very much for the lesson! The history of the saw made this extra cool.
This is by far the best vid I've seen that encompasses all aspects of table saw alignment. Thank you! Particularly regarding blade run out and how it affects the alignment procedure
Been maintaining tables saws for 40 years and I use a machined dead flat 10" parallel disk with 5/8 arbor hole, with a runout gauge. Never never never considered the actual run-out of the saw blade itself. Lost count of how many times I went to square the blade after making miter cuts or prior to starting a new project after the saw sitting idle. Will be checking the current blade today. Thanks
Thanks for making such a thorough explanation of table saw alignment. I know it must have taken a lot of time and effort thinking through your presentation, even before the cameras started rolling. I have a beat-up old "$50 Craigslist special" saw that has languished in my shop for far too long because I didn't know how to properly set it up. Thanks to you, the waiting is over!
You couldnt be more right about knowing your tools by putting this time in. I just spent a wknd fighting with making my benchtop jointer coplanar. Lost my cool once. Maybe twice. The third one, my wife and I clearly disagree on definition. But man. Worth the effort. Perfecting your tools is also worth the effort. The Lady is gonna love this over-designed/over-built patio table. There's no way she's gonna help me carry it from the garage. I definitely gotta offer the neighbour a beer, now. I dig this hobby - and especially this channel - so much!
Nick, you explain all these concepts in such a clear, thorough, and fun way, that I can olny aspire to be half as good a teacher as you! Amazing material, as always. Thanks!
Hi, I'm a first time listener first time caller. I gotta say you bring back the old 80-90s instructional vibe that was just so informative. I just knew an old timer would give me the best explanation of squaring my table saw. When in doubt, let the OG tell you how its done it never fails.
Wow. I've been watching woodworking videos on UA-cam for years and years now, and I've never stumbled across this channel.... but I'm glad I did today. This guy's delivery is flawless. So many of the big woodworking UA-camrs just ramble and ramble on. This guy is concise, speaks clearly, and sounds well-rehearsed. The presentation is excellent. I suspect this channel is going to gain a lot more viewers... and man, I just love this guy's whole look, especially that Einsteinian haircut!
Fascinating! Very unusual - but so beneficial - to have some of the science and rationale behond it all explained instead of the usual "just do this" approach on UA-cam. I am new to table saws and thought I had already watched just about all the set-up tutorials on here but I learned so much more from this one. Kudos!
Thanks for saying. I'm convinced that woodworking -- both as a craft and an engineering science -- has suffered massively over the last century from the "recipe" approach we have taken to teaching it. Working wood is easer, more satisfying, more creative -- and much safer -- when you know the why's that go with the what's.
I never did like teachers. They bored me. I was in the construction bussiness for my entire life and was fairly good at it. I have a shop with a complete compliment of tools and I know how to use them although I am retired. You are one of the best instructors I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. You not only had valuable information but made it entertaining as well! My hats off to you!
This master woodworker has the precision of a physics teacher and the clarity of an Einstein who knows know to make it plain for the common folks like me. I am so grateful. I have watched so many videos on how to calibrate my new table saw but I kept feeling like I wasn't getting the whole story. Consequently, I have had my saw for a year and never set it up, but now I will because I finally can say I know what I am doing and the reason for every step I'm taking, thanks to him!
I've been doing this for many years and learned nothing new but I *love* your teaching style so I watched it through the end! Please continue creating content.
Learned all this 45 years ago in shop class in high school. The shop teacher was surprised when I dialed in the table slot to "half a thou". I was not happy with that half of a thousandth of an inch that the table was off. In my 15 year old brain, zero meant zero. That's when I learned about acceptable tolerance. It's a shame so many schools have eliminated Industrial Arts from their curriculum. Not everyone is going to be a surgeon or a computer programmer. Shop classes teach lessons that can carry over into many other facets of life.
I've seen a bunch of similar videos, but none that mentioned blade run-out or how to compensate for it as you demonstrated. The ruler in the slot, and the flashlight and square tricks are ones I haven't seen before either. I second the motion of other posters that you are an excellent teacher...and I'm a teacher myself, so I know that skill when I see it. Thanks!
Thank you so much for taking the time to explain blade wobbling (among other things) in such a detailed way. I could never set up my blade 100% square to the table no matter how much effort spent fidgeting with minute adjustments and I know understand why. I have watched dozens of setup videos and you are the only one who goes in such details. You sir are a precious asset to the woodworking community and I hope you’ll keep making such great educational content!
Dear Woodshop Companion. The breadth and depth of your experience - which I assume comes from decades and decades of experience (I too an an ole' timer so please take that as a compliment from an older brother, and not an insult) is breathtaking to behold. I did fine woodworking for 7 yrs in my youth but abandoned the hobby for university (big mistake - even though I do well, I am not happy) as an apprentice then journeyman under a master craftsman and even he did not have the wellspring of knowledge and skill that you possess. Long story short. I am returning to my first love, so dedicated am I that I did spend a small fortune building up my shop and have been watching multiple pros like yourself to both "break off the rust" - it's not like riding a bike) and learn new skills. Of my list of 16 subscriptions to very fine woodworkers you sir are by far my very favorite. Please do not retire from this channel soon. Some of us just enjoy your sharing of astonishing knowledge far too much and it would break our hearts. Sir, I tip my hat to you. You certainly deserve the title of Master Craftsman if there ever was one.
Thank you for the kind words. Having just built a new shop/studio for the express purpose of producing woodworking and DIY vids, I have no intention of retiring soon.
Re-building my table saw setup this autumn. Once again you have completely nailed the tutorial. You should have your own TV series! Better than Norm Abram!!!!
Thanks for the kind words, but I think I'll stay where I am. Every month, 2.6 billion people view UA-cam at least once. PBS? 80 million in the same period. Norm's -- or whoever carries on with his show -- potential audience is only 3% of mine.
This is perfect timing. I’m about to be given a table saw from a family member. I’ve saved this video to get to know & align the saw before I even try to use it. Not sure he has the particular manual but I can always check the manufacturer & get one for sure.
True that. There are manuals for out-of-production tools plastered all over the Internet. I was able to buy one for this very saw on Ebay. Almost one hundred years old! For you folks that aren't yet aware of them, let me recommend Vintage Machinery for help with older tools. Good folks, fantastic resource. The link is vintagemachinery.org/
Having just finished reconditioning a Delta 34-532 combo (few years newer), I was hesitant (procrastinating) putting it into use. Thought I aligned it well, but now I will be redoing a complete alignment with your guidelines. Thank you for this video. It has been invaluable and meticulously documented!!!
This was good timing for me. Just got my first table saw. First project I was going to do with it was to build a cabinet/bench for it. Might as well check alignments first. Love you sense of humor.
New or used, checking the alignment should always be the first step when you haven't worked with a tool before. Great way to shake hands. Thanks for the kind words.
@@WorkshopCompanion you're welcome we may never meet in person but I believe the years to come will see us become good friends sharing a love for the beauty of wood and what can be made from it.
So glad you have embraced this medium and have chosen to share your talents. Love the depth of knowledge you provide along with your jovial nature. Really learned a lot and loved the info on the model airplanes by one of the other Wright brothers. America is full of those stories yet to be told. Blessings, Bruce
Great explanation. Can't wait to go try this on a very old Atlas table saw I use. It's been making concave cuts lately but still a workhorse. Thank you.
Wow another superb video! I have struggled with the adjustments on my cabinet table saw for the past eight years. The saw cost me over £1000 but I have seriously thought of replacing it but then the reviews of even more expensive saws helped me to see that they too have issues. But you have just given me the instruction and clarity I have needed. Your methodology appears to be sensible, methodical and practical. Now I need to dedicate some time and effort to ensure my saw becomes a valuable friend. One area of distress that you might be able to advise on - how to clear sawdust from inside the saw. Mine is a nightmare despite trying different methods of extraction and other modifications. Yours is a channel I need to spend more time watching. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.
Most welcome. A well-designed saw should be impervious to the effects of sawdust -- sealed bearings, self-clearing threads, etc. I say that, but there are certain woods that when reduced to a fine dust will load onto the interior parts of a machine despite the best engineering. From time-to-time, you just have to get inside the saw cabinet with an air compressor and a wire brush. It's a pain, but it's a must for good maintenance. Religiously turning the vacuum on when using the saw will extend the time between cleanings, but nothing can prevent them completely.
@@WorkshopCompanion - thanks for the generous reply. I always use the attached 2 motor Camvac whenever i switch the saw on but despite improvements to the internal dust collection and 4 inch take off, the sawdust still builds up. Getting inside and cleaning it out, as you describe, has become a time consuming but necessary monthly exercise. But I suppose that the downside of using a table saw. Thanks for your input.
Nick, these videos are head and shoulders above comparative stuff on youtube, ive watched woodworking videos for 10 years or so and just come across your channel. They are excellent. Thank you. Cambridge. UK
Nick you are the best teacher on UA-cam, seriously. Your explanations are illustrated so well that they just make sense. I almost didn’t watch this because I thought I already knew everything about aligning a table saw. Well I was wrong! I knew all blades would have some level of run out, but I never knew how to measure it and mark it in a way that increased accuracy when squaring the blade. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
No matter how much you know about woodworking you can always pick up a new ‘better way’ to do it. I loved the use of wedges to hold a straight edge against the miter slots for fence alignment. I no longer need my third arm!
Wedges are an underappreciated resource. I use them for stabilizing castered tools, leveling stuff, setting angles, and lots and lots of clamping chores.
I've watched hundreds of UA-cam "how to" videos and this is THE BEST one I've ever seen. Absolutely everything is perfect. I agree with others, I would watch Nick explain anything!!! I am also now bummed I let my old 1930s Delta saw/jointer combo that I inherited with my house go. Might have been a good option to consider instead of the $3k Laguna F3 Fusion table saw I'm getting ready to buy.
This was very helpful. I am about to “go through” a saw I recently purchased and this will help get it set up accurately. Also, what a cool piece of history to demonstrate with! As always, great video.
In getting to the top in any craft, you first must learn the basics. This video is exactly what I needed to align my table saw. Nick, I wish you would have been around about 35 years ago. I would have loved to have a teacher like you. (I know, 35 years ago you were still in diapers, but none the less, I never had a mentor in the woodworking field). I had industrial arts in grade school, but the school budget was cut and by high school, industrial arts was no longer available. Thank you for helping to keep the craft alive!
First time watching you. What a wonderful teacher you are! I will use your instructions to align my 1960’s era Craftsman “bench saw” and I know it will be a big improvement. 👍👍👍
That was really thorough. I have an old and very cheap Delta that I should check the alignment. I built the fence from scratch because the original fence was so terrible. Thanks for your indepth discussion.
Thank you for sharing! I got at least two now hints in this video which will help me to adjust my saw even better. Thank you for that! I always try to get my old tools working properly instead of buying new once and hope they are doing better. BTW… new tools from the factory needs adjustments as well as long as you don‘t habe service agreements with the brand which most hobbyists might don‘t have.
It is, isn't it? I was surprised at how well it was designed and manufactured, especially for its size. This would make a dynamite job-site tool for finish carpenters.
No matter how competent you are you can always learn something new. Marking the line of zero runout on each saw blade was one for me. Probably not that important as other tuning lessons but done once on each blade in my collection will inform me about potential manufacturing defects, which these days seem to be more prevalent. Thanks
Valuable fundamental information. Thanks for the lesson. I've been using table saw for over 25 years and adjusted them for square but I learned 'new to me' fundamental information. Thank you.
This was excellent! I’ve certainly had runout explained to me before, but this was the first time it really clicked with me not just what it is and why it’s important to know what your runout is, but also how you can use that information to your advantage in setting your fence and miter gauge square, as well as setting your blade to 90. I’ve also never seen someone explain bad tolerance and how to find it before. Can you do bandsaws next?
There is absolutely no way to make a video on this topic anymore clear. This man is a treasure to woodworking.
his knowledge base absolutely blows my mind.
This man must be protected at all costs. His ability to teach and keep people interested in what hes teaching is a thing of magic!
Abracadabra...I mean, kind of you to say.
Don't have a table saw but I'll watch this guy explain anything.
YES😄, second that! Also this thorough approach works for just any equipment - Cameras to bicycles and cars, if one wants to be friends with them.🍻
'Stumpy Nubs' explains the same things, but in a completely different way.
Just as skilled and knowledgeable I would think, but far from as entertaining as this channel.
It is always a pleasure to watch these videos, and very educational.
He has great hair!
I feel the same way. I don't care what he's explaining. He's one of those rare individuals who explains everything absolutely clearly and makes everything relevant.
It's simply astounding to me the level of mastery you have as a presenter and educator. The delivery of clear, concise technical instruction is a discipline that has baffled mortal man since time immoral and without doubt the is a highly technical subject. They say analogy is the key to learning but it's rare to see someone build their own analogy out of plywood and set it 10 degrees off axis so they can teach a concept. It is a privilege and absolute pleasure to have you as our teacher.
This is high praise and kind words, and we do appreciate you're saying. Travis and I work hard at the content, delivery, and pace of these videos, and comments like yours make the effort worthwhile.
You might be uploading in 4K but UA-cam isn't showing you in 4K. My jobsite saw has some rubbing on the back of the blade, I didn't realize my table was crooked. Thank you. Now for my miter saw. Gimme a perfect miter saw and I'll give you perfect miters. I been using miter saws for going on 3 decades but for the life of me I cannot get that thing dialed in. Replaced all the wear parts already went through the whole saw and still get almost a half degree off on my test cuts. Maybe I need a new saw, because why settle for being close when you can be precise.
I appreciate you sir. Thank you for sharing your skills knowledge and experience
UA-cam has options to change the resolution of a video. A lot of times it automatically chooses 480p or 720p for people and you have to change it. Also some scenes are in 1080p for time lapse or because of zooming in the editing process. Thanks for the feed back and glad our video was helpful.
You are the most extraordinary teacher I've ever had, Nick. Thank you so much for what you do, and what you have done.
Most welcome.
Informative, entertaining, fixed a problem in my woodworking I've had for ages, and even a shout out to the history of my hometown. 1000% 👍👍👍👍
Wow - I watched this video in bed one night before turning out the light. It was so good I wanted to leap up, run to my shop, grab some tools and tear into my table saw. My wife said otherwise 😉. Seriously, the clarity of subject material plus the informative graphics ( loved the wooden saw blade!) was a joy to watch and absorb. Well done sir 👍👍
I have watched thousand of hours of UA-cam and hundreds of hours of woodworking videos. This is literally my very first youtube comment on any video... He's amazing! Its so well explained and interesting at the same time. Have a foundational understanding of the tools you use makes you a better woodworker. Thank you!
I’ve been a carpenter for over 50 years and I can still learn from watching your videos. A pleasure.
Awesome video! No more guessing about how to achieve precision when making all of the adjustments he covered. Also, interesting history about the Wright bros. A++ on content and delivery. Bravo!
Thanks for the kind words.
Nick your way of explaining tablesaw alignment procedures is awesome. Funny, articulate and thoroughly done. Thank you as always!
This was the best presentation I've ever seen on this subject! Thank you for the lesson and the history. I was a native of the Dayton area for 30 years and never knew. Many decades ago, I even worked in the Front St area as a firefighter for 8 years. Thanks again for the memories!
You're most welcome.
Did you ever visit NCR or the CARLON Bells park. There's a model of the Wright Brothers Air plane in a building by the Canale mock up.
Lot of history in that park and OMG I miss listening to the bells I lived by the Fairgrounds by the hospital.
NCRs gone its now part of IBM IBM and NCR are the same company just different devisions I grew up in Dayton
I also knew about the Wright Brothers shop and the airplane , but ill have you know the Wright Brothers might not have been the first to fly.
There is speculation somone from Europe did it first, and Leonardo the artist might have done it years before anyone else. History's pretty cool.
I love the design of the saw s tilting table seemes like a better option, oh but the same ideas were used on a shopsmith mark V also made in Dayton.
Why is it so many cool things came from Dayton? Or that part of Ohio .
Despite measuring and re-setting the angle of my table saw blade with a variety of squares and digital tools, I couldn't for the life of me cut a true 45-degree miter. It was always very slightly off regardless of what any of my measuring devices said to the contrary. After learning about marking the blade runoff from this video, I got a perfect miter after one attempt. Never would have considered that myself, but it makes so much sense once you point it out. Thanks so much for the guidance!
Most welcome; glad to be useful.
Nick Engler is a national treasure. On par with Click and Clack, the Tappet brothers.
In early 70's I used to work for a woodworking company called Dankeart in UK. What this great man is teaching, we used to do them very often. I'm retired now and I enjoy watching his videos. He's unique. God bless you Sir.
Thanks for the kind words.
You do have to spend some time setting the saw up... blade, fence, etc. But once done, the saw is great. Fairly compact which is Nice ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxXh-4_3-ZT1fFWP91ZV7iVqzElr0lEb-a I did get an Incra Miter Gauge which takes some setup as well. The stock miter gauge can be adjusted in the miter slot with a little painter's tape... this tightens up the side to side play a lot.
Never thought of that, but this would make an exceptional jobsite saw. Rock solid, yet small enough to be portable. I'm going to have to find one of thee without so much history behind it.
I knew most of these, but had completely missed taking into account the blade runout - I shan't make that mistake again, so thank you very much for the lesson! The history of the saw made this extra cool.
Thanks.
This is by far the best vid I've seen that encompasses all aspects of table saw alignment. Thank you! Particularly regarding blade run out and how it affects the alignment procedure
Been maintaining tables saws for 40 years and I use a machined dead flat 10" parallel disk with 5/8 arbor hole, with a runout gauge. Never never never considered the actual run-out of the saw blade itself. Lost count of how many times I went to square the blade after making miter cuts or prior to starting a new project after the saw sitting idle. Will be checking the current blade today. Thanks
Best explanation I ever saw on UA-cam. My compliments
Thanks for making such a thorough explanation of table saw alignment. I know it must have taken a lot of time and effort thinking through your presentation, even before the cameras started rolling. I have a beat-up old "$50 Craigslist special" saw that has languished in my shop for far too long because I didn't know how to properly set it up. Thanks to you, the waiting is over!
This is the best possible explanation of the whole thing I could have ever found! Thanks a lot!
Most welcome.
You couldnt be more right about knowing your tools by putting this time in. I just spent a wknd fighting with making my benchtop jointer coplanar. Lost my cool once. Maybe twice. The third one, my wife and I clearly disagree on definition.
But man. Worth the effort. Perfecting your tools is also worth the effort. The Lady is gonna love this over-designed/over-built patio table. There's no way she's gonna help me carry it from the garage. I definitely gotta offer the neighbour a beer, now. I dig this hobby - and especially this channel - so much!
Nick, you explain all these concepts in such a clear, thorough, and fun way, that I can olny aspire to be half as good a teacher as you! Amazing material, as always. Thanks!
Most welcome.
Hi, I'm a first time listener first time caller. I gotta say you bring back the old 80-90s instructional vibe that was just so informative. I just knew an old timer would give me the best explanation of squaring my table saw. When in doubt, let the OG tell you how its done it never fails.
Best 14 minutes I have invested ALL WEEK!
Very kind of you to say. And I very much hope that your next 14 minutes are even better.
Excellent! Clear. Hwlpful. Nick is a great teacher.
By far the "goodest" explanation I've seen on this topic. Thanks a bunch! / Peter
Wow. I've been watching woodworking videos on UA-cam for years and years now, and I've never stumbled across this channel.... but I'm glad I did today. This guy's delivery is flawless. So many of the big woodworking UA-camrs just ramble and ramble on. This guy is concise, speaks clearly, and sounds well-rehearsed. The presentation is excellent. I suspect this channel is going to gain a lot more viewers... and man, I just love this guy's whole look, especially that Einsteinian haircut!
I was going for more of a Mark Twain, but Einstein is good too.
@@WorkshopCompanion He's got an army of hamsters making it all happen. And a couple of hamster hairdressers too!
Well what do you expect, from an ode man . I remember him when he was a Jung man.
I've watched many of these set up videos, but this one explained the 'Whys' as well as the 'You Need tos'. Great clarit.
Thanks for saying.
One of the best explanations and guides on this subject I have seen! Well done!
Thanks.
Sir, you are the master. I wish that I had had a shop teacher like you in high school.
Thanks. I wish I had a shop in high school!
1. As always, a perfect explanation and demonstration.
2. That 90 year old saw is gorgeous. They just don't make tools that look that good any more!!!
Agreed.
Fascinating! Very unusual - but so beneficial - to have some of the science and rationale behond it all explained instead of the usual "just do this" approach on UA-cam. I am new to table saws and thought I had already watched just about all the set-up tutorials on here but I learned so much more from this one. Kudos!
Thanks for saying. I'm convinced that woodworking -- both as a craft and an engineering science -- has suffered massively over the last century from the "recipe" approach we have taken to teaching it. Working wood is easer, more satisfying, more creative -- and much safer -- when you know the why's that go with the what's.
I never did like teachers. They bored me. I was in the construction bussiness for my entire life and was fairly good at it. I have a shop with a complete compliment of tools and I know how to use them although I am retired. You are one of the best instructors I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. You not only had valuable information but made it entertaining as well! My hats off to you!
Thank you.
@@WorkshopCompanion I just call it like I see it!
This master woodworker has the precision of a physics teacher and the clarity of an Einstein who knows know to make it plain for the common folks like me. I am so grateful. I have watched so many videos on how to calibrate my new table saw but I kept feeling like I wasn't getting the whole story. Consequently, I have had my saw for a year and never set it up, but now I will because I finally can say I know what I am doing and the reason for every step I'm taking, thanks to him!
Most welcome, and thanks for the kind words.
I've been doing this for many years and learned nothing new but I *love* your teaching style so I watched it through the end!
Please continue creating content.
Old world craftsman. Clear and concise explanations. Thank you.
Most welcome.
Very helpful! I learned a few things here. The run-out section of this video is priceless! I'll be marking all my blades now. Thanks!
Most welcome.
By FAR the best table saw setup video going. Thank you
Most welcome.
The only thing I can think of to say is 'thank you'. An incredible learning experience.
Learned all this 45 years ago in shop class in high school. The shop teacher was surprised when I dialed in the table slot to "half a thou". I was not happy with that half of a thousandth of an inch that the table was off. In my 15 year old brain, zero meant zero. That's when I learned about acceptable tolerance.
It's a shame so many schools have eliminated Industrial Arts from their curriculum. Not everyone is going to be a surgeon or a computer programmer. Shop classes teach lessons that can carry over into many other facets of life.
The best education I have every received on the subject, thanks!!
Most welcome.
Best most informative video on this subject I’ve ever seen! Thank you.
Most welcome.
I've seen a bunch of similar videos, but none that mentioned blade run-out or how to compensate for it as you demonstrated. The ruler in the slot, and the flashlight and square tricks are ones I haven't seen before either.
I second the motion of other posters that you are an excellent teacher...and I'm a teacher myself, so I know that skill when I see it.
Thanks!
You're very welcome, and thanks for those kind words.
This is the guy I should have had as a grandfather when I was growing up. I know that I would be a better wood worker and all round handyman. 👍🇨🇦👨🦳
*It's very true, Adjusting your Table Saw* it's very well Explained . Thank you Nick for sharing I look forward to hear from you bye for now Ken
the use of computer graphics to show the inner workings is priceless. Great videos, always!!
Thanks for saying.
When you're building cabinets or furniture, precision is king.
The best video out there for alignment!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience!
Most welcome.
Thank you so much for taking the time to explain blade wobbling (among other things) in such a detailed way. I could never set up my blade 100% square to the table no matter how much effort spent fidgeting with minute adjustments and I know understand why. I have watched dozens of setup videos and you are the only one who goes in such details. You sir are a precious asset to the woodworking community and I hope you’ll keep making such great educational content!
Thanks for the kind words.
If I could give this multiple thumbs up I would!!! Thanks for the info!!
Most welcome.
Dear Woodshop Companion. The breadth and depth of your experience - which I assume comes from decades and decades of experience (I too an an ole' timer so please take that as a compliment from an older brother, and not an insult) is breathtaking to behold. I did fine woodworking for 7 yrs in my youth but abandoned the hobby for university (big mistake - even though I do well, I am not happy) as an apprentice then journeyman under a master craftsman and even he did not have the wellspring of knowledge and skill that you possess. Long story short. I am returning to my first love, so dedicated am I that I did spend a small fortune building up my shop and have been watching multiple pros like yourself to both "break off the rust" - it's not like riding a bike) and learn new skills. Of my list of 16 subscriptions to very fine woodworkers you sir are by far my very favorite. Please do not retire from this channel soon. Some of us just enjoy your sharing of astonishing knowledge far too much and it would break our hearts. Sir, I tip my hat to you. You certainly deserve the title of Master Craftsman if there ever was one.
Thank you for the kind words. Having just built a new shop/studio for the express purpose of producing woodworking and DIY vids, I have no intention of retiring soon.
First time I subscribed to something on UA-cam. Dude you rock. Thanks for this lesson.
Most welcome...and thanks for the kind words.
Re-building my table saw setup this autumn. Once again you have completely nailed the tutorial. You should have your own TV series! Better than Norm Abram!!!!
Thanks for the kind words, but I think I'll stay where I am. Every month, 2.6 billion people view UA-cam at least once. PBS? 80 million in the same period. Norm's -- or whoever carries on with his show -- potential audience is only 3% of mine.
I learn so much from these videos, thank you so much for making my life so much less frustrating!
Just kept me from selling all my tools and becoming a pole dancer. Thanks Nick! #1 best video on this topic.
Most welcome...although I feel guilty that the art of pole dancing will be forever diminished...
I learned so much! Every table saw owner's manual should include a link to this video
I'm going to shake hands with my tools from now on. Thank you.
Most welcome. But when you shake, keep your fingers clear of the sharp parts.
Followed all the way the best explanation I've ever seen thank you I've read books on this for years and your a walking text book! Good listening
Quite possibly the reason for that is I use the books I've written as a jumping-off point for these vids. Thanks for saying.
This is perfect timing. I’m about to be given a table saw from a family member. I’ve saved this video to get to know & align the saw before I even try to use it. Not sure he has the particular manual but I can always check the manufacturer & get one for sure.
True that. There are manuals for out-of-production tools plastered all over the Internet. I was able to buy one for this very saw on Ebay. Almost one hundred years old! For you folks that aren't yet aware of them, let me recommend Vintage Machinery for help with older tools. Good folks, fantastic resource. The link is vintagemachinery.org/
Excellent video. Finally someone explaining the proper procedure. Thanks
Most welcome.
Having just finished reconditioning a Delta 34-532 combo (few years newer), I was hesitant (procrastinating) putting it into use. Thought I aligned it well, but now I will be redoing a complete alignment with your guidelines. Thank you for this video. It has been invaluable and meticulously documented!!!
Glad I could help!
I came in expecting to learn something. I didn’t expect to relearn everything. Thanks!
Most welcome. And sorry -- thanks for being a sport about it.
This was good timing for me. Just got my first table saw. First project I was going to do with it was to build a cabinet/bench for it. Might as well check alignments first. Love you sense of humor.
New or used, checking the alignment should always be the first step when you haven't worked with a tool before. Great way to shake hands. Thanks for the kind words.
@@WorkshopCompanion you're welcome we may never meet in person but I believe the years to come will see us become good friends sharing a love for the beauty of wood and what can be made from it.
So glad you have embraced this medium and have chosen to share your talents. Love the depth of knowledge you provide along with your jovial nature. Really learned a lot and loved the info on the model airplanes by one of the other Wright brothers. America is full of those stories yet to be told. Blessings, Bruce
Thanks for the kind words.
Great explanation. Can't wait to go try this on a very old Atlas table saw I use. It's been making concave cuts lately but still a workhorse. Thank you.
Once again, Nick, you have proven to me that no matter how hard you try you can still learn something.
Old dogs, new ticks.
I can’t like this more than once. Excellent.
Thanks.
I was just fixing to adjust an old turntable I found, now I need to get to adjusting my tablesaw! Excellent video, thanks!
You're welcome.
Very good!I'll have to watch it again to understand it better.
Thanks.
This is VERY timely information, as a new saw sits in my shop awaiting it's first cuts! Looks like my old machinist tools will get a workout!
Wow another superb video! I have struggled with the adjustments on my cabinet table saw for the past eight years. The saw cost me over £1000 but I have seriously thought of replacing it but then the reviews of even more expensive saws helped me to see that they too have issues. But you have just given me the instruction and clarity I have needed. Your methodology appears to be sensible, methodical and practical. Now I need to dedicate some time and effort to ensure my saw becomes a valuable friend. One area of distress that you might be able to advise on - how to clear sawdust from inside the saw. Mine is a nightmare despite trying different methods of extraction and other modifications. Yours is a channel I need to spend more time watching. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.
Most welcome. A well-designed saw should be impervious to the effects of sawdust -- sealed bearings, self-clearing threads, etc. I say that, but there are certain woods that when reduced to a fine dust will load onto the interior parts of a machine despite the best engineering. From time-to-time, you just have to get inside the saw cabinet with an air compressor and a wire brush. It's a pain, but it's a must for good maintenance. Religiously turning the vacuum on when using the saw will extend the time between cleanings, but nothing can prevent them completely.
@@WorkshopCompanion - thanks for the generous reply. I always use the attached 2 motor Camvac whenever i switch the saw on but despite improvements to the internal dust collection and 4 inch take off, the sawdust still builds up. Getting inside and cleaning it out, as you describe, has become a time consuming but necessary monthly exercise. But I suppose that the downside of using a table saw. Thanks for your input.
Awesome video! I’ll be watching for others! Thank you!
Most welcome.
Nick, these videos are head and shoulders above comparative stuff on youtube, ive watched woodworking videos for 10 years or so and just come across your channel. They are excellent. Thank you. Cambridge. UK
Nick you are the best teacher on UA-cam, seriously. Your explanations are illustrated so well that they just make sense. I almost didn’t watch this because I thought I already knew everything about aligning a table saw. Well I was wrong! I knew all blades would have some level of run out, but I never knew how to measure it and mark it in a way that increased accuracy when squaring the blade. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
Most welcome.
No matter how much you know about woodworking you can always pick up a new ‘better way’ to do it. I loved the use of wedges to hold a straight edge against the miter slots for fence alignment. I no longer need my third arm!
Wedges are an underappreciated resource. I use them for stabilizing castered tools, leveling stuff, setting angles, and lots and lots of clamping chores.
When It Comes To Woodworking...
Setup Begets Experience Which Grants knowledge That Fuels Confidence !
I love your videos. You are the best teacher!
Excellent presentation ! Wonderful graphics ! Thnx a lot !
Most welcome.
Magistral lesson... Simply a jewel.
Thanks.
I've watched hundreds of UA-cam "how to" videos and this is THE BEST one I've ever seen. Absolutely everything is perfect. I agree with others, I would watch Nick explain anything!!! I am also now bummed I let my old 1930s Delta saw/jointer combo that I inherited with my house go. Might have been a good option to consider instead of the $3k Laguna F3 Fusion table saw I'm getting ready to buy.
Thanks for saying.
This was very helpful. I am about to “go through” a saw I recently purchased and this will help get it set up accurately. Also, what a cool piece of history to demonstrate with! As always, great video.
Many thanks.
In getting to the top in any craft, you first must learn the basics. This video is exactly what I needed to align my table saw. Nick, I wish you would have been around about 35 years ago. I would have loved to have a teacher like you. (I know, 35 years ago you were still in diapers, but none the less, I never had a mentor in the woodworking field). I had industrial arts in grade school, but the school budget was cut and by high school, industrial arts was no longer available. Thank you for helping to keep the craft alive!
You're most welcome. And by the way, thirty-five years ago, I was writing my first woodworking books and building up a small publishing company.
You sir are a very intelligent, knowledgeable fellow.
I have adjusted my SSmith and I’ll check it again. Thank you.
Most welcome.
First time watching you. What a wonderful teacher you are! I will use your instructions to align my 1960’s era Craftsman “bench saw” and I know it will be a big improvement. 👍👍👍
Thanks for the kind words.
Outstanding! Absolutely, the best explnation of how to align a table saw I have ever seen.
Thanks for saying.
That was really thorough. I have an old and very cheap Delta that I should check the alignment. I built the fence from scratch because the original fence was so terrible. Thanks for your indepth discussion.
Most welcome.
Thanks for the down to earth , logical explanation , best i have ever seen,...
Thanks.
Best explanatiion & alignment guide ever...
Thanks.
This video came out literally right when I was wondering how to align my table saw as a new woodworker. Thank you for the information.
Glad to have been of help.
Excellent video. Thanks….
Thank you for sharing! I got at least two now hints in this video which will help me to adjust my saw even better. Thank you for that! I always try to get my old tools working properly instead of buying new once and hope they are doing better. BTW… new tools from the factory needs adjustments as well as long as you don‘t habe service agreements with the brand which most hobbyists might don‘t have.
True. You should never presume the a tool just out of the box is aligned and adjusted properly.
If only you/I could buy that saw today. A beautiful machine.
It is, isn't it? I was surprised at how well it was designed and manufactured, especially for its size. This would make a dynamite job-site tool for finish carpenters.
This was an excellent explanation and very easy to understand. You certainly have a way with words and are an excellent teacher.
Thanks for the kind words.
Very very well presented!
As a newbie that I am I found this very interesting and easy to understand, thank you 🙏🏻
Have a pleasant weekend
Most welcome.
No matter how competent you are you can always learn something new. Marking the line of zero runout on each saw blade was one for me. Probably not that important as other tuning lessons but done once on each blade in my collection will inform me about potential manufacturing defects, which these days seem to be more prevalent. Thanks
Most welcome.
Valuable fundamental information. Thanks for the lesson. I've been using table saw for over 25 years and adjusted them for square but I learned 'new to me' fundamental information. Thank you.
Most welcome.
This was excellent! I’ve certainly had runout explained to me before, but this was the first time it really clicked with me not just what it is and why it’s important to know what your runout is, but also how you can use that information to your advantage in setting your fence and miter gauge square, as well as setting your blade to 90. I’ve also never seen someone explain bad tolerance and how to find it before.
Can you do bandsaws next?
Thanks for saying. We have a bandsaw video planned.
Agreed. The explanation of tolerance was clear and made sense. And yes, I'd never heard it explained that way before.