R4511 Fence Alignment

[PurpLev]

let me start by saying that when the fence is locked down, it's rock solid, and perfectly parallel to the blade.

my problem is getting precise positioning with it. here goes:

when I move the fence around the table, it moves smoothly. I then position it at distance 'X' from the blade, but when I lock it down, it moves ever so slightly to the left. enough to throw the measurement off.

I tried playing around with the UHMW alignment set screws to tighten the grip of the fence to the rail but with no success, even if it's tight (and hard to move around the table) once I lock it - it still shifts to the left, as if the locking mechanism skews the fence to the left while locking.

has anyone else experienced this? any solution to this? or am I looking at getting a replacement from HD?

kinda sucks, other than that , everything else is great, but without a precise fence... thats only 50% left to work with.

[cactus]

I just went out and checked my fence. Mine works fine. When you lock it down, it stays at the location I had it at. It slides easily on the rails and locks down tight. I don't know what else you can do besides play with the adjustments and see if it helps. Good luck.

It is a very nice saw.

Red

[PurpLev]

thanks Red

[Big G]

Mine also moves smoothly, locks down tight and stays true to the mark. I am still getting used to be able to have this level of accuracy.

Big G

[PurpLev]

Thanks Big G, mine moves smoothly, locks tight, but unfortunately does NOT stay true to the mark.

I hope I can get this resolved quickly.

[hewood]

This is not an unusual characteristic for the t-square types. Try putting very slight pressure on the handle without locking it down, and give it a little bump. I think it's second nature for me to do that.

[BuckB]

Originally Posted by hewood

This is not an unusual characteristic for the t-square types. Try putting very slight pressure on the handle without locking it down, and give it a little bump. I think it's second nature for me to do that.

I set the fence and then pump the handle slightly. If it's not on the mark I move it slightly to put it where I want it. I mean wiggle the handle up and down, it sort of centers it where it's going to be when you lock it down. It takes a few adjustment sessions to get the screws right. I installed longer screws and had to run a 5/16-18 tap into the holes but not all the way. I wanted the set screws to be tight, not loose. Maybe they tuned the set screws on mm rod or something. The new grade 5 set screws wouldn't even start into the holes?

If the screws are adjusted just right you will be VERY close to the mark. You also won't be able to move the fence unless the handle is ALL the way up! That way the fence is very close the the inside of the rail when you move it, thus not as much deflection caused by pushing the fence. I put my hand under the handle when I move the fence and lift up a bit, it glides smooth as silk and ends up VERY close, I mean feeler gauge close.

Sounds like heywood and I are on the same page here.

Buck

[PurpLev]

hewood and Buck B, thanks for the response. that's where I was prior to posting - my set screws were long enough to be able to get the fence real tight against the rails (even to the point it wouldn't glide anymore) but still once the handle goes down, it'll skew the fence at least 1/16 I'd say...

I stopped by rockler yesterday and checked both the PM2000 fence and the Jet Proshop fence - neither of those have this issue, the fence glides smoothly, and when locked all the way down doesn't affect the fence positioning.

I was hoping this fence would be somewhat closer to other fences on the market, as mine skews way too much, for the mean time I'll try not locking it all the way down, but lightly bump it to 'keep it in place' while not moving it too far off the mark.

[DaveWoodWork]

Hi PurpLev,

Thanks for the manual copy you sent me a few weeks back. I ended up buying the R4511 last week on sale at HD. I just finished assembling it and have had a chance to play with the fence. It's much better than I would have guessed based on the comments I've read online. It doesn't seem like there should be many possible sources for the problem you're describing (fence going slightly out of alignment when clamped). Possible causes I can think of include:

1. The anti-lift tail hook on the back end of the fence is touching the rear rail when it gets clamped. This hook should never touch the rail.

2. The rear surface of your front rail is not perfectly flat.

3. The pressure exerted by the tension clip against the front of the front rail is not symmetrically distributed between the two support spacers pressing against the back of the front rail. This could be secondary to:

a) The tension clip is not parallel to the T bracket and/or
b) The cam clamping surface (that presses on the tension clip) is not parallel to the T bracket. This could only occur if the cam clamp were defective or the cam clamp holding bracket is not welded onto the fence parallel to the T bracket.

It would be interesting to see if a replacement fence eliminates your problem. I really love my saw so far. Now I just need to tune it up and cut some real wood. Again, thanks for your help before.

Dave

[PurpLev]

Thanks Dave for your input, and time.

I suspect my problem to be an unusual defect. I believe it's sourced at the cam clamping surface, and it's being not perfectly perpendicular to the fence.

I'm going to take it to a service shop, and see what they find. other than that I love this saw... works great, and produces great cuts, the work surface is large and smooth to work on... just need to get this fence issue figured out, and dialed in.

Glad I could help with the manual.