Service Pointers

Service Methods and Tips

NOV/DEC 2004
Volume 47/Issue 6

IN THIS ISSUE
Project Articles
• Poor Man's Hall Butler
• Holiday Hurricane Lamp
• Old-Fashioned Toy Cars

DEPARTMENTS
• Ask Smitty
• Owner’s Gallery
• Letters from Owners
• New Baby Workshop Calendar

Academy Notes
Hardwood Information You Should Know - Pt 3

Service Pointers
MARK V Rip Fence

Woodworking Technologies
Stepped Dowels

Safety
Safety Lessons I've Learned

What's New
Rip Scale Upgrade Kit

EDUCATION
• Find A Shopsmith Woodworking Academy Near You
• National Woodworking Academy in Dayton, OH

ONLINE CATALOGS
• Online Accessory Catalog
• Request Printed Accessory Catalog
• Online Replacement Parts Catalog

MARK V INFORMATION
• Find A Shopsmith
MARK V Demo Near You
• Request MARK V Information Package

LINKS
• Links Worth Visiting
• Free Woodworking Tips

FEEDBACK
Contacting Shopsmith

Service Pointers
The MARK V Rip Fence -- A Prime Key to an Accurate Project
Printer friendly PDF copy of article (13K)

The Rip Fence is a very important part of your Shopsmith MARK V (or any table saw, for that matter). If you drop it, hit it, bang it around or place excessive pressure on it during use, it can and will get out of line.

To check for proper alignment, place the Fence next to the miter gauge slot on your MARK V Table and tighten the locking handle(s). It should be parallel to the slot when clamped to the table. If it isn’t, it probably needs adjustment.

Do be aware, however, that sometimes, it’s the main worktable or extension table that’s out of alignment and NOT the fence. Always check the table alignment first if you’re having problems. One way to do this is to gently slide the table against the sanding disc to check to see if the edge of the table is parallel to the disc. If not, some adjustment is required before proceeding.

Problem	Possible Cause	Remedy
Fence is out of alignment	Fence has been dropped	Realign fence by loosening two bolts under the base. Realign fence to slot, tighten fence to table, then tighten bolts.
	Excessive side pressure on fence during operation	Clamp a block to the table surface behind your rip fence on its outboard end to act as a back-up.
	Offsetting setscrew on handle end of fence has vibrated against the table bar	Remove the offsetting setscrew, tap its threads lightly with a hammer to flatten them slightly and re-install.
Fence will not adjust to an angle for edge sanding with the disc sander	The offsetting setscrew is not properly adjusted.	Loosen the fence’s knob and adjust the offsetting setscrew to the right of the fence handle so the fence is 1/16-inch to 1/8-inch closer to your disc at the infeed end of the table than it is at the outfeed end. Tighten fence.
	Burr or dirt on the underside of fence base or table bar	Remove burr with file -- or dirt with solvent.
Dado or molding knives cut into fence sides	Improper Setup	Use a wood extension fence. See Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone for extension plans.