Verifying Rip Fence Toe-out
This is the technique I use for checking the toe-out of the rip fence. Using a precision ground flat bar like a Johnson level (which has machined parallel surfaces), or an extra section of the rip fence extrusion (if you have a spare), or a straight edge or some other flat aluminum extrusion with parallel faces, lightly clamp it to a partially elevated saw blade as shown in the photo. This presents an "averaged" surface representing the saw blade position against which you can indicate relative to the rip fence. By moving the indicator along the rip fence, keeping it against the rip fence as you move the indicator, you can visually see the toe-out by observing the change in the dial indicator reading.
Position the dial indicator as shown in the photo and move the rip fence toward the saw blade until the indicator hand starts to move, then lock the rip fence position and zero out the dial by rotating the bezel. Move the indicator along the rip fence, keeping it against the rip fence and observe the indicator reading. If the indicator moves clockwise, the fence is angled inward toward the blade, called toe-in, which is a dangerous condition that can cause kick-back, and will produce a burned or torn edge on the stock cut during a ripping operation. If the indicator hand moves counterclockwise as you move it forward against the fence, the fence is angled away from the blade as material is being cut - called toe-out. Ideally, the rip fence is properly aligned when the dial indicator shows 0.002 to 0.004 inches of toe-out over approximately a 10-inch distance.
Verifying Rip Fence Toe-out
This is the technique I use for checking the toe-out of the rip fence. Using a precision ground flat bar like a Johnson level (which has machined parallel surfaces), or an extra section of the rip fence extrusion (if you have a spare), or a straight edge or some other flat aluminum extrusion with parallel faces, lightly clamp it to a partially elevated saw blade as shown in the photo. This presents an "averaged" surface representing the saw blade position against which you can indicate relative to the rip fence. By moving the indicator along the rip fence, keeping it against the rip fence as you move the indicator, you can visually see the toe-out by observing the change in the dial indicator reading.
Position the dial indicator as shown in the photo and move the rip fence toward the saw blade until the indicator hand starts to move, then lock the rip fence position and zero out the dial by rotating the bezel. Move the indicator along the rip fence, keeping it against the rip fence and observe the indicator reading. If the indicator moves clockwise, the fence is angled inward toward the blade, called toe-in, which is a dangerous condition that can cause kick-back, and will produce a burned or torn edge on the stock cut during a ripping operation. If the indicator hand moves counterclockwise as you move it forward against the fence, the fence is angled away from the blade as material is being cut - called toe-out. Ideally, the rip fence is properly aligned when the dial indicator shows 0.002 to 0.004 inches of toe-out over approximately a 10-inch distance.