I enjoyed reading your recent review of Tune-up Tools (Wood #150) and
thought your readers would appreciate a few minor corrections and
clarifications.
In your description of TS-Aligner (p.75), you said "Dial indicator rides up
and down on parallel steel bars for precise blade-height measurements."
Actually, this vertical motion of the dial indicator facilitates precise
squareness and angle measurements taking advantage of the full accuracy of
the dial indicator. It can be locked at any position for precise height
(or depth) measurements (with the dial indicator pointing downward).
In the descriptions of both TS-Aligner and TS-Aligner Jr. Deluxe you mention
the removal of the miter slot guide bearings for use with non-slotted
machines as a "Low Point". In truth, any miter slot guidance mechanism (bar
or bearings) will need to be removed for such use. While ease of
removal/replacement might be a relevant factor, I believe your readers would
be more interested to know how easily the different miter slot guidance
mechanisms are adjusted and how well they perform for precise measurements
with a dial indicator. Miter slots vary in width from machine to machine.
Sometimes two miter slots on the same machine are not precisely the same
width. So, accurate results require frequent adjustment. The bearing
guidance system is easily adjusted from the top of the tool while in the
miter slot. It provides unparalleled smoothness of motion allowing easy and
precise measurements. A miter bar can only be adjusted "off table" and it
is difficult to obtain a play free fit without rough slip-stick motion which
produces erratic readings on the dial indicator. In addition, a bar has a
very limited range of adjustment. So, more than one bar is needed to
accommodate machines with widely varying widths. The bearing guidance
system easily provides the same smooth play-free fit in slots from 5/8" to
7/8".
In your description of TS-Aligner Jr. Deluxe, you say that it does
"Everything TS-Aligner does, except for setting cutting depth." Actually,
the Jr. is very well equipped for vertical measurements such as cutting
depth and cutter height with greater range and flexibility than most of the
other reviewed products. The two tools provide the same basic
functionality. The major difference between the Jr. and the Sr. are: ease
of use (convenience), accuracy of vertical angle measurements, and cost. In
addition, it's smaller size makes the Jr. best suited for home shop
machinery. The Sr. is designed for use on larger industrial machinery.
You also mention (as a "Low Point") that the "Angle Attachment Gage requires
calibration using an accurate square every time it's installed." This is
true, all accurate measurements require an accurate reference (even the
"Knife Edge" on MaserGage Classic requires calibration with a square as
outlined in its manual). I believe that most woodworkers considering the
need for a precise alignment tool will own (or be interested in buying) an
accurate square. I would expect your readers to appreciate the ability to
make accurate squareness and angle measurements using the full accuracy of a
dial indicator (rather than sighting tiny gaps between gauging surfaces).
After all, accurate angle adjustments are among the most challenging of
machine settings. Perhaps your admonition on p.76 would apply here too.
"Opt for the TS-Aligner Jr. Deluxe and spend some of your left over money
($120!) on an accurate square (which every shop needs), and you're set."
On p.75, step 4 "Squaring the miter gauge and blade" the procedure shown
will not necessarily produce square cuts. Proper alignment requires the
face of the miter gauge to be square with it's *motion* in the miter slot
(using a square as described in the TS-Aligner manuals). While the
difference may seem subtle, it is actually quite profound. A lot of
frustrating accuracy problems are easily resolved by using the correct
procedure. Alignment tools which can perform the correct procedure should
have earned higher performance grades in the table on p.79 than those which
advocate the common (but incorrect) procedure.
Also, in the chart on p.79 several inaccuracies need to be pointed out:
- The footnote indicates that TS-Aligner Jr. Deluxe "Requires a 45 degree
angle gauge" to set the 45 degree bevel stop on a tablesaw. Once the Angle
Attachment Gage is calibrated using a square, it "...easily sets any bevel
angle", including 45 degrees . The Jr. Lite performs the exact same
measurements in the exact same manner and should receive the same
performance grade for both 0 and 45 degree settings.
- All three products perform the miter gauge alignment procedure in the same
manner (using a square) and should therefore receive the same performance
grade.
- Under "Mitersaw", the Jr. Deluxe and Jr.Lite perform the exact same
functions in the exact same manner and should receive the same performance
grades.
- Under "Jointer", the Jr. Deluxe and Jr. Lite perform the "Fence Square to
Tabletop" alignment in the exact same manner and should receive the same
performance grade. However, the Jr. Lite cannot perform the "Knives Level
to Outfeed Table" because it does not include the Upright Bar so the grade
should be blank.
Overall, I believe that your readers are best served with alignment tools
which can perform functions which are not easily reproduced in the typical
woodshop. Tools which can provide more capability than a simple square
and a primitive dial indicator setup should have earned higher performance
grades than those that can't.
Again, thank you for a great article!
Ed Bennett
ejb@ts-aligner.com