I’d like to get some featherboards and a clamping miter gauge for my table saw. Alas, the ‘standard’ miter slot appears to be 3/4″ but my particular saw is using the less common 5/8″ slot size.
Anyone know of a good online place that might stock table saw accessories and possibly have the 5/8″ size accessories?
Google isn’t working out too well. I’m either finding plenty of 3/4″ ones or a handful that just say ‘standard’ or don’t mention the slot size at all.
The big boxes don’t carry stand-alone miter gauges.
Our local ‘if they don’t have it no-one will’ has a lot of accessories, but only for the 3/4″ slots.
I have yet to try Sears, which is on the agenda for this week, but would be happy just finding an online place and getting them there.
Edited 6/25/2008 1:33 pm ET by darrel
Replies
well, no luck at Sears, either.
Incra makes adjustable miter bars to fit craftsman saws.
do the craftsman use the 5/8" slots? I'm looking at the INCRA site and not seeing anything that specifically mentions the 5/8" slots.I'm thinking it's going to be easier to buy a new saw. ;o)
5/8" slots are pretty rare except in small saws. I had a 1950's Dunlap 8" that had them. You can make your own feather boards and clamp them to the table, rather than use the miter slots. You can also make some crosscut sleds that will do much of what a miter bar will do. We often make dedicated ones, one for 90°, one for 45°, one that can be adjusted. Clamps can be added as well as stops. They can be very accurate and help support the work piece. Any accessory will depend on whether your saw is tuned properly. If the blade isn't parallel with the slots, it won't matter what you make or buy. You won't be able to make accurate cuts.
I forget why I took this picture but there is a 45° miter sled at the left, with toggle clamps and some feather boards in the lower center. There are a few tricks to make these so they work correctly. If you are interested in this approach, I have a couple of tips.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Forgot the pic.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Yea, good point. I figured the feather boards would be easy enough to make myself.It's a fairly new Black and Decker. Nothing fancy...a step or two from the house brand at lowes.Works fine except for the #*$&@^ non-standard miter slot! ;o)
"new B&D"I was going to guess the small skil table saw.Had the skil and it too had the 5/8 slot. I understand your frustration.I finally bought a saw (2 actually now) with the STANARD 3/4" slot.Rockler and think Woodcraft have some magnetic feather boards that might work for you, unless the top is aluminum or plastic <GASP>
TFB (Bill)
I have not looked recently, but several companies used to make bars for Craftsman TS. Used to make your own jigs or to change out the bars in miter guages.
Try Rockler and Woodhaven.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
I've made bars of various kinds from UHMW Plastic, Phenolic sheet, and wood. Just rip it under size and run a bandsaw kerf in the middle of the bar and a countersunk screw will expand the plastic to a snug fit when attached to say a sled or feather board ( add a winged nut to the top of the feather board and use a stove bolt).
Also to dial in a loose home made bar, you can add a few allen head set screws to the side of the bar, to snug it up. I have used that for wood runners that may swell in summer and get tight, and shrink in winter and get sloppy.
A last trick for the common 3/4" steel bars/runners that are sloppy is to use a center punch to make a few divots,that expand the metal to fit snugly.
BTW IIRC those B&D saws and clones, might have a thinner (height) as well as a keeper groove type deal ?
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
"We strive for conversion,we get lost in conversation, and wallow in consternation. "
Me.
Try to find some aluminum bar the correct size. Drill a countersunk hole on each end matching the slots in the device (featherboard) and then take a hacksaw and cut from the end into the holes. I have done it with hardwood with success also.
Here is the 3/4 version from Rockler, what I have made look sort of like this.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16423&cs=1
Edited 6/26/2008 12:09 pm ET by rasconc
I have a Makita with the same problem. For anything that slides (cross cut sled) those are easy enough to shop build, but for feather boards that have to clamp in one spot it's probably going to be easier for you to mount the featherboards on a 5/8" aluminum rectangular strip and drill/tap the bottom of the miter slot for a hand knob to hold it in place. Feather boards don't need to be moved much so this won't be too much of a problem.
Good luck
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
Probably a bit late for the original poster, but anyone stumbling across this - there are some available on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/listing/1409754277/perfect-fit-miter-bars-runners-for