Background

My current table saw, a Delta contractor saw, is my second.  The first one was a Ryobi portable table saw.  The user manuals from both manufactures suggested aligning the blade to the miter slot by pounding on the trunnion with a hammer or board or by prying on it with a board.  I tried these methods because I was a newbie and didn’t know of a better way.  While these methods produced barely adequate results, I was never really satisfied with it being close but not quite precisely aligned so I purchased a Contractor Saw Precision Alignment & Locking System (PALS™) almost two years ago.

Although I was not fully satisfied with the blade alignment on my table saw, I shied away from the task of installing the PALS™ kit because I thought it would be tedious and time consuming.  After all, my saw wasn’t way out of alignment. It was close enough to make reasonably accurate cuts.

However, those extra blade marks on the sides of my rip cuts were annoying and time consuming to clean up so before starting to build my materials cart, I decided to fix the problem and install the PALS™ kit.  I went on to do a proper alignment of my saw.

Product Details

The PALS™ kit consists of two each:

• Threaded studs
• Flat washers
• Nuts
• Lock nuts
• L-brackets with adjustment screws and lock nuts

The kit also included one Allen Wrench for the adjustment screws.

The size of the studs and matching components may vary depending on your contractor saw model.  You will also need wrenches to remove the old trunnion bolts and for the new mounting and lock nuts.  To prevent the threaded studs from loosening while the saw is in operation, use a non-permanent, thread-locking.

Experience

Man, was I sorry that I had waited so long to install the PALS™ kit.  It couldn’t have been easier.  The installation was done in less than 10 minutes and the alignment took maybe another 5 minutes.  In less than 15 minutes, I had perfectly aligned the blade to the miter slot and locked it in so that I probably won’t have to align it again unless something traumatic happens and, maybe not even then.

The installation goes something like this

1. Remove only one of the existing trunnion bolts.
2. Put a small amount of the non-permanent thread-locking liquid on one end of a threaded stud.  Thread it into the table saw replacing the trunnion bolt previously removed.  Tighten the stud finger tight.
3. Pick up one of the L-brackets with the adjustment screw and lock nut.  Put it onto the threaded stud so that the short side of the L-bracket with the adjustment screw is pointing up and the adjustment screw is in line with the mounting ear of the trunnion.
4. Now, install a flat washer and standard nut on the threaded stud.   Tighten the nut so that it is snug but will still allow the trunnion to move slightly while aligning the saw blade.
5. Next remove the other trunnion bolt and install the second threaded stud and L-bracket in the same manner as the first (see Steps 1-4).
6. When you have finished installing both L-brackets, align the blade to the miter slot by loosening the adjustment screw on the side where you want to move the blade and tighten the opposite adjustment screw to push the trunnion in that direction.  You can use your preferred method for checking blade alignment. My preference is to use a dial gauge.
7. Once you have the blade aligned to the miter slot, tighten the lock nut on the adjustment screw that pushed the trunnion.  Then snug the opposite adjustment screw to the trunnion and tighten its lock nut.  By having both adjustment screws tight against the trunnion from opposite directions, it is almost impossible for the trunnion to move out of alignment.
8. Now tighten the nuts on the threaded studs and lock them down with the nylon-insert lock nuts.

The pictures below show the PALS™ kit installed on my Delta contractor saw.

Results

As you can see from the picture there are no secondary saw marks on the thin test strip cuts after installing the PALS™ kit and aligning the table saw.

Conclusion

The Contractor Saw Precision Alignment & Locking System is easy to install, easy to adjust and stable.  The Contractor Saw PALS™ is a simple and inexpensive upgrade to a contractor saw improving its performance and making woodworking life easier.

Be sure to check the vendor’s application guide to ensure you order the correct model for your saw.

Other upgrades you may want to consider are a Link Belt to reduce saw vibration and a Dial Indicator if you don’t already have one.

PALS™ is a trademark of IN-LINE INDUSTRIES