Thanks guys so much for the help.? ?I pretty much followed the Wilton manual for alignment of both the vertical (N-S) and horizontal (E-W) alignments.? ??
I also took after the table with a new bastard file.? ?The table was actually pretty far out of flat - I think it was well over 0.006".? ?After filing, I got it within my smallest feeler gage (0.0015") across the whole table.? ?I had to do a gross file across the table to take care of the gross high spots and then I could focus on the few remaining high spot.? ?Luckily, my table was sunken and the edges were high.? I think it is easier to maintain some sort of planarity with the pivot of the motor/blade assembly.??
I also took my blade guides off and cleaned them up (along with the bearings).? ?Luckily, all of my bearings are fine.? I had to take a file after the blade guide castings to get them to fit correctly for adjustment of the bandsaw.? ?When doing the gross blade guide alignment, it is very important to get the blade support bearings reasonably matched.? ?This is a lot easier if you file the guides so they move in a smooth manner.
I tried the wood technique and gave up after a while.? ?I think wood is fine to get you in the ball park, but one needs to cut steel if they want to get close.??
At the end, adjusting the vise jaws to be perpendicular with the blade took me the longest.? ?I am going to put a stop on the static jaw vise so I can easily adjust the vise jaw in the future.? ?It is hard not to overshoot if you are using a small brass hammer to help you align.? ?A threaded rod would be so much better.? ?I ended up cutting a 1 1/2" steel bar and measuring the thickness uniformity of 6 points on sample bar edge.? ?I think I am hitting nominal +/-0.002" per inch diameter on the coupons.
Now, I want to install a bunch of brushes to keep the blade and wheels clean, make the vise jaw stop, make the vise bolt? and install then a hydraulic down feed.
I have to get out in the shop and clean up my mess.
Thanks again folks.? I have a ton of reading to do with Rick's and John's material.
Dave
