S@

"Stoutman" <.@.>

26/11/2006 10:27 PM

REVIEW_ TS-Aligner Jr.

All,

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing the TS-Aligner Jr and I have posted
it on my website.
Let me know if you have any questions.

Definitely a very useful tool to have around the shop.

http://www.garagewoodworks.com/TS_aligner.htm

Thanks,
--
Stoutman
www.garagewoodworks.com


This topic has 13 replies

mm

"maico"

in reply to "Stoutman" <.@.> on 26/11/2006 10:27 PM

26/11/2006 3:09 PM

I absolutely love my TS-Aligner Jr!

Your review was exact and to the point. You didn't mention how it can
also check for runout on both the tablesaw and your drill press (with
the included rod). There really is so much you can do with it, I now
consider it a must-have for large power tool owners!

Ed knows what he is talking about and deals with all
situations/problems from a technical problem-solving viewpoint; this
leads to unbiased answers in all cases. I believe this is the same
approach that has empowered him to design his products. Good technical
solutions are simple solutions and that can be found in the TS-Aligner
Jr.


Stoutman wrote:
> All,
>
> I recently had the pleasure of reviewing the TS-Aligner Jr and I have posted
> it on my website.
> Let me know if you have any questions.
>
> Definitely a very useful tool to have around the shop.
>
> http://www.garagewoodworks.com/TS_aligner.htm
>
> Thanks,
> --
> Stoutman
> www.garagewoodworks.com

Rd

"Robatoy"

in reply to "Stoutman" <.@.> on 26/11/2006 10:27 PM

27/11/2006 11:14 AM


Stoutman wrote:
> "CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >I thought I saw one of those sitting in the background of one of the box
> > pictures. Nice tool, isn't it?
>
> Definitely. I think it will get used frequently in my shop!

Thank you for taking the time to share with us such a detailed
insider's view.
Very helpful.
There are other contributors here who share their work here, and I just
wanted it be known that I appreciate it as I'm sure others do as well.

btw.. did anybody ever check this out?
http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/architecture/greeneandgreene/searchbasic.html

toodles

r

S@

"Stoutman" <.@.>

in reply to "Stoutman" <.@.> on 26/11/2006 10:27 PM

27/11/2006 1:47 AM


"CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Doesn't matter where the blade moves to. The angle is measured between the
> upper and lower contact points. The tool is not in the miter slot at the
> time, it's sitting on the table.

You are correct with regard to the contact points. The tool is still in the
miter slot when measuring TS blade angle. The cross bar (attached to the
dial indicator) is able to slide left or right so that the dial indicator
plunger can make contact with the blade. There is a knob that you tighten
to prevent the cross bar from sliding during measurements.

See here to see the cross bar and knob in action:

http://www.garagewoodworks.com/pictures/TSA_test1.jpg



Lr

"Leon"

in reply to "Stoutman" <.@.> on 26/11/2006 10:27 PM

26/11/2006 11:45 PM



Ok, I answered my own question. The Aligner uses a two point method like
your jig. Cool.

Very nice tool if you need it.

I watched the video at Ed's site. Did you by any chance also review the
angle blocks for more accurately and more easily setting up bevel angles?

cb

charlie b

in reply to "Stoutman" <.@.> on 26/11/2006 10:27 PM

26/11/2006 3:14 PM

Stoutman wrote:
>
> All,
>
> I recently had the pleasure of reviewing the TS-Aligner Jr and I have posted
> it on my website.
> Let me know if you have any questions.
>
> Definitely a very useful tool to have around the shop.
>
> http://www.garagewoodworks.com/TS_aligner.htm
>
> Thanks,
> --
> Stoutman
> www.garagewoodworks.com

Yup - another confirmation of the usefulness of this alignment tool.

And if you have a sliding table that needs to track parallel to
the miter slot (the reference for the saw blade and rip fence)
and remain coplanar with the saw table top . . .

Should you have a dovetail miter slot, the two fixed and one
adjustable bearing on the bottom do the job of eliminating
slop in the fit.

You can make jigs to do some of the things the TS-aligner Jr.
does. At minimum wage for your time, to make a jig for each
of its many uses, it's still a good deal. And as noted in the
review - the customer support/service is right up there with
Lee Valley - and that's saying a lot.

charlie b
who also thinks the Glen Drake Tite-Mark is in the same league

charlie b

Cc

"CW"

in reply to "Stoutman" <.@.> on 26/11/2006 10:27 PM

27/11/2006 1:17 AM

I thought I saw one of those sitting in the background of one of the box
pictures. Nice tool, isn't it?

"Stoutman" <.@.> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> All,
>
> I recently had the pleasure of reviewing the TS-Aligner Jr and I have
posted
> it on my website.
> Let me know if you have any questions.
>
> Definitely a very useful tool to have around the shop.
>
> http://www.garagewoodworks.com/TS_aligner.htm
>
> Thanks,
> --
> Stoutman
> www.garagewoodworks.com
>
>

Cc

"CW"

in reply to "Stoutman" <.@.> on 26/11/2006 10:27 PM

27/11/2006 1:19 AM

Doesn't matter where the blade moves to. The angle is measured between the
upper and lower contact points. The tool is not in the miter slot at the
time, it's sitting on the table.

"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Nice tool and nice review Stoutman. Reading your comments about being
able
> to set a 45 degree angle accurately makes me wonder how that works
exactly.
> On some TTS's the blade actually moves left and or right from where it
rests
> when at 90 degrees. Basically, if you securely taped paper over the
opening
> and cut a slot in it by raising the blade while the saw is running, and
then
> tilted the stopped blade the blade would tear the paper as it moved left
or
> right from that slot. Mine stays in the exact same location, my previous
> saw would have torn the paper. If the blade is not perfectly centered
over
> the pivot point of the trunion it will move left or right. You get that
> effect on one side when using a dado set and tilting the blade
> The arc that the top of the blade travels when choosing a bevel cut in is
> not round, it is more oval on some saws.
>
>

RF

Richard Faust

in reply to "Stoutman" <.@.> on 26/11/2006 10:27 PM

27/11/2006 8:46 AM

Stoutman wrote:
> All,
>
> I recently had the pleasure of reviewing the TS-Aligner Jr and I have posted
> it on my website.
> Let me know if you have any questions.
>
> Definitely a very useful tool to have around the shop.
>
> http://www.garagewoodworks.com/TS_aligner.htm
>
> Thanks,

Very nice review of the TS-Aligner Jr. Brings affordable, precision tool
set up to the home shop!

Rick

S@

"Stoutman" <.@.>

in reply to "Stoutman" <.@.> on 26/11/2006 10:27 PM

27/11/2006 12:01 AM



--
Stoutman
www.garagewoodworks.com

"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> Ok, I answered my own question. The Aligner uses a two point method like
> your jig. Cool.
>
> Very nice tool if you need it.

If you 'need it'? How many tools do you have that you could get by without?
Do you 'need' a dovetail jig? Can't you cut them by hand? It comes down to
increased speed and increased accuracy/reproducibility. Same is true for a
dovetail jig.


>
> I watched the video at Ed's site. Did you by any chance also review the
> angle blocks for more accurately and more easily setting up bevel angles?

No I have not reviewed them. I only used the 45o angle block. It was also
a pleasure to use.
>
>

S@

"Stoutman" <.@.>

in reply to "Stoutman" <.@.> on 26/11/2006 10:27 PM

27/11/2006 1:35 AM


"CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I thought I saw one of those sitting in the background of one of the box
> pictures. Nice tool, isn't it?

Definitely. I think it will get used frequently in my shop!

tt

tommyboy

in reply to "Stoutman" <.@.> on 26/11/2006 10:27 PM

27/11/2006 8:39 PM

On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 22:27:22 GMT, "Stoutman" <.@.> wrote:

>All,
>
>I recently had the pleasure of reviewing the TS-Aligner Jr and I have posted
>it on my website.
>Let me know if you have any questions.
>
>Definitely a very useful tool to have around the shop.
>
>http://www.garagewoodworks.com/TS_aligner.htm
>
>Thanks,

Let me add my thanks for your review. I like your 'down to earth'
style and it is more than refreshing to hear the opinion of someone
who does not have any financial interest in the reviewed tool or the
retailers who sell it. I'll be getting a TS Aligner Jr. thanks to your
review.

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to "Stoutman" <.@.> on 26/11/2006 10:27 PM

27/11/2006 12:16 AM


"Stoutman" <.@.> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> If you 'need it'? How many tools do you have that you could get by
> without? Do you 'need' a dovetail jig? Can't you cut them by hand? It
> comes down to increased speed and increased accuracy/reproducibility.
> Same is true for a dovetail jig.
>
I'm sorry, that came out wrong. If you need it to set your miter gauge or
blade bevel every time you change the setting. I do fine with out it. I
end up back at 90 with out a problem and the same goes for the 45 degree
bevel. In between I use a Bridge City adjustable protractor. I did use a
dial indicator for initial set up of my TS but have not had to make any
readjustments since new. I use Dubby miter sleds and similar to using a
dial indicator the scale from 0 to 50 degrees is about 20" long. The space
bewtween each miter degree is about 1/4" so there is no mistaking what your
miter is set at and you have to move the fence a lot to move plus or minus a
degree.

Yeah! I need a DT Jig.

>>
>> I watched the video at Ed's site. Did you by any chance also review the
>> angle blocks for more accurately and more easily setting up bevel angles?
>
> No I have not reviewed them. I only used the 45o angle block. It was
> also a pleasure to use.

That's the one I was talking about.

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to "Stoutman" <.@.> on 26/11/2006 10:27 PM

26/11/2006 11:01 PM


"Stoutman" <.@.> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> All,
>
> I recently had the pleasure of reviewing the TS-Aligner Jr and I have
> posted it on my website.
> Let me know if you have any questions.
>
> Definitely a very useful tool to have around the shop.
>
> http://www.garagewoodworks.com/TS_aligner.htm
>
> Thanks,
> --
> Stoutman
> www.garagewoodworks.com
>

Nice tool and nice review Stoutman. Reading your comments about being able
to set a 45 degree angle accurately makes me wonder how that works exactly.
On some TTS's the blade actually moves left and or right from where it rests
when at 90 degrees. Basically, if you securely taped paper over the opening
and cut a slot in it by raising the blade while the saw is running, and then
tilted the stopped blade the blade would tear the paper as it moved left or
right from that slot. Mine stays in the exact same location, my previous
saw would have torn the paper. If the blade is not perfectly centered over
the pivot point of the trunion it will move left or right. You get that
effect on one side when using a dado set and tilting the blade
The arc that the top of the blade travels when choosing a bevel cut in is
not round, it is more oval on some saws.


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