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How do I align Porter Cable miter saw?

5.7K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  Ghidrah  
#1 ·
My miter saw (model 3802) is just a wee bit off from a perfect 90 degree cut. I'm about to make about 40 cabinet doors, and they'll be a lot easier to assemble if the cuts are right. The manual says to loosen 4 screws that connect the fence to the base. Next, it says to correct the setting indicator, so it shows '0' when you're cutting at that angle.

Trouble is, the picture doesn't point to any screws (!). There are 6 bolts connecting the fence to the base (from the top), and 5 nuts connecting the round miter track to the base (from the bottom). The bottom also has 4 screws that only seem to connect the feet to the base (?)

Am I supposed to simply adjust the fence (from the top)? That seems easy, but doesn't involve the miter or its indicator. I didn't want to loosen anything until I understand what I'm doing.
 
#3 ·
There doesn't seem to be any close ups of the saw anywhere on the net, but I did find a couple parts list sites that had a schem of the 3802.

PC parts

Look at page "B", and figs 51a and 204. 204 shows 2 bolts about 2 to 4" apart just behind the fence face and at either end of the table.
Loosen these to adjust the fence. I'd suggest purchasing a 10" calibration disk for the task to eliminate tooth interference from a cutting blade and a machinist square or 12" 45 degree triangle.

Once you have a proper line up gently snug the bolts down by hand then make smidge turns with wrench or socket tilt tight