- 1). Unplug the radial arm saw for safety.
- 2). Dust or brush off any loose sawdust and wood debris. Use an air compressor or a can of compressed air to get into all the small spaces where sawdust has built up. Wear safety glasses for this step.
- 3). Raise the saw to get access to the table.
- 4). Remove the old rip fence and rear table. Most radial-arm saws have a three-part table: The rear table acts as a clamp to hold the rip fence in place. The rip fence supports the wood and keeps it perpendicular to the blade. The front table, known as the sacrificial table, is the cutting surface. Most cuts on the saw will cut through the material and into the sacrificial table top. On most radial-arm saws, the rear table and the rip fence are clamped in place between the wing bolts and the sacrificial table. This allows for easy removal and adjustment for the rip fence. When the wing bolts are loosened, the rear table and the rip fence are removable. The sacrificial table is attached with four or more recessed bolts that are accessible from under the saw where it attaches to the steel base.
- 5). Cut the new rip fence to size, using the existing rip fence as a template. Check the condition of the rear table and sacrificial fence; replace them if necessary. One of the best materials to use for the rip fence is 3/4-inch medium density fiberboard (MDF). It is inexpensive, durable, easy to work with and won't harm the blade when it is cut into.
- 6). Check the saw for square. Lower the saw until the blade meets with the sacrificial top. Raise the blade one-quarter turn. Place a framing square on the front edge of the sacrificial table and next to the blade. Pull the saw forward. The blade should not dig into the top or pull away during travel. Adjust as required by loosening the bolts from under the sacrificial table where it attaches to the steel base. Retighten the bolts.
- 7). Attach the new rip fence and rear table. Wax the sacrificial table, rip fence and rear tables surface with a paste wax; this will provide a low-friction surface to work with and protect it from moisture.
- 8). Check the table to be sure it is flat. Lower the blade until it contacts the sacrificial table. Raise the blade one-half turn. Pull the blade forward slowly, noting the gap between the table and the blade. The gap should be the same throughout its travel. Adjust the saw to 45 degrees to left and right and check the gap again. It should maintain the same gap throughout the blade's travel. If it is not flat and true, you will need to shim the top from below as required until it is true.
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