newbie Q: adjust trion carbide guide?

[minimal]

Hello all. I'm a new Trion owner, lurked here for a while and now have a question I hope someone won't mind answering.

The carbide guide on my Trion seems to be pushing the blade to one side: if I loosen it substantially there is a relatively large gap on one side (1-2mm) of the blade and none on the other. If I decrease the gap at all, the side in contact pushes the blade over so that it is not particularly straight. (And I need it particularly straight!).

Everything seems adjustable, there must be a way to tweak the alignment of the guide. (I checked the manual and there is no answer to this). If you know how I'd be greatful to hear it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Daviddubya]

It sounds like the "foot" that holds the blade guide is not centered.  Although the blade guide assembly appears to be self centering, try the following.  There is a small machine screw with a Torx head that holds the foot in place.  You might have to remove the jig saw base (use the allen head screw in the center of the base) in order to gain access to the Torx head screw that holds the blade guide foot.  Loosen the foot and see if you can adjust it to be centered on the blade.  I would try adjusting the blade guides with the foot screw loose, which should allow the guides to self-center on the blade, and then retighten the foot screw and see if the blade remains centered in the guides.

According to a document I have printed out, the blade guides should always be adjusted with the blade at the lowest point of the stroke.  This document is called, "How to adjust the Trion jig saw", and it apparently came from the Festool-USA site, but I cannot find it there now.  Hopefully someone else can point you to it. 

If this adjustment does not do the trick, the blade guide assembly or the saw itself may need to be replaced.  Call Festool for repair or replacement. 

 

[minimal]

Thanks. I saw that Torx screw but it looked like it just held the foot on and had no
slot for adjustment. But I will try it (in the morning!). And I will try with the blade
extended.

Thanks again. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[Forrest Anderson]

According to a document I have printed out, the blade guides should always be adjusted with the blade at the lowest point of the stroke.  This document is called, "How to adjust the Trion jig saw", and it apparently came from the Festool-USA site, but I cannot find it there now.  Hopefully someone else can point you to it. 

The procedure is listed in Festool's FAQ Database, which makes very interesting reading as it has quite a lot of useful articles about various tools.

To view the jigsaw article, do the following:

-  Go to the homepage of Festool USA at http://www.festoolusa.com
-  At the top left, click on "FAQ Database", which is above the search box
-  Under the list of topics (Domino, Dust Extraction, Multifunction Tables etc) choose "Sawing"
-  Click on "What do I have to do regarding maintenance of my jigsaw?"

The article is copied below for the benefit of the FOG search engine:

----------------------
Question :
What do I have to do regarding maintenance of my jigsaw? 
 
Answer :
The Trion PS 300 EQ and PSB 300 EQ require little maintenance. It is a good practice to blow the dust off using a compressor on a regular basis. The only other maintenance issue is blade alignment.

What is unique about Festool jigsaws is the three point blade alignment. Of particular concern are the carbide jaws which guide the blade and prevent sway out. First, these must be centered. You will want to do this with the saw blade fully extended with the saw set in full orbital mode – set at 3. If you loosen the torx-head screw just behind the blade, that will allow you to move the jaws right or left. By pressing the blade clamp, you will be able to move the blade forward and back and determine if it’s centered. When centered, the blade will move freely, without rubbing on either side.

Once you have it centered you will want adjust the width of the opening. On the back of the saw table you will find a goose-neck allen wrench to adjust the carbide jaws. The allen wrench will either open or close the jaws. The jaws should guide the blade without binding it. A hair-breadth between jaw and blade is all you need. Once you’ve adjusted the jaws you will want to run the saw. If there are wear marks on the side of the blade from the jaws, they are too tight. Once they are adjusted, you are ready to saw. The Festool Trion Gold saw blades are a little thicker than standard blades, if you are switching blades, you will want to readjust the jaws.

When using your jigsaw with the guide rail or circle cutter you will want to attach the saw on the left side, where the orbital switch is, for best results. You will get better results if you are using a blade with cross-set teeth for either of these applications.

The attached link should help.

http://nhwoodworker.com/trion/index.html
----------------------

Alternatively, the direct link to the article is http://www.festoolusa.com/faq/afmviewfaq.asp?faqid=96

Forrest

 

[minimal]

Thanks, you guys are correct: the torx-head bolt locks/unlocks the alignment of the carbide guide. And if you *don't* adjust it to fit at the lowest point in the stroke (and on orbital mode 3) it will be set up way too tight, but you will figure that out the second you turn it on! Anyway, the adjustment was was way off on mine. I now have it adjusted just about as well as possible. After a little more run-in with this blade I may tweak it again.

To test the positioning and straightness, I set up a fence on a narrow piece of ply, then cut it almost to the middle from both sides. If the cuts line up on the top of the ply, the blade is centered. If the cuts line up on the bottom of the ply, the blade is straight.

Thanks again Daviddubya and Forrest Anderson for the help!