Problems calibrating sight line

[Dave Rudy]

I have been able to move the plastic into position and hold it securely so it doesnt slip when tightening the screws (seehttp://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=774.0).

But I am finding that the plastic does not move far enough to make the sight line accurate.  I have tried opening the larger hole where the screws sit with a 1/4" drill bit (by hand, of course) but there is not much room to expand the size of the adjustment holes.

Does anyone else have this problem, and what ideas do you have to remedy it?

Thanks

Dave

 

[Jeff Wright]

How about removing the plastic sight plastic and filing one end or the other to allow it to slide further?

 

[Dave Rudy]

How about removing the plastic sight plastic and filing one end or the other to allow it to slide further?

I thought about that Jeff, but without elongating the holes, will it make a difference?

 

[Jeff Wright]

How about removing the plastic sight plastic and filing one end or the other to allow it to slide further?

I thought about that Jeff, but without elongating the holes, will it make a difference?

I don't think I would know whether it made a difference unless I tried it. It could be difficult to determine whether the sight glass is not moving sufficiently due to the restriction of the screw hole opening or the plastic itself. Very small movements in the sight glass make significant changes in accuracy of cut, as you already know.

 

[Dave Rudy]

I will try it with very fine alterations and report back.

Thanks for the help.

Dave

 

[Dave Rudy]

I don't think I would know whether it made a difference unless I tried it. It could be difficult to determine whether the sight glass is not moving sufficiently due to the restriction of the screw hole opening or the plastic itself. Very small movements in the sight glass make significant changes in accuracy of cut, as you already know.

Thanks Jeff!  I filed the edges of the sight lens very slightly and re-performed the calibration process.  It's now dead on the money (as is the fence angle (I had to modify the scale slightly by elongating the holes) and the pin distances to center of mortise.  All in all (once you get used to the process) the tool is quite easy to align.

Thanks again for your help.

Dave