Dewalt has made some interesting design choices with their table saws over the past few years. They have concentrated more on creating an efficient saw than sinking time into pieces that could be bypassed for aftermarket tools. So, where can you store the miter gauge on your Dewalt table saw?
The manufacturer suggests that you store the miter gauge on the deck of your saw in its original position. Then, you can adjust the base by tightening the handle to make it fit into a tighter space.
Design flaws in equipment can be frustrating. Unfortunately, what makes that frustration go into overdrive is creating substandard parts for the brand in favor of after-market use. So read on and learn all you need to know about where to store your miter gauge on a Dewalt table saw.
Storing the Miter Gauge On a Dewalt Table Saw
Sometimes when you have good intentions, you let things slip through the cracks. In this case, Dewalt delivered a top-notch saw but could have needed to see some flaws.
You stand a better chance of beating a few design flaws by doing alterations and shopping for after-market pieces.
Making Alterations to the Gauge Is an Option
A miter gauge should fit snugly into the channel on the deck of the table saw. However, some versions of the Dewalt table saw will have a gauge with a substantial channel gap.
If yours is like this, you must do some work before it sits firmly in its channel.
Some alterations to make to your miter gauge before attempting to store it are:
- Bulk the Rod – One of the most voiced problems with the miter gauge is that the rod doesn’t fit into the channel. When it wobbles, it will not stay put when it is stored. You can add a bit of tape to the bottom, filling the gap and forcing it to remain seated.
- Lock it Down – Another option is to find a way to lock the rod down into the channel. However, the deck of the table saw is slick, and finding a way to lock it down could require tightening the handle on the gauge or blocking both ends of the gauge channel.
One of the most significant flaws in a perfectly functional machine is miter gauge storage for some Dewalt table saws.
However, this flaw does not take away from how the machine functions once the miter gauge is fixed or replaced with an after-market model.
Buying Aftermarket Is a Great Idea
Dewalt has a fantastic array of replacement pieces and parts for their machines. By searching on Amazon, you can find several types of miter gauges that will fit your table saw model.
Remember that doing some measuring and math is part of the process.
A few different miter gauges that could replace your Dewalt are as follows:
- O’Skool – A great company that makes replacement parts for Dewalt is O’Skool. Their miter gauge is affordable and will fit several Dewalt table saws. It has a decent rating and some nifty nylon material on the bottom to prevent sliding while working.
- Powertec – Powertec makes a miter gauge replacement that stands up as well as any on the market. Powertec is a small business dedicated to high-quality products, and their miter gauges are just a tiny part of what they do. Another great thing about this model is that it has a more precise angle function than other models.
- Fulton – The good folks at Fulton make a precision gauge that allows you to brace against the guard, solving two problems for your Dewalt saw. The extra guard will ensure that enough force is produced when you store the miter gauge to keep it in the channel.
After-market parts can sometimes work better than ones made by the original manufacturer. For example, replacing the miter gauge on a Dewalt table saw is often needed and when you buy one, ensure that it has the proper dimensions to store it correctly.
Conclusion
The miter gauge on the Dewalt table saw stores on the top in its channel. There are no hidden compartments or drawers to stow it away, and if the gauge is loose in the channel you might have to secure it or buy a new one.
There are options to replace or repair the meter gauge and make it stay in the place where it was designed. Remember that friction is essential for the miter gauge to function correctly and could take some testing before storing properly.
