From the previous session we finished with the thrust bearing sliding arm, which also contains the sliding guide block from the top, which is now ready to drill and file a slotted hole through which will pass a 5/16th rod.

Need to drill out the pilot hole with a 6.5mm bit and the run through a 5/15th tap.

Like the lower one threaded rod screwed into the guide arm with a bit of glue on the end.

As it is on the saw the thrust bearings are left of the blade, we need to reduce the width at the end – just a bit. Over at bench drill #1 a Forstner bit does the job nicely.

More about thrust bearings – the pair of (skateboard) bearings sit directly behind the blade, where they abut the bevelled edges form a tiny Vee. The idea is to align things so the back of the blade kisses and runs in the Vee. When cutting timber the forward pressure tends to push the blade back, the thrust bearings oppose this force holding the blade steady.

Everything assembled again and alignment works well – blade tracking nicely.

Now to design and make the lower blade guides that sit under the table.