Tweaking Router Square

[matt_raymond60]

Got the newly upgraded Bot running today, runs great when I don't do stupid things!

When I was surfacing my table I noticed that my router is ever so slightly off in alignment. The top of the router needs to be moved slightly away from the gantry in order to be square to the surface. If I were to try to line it up "perfectly" I was thinking that I could get some shim material, loosen the router mount, and place it between the top of where the router mount bolts to the gantry and the gantry. Would this be an acceptable adjustment or is there a better way to do this?

I understand that this would mean that the gantry itself would still be a little bit off but don't know if I have time right now and patience to loosen everything up and adjust the entire gantry. I am thinking it might be easy to make things worse.. Any thoughts?

By the way, the 4g upgrade sure runs nice!!!! Thanks for all the help with that process!!

[curtiss]

Just a stiff wire on a 1/4" bit. turn it by hand to see where your problem is.

[CNYDWW]

I use a little jig that simply consists of a scrap piece of plywood, alignment tool for a router table(1/2 and 1/4" shanks with a flange in the middle) and a pencil. I drill two holes, one for the alignment tool and one for a pencil on the other end. I rotate it around in the chuck and adjust it till it draws a circle all the way around without gaps of heavy spots.

[matt_raymond60]

So you either of you use the shim method for very minor adjustments or how do you do it? Using a 1 1/4" bit for surfacing the ridges were only about 1/32" or so high...

[gerryv]

How about open "U" shims behind either the upper or lower V-groove rollers depending on if it's angled to front or back? I believe Shopbot used to supply/sell some plastic "U" shaped shims that slid around the angle iron rail bolts. Industrial supply houses also carry them in varying gauges for machine shops.

[kubotaman]

Matt I have used common sheet paper for shims. It has worked fine. I also use a Wixey gauge. I zero it on the table, with a long shank bit installed, I attach the magnetic base and read the gauge to see if it is still at zero degrees. I then turn 90 degrees and then read it again. You can get it perfect in no time at all. Of course if it reads differently than the table you then make the necessary adjustments.