Best way to square a table saw blade.

[Woodznutz]

Most will fully raise the blade then square it against the tabletop using a 'proven' square (make sure the square is square). Then lower it and 'prove' it by making cuts and testing the cut edge with the square. Here's a better way.

Set the blade at the height you are going to use.
Make a cut on a flat test piece that is at least 8 inches long using the miter.
Stand the piece up on the cut edge on a perfectly flat surface.
Using a proven square, square the vertical surface of the test piece with the flat surface.
Even a small error that would escape detection using the usual method will be revealed at the top of the test piece.

 

[Darkwind]

Most will fully raise the blade then square it against the tabletop using a 'proven' square (make sure the square is square). Then lower it and 'prove' it by making cuts and testing the cut edge with the square. Here's a better way.

Set the blade at the height you are going to use.
Make a cut on a flat test piece that is at least 8 inches long using the miter.
Stand the piece up on the cut edge on a perfectly flat surface.
Using a proven square, square the vertical surface of the test piece with the flat surface.
Even a small error that would escape detection using the usual method will be revealed at the top of the test piece.

Friends of mine who are woodworkers tell me that you square the blade using methods you outline, but the best way to make sure that the blade is square to your table is to make a crosscut sled. The cross-cut sled doesn't directly square your blade, but what it does do is give you a perfect 90 on all your cross-cuts.

 

[Woodznutz]

I have a large crosscut sled, use it all the time.