Motivated by reading another thread (s), I have been reading about "TS setup": Checking that the fence and blade are perp to the top, and that the mitre track is parallel to the blade and the fence. If I'm overlooking anything major, besides making sure the saw is unplugged, please mention it! : )
Based on what I've read I would probably use a combination square for the first task, and a piece of wood with a brass screw for the latter (or a dial indicator?) along with a mallet if necessary.
I just found this link and found it refreshingly down-to-earth:
To me, someone who doesn't yet own a TS, it seems that the fence is the least stable part of the system, assuming one doesn't tamper with the angle of the blade. Do you check your fence as suggested above everytime you move it? Or, only if you have a cheap fence, or something else? A "Magnetic Angle Cube" seems a nice way of setting the blade angle.
From what I have seen, a dial indicator might be a nice item to have. Is there one which "makes sense"? Seems like with repeated use too that the above mentioned "brass screw" might take a toll on the fence..
Bill