Table Saw Fence system

walnutjerry · 05-20-2006, 10:28 PM

I have been considering a good fence system for my old (1977 model) Sears 12" table saw for quite a while. I browsed the Biesemeyer site and contacted them for a reccomendation, which they promptly replied via e-mail. Does anyone have this system in use? What are the pros and cons?

There is so much on the market it is mind boggling. I am open to hearing about other systems as well. Any input is appreciated. The old saw still runs strong and I hate the thoughts of updating the whole machine just because the fence is aggravation!!

Thanks a bunch---------------------Jerry

DaveO · 05-21-2006, 12:30 AM

I use a Biesemeyer clone fence on my Grizzly saw. I like it. It locks very ridged and is easy to add axillary fences to it. My only complaint is that mine doesn't track square, it squares up great when you lock it down, but when it slides it can go askew. I generally have to set the fence, lock it, check the measurement and fine adjust it. My scale is dead on, but I still don't trust it.
My .02, Dave

P.S. I moved your thread to Power Tools, it is a more appropriate thread in that forum

kota62 · 05-21-2006, 09:53 AM

Jerry:
I went through the same thing a few months ago... ended up with the Delta Unifence system and couldn't be happier...
Below is a link to my enquiries about fences, might help a bit:
http://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/w...saw.fence.html
Also i have some pics on the install/upgrade:
http://www.ncwoodworker.net/gallery/...ages.php?c=397

Hope this food for thought helps you
Gary

cpowell · 05-21-2006, 10:18 AM

Jerry, I have the 50 inch Biesemeyer fence on my unisaw. The fence is rugged and very repeatable. I does not deflect or move. I adjusted it new 3 years ago and have not touched it since.

I also considered the unifence but in the end opted for the Biesemeyer. Both are great fences.

And there are others.

You need to go out and kick some tires.

Chuck

oldnick · 05-21-2006, 10:43 AM

Hi there,I have just installed a Biesemeyer fence on a Saw Stop. I had to drill new holes for it but the fence itself is fantastic

. It is my understanding that biesemeyer is a branch of Delta. In any case you are doing a good buy. Let us know

.

walnutjerry · 05-21-2006, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by cpowell

Jerry, I have the 50 inch Biesemeyer fence on my unisaw. The fence is rugged and very repeatable. I does not deflect or move. I adjusted it new 3 years ago and have not touched it since.

I also considered the unifence but in the end opted for the Biesemeyer. Both are great fences.

And there are others. You need to go out and kick some tires.

Chuck

Chuck---------When you got your Biesemeyer, did you have to order rails for the fence seperately? If I read their site correctly that is what has to be done. That means about 430 bucks for the guide and 48" fence!!!! Is that in the ball park?

Jerry

NCPete · 05-21-2006, 07:23 PM

Jerry, that seems to be about what Lowe's is charging for the Biesemeyer fence on their new line of Delta saws.

Travis Porter · 05-21-2006, 07:23 PM

I have the Biesemeyer on my PM 66 and have had it over 10 years. It came with the saw when I bought it as this was before Biesemeyer was acquired by Powermatic. IMO, the T-square style whether Biesemeyer or clone is a good system for ensuring it locks square. The only complaint I have with it is that it does not lock in the back and if you use feather boards to hold stuff down you should put a clamp to hold it down.

After paying 3 times what I think I should for a splitter from Biesemeyer, my suggestion is to shop around. HTC now makes what appear to be nice fences, Sommerville Design (Excalibur), and Vega are a couple of others I have heard good things about. The unifence has a couple of nice features that the Biesemeyer doesn't. Being able to flip the fence around for cutting laminates, adjusting it to be a cut off marker, etc. Unfortunately, it to does not lock at the back so it has the same problem as the Biesemeyer in my opinion.

If you do decide to go with the Biesemeyer, I don't think you will regret it.

NCPete · 05-21-2006, 07:33 PM

hmmm,,,, the fence on my Jet doesn't lock down on the back either.

Travis Porter · 05-22-2006, 10:41 AM

It isn't bad, just for me, it makes it irritating with feather boards. I put a clamp on the back most of the time, sometimes I don't, and it seems to do ok, but I am chicken. Murphy's law always applies in my shop. If it can be screwed up, I will do it.

sapwood · 05-22-2006, 02:21 PM

My 1990s Griz had the bearing on the rear rail and I removed it. The fence clamps as well without it and mounting an outfeed support was much easier. That said, it wasn't a great fence to begin with

Sapwood

Travis Porter · 05-22-2006, 05:11 PM

To cut 48" the rails are actually around 6ft long. They do think a lot of their equipment. Lot of steel in it. Two 6 ft pieces of angle iron a 1/4 inch thick, then the steel tube. It is a lot of money, no arg from me.

jmauldin · 05-22-2006, 09:28 PM

I, too, have an old Craftsman saw. I found a Vega Professional 50" fence system on E-Bay for $150.00. It had never been used. Installation was a snap and I love it (of course, anything would be better than the piece of junk that came with the saw). I also replaced both side tables, not just to accomodate the right side for the new fence, but widened the left side to 40". Also, replaced the motor. It says it is rated at 3 hp, but that is a bunch of baloney. The motor pulled 13 amps, which equals 1 hp. and it could only run on 110. I now have a 2 hp that runs on 220. Much better.

Anyway, any of the aftermarket fences ( HFC, Bisemeyer, etc.) should greatly improve your saw.

Jim in Mayberry

kota62 · 05-22-2006, 09:29 PM

Amazon has the Vega fences on sale today
here's the link, might save someone some dough...
Gary

50" fence
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002261Z/ref=br_lf_hi_/002-9241228-4997610?n=552262&s=hi&v=glance

all sales items
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/1016101/ref=amb_link_1490292_12/002-9241228-4997610

cpowell · 05-22-2006, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by walnutjerry

Chuck---------When you got your Biesemeyer, did you have to order rails for the fence seperately? If I read their site correctly that is what has to be done. That means about 430 bucks for the guide and 48" fence!!!! Is that in the ball park?

Jerry

Jerry, I bought my unisaw new and had a choice of Biese or unifence, so in essence, the Biese fence came with my unisaw, so it was "free".

I agree 400+ dollars sounds like a lot of money for a Biese fence system. I don't know that I would pay that outright. But I've gotta tell you I love the fence.

Travis, when you mention featherboards do you mean mounted against the side of the fence to hold the stock down to the tabletop? I agree the fence does not lend itself readily for this...and making jigs for the Biese means drilling holes in the fence or using clamps.

I don't ever clamp the fence rear down. It would take a pretty good force to move it upward when clamped. But it looks like it'd be easy the attach a piece of steel to the rear bottom of the fence tube on a bolt so that it would ride around 1/16th below the rear frame (angle iron). Just rotate when you want to remove the fence.

Good luck on the fence search, Jerry. I feel a gloat is close at hand!!

Chuck

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