Mm

Marty

28/04/2011 6:00 PM

After Market table saw fence

I have a Rigid TS2424 contractor table saw and am planning to replace
the rip fence. Overall happy with the saw, it has cast iron top and has
stood the test of time. Not a bad fence on the saw just finicky so
want to put something on the machine that will hold its "trueness"
better then the stock fence.

I have looked at the Biesemeyer, Shop Fox, Vega and others and
now asking those in this group what their take is on the fences
out there. What models did you buy that you liked or didn't like?

My only parameter that matters is (as always) price. I would
like to cap the price at around $300.

The Rigid saw uses bolts that fit into T slotted guides in the front and
rear of the saw so in my search I have been guided by how difficult it
would be to install this fence. It seems that most of the after market
fences can be installed using this method but am open to having
to do some metal work to fit the new fence.

TIA
Marty


This topic has 8 replies

Rr

RonB

in reply to Marty on 28/04/2011 6:00 PM

28/04/2011 4:29 PM

On Apr 28, 5:00=A0pm, Marty <[email protected]> wrote:
> I have a Rigid TS2424 contractor table saw and am planning to replace
> the rip fence. =A0Overall happy with the saw, it has cast iron top and ha=
s
> stood the test of time. =A0Not a bad fence on the saw just finicky so
> want to put something on the machine that will hold its "trueness"
> better then the stock fence.
>
> I have looked at the Biesemeyer, Shop Fox, Vega and others and
> now asking those in this group what their take is on the fences
> out there. =A0What models did you buy that you liked or didn't like?
>
> My only parameter that matters is (as always) price. =A0I would
> like to cap the price at around $300.
>
> The Rigid saw uses bolts that fit into T slotted guides in the front and
> rear of the saw so in my search I have been guided by how difficult it
> would be to install this fence. It seems that most of the after market
> fences can be installed using this method but am open to having
> to do some metal work to fit the new fence.
>
> TIA
> Marty

I have used the Shop Fox Classic on my Grizzly 1023S for about 10
years and could not be happier. It is solid as a rock and is finally
getting to a point where I might have to replace the nylon slides (it
gets a fair amount of use for a garage saw. In addition to hobby
stuff, It has finished a basement and then a complete house). Our son
has one of the Grizzly Contractor's saws with the Shop Fox aluminum
fence and it is nice too. The aluminum version is similar to the
classic but lighter. I would not recommend the version with the
rollers - too many moving parts.

RonB

RonB

Nn

Nova

in reply to Marty on 28/04/2011 6:00 PM

28/04/2011 7:15 PM

On Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:00:57 -0400, Marty <[email protected]>
wrote:

>I have a Rigid TS2424 contractor table saw and am planning to replace
>the rip fence. Overall happy with the saw, it has cast iron top and has
>stood the test of time. Not a bad fence on the saw just finicky so
>want to put something on the machine that will hold its "trueness"
>better then the stock fence.
>
>I have looked at the Biesemeyer, Shop Fox, Vega and others and
>now asking those in this group what their take is on the fences
>out there. What models did you buy that you liked or didn't like?
>
>My only parameter that matters is (as always) price. I would
>like to cap the price at around $300.
>
>The Rigid saw uses bolts that fit into T slotted guides in the front and
>rear of the saw so in my search I have been guided by how difficult it
>would be to install this fence. It seems that most of the after market
>fences can be installed using this method but am open to having
>to do some metal work to fit the new fence.
>
>TIA
>Marty


I have the Jet equivalent of the HTC-900 fence.

http://www.htcproductsinc.com/mf.html

It's accurate and holds alignment. For a contractor's saw I believe
the HTC-800 would be appropriate (shorter in length). Woodworker's
Supply has the HTC-900 fence without the rails for $140.99.
--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA

BL

Bill Leonhardt

in reply to Marty on 28/04/2011 6:00 PM

04/05/2011 7:50 AM

On Apr 28, 6:00=A0pm, Marty <[email protected]> wrote:
> I have a Rigid TS2424 contractor table saw and am planning to replace
> the rip fence. =A0Overall happy with the saw, it has cast iron top and ha=
s
> stood the test of time. =A0Not a bad fence on the saw just finicky so
> want to put something on the machine that will hold its "trueness"
> better then the stock fence.
>
> I have looked at the Biesemeyer, Shop Fox, Vega and others and
> now asking those in this group what their take is on the fences
> out there. =A0What models did you buy that you liked or didn't like?
>
> My only parameter that matters is (as always) price. =A0I would
> like to cap the price at around $300.
>
> The Rigid saw uses bolts that fit into T slotted guides in the front and
> rear of the saw so in my search I have been guided by how difficult it
> would be to install this fence. It seems that most of the after market
> fences can be installed using this method but am open to having
> to do some metal work to fit the new fence.
>
> TIA
> Marty

I have an HTC-800 mounted on a Walker-Turner contractor style saw.
The saw is older than me and I'm 64. I am very pleased with the
rigidity and repeatability (on/off) of this fence. Simple, intuitive
adjustments. It has a micro-adjust feature that have used maybe twice
in almost 8 years. It has really enhanced the ease at which I can
make repeated, quality cuts. I would definitely consider getting this
again (or perhaps the 900) if I got another used saw.

There are some minor negatives. Plastic fence faces statically hold
dust. The plastic is not as flat as I would like and I am considering
replacing one or both with hardwood. Also, I believe the rail has a
spot where the powder coat paint is a little thicker since the fence
goes out of square by a few thousands and back again as I traverse
from left to right.

Bill Leonhardt

Ll

"Leon"

in reply to Marty on 28/04/2011 6:00 PM

29/04/2011 11:34 AM



"Marty" wrote in message news:[email protected]...

I have a Rigid TS2424 contractor table saw and am planning to replace
the rip fence. Overall happy with the saw, it has cast iron top and has
stood the test of time. Not a bad fence on the saw just finicky so
want to put something on the machine that will hold its "trueness"
better then the stock fence.

I have looked at the Biesemeyer, Shop Fox, Vega and others and
now asking those in this group what their take is on the fences
out there. What models did you buy that you liked or didn't like?

My only parameter that matters is (as always) price. I would
like to cap the price at around $300.

The Rigid saw uses bolts that fit into T slotted guides in the front and
rear of the saw so in my search I have been guided by how difficult it
would be to install this fence. It seems that most of the after market
fences can be installed using this method but am open to having
to do some metal work to fit the new fence.

TIA
Marty

I personally prefer the Biesemeyer/Clones. They are simple to adjust,
operate, and easy to remove/replace. I would not be happy with a fence that
required more than simply lifting it off the saw or setting it down on the
saw. Locking down the lever also aligns the fence.



DD

"Dr. Deb"

in reply to Marty on 28/04/2011 6:00 PM

29/04/2011 7:10 AM


I shopped around and bought something other than what I
really wanted. After wasting more than I could have
ever saved, I bought a Bisemeyer and have never looked
back.

The install is easy and if the holes in the table do
not line up, the cast iron is extremely easy to drill.

Deb


Marty wrote:

> I have a Rigid TS2424 contractor table saw and am
planning to replace
> the rip fence. Overall happy with the saw, it has
cast iron top and has
> stood the test of time. Not a bad fence on the saw
just finicky so
> want to put something on the machine that will hold
its "trueness"
> better then the stock fence.
>
> I have looked at the Biesemeyer, Shop Fox, Vega and
others and
> now asking those in this group what their take is on
the fences
> out there. What models did you buy that you liked or
didn't like?
>
> My only parameter that matters is (as always) price.
I would
> like to cap the price at around $300.
>
> The Rigid saw uses bolts that fit into T slotted
guides in the front and
> rear of the saw so in my search I have been guided by
how difficult it
> would be to install this fence. It seems that most of
the after market
> fences can be installed using this method but am open
to having
> to do some metal work to fit the new fence.
>
> TIA
> Marty

JS

Jack Stein

in reply to Marty on 28/04/2011 6:00 PM

29/04/2011 12:25 PM

On 4/28/2011 6:00 PM, Marty wrote:
> I have a Rigid TS2424 contractor table saw and am planning to replace
> the rip fence. Overall happy with the saw, it has cast iron top and has
> stood the test of time. Not a bad fence on the saw just finicky so
> want to put something on the machine that will hold its "trueness"
> better then the stock fence.
>
> I have looked at the Biesemeyer, Shop Fox, Vega and others and
> now asking those in this group what their take is on the fences
> out there. What models did you buy that you liked or didn't like?
>
> My only parameter that matters is (as always) price. I would
> like to cap the price at around $300.

I bought a Delta fence a few years ago at Lowes on sale for $150. I've
been more than happy with it.

http://tinyurl.com/3esfjp2

> The Rigid saw uses bolts that fit into T slotted guides in the front and
> rear of the saw so in my search I have been guided by how difficult it
> would be to install this fence. It seems that most of the after market
> fences can be installed using this method but am open to having
> to do some metal work to fit the new fence.

I attached mine to a 1954-56 Delta contractors saw. The fence bolts on
with 4 bolts into the Tsaw top. The threads on the new fence bolts were
metric, my saw has SAE, so I had to get SAE bolts. I used two of the
holes already in the saw, and had to drill 2 more holes in the fence to
match my table. I also placed the fence where I wanted it mounted so I
had to replace the tape measure on the fence. The fence clamps via the
front bracket, the rear bracket doesn't really do anything. I used the
rear bracket to bolt on a rear table extension.

The fence is, and stays perfectly square, and locks solidly in place.
This fence is 1000 times better than the original fence that came on
all the Delta/Rockwell saws in the early 50's. I think it is close to
the same as the Biesemeyer, only about 1/2 as much money. Delta bought
Biesemeyer so they own the design I guess. How it would mount in your
Rigid I can't say.

--
Jack
You Can't Fix Stupid, but You Can Vote it Out!
http://jbstein.com

ZY

Zz Yzx

in reply to Marty on 28/04/2011 6:00 PM

28/04/2011 6:06 PM

>I have looked at the Biesemeyer, Shop Fox, Vega and others and
>now asking those in this group what their take is on the fences
>out there. What models did you buy that you liked or didn't like?

I put a Vega aftermarket fence on my ~1983 vintage Craftsman 10-12 yrs
ago. I am completely happy and very impressed with the fence.

It installed in a matter of minutes, it's easy to square and holds the
settings, it's substantial and accepts shop-built jigs and sacraficial
fences. It goes on and off easily and stays true.

The micro-adjust is simple and works perfectly.

The only drawback that I see is that I can't use the factory blade
guard. Well, maybe I can but it'd require some modifications and I
don't have a round tuit.

All in all, I GREAT fence for the price, IMHO.

-Zz

PS

"Pete S"

in reply to Marty on 28/04/2011 6:00 PM

02/05/2011 11:11 PM

I bought a brand new Delta Hybrid cabinet style saw 3 years ago and bought a
Biesemeyer fence. I love it. Rock solid. I had used a few other table
saws over the years and never did like the fences on them. Finicky and
always had to measure thrice to get the fence parallel with the blade. Not
any more.
I have checked the fence against the table slots several times and its
always within 2 or 3 thousandths.

Pete Stanaitis
--------------


You’ve reached the end of replies