![old craftsman table saw fence upgrade old craftsman table saw fence upgrade](https://i.pinimg.com/564x/fb/55/57/fb555712e13179cb2e49a5aeb11c4758--craftsman-table-saw-jig.jpg)
The Vega table saw fence systems come in a number of sizes to fit almost any full size table saw. No more bumping the rail and relocking it in hopes that you’ve moved it just enough. The micro-adjustment system makes it a snap to adjust your cuts by the thousandths of an inch. The front and back rails are made from steel tubing which has been chrome plated and polished so the fence glides effortlessly. The fence itself is made from high strength extruded aluminum coated in epoxy for a smooth glide while cutting. Their sturdy construction, ease of installation, precise locking, and micro-adjustment features make this fence a solid buy. The Vega PRO, and Vega Utility, table saw fence systems are some of the most recommended table saw fences on the market. Check the fit of each for your specific saw as some are designed to work with certain brands of table saw only. Here are a few of the best table saw fence systems available right now.
#Old craftsman table saw fence upgrade upgrade
Systems like this are extremely well made and a great upgrade but also cost quite a bit more than a drop on fence. Some table saw fences, like the Incra fence we’ll talk about a bit later, come fully integrated with their own rail system. RailsĪre you looking for a new fence and rail system or just a fence to drop onto your existing table saw rails? This will dictate which options you have available to you. This helps to keep your pieces supported all the way through a cut. The fence itself should ideally extend a few inches past the end of the table. Buying a fence with new rails is one way to increase or decrease the footprint of your tablesaw as well. This should come without saying but choose the right size fence for your saw! Table saw fences come in a number of different sizes both for the fence itself and the rails. This helps ensure that the fence itself will stay square to the blade. Most high quality table saw fence upgrades will have a wide guide surface against the rails and multi point locking system. There is just way to much play when locking it down so I can never fully trust that it will be well aligned. As I said earlier, this is the biggest shortcoming on the fence on my table saw. The mechanism to lock the table saw fence in place to the rails can truly make or break the fence. While the material is replaceable, I wouldn’t be happy about having to replace these components when spending $3,000+ on a top-of-the-line table saw. While this is a great option, and one used by some of the top table saw manufacturers, these materials can be prone to warping over time. Some fences have composite or plastic edges that, in theory, allow for less resistance against the while making a cut. The steel components give the whole system good rigidity and some heft while the aluminum keeps the fence lightweight enough to move around easily. Most high-quality table saw fences will be built with a combination of steel and aluminum. Here are a few things to look out for when upgrading your table saw fence. Table saw fences should be sturdy, lock into place with little play, and be long enough to support your piece all the way through a cut. For the most part, I’m always able to get it to work but have had to become a little more acquainted with the jointer to clean up my edges before glue-ups! What Makes for A Good Table Saw Fence? The fence on my saw has way too much play in it which leads to misalignment to the blade when locking it down. Shortly after I bought the saw Grizzly actually discontinued the model and released a similar model with a far superior table saw fence system, for what it’s worth. The one thing that has constantly driven me nuts though is the fence. I have said on more than a few occasions that I have been very happy with my Grizzly hybrid table saw. Have ever tried to make finishing cuts only to have the wood start to bind and burn at the end because the table saw fence won’t stay aligned? Or maybe your cuts never seem to come out straight because the fence has started to warp? An often overlooked feature of table saws, at least for new buyers, that can literally make or break the tool is the table saw fence. When it comes to table saws a ton of focus gets put on the sexy metrics of horsepower and table size.