April 29, 2023
Working with wood has been made easy and straightforward with the table saw fence as your partner. Not only would it save you time, but money as well. When you have the best tool at your work table, there is no limit to what you can do. However, it is important to remember that not all table saw fences are made the same way, so care must be taken in choosing the right one. You should get something that would help you make accurate and seamless cuts every time you use it. Winging it would not be good enough.
A table saw fence is a valuable component of the table saw. It serves as a guide as you work on your workpiece to achieve an even cut. It also raises the level of safety of the use of the table saw a notch higher, reducing the risk of injuries. The saw fence looks like a metal bar that you set parallel to your table saw blade. And there are basically four types of table saw fences: T-square fence, sliding fence, micro-adjusters, and digital readouts.
Most Recommended Aftermarket Table Saw Fences
1) Shop Fox W1411 Fence
Woodstock International’s Shop Fox is considered as one of the top brands of woodworking equipment. They are known for making excellent quality tools such as the table saw fences that take pride in being reliable and accurate.
The Shop Fox W1411 Fence with standard rails is ideal to use for saws with 27-inch tables; it is not going to work with those bigger than that. It moves smoothly on the ball- bearing guides as you position it to suit your needs, and it can be securely held in place on both ends allowing you to work with precision without hassles. Even if it is unlocked, it remains parallel to the blade. Some of its features include fine‑positioning knobs on both sides to accommodate right-handed and left-handed use making it a convenient tool for doing a variety of applications that include trimming, cutting, and routing. Its Board Buddies® anti-kickback system feature works great as well.
This table saw fence is made of aluminum steel and weighs 37.6 pounds. You have to drill a few holes to install this. It is T-slotted for attaching fixtures.
2) Delta Power Table Saw Fence
One of the most trusted manufacturers of woodworking tools is the Delta Power Equipment Corporation. They have been in the business for more than a century, so you are assured that they know what they are doing, and they are that good in delivering what they promised when it comes to their products. They boast of three things, namely quality, precision, and reliability, and you can be sure of that with the Delta Power table saw fence.
The T3 Fence System model is a one-piece square tubular rail that is designed in such a way that it can be attached to various table saws from Delta, such as the Hybrid Saw, Unisaw, and Contractor Saw with a depth of 27 inches. With other table saw brands, the installation might pose a challenge as it is likely that you would have to drill new holes to mount this. It comes with a three-point locking system along with the twin hairline pointers that would secure the fence in position to ensure that it lies parallel to the blade; it locks on the front guide rail and hooks over the rear rail. The fence body allows easy and smooth gliding when making square and rip cuts. The rip capacity is 30 inches to the right of the blade and 16 inches to the left. It makes use of the metric measurement system.
This fence system is made of metal, and it measures 37 x 6 x 2.5 inches and weighs around 38 pounds.
3) Vega U26 Table Saw Fence System
Vega Enterprises’ woodworking products are manufactured in the United States. They have become a popular choice not just for hobbyists but also for professionals because of their premium quality tools and woodworking machinery.
The Vega Utility 26 or U26 table saw fence system is just a small version of the professional-grade models. It is recommended for use with most 10-inch saws or contractor saws that are not extremely or heavily used. Installation is fairly easy, and no drilling is necessary with this one as it is designed to use the existing bolt holes of those from Sears and Delta that fit the specs requirements. Other models or brands may require drilling a few holes. Its rip capacity is 26 inches on the right and 8 inches on the left. One of its great features is the micro-adjustment capability in which you can move the fence in either direction using a threaded mechanism that allows an accurate setting. Once you secure the fence in the desired position, you can do your work without worries.
It is made of high-quality materials measuring at 54 x 8 x 4 inches and weighs 29.7 pounds. The length of the fence bar is 36 inches, and the front rail diameter is 1-3/4 inches.
4) Shop Fox W1720 Alumna-Classic Fence
The Shop Fox W1720 Alumna-Classic Fence is compatible with most table saws. It works perfectly without a rear locking mechanism as the torsion box design and the heavy-duty cam-lever front locking system are enough to ensure a reliable set-up. It comes with 79-inch long rails that allow a maximum rip of 50 inches to the right of the saw blade, making it quite versatile.
A high degree of accuracy in cutting or ripping is made possible not just with the rigid fence but also with the self-adhesive measuring tape mounted onto the rails and its adjustable magnified cursor lens that makes the graduations in the SAE/metric scale very visible. The features of this Alumna-Classic fence would make your woodworking projects convenient and easy to do, allowing you to finish quickly.
The fence body is made of steel and aluminum, making it durable and sturdy. It measures 80.5 x 17 x 11.5 inches and weighs around 20.9 pounds.
5) Wixey WR700
Another unique table saw fence is the Wixey WR700 because of its extended profile of 60 inches. It also comes with a universal mounting bracket that lets you install it on rails. Besides, it is sturdy enough being wrought in robust aluminum.
Its digital readout is commendable with its precise fractional measurement and accurate readouts. Moreover, it is easy to mount and set up, and it mounts on the fence’s right and left sides. It also features a magnetic attachment for easy fence removal and calibration maintenance.
Pros:
- Allows for digital measurement
- Offers high-quality display
- Provides accurate readouts
- Offers large rip capacity
- Allows for calibration on both sides
Cons:
- Needs to be calibrated more often
- Plastic makes up the rails
6) Shop Fox W2005 Classic Fence with Standard Rails
The W2005 fence model from Shop Fox has a classic design and function that make it quite simple and easy to install and use with most cabinet-style and contractor table saws. The scale can be easily read to help you avoid making a mistake when setting it up. Its single cam lever and torsion box design would lock the fence in the exact position that you want and ensure it would not deflect, so the wood is guided to be cut in a precise manner. The standard rails allow a maximum rip capacity of 25 inches to the right of the blade. You can lift the fence off the rails without difficulty.
It measures 57.3 x 19.5 x 7.5 inches and weighs 74.8 pounds. The fence has replaceable side panels made of abrasion-resistant HDPE plastic, and the powder-coated rectangular tubing provides extra durability.
7) Shop Fox W1716
One excellent table saw fence is Shop Fox W1716. It comes with standard rails that allow you up to 30 inches of a rip on the blade’s right side. It features an excellent cursor while enabling you to see the measurements quickly. It also comes with a measuring tape (self-sticking).
This table saw fence comes with a durable cam lever that offers a solid locking system when set in the intended position. Its lever is likewise handy, allowing you to use it with a single hand.
The Shop Fox W1716 features a design (torsion-box) that does away with deflection. Besides, it features wear pads that you can adjust for better performance and durability. This table saw fence would surely suit most table saws.
Pros:
- Offers excellent precision
- Easy-to-read measurements with its magnifying cursor
- Exhibits no movement
Cons:
- Offers only 30-inch maximum rip
- Might require drilling mounting holes
8) Vega U50 Table Saw Fence System
Another excellent aftermarket table saw fence option is Vega U50 Fence System. This fence system suits different types of table saws. It features a two-and-a-half-inch height. Besides, aluminum makes up this fence, and it is epoxy-coated, which extends its surface’s durability. Its hole patterns match the Delta Unisaw, Sears ten-inch, and Powermatic 66 saws.
The Shop Fox W1716 provides a sizeable rip capacity, allowing you to rip large wood pieces. You can create rip cuts up to 50″ to the table saw blade’s right, and 8″ to the saw blade’s left. It also features fence bars made of steel for your support table, allowing you to engage in micro-adjustments for precision cuts.
Pros:
- Offers large ripping capacity
- Durable and sturdy
- Allows for precision cutting and ease of adjustment
Cons:
- Might be too big for tyros in using a table saw
- Setting up can be challenging
9) CARTER MAGFENCE II Universal Magnetic Fence
If you’re a beginner at using a table saw, check out this table saw fence. This one is perfect for beginners. It makes use of two powerful magnets to keep the board in place. These magnets work well with most metal surfaces and are ideal for newbies. Moreover, they could spare the beginners from the drilling holes to install the fence.
You only need to position the fence on the worktable and let the magnet do the clamping with this fence. The CARTER MAGFENCE II is sixteen-inch long and three-and-a-half-inch high. Besides, it comes with T-slots.
Pros:
- Unique for its magnets
- Easy to set up and use
- Features interchangeable magnets
- Fits table saws with a metal surface
- Perfect for beginners
Cons:
- Not for professionals
- Magnets might fail to provide excellent stability
Buyer’s Guide: Things To Consider When Buying An Aftermarket Table Saw Fence
Brand
When you are not that familiar with the item you are buying, the best way to ensure that you are getting something of quality is by trusting the brand. You might find yourself overwhelmed in choosing what to buy as there would be many brands in the market that offer this guiding tool. Doing research would be a great way to start as it would give you an idea of what most experts would recommend for your projects. Experience is the best teacher, but if you are fairly new at this, then the next best thing is to get one that those who have been doing this for a long time would use.
A well-known brand of an aftermarket table saw fence might be expensive, but you should consider this as an investment as this is one that you could use for a long time. You would get your money’s worth every time you use it as you can be certain of the quality of your rip cuts. The major brands have a reputation to uphold, and they would ensure quality control over their products to have repeat customers. When you check out different brands, you should also look into feedbacks from customers as those who were not satisfied with what they bought would make their complaints known to the public. At the same time, those who were happy with it would be generous with their compliments and appreciation.
Compatibility
Compatibility becomes an issue when you’re not buying a whole set. If you will purchase an aftermarket table saw fence, make sure that it would work well with your table saw. Not all fencing systems that boast of being compatible with all kinds of a table saw are necessarily true, so you have to verify it first. The same could be said of a fence that is being advertised that it would work with a variety, some, or most table saws – it doesn’t mean that it would suit yours as well. You have to check the measurements and other parameters to ensure that you would not have any problem using it.
Table Saw Size
The table saw and rip fence come in a variety of sizes. Know the exact dimensions of your table saw so that you can get the corresponding fencing system. The two should match so that you would have an easy time making rip cuts. The purpose of the fence is to provide you with a sturdy guide for precise cutting. If its length is much longer than your table, then it can only be latched at the front. While this does not make it any less sturdy, working with it can cause a bit of inconvenience as you do have to adjust your way around it. The good thing about it is that you can use it also with a bigger table saw.
However, if it is shorter than your table saw, then it might cause a problem as it would be less secure and stable. You would have to guide the wood the rest of the way to ensure accurate ripping and crosscutting.
Rip Size
The rip capacity of your table saw is crucial because it has to do with the maximum width that your wood can be cut as it is limited by the space between the cutting blade and edge of the rip fence. It would be ideal if your fencing system has extended rails to allow more versatility in increasing the rip size.
Features
You should look into the features of the different aftermarket table saw fences in stores so that you would know what your options are. You have to make certain that what you are getting is something that would help you a lot in all kinds of woodworking projects and not just what you are currently doing.
The locking mechanism is an essential feature that ensures that the fence is stable, tight, and positioned well so you can do your cuts precisely in a safe and fast manner. It would be great if you can move the fence smoothly with no trouble as you make the necessary adjustments. Having an extended rail would be handy in making larger cuts. The fence should be perfectly aligned with the blade to help you with repetitive cuts.
Easy Installation
Some people often only consider two things when buying an aftermarket table saw fence. The first thing is the price to see if it is something they can afford, and the second thing is the features to see if it would meet all their woodworking needs. Often overlooked is the ease of installation. You do have to install the fencing system, which might include drilling new holes or making the adjustments needed, so you should check if it is something that you can do well. If it is not a problem for you, then it is not a concern.
Conclusion
The table saw fence gets also referred to as a rip fence, and it is one of the essential accessories of your table saw. The rip fence might not be for cross-cut alignment, for you can use the miter gauge for such cutting. It supports the surface and runs parallel to the saw blade. The fence’s front end rests near you as you work the table saw.
When choosing a rip fence, consider the material, fence connection, adjustability, locking mechanism, and accuracy. Besides, you should consider the most recommended aftermarket table saw fence if you intend to replace or buy a table saw fence for your table saw.
Jason is a 40-year-old woodworker, carpenter and author who have been involved in the woodworking and woodcraft industry with 17 years of experience. He is expertise in technical aspects, woodcraft and furniture building projects.
TRYING TO FIND A TABLE SAW FENCE FOR A ROCKWELL MODEL 8
MODEL # 31-205 TYPE 1
PART # 422243430002
Everything I see says obsolete.
Thanks,
Mike
Did you ever find a replacement and if you did where did you get it?