Fence

[Fish]

Does anyone know of a pattern to make  or where to buy a good band saw fence?  The one I found from Carter is a $110  That's too much for me.

[Scrappile]

I made one years ago that looked like the one pictured here.  It went with the old Craftsman scroll saw when I sold it, but it was a great fence.  Worked better than any that have come with any bandsaw I have purchased since.  Unfortunately I have no idea where I got the plans, some wood working magazine I use to subscribe to.  It even allowed you to adjust the angle of it to allow for drift.

If you can locate plans, it is worth the build, easy to build and fun to build.

 

 

Edited June 10, 2018 by Scrappile

[munzieb]

I bought a Kreg band saw fence. It wasn't cheap and I did have to modify my saw to make it fit but I use it all the time and don't regret buying it.

I saw that Amazon has a Rikon for $65 and that sounds reasonable. https://www.amazon.com/RIKON-13-900-14-Inch-Band-Fence/dp/B002FB74V0/ref=sr_1_8?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1528649703&sr=1-8&keywords=kreg+bandsaw+fence

[Rockytime]

I have an old 12" Craftsman band saw. It is in like new shape. I would also love to make a fence for it. It does have a fence but is very awkward to use.

[Fish]

Thanks   I'll keep hunting for a pattern to make one. I have on older 14" Jet

[Rockytime]

You tube has dozens of videos showing methods of making band saw fences. Nothing really suitable for the 12" Craftsman. I just use 2" aluminum angle clamped to the table.

[oldhudson]

The two I'm familiar with are Carter and Kreg. As I Shopsmith owner I have the stock unit. Every time I think about an upgrade - I just can't open my wallet far enough. Maybe after I win the Lottery ?

As pointed out, you can make one for next to nothing.

[jollyred]

I found the fence for my band saw on a Youtube video.  It consists of a 3/4" mdf table over the existing table with a slot running at right angles to the blade.  This is sized to fit a miter gauge, and a fence is attached to the miter gauge.  The width of the cut is sized by sliding the miter gauge in or out.  The fence is held in place with clamping pliers at the front edge of the table  Blade drift is easy to accommodate by rotating the miter gauge. 

A miter slot parallel to the blade is for a sliding cut off table.  I actually use this more than the rip fence. 

This is really easy to make and use and works real well.  If you got a miter gauge with the band saw, or have a spare laying around, it is also very inexpensive.  A miter gauge type of support for the fence could also be made fairly easily.