Table saw fence-selection advise

westend

I need to replace my existing fence on my Rockwell-Delta Contractor Saw. I have narrowed my choices down to a few models: Vega Pro 50 & 40, Delta TS-30, Biesmeyer 30. Does anyone have any ideas on the best choices?

I'm particularly interested if anyone has had any issues with size of their rails or if the larger size rails are that much of use. Moving up to a 50" fence system would be a big step up as an extension table and legs, rolling base, and shop rearrangement would all come into play. I don't know if the ability to cut sheet goods is worthy of all the additional work. At present, I use a circular saw and straight edge to cut sheet goods and, if necesary, rip the cuts down on the table saw. It's an added step but I've spent many hours with a circular saw in hand so can usually achieve a satisfactory result. I guess I'm not sure if the added fence size is something I would treasure or if it will be superflous. I'd like to hear from others and what they think about that.

Thanks for any input, guys. The members here seem to have a lot of experience and I am highly respectful of the knowledge.

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Glenmore

That is a tough question westend all have good reps. Always heard that Biesmeyer was the best. But this all through hear say. Played with one on a grizzly table saw at the show room really glided really nice seemed like a cadillac to what I'm used to using.

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Glenmore

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RustyW

Lance, I have a newer Delta contractors saw with the basic 30" T2 fence. I am very happy with it. It's very easy to align and it glides across the saw easily. All the saws I had before it was necessary to measure before each cut from the front and back of the blade. With the T2, I never measure, and you should'nt have to adjust until you change blades.

Delta 36-T30 Delta® 30" T2 Fence System

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Rusty

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nickao65

Biesmeyer is great and used it for many years, but it and every other fence like it are still knuckle adjusting for small movements.

After my Biesmeyer I went to the Incra and will never go back to anything less.

Tommyt654

Hey Lance I don,t know if this will help you on your decision,But Lowes here in Atl has been reducing their T-2 fence for several weeks now. I believe they are clearancing them out. I,ve seen it as low as $100 so you might consider checking you local Lowes, 1 word of advice if they only have a couple or even 1 find a manager. They will often make you a better deal just to move the last 1 or 2 of an item, Good Luck, Tommy

westend

Nick, the Vega Pro, with it's fine adjustment, is supposed to take the knuckles out of the setting procedure. My experience with complex tooling tells me that there will still be some practical techniques involved.

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westend

Tommy,
Thanks for the heads-up on the T2 pricing. Lowes must operate like the rest of the big-box stores. Once they receive word that a product is no longer going to be stocked, clearance pricing is started. I bought a table top Delta 10" saw w/blade at Home Depot, on clearance, for $65. That was a few years ago and they no longer carry that brand of saw. I figured the blade was worth about half the price of the whole package, lol.

I think a trip to Lowes is in my future. Thanks!

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nickao65

I had a Vega, but not a pro, it was okay. I have a Vega stand for my table Saw and it is really great. Their products are very good so the pro may be a nice item.

westend

Nick,
Thanks for the Vega endorsement. Did you have the larger fence, the 50? I'm still trying to weigh the advantages of being able to cut larger widths. I'm leaning towards the smaller fence sizes, at present, because of shop space and the consequent moving of power tools that will have to be done to accomodate a 50" fence and the needed extension table. Necesity is going to move me to purchase something, soon. I am using the beat up fence, today, and it is absolute misery.

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westend

Well circumstances made my decision for me. Today, I visited Lowes looking for the Delta T-2 fence. No luck in this state. I thought I'd stop by Rockler since I know they do sell Delta. No T-2 but they did have on the clearance table, a Mule Cabinet Accufence w/6' rails. That is now installed on the Rockwell/Delta. For the price ($62), I really couldn't pass it up. It is a pretty basic setup, A front tube rail, rear angle rail, and apiece of extruded aluminum w/ T tracks, for the fence. I spent some time with a dial indicator squaring the table, blade, and fence. I think this is going to be a big improvement.

I'll be making a rolling base, cabinet, and legs for the extended rails in the next couple of days.

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