Bandsaw fence measurements

hjlssfor1 · Post by **hjlssfor1** » Wed Oct 10, 2012 3:22 pm

I am a relative newcomer to woodworking and Shopsmiths. I have a 510 with the Shopsmith bandsaw. I recently purchased a non-SS bandsaw fence, but I now (too late) understand that the SS bandsaw and many other bandsaws are built differently in terms of attaching a fence system. The SS fence assembly attaches to holes in the bottom of the table, while many other brands of bandsaw fences attach to the side of the table.

I am trying to figure out if I can make the non-SS bandsaw fence work on my SS bandsaw, and I am looking for some dimensions. If you have the Premium Bandsaw fence and could measure the following, I would really appreciate it:
1. SS rear rail dimensions (both bottom and side)
2. SS front rail dimensions (both bottom and side), including the spacing of the holes on the side that are used to attach the Kreg fence rail.

If there is an easier way to get that information, I would welcome any suggestions.

Thanks, Hank

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Wed Oct 10, 2012 5:32 pm

WHAT bandsaw table do you have? Aluminum or cast iron?

hjlssfor1 · Post by **hjlssfor1** » Wed Oct 10, 2012 9:57 pm

beeg wrote:WHAT bandsaw table do you have? Aluminum or cast iron?

Beeg, I have the aluminum table.
Hank

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Oct 11, 2012 4:47 pm

hjlssfor1 wrote:I am a relative newcomer to woodworking and Shopsmiths. I have a 510 with the Shopsmith bandsaw. I recently purchased a non-SS bandsaw fence, but I now (too late) understand that the SS bandsaw and many other bandsaws are built differently in terms of attaching a fence system. The SS fence assembly attaches to holes in the bottom of the table, while many other brands of bandsaw fences attach to the side of the table.

I am trying to figure out if I can make the non-SS bandsaw fence work on my SS bandsaw, and I am looking for some dimensions. If you have the Premium Bandsaw fence and could measure the following, I would really appreciate it:
1. SS rear rail dimensions (both bottom and side)
2. SS front rail dimensions (both bottom and side), including the spacing of the holes on the side that are used to attach the Kreg fence rail.

If there is an easier way to get that information, I would welcome any suggestions.

Thanks, Hank

It seems that this would be a good place to get that information. None of the Shopsmith drawings provide dimensions.

However, I don't understand your request. The bandsaw table does not have front and rear rails. I am not sure what dimensions you need.

Maybe you can reference this manualfor future questions.

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Thu Oct 11, 2012 5:20 pm

dusty wrote:It seems that this would be a good place to get that information. None of the Shopsmith drawings provide dimensions.

However, I don't understand your request. The bandsaw table does not have front and rear rails. I am not sure what dimensions you need.

Maybe you can reference this manualfor future questions.

The Precision Bandsaw fence does not have a front and rear rail. The Premium bandsaw fence does as seen here.

hjlssfor1 · Post by **hjlssfor1** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 1:43 am

dusty wrote:It seems that this would be a good place to get that information. None of the Shopsmith drawings provide dimensions.

However, I don't understand your request. The bandsaw table does not have front and rear rails. I am not sure what dimensions you need.

Maybe you can reference this manualfor future questions.

Dusty, it is my understanding that the SS Premium bandsaw fence materials refer to a "front" rail and a "rear" rail. Those two rails attach to the bottom of the SS bandsaw table, and I am interested in the dimensions of the two rails. If I can replicate those two rails, I may be able to make my (non-SS) Kreg kit work on my SS bandsaw.

Thanks, everyone, for your help.

Hank

curiousgeorge · Post by **curiousgeorge** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 2:48 pm

Hank, I hope this is what you are looking for:

The front and rear piece reference photo
[ATTACH]18751[/ATTACH]

Here is the Sketchup version with measurements. Hope I didn't miss anything.
[ATTACH]18752[/ATTACH]

hjlssfor1 · Post by **hjlssfor1** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 12:35 pm

George, many thanks. That is just what I need. I will go to work on this task to see if I can make the non-SS fence work for me. I really appreciate the time and effort you invested in providing the information. Hank

hjlssfor1 · Post by **hjlssfor1** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 12:38 am

George, I am curious (sorry, but I couldn't resist that, given your forum name!) about the SS rear rail that attaches to the rear of the SS bandsaw table. Does your Premium SS/Kreg fence in any way attach to, contact, or ride on the rear rail? The non-SS fence that I have doesn't have a rear rail assembly as I recall (I am on the road, so I am not able to say for sure).

Your dimensions were dead on in terms of how the front and rear SS fence rails would match up with my table and the pre-drilled holes on my non-SS fence system.

Thanks again for your help.

Hank

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 12:51 am

hjlssfor1 wrote:George, I am curious (sorry, but I couldn't resist that, given your forum name!) about the SS rear rail that attaches to the rear of the SS bandsaw table. Does your Premium SS/Kreg fence in any way attach to, contact, or ride on the rear rail? The non-SS fence that I have doesn't have a rear rail assembly as I recall (I am on the road, so I am not able to say for sure).

Your dimensions were dead on in terms of how the front and rear SS fence rails would match up with my table and the pre-drilled holes on my non-SS fence system.

Thanks again for your help.

Hank

The rear rail supports the fence when you move it to the left of the table. The instructions tell you to shim the rear rail such that the top of the rail is even or slightly below the bandsaw table surface.