A Precision fence for My MK5

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Gene Howe
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Location: Snowflake, AZ

A Precision fence for My MK5

Post by Gene Howe »

The Jointech fence and router table attached to my MK5 is an absolute joy to use....as long as frequent table height adjustments are not needed. (as in dadoing) So when Bill Mayo offered a reconditioned shorty I couldn't pass it up.
With the shorty, all the capabilities of the MK5 are once again available.(except the lathe...No biggie, I don't turn)

I guess the Jointech's precision spoiled me because I found the stock fence on the shorty a bit on the imprecise side of accurate adjustment. So, when I stumbled on an old Incra fence system I had used on a router table I cobbled together many years ago, a light went on. I'll make my own Incra fence.

Here are a few pics of my new Incra table saw fence.
A pair of Incra jigs attached to a piece of 3/4 BB for fine adjustment. A pair of T tracks and inserts on the under side of the jigs for gross adjustment. Metal clamps to hold the gross setting.
[ATTACH]24692[/ATTACH]

A view under the auxiliary table showing the wooden clamp system. Actually two joined tables.
[ATTACH]24695[/ATTACH]

Before clamping the jig to the table the fence is extended to register it against the blade.
[ATTACH]24693[/ATTACH]

Registered. Now the table clamps can be tightened.
[ATTACH]24694[/ATTACH]

Then the fence can be pulled back. In this case, a bit farther than necessary. And the metal clamps are closed to hold the gross adjustment.
[ATTACH]24696[/ATTACH]
Finally, the Incra jigs are adjusted to the precise measurement needed.

It took much longer to type this than it takes to set up the fence.
In just 2-3 minutes I can be dadoing, grooving or cutting.

Thanks for looking and all comments are welcome.
Attachments
Fence complete.jpg
Fence complete.jpg (59.2 KiB) Viewed 2810 times
Fence b4 register.jpg
Fence b4 register.jpg (62.94 KiB) Viewed 2796 times
Fence registered.jpg
Fence registered.jpg (56.11 KiB) Viewed 2782 times
Fence clamp.jpg
Fence clamp.jpg (65.28 KiB) Viewed 2790 times
Fence pulled.jpg
Fence pulled.jpg (64.17 KiB) Viewed 2787 times
Gene

'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
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nuhobby
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Location: Indianapolis

Post by nuhobby »

That's excellent work! You give Shopsmith owners a good name.... Smart people like yourself....
Chris
steve4447
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Post by steve4447 »

Very nice...
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