Kreg bandsaw fence

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wa2crk
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Kreg bandsaw fence

Post by wa2crk »

Does anyone here have and use the Kreg bandsaw fence offered by Shopsmith? How do you like it and does it do the job for re-sawing? Also does anyone have the micro adjuster and is it worth the effort or the price. I have read some of the comments on the SS website and there are mixed reviews. Does the system have to be removed from the saw to change blades? Any info would be very helpful.
Bill V
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algale
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Re: Kreg bandsaw fence

Post by algale »

I have the Kreg band saw fence and the micro adjuster. I think they work very well but I have never owned another band saw fence to compare it to. It certainly does work for resawing and adjusts for drift. Nothing needs to be removed to change blades.

Now, is it worth the effort and price? That's a personal decision. I'd say yes for me.

On the other hand, I just saw a homemade resawing fence that Shipwright made (hope he posts it here) and it is so freaking simple and he got such perfect veneer cuts off of it that I do have a little buyer's remorse now. Of course, it seems Shipwright can get results with a dull spoon that most of us can't get with all the tools in the world.

Shiprwright's fence is not much more than two boards. One lays flat on the table and the other is attached upright at 90 degrees vertical to it. There are a couple of braces on the backside of the upright board. The thing that makes it adjustable for drift is a pivoting cleat underneath and towards the end of the board that lays on the table. That cleat rides the table edge. And it is attached with two crews or bolts through the top board. There is a slot for one of the bolt/screw heads that allows it to pivot. Simplicity.
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claimdude
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Re: Kreg bandsaw fence

Post by claimdude »

I have, it is worth every penny (I used the factory fence for years), and I have not resawed with it.

Jack
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benush26
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Re: Kreg bandsaw fence

Post by benush26 »

I too have the fence with the micro adjuster. I appreciated the micro adjuster then making some bookmatch panels for a small chest. The wood was amazing and the micro adjust allowed me to get 8 pieces from 6/4 stock. :p very thin! :D
No, you do not have to remove the front bracket to change blades. When I first installed it I misinterpreted the instructions and had one of the brackets covering the slot, but fixed it.
Pricey? Probably. And has been mentioned there are numerous much less expensive alternatives. However, I believe I nearly paid for it just in the material I saved (using the micro adjuster). I bought the adjuster, resaw guide (4-1/2") and stop from Amazon so saved some money there. I did have to modify the resaw guide because the Kreg version did not match the ShopSmith fence t slots.
For me the cost was worth it when doing precise thin cuts. For thicker slabs, I think the MUCH less expensive 2 board method will do just fine, which is what I used before I bought the Kreg.

Be well,
Ben
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shipwright
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Re: Kreg bandsaw fence

Post by shipwright »

Here is a link to the photos of my fence that Al was referring to.
You don't have to be a facebook user to see the post.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php? ... 5274339556
Paul M ........ The early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese
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