Custom Fence for Cast Iron Bandsaw Table

[jsburger]

I've seen mentions of Magfence before and for simplicity is the likely way to do this. OTOH, I have extra 500 fences and I was thinking of using one as was done in the OP.

I don't have my pre-500 fence handy, so I'm not completely grasping this 'design', but isn't the setscrew for biasing the fence off-square normally on the opposite side right of the lock handle? More importantly, isn't that where it is needed for 'typical' SS bandsaw blade offset?

- David

The band saw fence from SS has a set screw on both sides. A band saw blade can drift either way so you need to be able to offset the fence in both directions.

[DLB]

The band saw fence from SS has a set screw on both sides. A band saw blade can drift either way so you need to be able to offset the fence in both directions.

I know that's a true statement. After watching a few videos on this and doing it myself several times though, I'm wondering if there is more to the story on the SS Band Saw. I haven't needed that left setscrew, nor have I seen a demo showing drift in that direction. I'm not very experienced with it, but wonder if we see something in addition to normal blade drift relating to some of the SS BS unique characteristics. It could just be a coincidence, I don't have many samples.

- David

[AEA]

My favorite fence for the cast iron band saw table is still an old miter gauge with a straight wider longer board fastened. It's easy to change angles to the blade and it fastens solid with the shopsmith tool box
I bought a fence for my bandsaw with the aluminum table and it works fine, but I like my other one better. In all fairness though, it may be because I've used it a lot more and am use to it. I may change my mind as time goes by.

Merry Christmas all,
Dan

[chapmanruss]

Going back to David's comment about the Mark 5/V 500 fence having a set screw to the left side also, I have two later Mark V 500 fences that have the left side set screw in addition to the one on the right side. We know that the right side set screw is to angle the fence slightly for disk sanding. The two greenies, one goldie and a 1982 Mark V I have owned/restored all had the right side set screw only.

[edma194]

I took a look at a few of my 500 fences. One from a Greenie only has the adjustment screw only on the right side. Two gray fences had the set screw on both sides. If I do make a magnetic fence I will use one of the gray ones so the screws can be used to align/adjust the angle of the fence.

[steverboss]

While browsing eBay looking at Shopsmith parts I came across a listing for a custom made bandsaw fence for the older cast iron table. The modified fence was done by seller with the handle “thompsonjoedeals”. The attached photos were included with the listing. It looks like a great use for an old 500 fence.

Someone please tell me where you have seen “Thompsonjoedeals” ads. I have scoured the internet and found nothing except possibly that he used to sell on eBay, maybe.

[benmcn]

It doesn't look like the E-bay seller "thompsonjoedeals" currently has any listings. If you have an e-bay account you might be able to contact the seller through their platform.

https://www.ebay.com/usr/thompsonjoedeals

[Matanuska]

My favorite fence for the cast iron band saw table is still an old miter gauge with a straight wider longer board fastened. It's easy to change angles to the blade and it fastens solid with the shopsmith tool box
I bought a fence for my bandsaw with the aluminum table and it works fine, but I like my other one better. In all fairness though, it may be because I've used it a lot more and am use to it. I may change my mind as time goes by.

I agree - I bought a second SS miter gauge without the hand clamp so I could dedicate one to my cast iron table bandsaw. Easy to adjust for blade drift & with the addition of a board makes a great bandsaw fence. When I received the second miter gauge I decided the new glide system was much better than my 1983 original so I moved the hand clamp to the new miter gauge & used the old gauge with my bandsaw.

[mdiPhotography]

It doesn't look like the E-bay seller "thompsonjoedeals" currently has any listings. If you have an e-bay account you might be able to contact the seller through their platform.

https://www.ebay.com/usr/thompsonjoedeals

I believe that he passed a while ago, at a fairly young age, if I am not mistaken. Was very active on the Shopsmith Facebook Sales and Maintenance pages.