Shopsmith Forums

I am refurbishing a Mark 5. It came with the band saw w cast iron table. I would like to add a fence but I see on Shopsmith web site https://www.shopsmith.com/product-page/ ... ce-upgrade - this is only available for aluminium tables.

Would any one know of a good alternative that would work on a cast iron table?

Thank you in advance for your help

The slots in the cast iron table(2 at 90°) are intended to be used with the Mark 5 miter gauge for either feed or rip fence use. A longer face may be attached to the miter gauge to provide for a longer fence.



Welcome to the funny farm!

Alternatively,, Carter makes a magnetic BS fence that works with the cast iron table. ("MAGFENCE II")

I always used it as jpg describes, the SS Miter Gauge has a tapered thread setscrew that expands the miter bar width slightly to lock it in place when used as a fence. Don't overtighten.

- David

DLB wrote: Tue Dec 24, 2024 1:48 pm
I always used it as jpg describes, the SS Miter Gauge has a tapered thread setscrew that expands the miter bar width slightly to lock it in place when used as a fence. Don't overtighten.

A tip from Scott Markwood, to get your 500 type miter gauge to stay tightly in position from the tapered screw lock cut a small rectangle of ordinary printer paper* about 1" x 2" and fold it to fit in the bottom of the slot and up the sides of the slot. The miter bar can then be tightened very securely, even in an old bar that won't tighten well anymore. I assume it's not just the thickness of the paper but also that it's not slippery.

*printer paper - what we used to call 'writing paper' or stationary back in the 1900s.

I bought a second miter gauge that I removed the round disc from so I could use it exclusively as a fence for my cast iron bandsaw table. I got tired of taking the disc on and off so I could use it in the non-slotted bandsaw groove. The paper shim does the trick.

Matanuska wrote: Tue Dec 24, 2024 6:31 pm I bought a second miter gauge that I removed the round disc from so I could use it exclusively as a fence for my cast iron bandsaw table. I got tired of taking the disc on and off so I could use it in the non-slotted bandsaw groove. The paper shim does the trick.

Others have suggested filing off the sides of the disc. You can rotate the disk so it fits in either a T-slot or the plain ones.

A nice solution. Thinking back I actually had a 500 series disc less miter bar along with the newer version that came with my 510/520 upgrade so I just bought a second miter gauge.