Shopsmith Forums

I have the old style Band Saw table (cast iron) which I like but wondered if anyone has any suggestions/jigs/neat setups I could consider?

The miter gauge mounted in the cross slot with a 1 x 4 attached works well or a 2 x 2 & a pair of C clamps works too.

There aren't a lot of jigs and fixtures that are needed for a band saw. It is pretty much a "freehand" type of saw. Other than using the miter gauge with an extension as a fence there isn't much else I have needed. You may wish to review the section in "Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone" that covers the band saw. Lots of good stuff in there.

Here is a link to the on-line version:
http://www.shopsmith.com/academy/bandsaw/index.htm

Thanks amnius, for posting that.

For some reason in the back of my mind I recall a discussion on a sled or some addition to the fence that overcomes drift and was a great setup for ripping.

I am looking in to two possibilies.
One is to make an extention table and then use an Incra-jig. I found a thread with photos here somewhere
The other option I am looking at is to add a section of the the bar for the model 500 fence mount from an old 500 type end table to the back side of the bandsaw table. My thoughts are by mounting the bar on the back it will not interfere with the blade slot on the front. Then, use the 500 fence. I have not been able to try either (or both) yet but please let me know what you come up with.

The current aluminum table has a 500 fence 'rail' mounted to the back side.

The rail extrusion is the same as a 500 main table, or the wide extension table. The old narrow extension table rail is cast into the table(as well as Gilmer version Mark 5's.

Has anyone tried using a magnetic fence on the cast iron table?
http://ptreeusa.com/close_outs.htm#3699

Sincerely,

Ron309753

Ron309753 wrote:Has anyone tried using a magnetic fence on the cast iron table?
http://ptreeusa.com/close_outs.htm#3699

Sincerely,

Ron309753

I would recommend against the magfence I. That particular one is very long, and its a bit hard to use. They have a MagFence II out that uses switchable magnets that is much better.

JPG40504 wrote:The current aluminum table has a 500 fence 'rail' mounted to the back side.

The rail extrusion is the same as a 500 main table, or the wide extension table. The old narrow extension table rail is cast into the table(as well as Gilmer version Mark 5's.

True; however, that aluminum rail needs to be modified just a bit to provide clearance for the miter bar. A small notch is filed out so as to not obstruct the miter bar as it slides off the back of the table. Small matter.

That same piece of aluminum rail is used with the circle jig and bandsaw table extension.