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A table saw needs to have a fence system in order to cut straight and accurate lines. The fence is used to guide the workpiece through the saw so it can be cut in a straight line.
One of the reasons why one would want a DIY Table Saw Fence is mostly when using a portable table saw. Truth be told, even the best portable table saw models come to have a loose table saw fence. Hence a DIY one can be a great help
A table saw’s rip fence is a long metal bar that sticks out perpendicular to the tabletop, with one end being hooked onto the edge of the tabletop and a miter gauge running down its length.
The other end is hinged away from the blade at an angle of 45 degrees parallel with respect to both sides of the blade. With this configuration, it can be adjusted for cutting different widths or for cross-cutting workpieces along their length.
How to Make a Table Saw Fence
Equipment Needed:
- Drill
- Wood Glue
- Sandpaper
- Paint
- Brushes
- Clamp
Materials Needed:
- Wood Board
Duration: 30-45 Minutes
Budget: $50-$100 (USD)
Everyone needs a table saw fence, and it’s not hard to make.
Just follow these steps:
- First, find the distance that you want your fence to extend in front of the blade. For this project we’re going to use 4″ for a very small project and 18″ for a large one.
- Next, measure the height of your saw blade from the top edge. We used 1/2″. You’ll need another measurement equal to this number minus one (because you’ll have two boards on either side of the blade). For 18″ this is 11-1/4″.
- Cut two boards that are each that long using 3 boards per linear inch. Then cut them width-wise to get four boards, each 1″ wide.
- Cut a board that is narrower than the two wide boards at the same width as the distance you measured in Step 1. This board will be the fence itself.
- Trace around your 12″ saw blade and place a piece of tape on it with that distance measured on top of it. Lay this on the bottom edge of your fence and draw a line all the way around it (on both sides). This will be your radius line.
- You should now have two boards that are each 11-1/4″ long. One will be the “outer” fence board and the other will be the “inner”.
- Next take those two boards and your narrower one and make a compound miter cut. Start with a back saw and make one cut on each edge. It is ok if they don’t line up perfectly, as long as they are close enough for our purposes (make them even if you have to).
- Now place those two boards inside-out on top of your saw blade so that the wider board is on top. This will keep the tall edge of that board down against the blade as we glue it to it. Glue each board in place.
- To keep the fence the correct height, you’ll need to decide how far down from the top of your fence you will want to place your blade. We decided on 2″, so we marked that along the middle of our two boards.
- Make a line 1-3/4″ from this mark on each side all the way around with a straight edge and pencil. This will be your clamping area, and you should be able to see it in the pictures below.
- Once your glue is dry (we used an hour but it could probably take longer), use some bar clamps or c-clamps to hold everything together until it dries completely. The far sides should be flush with the blade, and the boards should be touching at the top and bottom.
- Now that your fence is in place, use your planer to cut the lengths you previously cut. You can now use that saw easily without any fear of a kickback.
That’s it! You are done. We mounted ours on a wooden fence we had lying around (the color can be whatever you want as long as it’s dark). The blade end will need to be clamped so that it will stay put, but the rest is rock solid.
How to Make a Table Saw Fence Video
How to Square a Table Saw Fence
The construction of a table saw fence should be able to be done in two parts.
Equipment Needed:
- Table Saw
- Table Saw Fence
- Nuts
- Wrench
- Marking Pencil
Duration: 15-30 Minutes
Just follow these steps:
- The first, and most important step, is to make sure that the marker is on the edge of the blade and set it at 90º. If not, then square the blade by moving the nut with a wrench on one side of the blade or screwing it out.
- After this adjustment is made, one can measure from the center point to any corner and adjust 45º if necessary. Make a pencil mark on top where corners meet then remove the fence from the blade for measurements to be accurate.
How to Square a Table Saw Fence Video
How to Make a Biesemeyer Table Saw Fence
Here is the way to make a biesemeyer table saw fence
Just follow these steps:
This is the easiest way to make a homemade Biesmeyer table saw fence, but it does take some time and effort. The finished result will certainly be worth it though.
- First you’ll need to measure and cut your wood parts for the bottom and top rails of your table saw fence (the rails between the miter slots). These can be 8″ long pieces of pressure-treated lumber (that’s 1-1/2″ wide).
- You’ll also need a piece of wood that’s 1″ thick, as well as one each of two types of screws. The screws go in the bottom rails at an angle that will give you about 1″ clearance between them and the table saw blade.
- The use of these two different types of screws helps to ensure that the rails won’t move inwards when they are clamped and tightened together, even though this is not a necessary step.
How to Make a Biesemeyer Table Saw Fence Video
How to Make a Router Table Fence
You can’t build a table saw for under $50, but you can build a router table for less than that.
The important thing to remember is that a router table doesn’t need to be as precise as a table saw, but it still has to have enough rigidity that the fence will not move around when the router is in use.
If you don’t own a router and don’t plan on buying one, then this article isn’t really for you. If we were to recommend something, we’d say get an old Ryobi or some other cheapo model that has an adjustable base (and low fixed base).
Equipment Needed:
- Router Table
- Router
- Screws
Material Needed:
- 2×4 or Particle Board
Duration: 15-30 Minutes
Budget: $50 or less(USD)
Keep these in mind then watch the video:
The maximum dimension of your table should be fairly large (24″ x 48″ would be fine) to accommodate wider bits and bigger routers.
You’ll need some surface material (2x4s, particle board, etc) for your support structure since it won’t be screwed down. Don’t use anything too hard or else you’ll risk cracking it.
The table saw fence is pretty simple. It’s constructed of 2x4s, 2×6 boards, and a few pieces of plywood. It uses brackets to keep alignment.
We have a standard fence and extended fence for the table saw. We don’t consider the miter angles very important since our use case is particular to the task of making boxes on table saws.
How to Make a Router Table Fence Video
How to Make a Sacrificial Fence
A sacrificial fence is a temporary fence that is used to protect your project from kickback, blowback, and other potential hazards.
Equipment Needed:
- Drill
Material Needed:
- 2×4 or Particle Board
- Extra wood
Duration: 15-30 Minutes
Budget: $50 or less (USD)
Just follow these steps:
- Cut a 2×4 slightly longer than the height of your table saw fence/insert. Drill mounting holes in the top of this 2×4 and mount it to your table saw fence. These brackets both align the fences and support them.
- Attach a sacrificial piece of wood to this temporary fence (1/4″ plywood will work). This sacrificial wood should be as high as possible above the actual work surface you’ll be using for projects with this temporary fence.
Now, you can use the temporary fence!
How to Make a Sacrificial Fence Video
Diy Table Saw Fence Clamp
Equipment Needed:
- Clamps
- Screwdriver
- Screws or Bolts
Material Needed:
- Wood Boards
Duration: 15 Minutes
Budget: $30 or less (USD)
Just follow these steps:
- Get a few clamps and two boards the right size.
- Place clamps on each end of the boards (one on each side).
- Line the boards up with the edge of your table saw blade.
- Use an oversized screw (or screw/bolt combo) to clamp down one side at a time. Overhang the second board by a few inches.
- Clamp second side down and repeat steps 1-4.
- For even more strength, use two clamps to clamp top of one board to the bottom of another.
- Screw or bolt them down.
Great work!
Diy Table Saw Fence Clamp Video
Diy Table Saw Fence T Track
Equipment Needed:
- Drill
- Hand Saw
- T Track
- Table Saw Fence
- Screw Driver
- Screw or Bolts
Material Needed:
- Breadboard
Duration: 15 – 30 Minutes
Budget: $30 or less (USD)
Just follow these steps:
- Get your breadboard.
- Draw the track out onto it, keeping in mind that you will need to drill holes for screws if you want added strength.
- Cut the track out and attach it to your table saw fence with screws and small bolts.
- Now attach an adjustable T track and see how far it will go. Now use a second one and repeat.
- When you have enough room on both sides, remove the first t track and set the fence in place with a screw on each side.
Now you’re done!
Diy Table Saw Fence Jig
This project is absolutely essential to your safety when using a table saw.
Equipment Needed:
- Table Saw
Material Needed:
- Long Boards
Duration: 15 – 30 Minutes
Budget: $30 or less (USD)
Just follow these steps:
- First, find a stable surface for the project that has at least 3′ of clearance from the blade of your table saw. Allow yourself plenty of room so you don’t accidentally cut through the surface with a stray piece of wood. The surface should be in an upright position and parallel with the ground, as well as sturdy enough to hold all necessary weight.
- Next, you’ll need two boards about 4″ Thick (or the width of your table saw) and 1″ thick each (or whatever size is suitable). These boards will form either side of your kickback protector fence when clamped together.
Diy Table Saw Fence Jig Video
Things to Remember When Making a DIY Homemade Table Saw Fence System:
Fence Bar
A table saw fence bar has a variety of uses for the table saw and its fence. There are many different types of fences that you can get, some of them are bigger, some are smaller, but one thing that they all have in common is a bar running down the side to keep it in place.
Miter Gauge
The miter gauge is the device with which the blade is set at an angle to meet the wood on the table. It can be an integral part of a table saw, or it may attach to the front of one as an accessory. It can be adjusted according to what angle it is required to make, although most modern miter gauges have pre-set angles marked on their faces.
Miter Slot
There are many different types of miter slots. The most commonly found types of miter slots are the T-slot and the slot.
Locking Mechanism
There are many different types of locking mechanisms. The most commonly found types of locking mechanisms are the T-slot and the slot.
Dado Blade
Dado blades are a type of blade for table saws, used for cutting wider pieces of material.
Outfeed Table
An outfeed table is a lot of help for your saw. It provides storage space and prevents kickback. The size of the outfeed table should be proportional to the size of your blade.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
how to make sure table saw fence is straight?
If your blade is higher than your fence, then you might need to lower the blade or insert. If your blade is lower than your fence, then you might need to raise the blade or insert.
how to make sure table saw fence is square?
Use a square and a level to measure the distance between the two 10-foot sides.
What drill bit for table saw fence?
High-Speed Steel (HSS) Drill bits.
What’s a good cut to make with a table saw fence?
Knowing how to make crown molding with a table saw is one of the best ways to cut while using your table saw fence.
How to Make a Table Saw Fence
Final Thoughts
This ends our How To Guide of How to Make a Table Saw Fence.
We hope the knowledge you gained here will help you in the future with your DIY or Professional Woodworking projects. We want you to be sure of that what you get from us are 100% facts, so please don’t hesitate to ask for advice or to advise us in return with accurate facts.
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Henry is a long time Trade Instructor at Dunwoody College of Technology. Henry has been teaching the trade of carpentry for over 15 years and is excited to share his knowledge with the next generation of builders. With his posts you will explore some general terms, tools, and techniques that are helpful for the beginning DIY Enthusiast!. He’ll also provide a list of all the best tips needed to start your building journey right away!
