Many woodworkers own a Biesemeyer fence, but even more wish they owned one. The Beisemeyer fence is an elegent design that’s been around since the 1970’s. Even though the company was bought by Delta, this popular product is still known as a Biesemeyer fence.
Back in January 2012, one of my YouTube subscribers (and now a good friend) generously sent me an assortment of scrap metal, aluminum and steel. He sent it to me because he knows how much I love that stuff. Plus, I build tools and machines for my own shop. One of the things he sent was an aluminum extrusion. The minute I pulled it out of the box I thought, “table saw fence!” I’ve had a Biesemeyer fence on my General 350 table saw for years and it has served me well, but it doesn’t have all the features I would like in a table saw fence. When I saw the aluminum extrusion I realized it had everything I ever dreamed of in a table saw fence.
Why the aluminum extrusion fence is superior to the Biesemeyer fence:
1. DURABLE: Aluminum is amazingly stout and durable. You would be hard pressed to damage this heavy walled aluminum extrusion. You’d have to put it in an industrial press or use fire to do any substantial damage it.
2. STRAIGHT: Aluminum extrusions of this weight will not warp or bend. The extrusion process yields incredibly flat and straight and square components. Especially in the 40x80mm dimension. I think this is the flattest, straightest and squarest material available that has not been machined, thereby making it very affordable.
3. VERSATILE: This style of aluminum extrusion has multiple t-channels; at least one slot on all four sides. This means that you can easily attach slot clamps, jigs, stops and various fixtures with ease. The biggest problem with my Biesemeyer fence is that I can’t easily attach anything to the fence without using bulky clamps, which inevitably get in the way of my operation.
Of course the challenge was, how was I going to attach the aluminum extrusion as a fence? I had a Biesemeyer fence and guide rail system, but the t-square was permanently attached to the fence. That’s when I decided to make a detachable t-square. With a removable t-square I would be able to attach a variety of aluminum extrusions in different lengths and sizes. And since aluminum extrusions have t-channels that accept locking t-nut and bolts, it became a natural way to make the connection between the fence and t-square.
The videos below show my thought process and methodology for how I came up with the original Universal T-Square Table Saw Fence System that will easily accept wide variety of aluminum extrusions or for that matter, ANY another other straight material that you want to bolt on as a fence. This system works with any 2×3 Biesemeyer style guide rail system. I don’t know what I would have done without my Biesemeyer fence all these years, I still use it, but not very often. Having multiple aluminum extrusions for use as a table saw fence has changed how I work in my shop. I’m more productive and I have way more fun.
NOTE: I had no idea when I first posted this series that it would lead me to the creation of a new tool company. We launched VerySuperCool Tools this summer and we are excited to be offering this t-square table saw fence system for purchase from our online store. We also have many other innovative tools in the works.
Allan,
does your adjustable t-square eliminate the need for some kind of connector at the back of the table??
Thanks for the help. It looks like the answer for me.
Bob
Just wondering if you would be able to post a full size PDF of the cam mechanism so we could have a guide for shaping the cam as I do not have this style fence to copy from.
Thank you for everything if I had the money I would purchase this fence from you because I like your passion for what you do and the fact that you still share your instructions even though you are selling this product. In my eyes this makes you a stand up guy. Will be watching future products so I can have the opportunity to support a great guy and an innovative business .
Hi Robert,
Thank you for your comment. I am hoping you will find all the instruction you need in my videos. Unfortunately, because of proprietary agreements, I am not at liberty to offer detailed plans for the cam. I really do appreciate your kind words and support. And I’m glad you will continue to watch because I have many more videos to come. Thanks Robert.
what are the dimensions of the actual biesemeyer rail for this fence
Thanks for the comment Uros. – It’s a 2″ x 3″ guide rail using rectangular steel tubing. It’s commonly available and it’s exactly the same as a factory made Biesemeyer rail, although I prefer a heavier walled tubing. We also have an adjustable throated t-square fence for people outside of the United States for people who want to build their own Biesemeyer guide rail system using metric dimension tubing.
Excellent series of videos! I’m astonished at the cost of some of these tools and as a guy starting out in a very small space, it’s very difficult to deal with the unfortunate gap between high precision tools and stuff being pumped out en mass.
Finger nail polish is one of my favorite screw-transfer marking fluid tricks. I pick it up in bright colors, like black, white, red,etc. It cuts into plastic since it has solvent built in, and usually the more outrageous colors are on clearance..
You should also maybe invest in some transfer punches as well as a bottle of Dychem marking fluid for doing layout. Makes life so much easier!
Having dealt with 80/20 quite a bit.. sometimes you can get lucky and find the right sized normal hex nut to fit inside the track for that increased clearance. Some nuts also have the “wide” variant which are just perfect. Can’t remember off the top of my head.. The reduced diameter (I think you used #8s) on the lower fence might squeeze a normal hex nut in there without turning.. Metric rail, so metric nut.
Keep being awesome. :-)
Hi Dan,
Thanks for commenting and sharing your information. I am glad you find value in my videos. Lots more videos in the pipeline, so stay tuned.
Please send me a catalog. Much appreciated.
Hi William,
I’m sorry we don’t have any printed catalogues. We have an online store though. You can find out everything you need to know by going to our VerySuperCoolTools.com website. If you prefer to talk on the phone, feel free to call the number listed on the site.
Where can i get that same aluminum extrusion . Thanks Dwain
Dwain, You can find aluminum extrusions on ebay, amazon, or buy direct from the source at 80/20.
Hi Herman,
So sorry for the late reply. We don’t have a printed catalogue at this time. You’ll have to go to VerySuperCoolTools.com to see all the products we offer. Thanks for stopping by and thanks for commenting.
I live in UK,how is possible to receive a catalogue with the prices of your product,I need for my Ryobi table saw fence.
Thank you
Gabriel, Please visit VerySuperCoolTools.com for our prices and more information. If you have a Ryobi table saw you will have to put a Biesemeyer style guide rail system on it for our T-square system to work. A Biesemeyer style guide rail system can be attached to any saw. If you use 2X3 rectangular tubing our Standard Table Saw T-Square will work perfectly. And, if you use metric tubing our Adjustable Throat Table Saw T-Square will work.
Can you please send me a catalogue with the prices of your products. I need a fence for my table saw
Thank You