Table saw rip fence - which one?

[Robert WA]

My last post will tell you that I spent some time tuning my table saw yesterday. Yes, some of us do maintain our tools.
Having got the thing tracking straight and then having adjusted everything else that can go out of square, including my Incra 1000 mitre fence, I set about having another try at making the rip fence work as it should.
This is the standard Carbatec fence that comes with their basic 12" saw.
It will not stay true and square, no matter what I do to it. I did improve it the last time I had a go, by some grinding and filing of the locking mechanisms, but only achieved making it better, but still not right. The problem is that there is just too much flex and play in the connection between the fence and the front carriage.
The time has come.
I am off to the Perth woodwork show next weekend and I am determined to buy, or order, an after-market fence.

Tell me which one to buy.

[kenmil]

If you have the Incra mitre fence, I am surprised you need to ask.

[derekcohen]

Robert

Since I have the same tablesaw and fence as yours, I am interested in what exactly you are finding problematical with your fence. Mine tracks straight. Can you explain a little more?

On the issue of a replacement fence, given an open cheque book (well, $750), my first choice would be a Biesemeyer.

Timbercon have a cheap replacement on offer ($149). I thought I had seen it somewhere. Then, last night, re-reading an old American Woodworker magazine review of several fences, I recognised that it is a rebadged Craftsman. The review wasn't too bad.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Robert WA]

Derek.

My problem with the fence is twofold:

The front carriage has a certain amount of play in the unlocked state so that the fence goes out of alignment when moved.

Locking the carriage in the chosen position does not bring the fence back to square because the locking mechanism in the rear carriage operates too quickly to permit the rear end of the fence to realign itself.

I have tried every adjustment available, including reshaping the clamping mechanisms. It is a lot better now than when I first got it but is still not reliable enough to just set and forget.

There are Biesemeyer clones about, I saw one at Carba-tec a few months ago for a bit over $300 and I was tempted to buy it then. However, I was just on my way overseas at the time and decided to see what was available in the US and/or Canada. As it happened, I didn't see anything that I was prepared to buy and cart back with me.

I will check out what is on offer at the woodwork show next weekend. If all else fails, I will take to mine with the grinder again. $750 is a bit more than I am prepared to pay. In fact, it is more than the saw cost me.