Thread: What to use for a fence

If you were only in Melbourne and I would give you my old fence.

Post 111 onwards details the construction of my old r/table fence if that helps. https://www.woodworkforums.com/f20/wa...63/index8.html

My first fence was just bare MDF and worked fine. That's not to say there aren't better materials to use, but it doesn't seem crucial.
cheers
Don

As long as a fence is straight and true, not prone to warping and smooth, any material will do. Most people use laminate faced MDF because it is easy to work, easy to obtain and cheap.

Jerry

To throw something else into the mix, perhaps this idea may help you out.

Regards,
Bob

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f20/no...31/#post388291

Bear in mind that I'm an impatient bugga. When I'm making something, I'll make a jig but I want the jig to work next time too. I often rely on it working next time.

Sooner or later MDF fences will swell. My last one, as I discovered 3 days ago, while remaining at 90 degrees to the table, swelled around the cutout for the router bit so that I have a slight bulge that stops me from running anything parallel to the fence. It was made from biscuit jointed 25 or 30mm MDF (with supporting angles) and sealed with 2 coats of Ubeaut hard shellac. I even made a box behind the bit with a connector built in for my dusty. It lasted for about 2 years. This isn't good enough for me.

Go to your local aluminium supplier and buy some ally angle. Take a straight edge and right angle with you for peace of mind. Buy a piece in the size you want and then you can attach quick and nasty MDF one part or two part fences for ever. This is what I'm going to be doing in a few days and when I build a vaccuum port behind this one, I know I won't be having to do it again.

A router fence can be as simple or as complicated as you like. I have seen guys using a straight piece of timber that pivots on the table top and is clamped down using simple G clamps.

Originally Posted by Waldo

If you were only in Melbourne and I would give you my old fence.

Post 111 onwards details the construction of my old r/table fence if that helps. https://www.woodworkforums.com/f20/wa...63/index8.html

Is that fence still up for grabs Chris ?

Waldo, I have always liked this fence design. What is the fitting you used between the masonite? and the PVC bend? And what size outlet did you use, 4"?

Strungout, I believe that MDF with laminex and with laminated edges ( to stop moisture ingress) is the best and most stable fence you can have, especially if the main base and vertical pieces are to Waldo's design with the large aluminium angle piece to keep it at 90deg. I would then fit some sliding panels on the front, with tracks to fit hold down feather board and stops, etc

Originally Posted by Grumpy John

Is that fence still up for grabs Chris ?

sure is, you want it it's yours? Tis a bit heavy and too bulky to post, so if you want to collect it.

Originally Posted by JillB

Waldo, I have always liked this fence design. What is the fitting you used between the masonite? and the PVC bend? And what size outlet did you use, 4"?

Strungout, I believe that MDF with laminex and with laminated edges ( to stop moisture ingress) is the best and most stable fence you can have, especially if the main base and vertical pieces are to Waldo's design with the large aluminium angle piece to keep it at 90deg. I would then fit some sliding panels on the front, with tracks to fit hold down feather board and stops, etc

G'day Jill, that brown bit? That's just some ugly 70's perspex cut down to size and screwed both into the PVC bend and dust extraction port on the fence.

One thing I don't think is in the photos of the fence setup is that I have mostly covered the MDF with laminate.

thanks for the reply, Waldo. I think that there is a plumbing fitting between the brown perspex sheet and PVC bend, from the look of it. That is what I need

Ah that bit, it's a 100mm/4" collar.

ahhhh... thanks Waldo!

I made this one about 10 years ago that clamps to my tablesaw fence.

75 x 75mm aluminium section, with a piece cut out for the router bit.



Add sliding MDF faces.



Regards from Perth

Derek