Thread: Rip-fence with 'memory'

Operation is simple. Drop the fence on to the locating holes on top of the parallel racks (black pads) and move the lever down to the lock position. This action first pulls the pin into the locking hole on the side of the rack followed by upward lift which pulls the fence down hard on to the pad.
Next, just wind the big brass knob left or right to locate the fence where you want it and pull the free swinging lever up to the knob which clamps the parallel racks against the table edge. Too easy!

For anyone that's interested, the racks were cut by hand - angle grinder in a rolling jig I use to resurface boards with the router. The pinions are from Holden starter motors - apologies to all the Ford fans! The big brass knob was turned from an enormous shear-pin they use in the coal wash plants.
The shafts are 1/2" steel from discarded line printers. I'm a bit of a hoarder and the whole saw is covered in scrounged bits from everything from washing machines to motorbikes.

Fabulous!!!!!!!!! Wher did the rack and pinion setup come from? I am truely impressed.

What a clever design! The only "improvement" I can think of would be to have a handle on the brass knob to speed up movement. However, given the coarse rack that may not actually be a problem.

How easy is it to make fine adjustments?

Mark - The handle was considered but with 4 spots to choose from, you never have to move the fence that far anyway.
Fine adjustment is a bit 'iffy'. If the 'prototype' didn't work so well and I had to do it again, I would use a much finer toothed rack and smaller gears for just that reason.

Great job and engineering, I realy like the four position points , also opens up the chance to have set points for nominal widths like 100mm 250mm etc by drilling a hole through the the rail and guide for a pin
Once again great job,but even better when you can use stuff you have lying about

Rgds

Ttit

Great work on the refinements for your table saw. I built a table saw which has up to 48 degree angle capability, and will cut 114 mm with a 12 inch blade. It uses either 10 or 12 inch blades. I have used it quite a bit without problems. I have to make a substantial fence system for it and fit some switching. I have gleaned a few ideas with what you have done Thanks. My saw can be seen at http://gallery.groov-e.com/ I have broken down a 4 x 4 x 8ft hardwood post on it so it works quite well for a home brew outfit. Once again good one and look forward to more posts with any more refinements. It is quite rewarding doing your work on gear you made yourself.

Regards Mike

Mike - Had a look at your saw - nicely done. I'm getting 84mm from the 10" blade on mine. I've left enough room to fit a phantom pivot point when I find the right bits and pieces to bring the pivot to the table-top line. Once that happens, I'll go to a steel top like yours and get 6mm or better back.

Had a sticky at your woodwork while I was there - very tidy dovetails - good stuff!

Great Job TTiT.

I like the ideal of resetting your last location. I my self use an Incra for that but your right on that "T" set sticking out alll most 2 foot with in full right posstion.

Just wonder how much play is in the fence then moving side to side and does it allways lock perpendicular to your miter slot.

Originally Posted by junkboy999

Great Job TTiT.

I like the ideal of resetting your last location. I my self use an Incra for that but your right on that "T" set sticking out alll most 2 foot with in full right posstion.

Just wonder how much play is in the fence then moving side to side and does it allways lock perpendicular to your miter slot.

There is a little bit of play when moving but the amount varies along the rack as they are not precision cut (by hand with an angle grinder!). It doesn't have much effect though as the fence still stays parallel unless one rack is physically pushed in the opposite direction. Perpendicular to the mitre slot? - can't go anywhere else!

That is absolutely freaking amazing. :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Maybe the best fence I have seen yet, and I know I'm going to at least replicate it when I do a saw for myself.


Not sure my first stop would have been here though. Maybe the patent office may have been more suitable.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: too!


Humm....er.....um....does the BIG BRASS KNOB/ECCENTRIC clamp onto the face of the rack and press it onto the frame of the saw? (with likewise happening at the back of the saw?) I'm not quite getting my aging grey matter to see this in the abstract.

Secondly, do you need a spring anywhere to withdraw the clamping faces from the rack to permit movement of the fence?

Do you think Bill Beismeyer and his merry men are pouring over this even as we speak?? Patent office PDQ mate!!!!

Cheers, from the soggy centre of our changing weather patterns, Sam

Originally Posted by SammieQ

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: too!


Humm....er.....um....does the BIG BRASS KNOB/ECCENTRIC clamp onto the face of the rack and press it onto the frame of the saw? (with likewise happening at the back of the saw?) I'm not quite getting my aging grey matter to see this in the abstract.

Secondly, do you need a spring anywhere to withdraw the clamping faces from the rack to permit movement of the fence?

Do you think Bill Beismeyer and his merry men are pouring over this even as we speak?? Patent office PDQ mate!!!!

Cheers, from the soggy centre of our changing weather patterns, Sam

Sam - You got it in one - when the pendulum lever is pulled up, the cam forces the racks against the face of the bench-top. Did have a spring in there originally but it stopped the pendulum lever from swinging (?pendulumming?) so I ditched the spring and it all works fine without it. "Patents"!!! Couldn't be bothered. Acknowledgement by peers is all the reward I require. (Who the hell is Bill Beismeyer???)

Thanks for the prompt reply TTIT; got the bonce round it now. Beisemeyer is the American guru of fences; try putting it in Google and see his wondrous creation from 30 odd years ago. He/his heirs cream off a substantial portion of the 'retro-fit' market in the USA.

I personally believe YOUR design is by far the canine's reproductive anatomy, as it has a superior clamping mechanism and is more versatile for the home/garage/basement crowd that post here. Given that we usually don't have room for a permanent long fence, having a simple, self stowing, extensible item like this is an absolute boon. In fact, you've inspired me so much, I feel the need to tell SWIMBO to do her own shopping, the dependents to look up their own answers for that Maths homework and that dammed moggy can bury whatever it likes in the flowerbed, I'm busy!

Cheers, Sam

TTIT, thanks for the kind words. The steel top on my saw at the moment does not allow the tilt function, almost zero clearance. I built the saw with the function and used it quite a lot then I bought a SCMS which did away with the need for the 48degree tilt blade. Its nice to know that it has the capability when needed, a few screws and change the plate, ten minutes and its a goer.

My saw has a few pieces removed for clarity but for a home brew with rise and fall as well as tilt it works a treat. I do not see any need to rush off and buy another at this stage. I contemplated getting a couple of ring gears and straightening them out for the purpose but realised that once you straighten them out the pinion will not fit. I enjoy making bits and pieces out of metal and during the last few years wood. I may attack the tablesaw during winter and add some more refinements. Did you notice the horizontal router which fits on the top of the saw? It works well for raised panel work.

Kind Regards
Mike