I just picked up a new Biesemeyer fence kit at Lowe’s for $80. That’s down from the regular price of $400!!
Run, don’t walk, to your local Lowe’s and pick one up if you haven’t already. The $80 is a “closeout” price. They’re not advertising, and you might not see one in the tool department. But it’s worth doing your homework and seeing if they have one in stock. Here’s some product info…
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=237671-32764-36-B30
Ask them to look it up on the computer. They might have to dig to find one, but it’s worth the effort.
TP
Toolpig (a.k.a. The man formerly known as “Toolfreak” and “Toolfanatic”)
Replies
Thank you -- Thank you. I did run to Lowes in the Dallas area and he looked it up on the computer and pulled it off the top shelf and Yes it is $80.00!!!! He had two -- now he has one!
Thanks
Scott
Glad to help!TPToolpig (a.k.a. The man formerly known as "Toolfreak" and "Toolfanatic")
Toolpig,
Kudos to you! I just picked one up from Lowes. Super deal.
Rooms
That's still a great deal (half off). But I bet it would ring $80 once you're at the register. Can't guarantee it, though. But I've heard of other people doing this and it worked.
TP
How universal is this kit?
I have a very old craftsman table saw I really like but the fence is bad. Will it really fit most machines?
Edited 8/20/2007 8:09 pm ET by HHH
I have a very old Delta contractors saw that I adapted the Homeshop version to. Had to drill, by hand, two holes for what I thought I needed for the front rail attachment. Sweated thos a bit, but made a jig to get them straight.
The Bies is VERY adaptable but I would check the WEBsite. They use to have a list of all the saws that the fence would fit but since they were bought out by Delta I'm not sure. Maybe a call to Delta might help?
If you do go for it, make sure you use the hardboard jig that comes with it to set the height of the front rail. VERY IMPORTANT!
It's a great deal on THE fence, as far as I'm concerned. Mine works flawlessly!
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
According to the manual, there are a handful of Delta saws that it will bolt onto without any drilling. You might have to drill an extra hole or two into your cast-iron top, which shouldn't be a big deal.
TPToolpig (a.k.a. The man formerly known as "Toolfreak" and "Toolfanatic")
Thanks for the tip.
Called all the area Lowes and found it fifty miles away for $80.
Had to make the trip last night.
One of the closer stores did quote $200 and would not budge.
Now the fun of installation
HHH,
I just fit mine to an old Craftsman saw; a 9" with aluminum table, probably 20+ years old. I had to drill holes into the table top as per instructions, no big deal. I would not have invested $400 in the old saw, but for $80 I think it was worth it. Also, I could transfer the fence to a new saw someday.
Rooms
I just stumbled into this deal at Lowes. It was such a good deal on the fence I couldn't pass it up eventhough I didn't own a TS. So, then I had to buy a TS to go with it (I was in the market for one anyway). Got the Delta contractors saw with the solid table extensions. Anyway, now that I have it all together, I can't figure something out and feel kind of stupid. What is that massive rear rail for? The fence doesn't ride on it or seem to need it for any purpose. I suppose it coud support the wood extension table that comes with the fence but it has legs and the heavy angle iron is overkill for that. Nothing in the instructions says why its needed. It just tells how to install it. I'm sure when someone gives the answer I'm going to feel even more stupid.
Bill
Bill,
I suppose it coud support the wood extension table that comes with the fence
Yes that is one use.
It also provides a nice ledger for attaching outfeed tables. I use it to clamp down the end of the fence when using down facing featherboards and Board Buddies, both of which want to lift the fence when exerting downward pressure during a ripping operations.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 8/21/2007 11:04 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
I agree with KiddervilleAcres, it supports the left and right extension tables and for an outfeed table. I have all three.
Rooms
I have wondered the same thing when I got mine. I took the following entry on the Biesemeyer Q&A site (http://www.biesemeyer.com/home_fence/index.htm) to indicate that the purpose for the back rail is to support extension tables to the right and/or back of the table saw. It serves no other function.
Does the fence clamp or ride on the back rail?
View Image
No. The fence locks to the front guide only using a three-point locking system. When the locking handle is lowered the fence automatically aligns itself exactly parallel to the blade providing an extremely clean cut. And, you can fully depend on the hairline pointer to provide accuracy to 1/64th of an inch.
Since there is no back lock, a back table supported by the back rail can be installed flush to the back of your table saw. This completely eliminates the gap required by other fence systems
Thanks a lot for this post. I recently replaced the stock fence from my Delta contractor's saw with a Shop Fox clone of the Biese and it too has a rear angle iron that I could see no purpose for. I have been too embarased to ask what it is for , but your post cleared it up.
Thanks,
Bill
b, go to the Bies web site for the 12 page instructions. ya needs the rear iron for the table to stay solid and square. There are still 6 in boxes on Long Island , I got the floor model in bayshore. 2 in Farmingdale , 2 in Medford and 2 in Garden city. Paddy
H, the angle iron front and back has lebenty seven hundred holes in it to fit or drill in the edge of your table top. Paddy
I'm sorry you had that experience!! The problem is that even if you find somebody to sell you one (from another state) for around $80, you're going to end up spending $100 just on shipping because this bugger is heavy -- almost 100 pounds. That's $200 any way you look at it.
Keep the faith! They will budge sooner or later. If not, some guys are driving long distances to get these things for $80. I can't imagine what they're spending on gas, though.
TP
Here is a good one. I got mine out of the box last night and pulled off my old Jet Cheap Fence (not the Xacta) and put on the front and rear rails and then realized that I wanted to build new extension tables and need my saw to do it!!
Now that is really stupid!! If you want to build extension tables then do so before you pull off the old fence!!
Scott
Scott,
That's just too funny! Yo calling all woodworkers, can Ya help Scott!
I'm still laughing trying to type this! Well, now we'll see how good we are with da SkilSaw.
Festool to the rescue?
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 8/22/2007 2:17 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres
Scott,
Now that I've managed to get the laughter under control; I have a confession to make.
I almost did the same thing!
Then I thought, wait a minute; I want to mount the router table on the right side as the extension............
Would you believe it, just 1/16" too wide.
I got lucky. Took the top off the stand, put it in the bench vise and planed off the 1/16". VIOLA!
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
I picked one up here in Alaska for $88. I can live with the extra $8 charge considering the original price.
Toolpig,
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I stopped by a local Lowe's on the way home from work tonight, and got me the system. $80. Farrrrr out!
I just got me a Delta 10" Contractor saw the other week. An 8yr old beauty (looks like new, very gently used by a hobbyist), model 36-465, 2000 series. $200, along with quite a few accessories. I never thought I would be puttin a Biesemeyer fence system on it, due to the cost. But, lo and behold, you put your post on this forum, and my little beauty has a Biese.
Thank you, Chris.
Chris,
Take your time installing it. Follow the directions carefully (which can be a little confusing) and you will be happier than a pig in &(J! I put one on my 10" Delta Contractors saw (a lot older than yours) and it has been heaven.
Best of luck with it.
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Hello Bob,
Good to hear from ya. Yeah, I'll be taking my time doing this, I got the instructions out last night to read them over, plus checked out the website for additional information. Oh, yeah, I'm already happier than a pig in &(J!, but once on the saw... I can see myself kinda like that ole cartoon dog that just got his yummy treats...mmm,mmm,MMM...ahhhh(floating back down to earth). :-]
Have a good day my friend,
Chris.
Bob,
Woke up late for work today-- forgettin to set the alarm does that ;-}, so it seemed the right thing to do...call off work and play with my new toy. How sweeeeeet it is! Everything went together nicely, although I did have to drill some holes in my steel wings, not a problem. Glad I didn't have to make any tables (I no doubt would have done the same whooops as that other feller did-lol), theirs fit fine.
I can now see why these are the best on the market. After I ripped a couple of pieces perfecto to the measurement on the scale, a nice, refreshing, joyous goal-line boogey was in order.
Take care,
Chris.
Chris,
<G>
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Glad it worked out!
TPToolpig (a.k.a. The man formerly known as "Toolfreak" and "Toolfanatic")
thanks for the heads up. i rushed down yesterday and got the last one in stock. i installed it today on my ridgid contractor saw. what a difference a fence makes.
TP, many of us owe you a big debt of gratitude for this heads up. I grabbed one from the display(no stock) but it took a little chatting with the tool guy as that store computer showed $400 and the letter "N" in the stock listing to show that it was a dead item. The next store near me had the boxes tagged at $360 and their tool guy said the store manager would not sell broken tools to the staff for no more than 50% off-- some how I think that he pays for that attitude every day -- not a good manager.
I was looking to get another as a present for a good friend, but now he gets a sears 50" max fence from my old contractors saw . Not too bad but not a Bies. This was magic for me as I am rebuilding a virgin right tilt unisaw with a 52" unifence so the 30" bies if perfect for the smaller saw.
Again many thanks, Paddy
I'm anxious to install mine, too! Enjoy!!
TPToolpig (a.k.a. The man formerly known as "Toolfreak" and "Toolfanatic")
Hey thanks a bunch for the post. I live out on Cape Cod in MA, and found a Lowes that had one. Much appreciated info and YIPPEEE!!!!!
I wanted to say Thanks also, I found 3 of them at a store in Mesquite Texas and I bought one of them so as of yesterday there are 2 left for the taking!
Mike
Ya Hoo. Got one yesterday in Pearland texas. Two left. thanks. Now I can setup my second saw.
2 stores in Chicago had em for $200, luckily they were sold out as another store in the area was selling them for $80. Got one myself now. 80% off not bad.
kenney66
Heck,
Keep the original around, you might find a use for it. A HEAVY duty straight edge, at the very least.
Chris.
Toolpig - Thank you!! I never thought I'd be able to afford a Biese and had already resigned myself to a used Craftsman Align-a-rip fence that I hadn't even mounted onto the saw yet. Still setting up the shop, you see. I called up the Lowe's in Los Banos, CA and they had 3 for $80.....of course now they've only got 2. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now all I need is a good deal on a decent bench mortiser......!
charlie -- "Count your blessings....it could always be worse!"
Maybe you've got it upside down?
:)
I was joking.
TP
Thanks for this info. I picked one up yesterday! By the way, for those in Atlanta who would be interested, the Lowe's on Duke St. in Alpharetta has one. It's over on aisle 17, not in the tool area. The Lowe's in Cumming has 2 but they want $200 for theirs.
$200 is a great deal, so long as you're only planning to install on your own saw.
Your won't be able to sell it for much more than that because there's a glut of these on Craigslist and ebay right now. When things cool off in a couple of months, things might be different.
TPToolpig (a.k.a. The man formerly known as "Toolfreak" and "Toolfanatic")
I own a Grizzly table saw with a biesmeyer like fence. My local Lowes has the Biesmeyer for $150. Is it worth the upgrade?
If you have a dial indicator set it up out at the end of your fence, and see how much it deflects under a light side ways push. If it is more that a few thousandths, then the Bies is a good fix.
If your current clone is stiff and solid, it probably isn't a good canidate for an "upgrade".
The stock fence on lots of saws is a bit too flexy for accurate work.
I bought two of these kits. Sold one on Ebay like so many others did. Great deal for me and my buyer was very happy as well.
I am curious. How many of you used the extension table that came with the kit? How was the quality of that extension table in your kit? One of mine was bad. The rails did not line up with the top at all. The other table was perfect. (I gave the perfect one to my buyer.) I called Biesemeyer and they promptly sent out a replacement. Great service. However, the replacement is just as bad. I am very surprised about this since the quality of the fence is so high. Anyone else get a bad one like this?
I think I am just going to use it. Going to try to flush it up with a router and a flush trim bit.
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