Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 30, 2004 07:19am | #1

   The price is certainly right.  I've never been overly fond of that fence -- too short, and the travel restrictions seem shortsighted -- but if you're willing to accept or compensate for those shortcomings, it's a pretty solid unit from what I've heard.

   Then there's always making one yourself....

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   treeguy | Oct 30, 2004 07:41am | #2

   Yeah that thought of making one comes to mind, any good source for ideas?

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 31, 2004 06:51am | #3

   You could take a look at the current Wood Magazine -- there's a pretty nice fence plan in there.  There are dozens of plans "out there" some of which are very high-tech and have lots of features, some are very basic.  My impression of the Wood design was that it's solid and versatile without being overly gimmicky.

   I made one a couple of years ago for a tiny router table I had.  Baltic Birch and oak, I think? with the usual triangular supports to keep the fence at 90*, put subfences on it using countsunk holes.  The subfences slide to provide zero-clearance around the bit.  I can put a shim behind the subfence on the outfeed side if I want to joint a piece of wood.  I just clamp it to the table.  Next fence will be the Veritas one that's made for the table top I use.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   mudman | Nov 01, 2004 05:48pm | #4

   A while back I considered that fence, but too many people comented that it was poorly made and the two halves of the split fence were not co planer and were nearly imposible to fix. Very seldom do I ever need anything more than the basic two pieces of ply fixed at 90 degrees with triangular supports. Having said that I have the master fence ($$$) and love it.

   Mike

   please excuse my spelling.
1. 
   charlesm | Nov 01, 2004 07:28pm | #5

   Mike,

   The fence faces are set co-planar at the factory and the dials calibrated to that setting. If there were a need to recalibrate them it is as simple as loosening the set screw for the knob and resetting it. The construction is heavy duty and the fence faces can be replaced with longer, taller, stronger hard wood faces very easily.Charles M

   Freud America, Inc.

1. 
   mudman | Nov 02, 2004 05:11pm | #7

   Hi charles,

    I stand corrected. I almost bought yalls fence but didn't because of owner coments. I think that most were from this site.... or maybe it was Amazon user ratings. I thought that the price was too  good to be true for what looked like a shaper fence. When things look too good to be true I get ancy. I wish I could have gotten my hands on one localy, but none of my regular dealers carry it. So I ended up with the overpriced but excellent Master Fence.

   Mikeplease excuse my spelling.

3. 
   Michmesquite | Nov 02, 2004 06:44am | #6

   I have the fence and it does a good job. I got it because of the similarity it has to a typical shaper fence, but a bit smaller.

   The major complaint I have with it is the limited travel of the fences.

   _________________________________

   Michael in San Jose

   "In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell 

4. 
   Bouboubomber | Nov 03, 2004 06:25pm | #8

   I just bought one last sunday, I have to return it, the fence is not straight, the 2 pieces form a slight "V". Paid $140 canadian here in Montreal.

   Found this store in the Province of Quebec which sells a clone for $85 canadian

   http://www.cej.qc.ca/www/catalogue/image_38.html

1. 
   mudman | Nov 04, 2004 07:51am | #9

   These are the reports I heard. And that shims are the only way to adjust it. and That as the fences are adjusted out they move out of allignment. Again I've never actually touched one so take this with a grain of salt.

   Mikeplease excuse my spelling.

1. 
   TonyMeznaric | Nov 04, 2004 05:36pm | #11

   Dear Mike, I am sorry yet the (possible) saying that the shims are still needed is really entirely incorrect. The fence works perfect, re adjustment and allignement etc. We are convinced you will love it if you decid to buy it. Thanks, Tony M. 

2. 
   TonyMeznaric | Nov 04, 2004 05:31pm | #10

   The FREUD SH-5 fence, made in Quebec/Canada, has been sold in severall thousands a year. It is possible that there was a unit with the described imperfection. We are sorry for the incovienience this caused to you. Regarding the cheaper clone; we wish you good luck in piecing it up together. Thanks and best regards, Tony M.