Replies

1. 
   RickL | Sep 19, 2005 12:51pm | #1

   I've been using both since they first came out and prefer the Bies for the extra mass and with a few fixtures I can do anything the Unifence can do. The Unifence is a more trouble to attach fixtures to. I find the Bies is actually more versatile because it's easier to attach fixtures to it.
   http://www.ttrackusa.com/unifence.htm
   If going with a Uni I'd get the Uni-T track to add to the versatility of the Unifence.
   It's really a matter of preference but I've been to a lot of trade schools and shops on repairs and the Bies holds up a lot better with rough workers.
    

   http://www.modulus2000.com makes a rear hold down accessory to fit the Bies (a clamp will work as well) and their own clone of the Bies.   HTC makes a clone with easy off faces and a micro adjuster but I  haven't personally found a need for one.   The Bies is better with a power feed.

   You really should try using them both. Both are as accurate.

   
   

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   Edited 9/19/2005 7:46 am ET by RickL

1. 
   Pascanale | Sep 19, 2005 08:48pm | #2

   Thanks for the suggestion of the Uni-T-fence. I like its features. And, that's what attracted me to the Unifence--its t-slot mounted and I could easily fabricate auxiliary fences to mount on the t-bolts. But, you mentioned the Bies. was easier to do such than the Unifence. I must be missing something here. My impression of the new Bies is it uses UHMW plastic fences fastened with several t-slots vertically on its back. The unifence uses 2 horizontally on the outside with manual knobs located externally to slide, flip or remove the fence.

   Your input has been helpful.

   Pascanale

1. 
   RickL | Sep 19, 2005 11:04pm | #3

   Your descriprion of the new Bies sounds like the HTC and Modulus fence. HTC has the removable uhmw sides and Modulus has the t slots on top. I don't see anything about the Bies being changed  like you mentioned. Bies is owned by Delta and they are not an innovative company by any means.

   http://www.biesemeyer.com/commer_fence/index.htm

   http://modulus2000.com/product2.htm

   The shape of the bies makes it easy to clamp to the existing fence plus you can add t tracks to the top like the modulus.

2. 
   scooter1 | Sep 20, 2005 12:04am | #4

   I have a Delta but thought the Unifence sucked. Impossible to attach jigs to it. I prefer the HTC fence which has a slip off face which is really cool.Regards, Scooter"I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow." WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

1. 
   Pascanale | Sep 20, 2005 04:16am | #5

   I too am concerned about auxiliary fences and the fences I'm used to are like the Bies--square boxes you either clamp onto or make a large bracket enveloping the entire box so that the jig can slide the length. What I envisioned doing with the Uni was to simply make t-slots in the back of the aux. fences and use the t-bolts. Is this not a possiblity? On the conventional fences a la Bies, you can't replace the fence, you have to clamp on externally, right?

   Scrappy

1. 
   RickL | Sep 20, 2005 02:56pm | #6

   The face of the Bies is laminated over the fasteners that hold it to the tube but it could be modified any way you want. The only limitation is your imagination. Just what other fence faces do you use in your work or what do you envision? 

1. 
   Pascanale | Sep 20, 2005 04:04pm | #7

   RickL,

   Actually, the new Bies' has UHMW faces on the tube held by vertical t-slots that are accessed from the undeside of  the tube--this is better than having to peel back the laminate to undercover the screws on the older design.

   The comparison I was making here was the 4 concealed t-slots that required removing the fence from the saw on the Bies versus the Uni's 2 t-slot bolts with knobs located above.

   As for applications; the Bies certainly supports any sliding jig when needing something to move parallel to the blade because of its simple, straight box shape--that's near impossible with the Uni. However, mounting stationary jigs meant drilling into the beam somehow.

   On the other hand, I immediately was impressed by the extra long fence on the Uni that could be slid back to further support in-feed on long stock. I've made auxiliary fences (6ft. long) just for that purpose. I'm also impressed by how quick you could change the fence to different positions and its integral t-track on the Uni. But, the Uni's fence by itself, as been pointed out to me, does not conveniently support auxiliary jigs attached to it that will slide the length, parallel to the blade. And, stationary jigs would have to reside within the span of the 2 t-bolts that secure the standard extruded AL fence.

   That being said, I've been advised of the Uni-T Track as an option to the Uni. This product addresses everything but the sliding jig aspect for the Uni. Are you aware of a similar offering for the Bies?

   Wow, I think I'm going around in circles--the analysis parallysis phenomenon. Let's see, take the Bies, add some mounting option for attachments and I'd have the ideal fence...I think.

   thanks,

   Pascanale

2. 
   scooter1 | Sep 20, 2005 07:49pm | #8

   The Beis fence has an auxillary attachment which gives you a full 8 inches, e.g., a high fence. To this, I attach a T-Bar rig and it acts as jig holder, hold down, and accessory attachment pod. All things considered, I like the HTC Fence better for jigs and the like.Regards, Scooter"I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow." WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

3. 
   RickL | Sep 20, 2005 09:39pm | #9

   I just talked to the tech at Biesemeyer and there are no design changes on the fence or any changes coming up on the fence. I don't know where you got your info but I belive you are thinking about the HTC unit with the removable sides.

4. 
   Pascanale | Sep 22, 2005 05:03pm | #10

   I'm all wet on this! The Powermatic Accufence (or whatever they call it) has the removable UHMW sides. I realized I was getting confused and revisited the store I'm working with--they have Jet, PW, Delta all on display.

5. 
   BG | Sep 23, 2005 01:02pm | #11

   Pascanale,
   When all is said and done the more solid the fense, the more it holds its position over time, etc....that is why the Bies has beat all competition. Rightly or wrongly, TS buyers have determined that the Bies, and many of its clones, is better than the Delta because of this one aspect, otherwise the Delta is very attractive feature wise....hell, that's why Delta bought Bies.
   However, did your Grizzly have a knock off Bies...not dissimilar from the accufense?...what was your experience with that?

6. 
   joespehar | Sep 24, 2005 01:36am | #12

   The Jet Premier Xacta Fence has 3/4" thick plastic faces that pop off and stick on with no tools. Ther steel body has small studs to attach the fence faces.