Replies

1. 
   Mackwood | Jan 21, 2005 06:48am | #1

   1976 is not that old a model.  Just my opinion but I would think long and hard about putting money into a Craftsman saw.  If it were 1946 I think it might be worth while.

   Then again if the saw is solid and has been a reliable work horse for you, a new fence might be just what the doctor ordered.

   It's been said many times that a quality blade and a tune up can work miracles.  A new rip fence could do the same. 

   Regards,

    

   Mack

   "WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"

2. 
   hammer1 | Jan 21, 2005 08:12am | #2

   There was an older Craftsman on a recent jobsite that I used. The fence was a mess. It was pretty simple to adjust and now works fine. What have you tried so far?

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

3. 
   DougF | Jan 21, 2005 05:38pm | #3

   Many years ago, and out of desperation, I tossed that same piece of crap off of my 1968 Craftsman and installed a Biesemeyer fence.  I'm think the fence it cost as much as the TS did new.  That was 20 years ago and I recently sold the craftsman saw after I installed the Biesemeyer fence on the Grizzly and put the Shop Fox fence on the Craftsman.  New Grizzly cabibet saw and the 20 year-old Bies that is still as good as it was the first day I installed it.

   A good fence system will cost in the range of $250.  A better system around $300 - 350.  A hybrid saw or some cabinet saws with a good fence can be had for $750 - 800 new.  I guess it depends on your priorities and budget.

   Doug 

4. 
   rickles13 | Jan 21, 2005 08:59pm | #4

   In my opinon thers only one replacement fence..... Biesemeyer, put one on my old Delta contractors saw a few years back, like having a brand new saw....

    

   Rickles13

5. 
   forestgirl | Jan 21, 2005 09:31pm | #5

   There are several older-Craftsman owners who have replaced their fences with the Accusquare from Mule Cabinetmakers.  This is the fence I'd like to get to replace my junky Jet fence with.  Affordable and precise.  Comes with a 90-day, no-questions-asked guarantee.  If you decide to try it, pick up the EURO-jig too.

   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" .... :>) 

6. 
   DonC | Jan 21, 2005 10:54pm | #6

   If your Crafstman TS is direct drive, sell it. If it's belt frive consider the Vega replacement fence. Their web site lists several reasons why theirs is superior to others.

1. 
   Dustmight | Jan 22, 2005 12:15am | #7

   I agree with "DONC4" about the Vega.  It was rated Best Buy last summer by Wood Mag.  I have a friend with a Vega, and a friend with the Mule....all three of us prefer the Vega.  Amazon has it for $230 in two sizes with free s/h.  I love my Biese, but think very highly of the Vega too.

   One other consideration is that your old saw has some value.  A new Griz 0444 with a decent Biese knockoff would run about $495 plus s/h if necessary.  If your old saw would bring ~ $150, add in the cost of a new fence ($230 to $350), and your getting uncomfortably close to the cost of a whole new saw with a fence upgrade built right into the deal.  Just another thought....

7. 
   JonE | Jan 22, 2005 01:45am | #8

   I want to second forestgirl's recommendation of the Mule Accusquare.  I bought one to puton my 1938-vintage Craftsman table saw, and after I got a Unisaw, the Mule came off the Craftsman (which was put in storage) and went on the Unisaw.    I have only used a Biesemeyer fence once, and was not particularly thrilled with it.

   When I bring the Craftsman out of mothballs, I will probably put another Mule fence on it, or transfer the old one back and buy a new one for the Unisaw.