I’ve got a question to throw out. My first saw was an old 8″ cast iron monster heavy enough to anchor a freighter. Its fence was equally heavy, with rack and pinion front and rear. (Shame, it burned in my brother’s garage.)
Then came a Craftsman. No comment.
Next, a Ryobi. After the Craftsman, a dream.
Next, a 2hp. Jet with a Jet Fence. Not exactly heavy duty, but always accurate.
Now, a 3hp. Jet with an Xacta Fence. Heavy duty, accurate.
My question: I realize the Craftsman, like Ryobi, Dewalt and others have their own unique fence systems. Most of the cabinet saws seem to be fitted with either a Biesmeyer or a “Biesmeyer clone”. Is there really any significant difference between the Biesmeyer, Jet, General, Shop Fox Classic, Powermatic, HTC, Vega and a host of other fences all built on the same basic pattern?
Jeff
Replies
Jeff,
If your problem with the Craftsman was with the Fence, I understand. I am curious though of what other problems you had? I have a craftsman and other then I sometimes wish for more then 1 1/2 horse, I don't have any problems other then the fence, which is why I asked this question. But--I was fortunate enough to just sell a house in a very slow market in this area, and I just might buy a new saw. Regardless, what problems did you have? Or anyone else for that matter.
Don
Don,
Keep in mind that mine was an old model from the early 1970's. I understand that the newer models have a pretty good fence. Problems:
Motor burned out within 2 years.
Replacement motor burned out after 1 year.
Lack of power.
Poorly machined miter slots.
Couldn't keep rust off the beast. It must have been like those Japanese cars of the same period that started rusting as they left the assembly line.
Fence... Swear... Fence... Swear fence... Swear...
Jeff
Jeff,
Fair enough. I have a craftsman that's about 6 months old. Under powered sometimes, yep! The miter slots are fine. Contray to reviews, the fence sucks IMO. It's accurate, it just doesn't slide worth a darn. No problems with the motor burning out or rust---I hope it's not a yet thing!
Don
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