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newbie here /new table saw or fence for old

4K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  newsalt 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
hello to all this is my first post here. I have an old craftsman that is in need of a fence I have been tossing around buying a new table saw, but not sure if my skills woudl benifit from it. I have built several bookcases and some cabinets on my old saw but have had to clamp a pice of square stock for a fence which is a pain. . Looking at the new saws surely makes my mouth water, but they are quite expesive. Just wondering if I put the mule 1050 fence on the old saw if i could do most with it. I plan on building houshold projects, like bookcases and kitchen cabinets.
I would hate to invest money on a saw fence with a saw that will eventually let me down. Like i said not sure if my skill level would benifit from the more expensive saw. i was looking at the grizzly 1023RLX or 6091 Any input would be great. PROS/CONS
 
#2 ·
it will help not in a way that you put the wood through the blade but you do get better cuts, better accuracy on widths and lenths more power to cut thicker materials. If a new fence is what you need for your saw no then get that and see how far it takes your wanting to do more projects with more detail by that i mean projects with more pieces in it or just more projects period. I have a delta unisaw and feel i can do anything i want when i get in the shop but my pockets only let me get so far. ;)
 
#4 ·
Hi….I may be thinking differently than others but I had an old Rockwell/Delta contractors table saw that was probably similar to your Craftsman…I found it to be a very good and reliable saw that was able to do most anything that I tried. The only problem that I had was in the fence…my thoughts were rather simple. I tend to like the older Delta/Rockwell equipment, I thought that if I bought a really good fence I could continue to watch the Craigslist for a Unisaw. I ended up buying a Biesemeyer fence and then this year I found a Unisaw for $140.00. I removed the Biesemeyr from my old Contractors saw and put it on the Unisaw sold the Contractors for $150.00. If I were you I would try to go that route, especially if your saw now is a decent one. If you take your time you will find a deal on a better used saw down the road.
Either way a really good fence is crucial and very much worth the money.
By the way welcome to Lumberjocks
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
They make/made several models. There are certainly some models that wouldn't be worth the investment of a new fence, and some that the fence won't even fit. It'd be good to know exactly which Craftsman model you have…..model # and pic would be great.
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
thanks for the input so far. I am trying to post some photos of the old saw. model # 113.299040
I have looked into the mule fence and maybe the shop fox classic fence. on the other hand, I was looking to step up to the plate and possibly buy the grizz 6051, or maybe the laguna platinum dovetail table saw. all and any input on these saws or my saw would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance

 
#7 ·
I would think that a Biesmeyer or one of the other T-Fences out there could be adapted to that saw. I have an old Delta Contractor Saw (very similar to yours) with a Biesmeyer and I love that fence. It is rock solid and very easy to adjust. I think you might find that old saw to work quite well with a good fence.
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
The Delta T2 is a solid bargain at ~ $156 from Tools-Plus, and should improve the accuracy of the saw. The Biese is great, but to be honest, I'd hesitate to spend $350-$400 for a fence for that saw. The Vega fences are good too and fairly easy to install.

As for a new saw…Without spending a bunch more than just a good fence, I'd at least consider the option of selling the Cman for $100 or so, and grabbing something new like the closeout deal Grizzly currently has on the Shop Fox W1725 saw (Grizzly item T21853) for $425 ($519 shipped). It's got a great fence (Shop Fox Aluma Classic), full size cast iron table, 1-1/2hp belt drive motor, heavy duty cast iron miter gauge, and a 2 year warranty.


An industrial cabinet saw would be great if you've got 220v and the budget to snag one.
 
#12 ·
I have a 10 year old Grizzly 1024 that I just up graded the fence on. I bought a Steel City fence with the long rails and legs and mounted my router table between the rails. The fence is so much nicer than the stock Grizzly fence. The stock fence served me well for a long time but the new fence is so much more accurate, locks rock solid no deflection that I can detect.
Up grade your fence, in most cases you can then move the upgraded fence to a new saw when the time arrives.
 
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