Easy consumable fence face

[gwyneth]

These MDF fence faces were apparently designed as an accessory for Rockler's miter gauge fence. When I first saw them on sale at $2.99 a few weeks ago, I ordered one to see what they were like.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16882
Miter Gauge MDF Fence Facing - Rockler Woodworking Tools

My vague thought was attaching it to the blade side of the BT fence. I hadn't gotten around to figuring out how when I placed another order; they were still on sale, so I got another two (buying MDF of any kind around here is a chore). They arrived today and look what I figured out.

Fish the long bolt (which the enclosed instructions mysteriously tell you is unneeded for the fence for which they are sold) out of each hardware packet. Stick both through the pre-drilled counterbores and place over the BT fence; either use the friction nuts provided or find two and tighten. In much less time than it takes to read this (much less write it), you've got a practically purpose-built consumable fence accessory that cost $5.99

When straddling the BT fence, the bottom of each side clears the table by about 1/16th of an inch. For best aesthetics, trim a little off one end of each because when they face each other on either side of the BT fence and counterbore holes are lined up an inch or so sticks out, as the photo shows.

[Lonnie in Orlando]

Looks like the bottom of the sac fence will spread away from the BT fence as you tighten the long bolt.

I would drill and counter sink new holes, then attach the sac fence directly to the slots in the BT fence. This is what I used:

> Toilet bowl bolts with washers and nuts for the left side of the BT fence. Cut the length to be below the face of the sac fence. You may need to file the width of the head of the toilet bowl bolt a little to fit into the slot.

> BT Tee Nuts and 1/4-20 bolts and washers for the right side of the fence. Cut the bolt so that it doesn't contact the fence.

Keep the sac fence a little above the table so that it will not catch on the ribbed surface.

I would leave them as long as possible.

- Lonnie

[gwyneth]

Lonnie, there are lots of ways to make non-easy sacrificial fences. This is an easy alternative.

It's the same principle as a lot of fence jigs--an upside down U- or H- shaped enclosure. The long bolts form the "lateral" of the H.

In the picture, both long bolts have been tightened with nuts on the non-blade side. Since the counterbores on each of the MDF pieces face away from the fence, there is nowhere for the head on the bolt and the nut to go when tightened except the bottom of their respective counterbore holes, keeping the MDF fence faces parallel.

[Lonnie in Orlando]

Glad it is parallel to the fence. Easy on / Easy off is a plus.

- Lonnie

[DonHo]

Well your idea is cheaper, I got these from Rockler

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17821

They work well and I liked them enough to buy a second set. I use just plain 3/4" MDF to make my fence ( I probably don't have as much MDF scrap as Rod but I have plenty ). I use them to attach a sacrifical fence to the rip fence, a "long" fence to the rip fence, an extension to the miter fence, stop blocks to the fence and I also use them to attach to my router taple fence and band saw fence. I find them really handy.

DonHo

[crokett]

I built a rip fence attachment a while ago that stays on permanently. It is a tall/long fence that I can attach featherboards, split router fence, etc to. I just attach a sacrificial piece of MDF to it.

[gwyneth]

I built a rip fence attachment a while ago that stays on permanently. It is a tall/long fence that I can attach featherboards, split router fence, etc to. I just attach a sacrificial piece of MDF to it.

I've been in the process of making one of those for several months, but meanwhile (a word I use a lot concerning shopmade stuff) I wanted to use the Freud dado set for the first time.

[crokett]

I've been in the process of making one of those for several months, but meanwhile (a word I use a lot concerning shopmade stuff)

I know exactly what you mean. I finally got an attachment built for my mitre fence that has a measuring tape glued on and a stop. It has already paid off for the bench project I am doing. The cross cuts and cutting the toungues on the ends of the rails went much faster.

[eezlock]

easy consumable fence.......

Gwyneth, you might want to check out the universal fence clamps from
Rockler. These clamps are $13.49 per fair. I bought a set of these clamps
to use on my saw for sacrificial fences, stop blocks and etc. Part number
for these clamps is 31373. If you get a pair of these ...you will like them
and it will make installing and removing a sacfricial fences a lot easier and faster for you. eezlock

[gwyneth]

They were on the list for my next order--looks as if they're a buck or two off the normal price. But the description makes it seem as if you've got to drill holes on the non-blade side of the fence.

[DonHo]

They were on the list for my next order--looks as if they're a buck or two off the normal price. But the description makes it seem as if you've got to drill holes on the non-blade side of the fence.

Actually you drill holes in the top of the sacrifical fence. The clamps have a "hook" that fits into the sacrifical fence, the other part of the clamp works kinda like a "c" clamp. They are easy to use and very handy, the "hook" part is threaded and adjustable so they can fit a wide range of thickness on the fence.

DonHo

[gwyneth]

They sound like the things Bessey makes that fit into some of its more elaborate clamps (e.g., the multi-angle) that allow them to be clamped onto the side of a bench.

In any case, they also sound as if they'd be handy for a variety of uses.

[eezlock]

easy consumable fence face

They were on the list for my next order--looks as if they're a buck or two off the normal price. But the description makes it seem as if you've got to drill holes on the non-blade side of the fence.

gwyneth, when you use the rockler clamps, just use some solid 3/4"
wood or mdf and drill two 3/8" holes in the edge of it and drop the clamps in
and clamp it to your fence. eezlock