Any upgraded fence options? I've had a BT300 for 15 years

[ajhillgolf]

I've rebuilt my fences and on my 2nd or 3rd fence. Anyone know of any "new" options for extended/larger fences? I have alot of sheet goods to cut and this has always been my biggest problem with the BT fences (movement and adjustment).

Thanks.

[LinuxRandal]

There is only one aftermarket fence I am aware of for this, and it is WAY expensive. It is VERY hard to find via searching on it, WITHOUT using the name (hard to do when your trying to find the name): Jointech Sawtrain.


Might I suggest for plywood, you look at everything from your basic sawboard to the Eurekazone, EZ Smart system.

[LCHIEN]

if your BT3 fence is moving then I suggest you check the rear fence locking mechanism, normally its truely solid when locked right.

There should be a two-stage clamping action, as you lower the handle the front flmaps at two poitns to make it square with the rail/blade system, and then the rear clamps as you lower it further to prevent any swinging/deflection of the back of the fence. You should be able to grab it with you hand and wiggle it and not deflect it at all.

if it does deflect then the fence needs repair or adjustment - lots of posts on that here.

[ajhillgolf]

Thanks for the info

Thanks for the updates

[JimD]

I use a piece of melamine coated particle board - commonly sold as shelving material as well as 49x97 inch sheets around here - on my rip fence. It is 8 or 10 inches longer than the fence and attached using the groove in the stock fence (I filed down 1/4 nuts to fit the groove initially then made a piece of a scrap of flat stock that has threads tapped in it for three screws). It effectively lengthens the rip fence and is also about 4 inches tall so it makes it taller too. With a coat of wax it is very slick.

I almost never rip full sheets on the BT3100 but if it is a big piece, I also use infeed and outfeed support.

Jim

[pelligrini]

This thread is pretty good on adjustment issues.
http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=48887

[crokett]

A while back I built a fence attachment that drops over the fence and is secured by two bolts on the opposite face of the fence from the one stock is fed against. It is about 8" longer than the stock fence. You could make one even longer if you need to.