Delta T2 fence vs Biesemeyer?

[BigguyZ]

I was at Lowes to get a replacement fence for my old Craftsman TS, and saw the Delta T2 fence. For $150 it seems like it'll suite my plebian needs as well as the $300 Biesemeyer. And it looks just like it!

But seriously, is this an OK fence? Or is the Biesemeyer worth the additional $150?

[Tom Hintz]

I have the commercial Biesemeyer and like it a bunch. I set it up three years ago and as late as last month, it was still right on the money when checked with a dial indicator.
One of the attractive things about the Biese is that it is built like a truck, a heavy truck. Barring a major auto accident in the shop, it is going to operate like new for at least one life time. I appreciate that kind of durability and repeatability and think of all the things that cost $300 (and more) the Biesemeyer is well worth it.

[Popeye]

Might think about the Grizzly Classic fence too. I can't see any major differences between it and the Bess. $50 less though. Pat

[SHADOWFOX]

I have the T2 fence on my delta TS, also purchased the 70" inch wide rails. I love it.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Bies often has good deals here . . .

http://www.biesemeyer.com/specials/index.htm

I have a Commercial Biesemeyer as well and love it. No experience with the T2.

Also note the T2 everyday price on Amazon is $149, free shipping no tax.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...076651?ie=UTF8

[Knottscott]

The Biese is a great fence...rugged, accurate, reliable, goof proof. The T2 is a good fence and a good value for $150, but they're really in different leagues. The T2 has lighter gauge steel and smaller tubing. It should still work very well for you as far as guiding a board in a straight line across the blade, and will still offer many of the same usage features that a Biese has, but it is lighter duty.

Some alternatives:
The Vega U26 is on sale from Amazon for $187.59 w/free shipping. Rated best buy, very nice fence that's simple to install, and has an excellent microadjust feature. I've owned a Biese Homeshop, Biese Commercial fence, and a Vega....and while I wouldn't necessarily trade my Biese for a Vega, I could easily accept one in my shop.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...176021?ie=UTF8


The Grizzly H5742 "Aluma-Classic" is a good Biese Homeshop clone for $190 plus s/h. Steel rails and fence tube w/aluminum clad faces.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/h5742

[BigguyZ]

I did see the Biesemeyer clearence section, but it'd still be at least $100 more.... I dunno, I'm on the fence. No pun intended.

[Andrew Benedetto]

I looked at the t2 on the rockler saw and the Beis is just better in build,its longer and designed much heavier. The cursor is worthless on the t2 if that matters. I have The commercial Beis and love it, bullet proof, well worth the extra cost. My neighbor has one too on his Unisaw.

[BigguyZ]

Thanks everyone for the input. I've been thinking about this for a while, and decided on the T2. I've been spending like a drunken sailor to get a shop set up, but I haven't sent any time to get it organized or get anything in order. I think for now the T2 will serve the needs I have right now, and once I'll need the Biesemeyer, I'll probably need a completely new saw anyways! So I'll either save the additional $100-$150, or put it towards the Bosch 1617 router combo everyone recomends...

[BigguyZ]

UPDATE, with a side of tool gloat!

I had bought the T2 fence, but haven't had time to install it. Well, I sropped by my local Woodcraft today for their Garage Sale, and a contest they had to win a free $500 Dewault planer. I didn't win, but I saw a returned Biesemeyer fence for only $50... The plastic edging for the side parts was scuffed a bit, but still in excellent condition. I thought for $50, I could get a set of rails on Biesemeyer's website for another $150 or so and get a Biesemayer system for only about $50 more than the T2 fence from Lowes.

I asked if they sold the rails for it, and the first guy said that they didn't have them, they just had the fence for some reason.

I asked another guy, just in case, and his response was "It should fit the Powermatic rails, and we have those out front on clearance." After double checking on a Powermatic floor unit that the Biesemeyer fence indeed does work with the Powermatic rails, he offered to sell me a HUGE set (at LEAST 60" length) that was already discounted to $100 for only $60!

So- I got a good condition used Biesemeyer fence and a brand new set of rails that are more than long enough for only $110+tax.... $40 LESS than the T2 fence from Lowes. If anyone is near Bloomington, MN and needs a set of rails, they still had more Powermatic rails and other fence sets available when I left.

It was a good day today, and tomorrow will be nice as well- I get to return the T2 fence!

[Knottscott]

Awesome deal! ...don't forget to include $2 for white spray paint in your total cost! Ya gotsta have matching collars and cuffs ya know!

[Andrew Benedetto]

"I thought for $50, I could get a set of legs on Biesemeyer's website for another $150"
That is legs and a 42" commercial fence. The legs you can build yourself if you want,and you will need the support with the long rails.
The T-2 cursor is really worthless for accurate work, you will love the Beis. esp. at that price even w. that yellow color.

[BigguyZ]

I meant to say a set of rails, not legs, from Biesemeyer's website. I agree- I'll build some legs myself. Actually, I may build a saw station like I've seen others on here have built.

The Biesemeyer fence is actually gray, and really, I don't mind the colors not matching.

[gsmittle]

I had bought the T2 fence, but haven't had time to install it. Well, I sropped by my local Woodcraft today for their Garage Sale, and a contest they had to win a free $500 Dewault planer. I didn't win, but I saw a returned Biesemeyer fence for only $50... The plastic edging for the side parts was scuffed a bit, but still in excellent condition. I thought for $50, I could get a set of rails on Biesemeyer's website for another $150 or so and get a Biesemayer system for only about $50 more than the T2 fence from Lowes.

I asked if they sold the rails for it, and the first guy said that they didn't have them, they just had the fence for some reason.

I asked another guy, just in case, and his response was "It should fit the Powermatic rails, and we have those out front on clearance." After double checking on a Powermatic floor unit that the Biesemeyer fence indeed does work with the Powermatic rails, he offered to sell me a HUGE set (at LEAST 60" length) that was already discounted to $100 for only $60!

So- I got a good condition used Biesemeyer fence and a brand new set of rails that are more than long enough for only $110+tax.... $40 LESS than the T2 fence from Lowes. If anyone is near Bloomington, MN and needs a set of rails, they still had more Powermatic rails and other fence sets available when I left.

It was a good day today, and tomorrow will be nice as well- I get to return the T2 fence!

OK... Listen Carefully.....







You Suck!!!!!!!
What a great score!!!!

g.