Table saw fence comparison

[ars_lurker]

Well, the day has come. I have switched to the dark-side. A 1959 unisaw fell into my lap for less than I paid for my 21829. A big plus for me is that it is the same saw I used in jr-high and high-school. It came with the original micro-set fence which leads me to my question....

Had anyone compared the Delta T2-30 fence system to the Biesemeyer 36-B30 fence system?

I have the opportunity to get a Biesemeyer for a good price and wondered how close it is in quality to the T2. I have no experience with either. I am sure someone here does though.

Thanks!
Mike

[Knottscott]

Mike - Both of those fences are now owned by Delta. They're similar in design and even function, but the T2 is definitely lighter duty with smaller tubing. The T2 is a good fence and a terrific bargain. The Biese tends to be a terrific fence and an expensive bargain, but if you can get it at a good price, it's a no brainer IMO.

Either way, it's easy to slide both front tubes over to the right for more rip capacity if you're willing to sacrifice rip capacity on the left side. A terrific move on a left tilt saw, perhaps less attractive for a right tilt.

Good luck!

[Whaler]

I recently purchased a new DW746 and installed the T-2 fence. I like it, it seems plenty strong, operates smoothly and is accurate. I don't have any experience with the Biese though.

[BadeMillsap]

Shop Fox Classic Fence is a winner too!

My Griz 1023SL came with the Shop Fox Classic and I couldn't be more pleased ... VERY ... I mean VERY heavy rails

Shop Fox Classic fence

[Uncle Cracker]

The Biese tends to be the prototypical example of a quality fence. It's the standard by which all the others are measured. The only downside is the price. That said, most of the other fences with good reputations that I have used or looked at would work just as well for me, and probably for most other "weekend warriors" as well.

[SARGE..g-47]

I agree with Uncle Cracker but with an exception. The Biesemeyer was the best fence I have used in 37 years with the Uni-fence second. Until I got a Steel City Industrial fence which is nothing more than a Biesemeyer but... Steel City added the bolt on the back with a nylon pad.

With that done.. the rear of the fence actually rides the rail and the Biesemeyer drags table. The Steel City fence is the best fence I have ever seen with one exception where it ties for top ranking.. The fence that ties is a Biesemeyer fence. Doesn't make sense saying the Steel City is the best IMO then saying the Biesemeyer ties, does it? hmmmmm.....

The Steel City is a clone of the Original Biesemeyer which had the rear bolt I mentioned. Biesemeyer took the bolt off later for whatever reason and you have what is sold today. With that bolt with nylon pad on there... you can touch the fence with the lock cam released and you better run to end of the table to catch it before it launchs off the end into the next county.

Well.. maybe just the neigbor next door's yard.

Regards...

[Uncle Cracker]

Good point, Sarge. A friend from work has a Biese without the "foot" you mentioned. He didn't care for the dragging directly on the table, either, co he put a wide strip of UHMW self-stick on the bottom of the fence. Still rides the table, but not in a bad way, and still drags the shavings in front of the fence, rather than letting them get caught underneath, as it would with any perceptible clearance. I thought it was a pretty nifty solution.

[ars_lurker]

Thanks for the input everyone. I am going to pull the trigger on the Biesemeyer. I looked at the T2 in Menards and then I found a saw at Sears with a Biese on in. I can see how they function the same but Wow! the Biese feels like twice the fence the T2 does. I couldnt really tell the difference in function though. If I were paying retail on the Biese, I would definately go with the T2 instead.

FWIW the Menards in Omaha, NE will order you a Delta T2-30 for $100. The advertisement is sitting right on thier floor model Delta saw.

[Hellrazor]

I have switched to the dark-side. A 1959 unisaw fell into my lap

Ouch, I bet that hurt

[SARGE..g-47]

Smart move Luker, even though the T-2 is an OK fence. But.. if you can get the Biese at a steal.. do it as the re-sale value is better also.

Uncle Crack.. I did basically the same thing with my Biesemeyer on my Uni-saw before I sold it to get the Steel City 5 HP. I simply lined the bottom with "slick" tape that self-adheres. It improved the drag but still came up about 60 mph slower than the Steel City or the original Biesemeyer.

Regards...

[cabinetman]

My first production aftermarket fence was a 50" Bies. On a second saw I installed a Unifence, which had a nifty ability to convert from a high to a low fence. It seemed more massive, but I still rank the Bies as tops.
.

[Knottscott]

Thanks for the input everyone. I am going to pull the trigger on the Biesemeyer. I looked at the T2 in Menards and then I found a saw at Sears with a Biese on in. I can see how they function the same but Wow! the Biese feels like twice the fence the T2 does. I couldnt really tell the difference in function though. If I were paying retail on the Biese, I would definately go with the T2 instead.

FWIW the Menards in Omaha, NE will order you a Delta T2-30 for $100. The advertisement is sitting right on thier floor model Delta saw.

My sentiments exactly.....good move IMHO! $100 for the T2 is a nice deal too.