Need to reface my TS Fence

[BigguyZ]

I have a Beisemeyer fence I got used from Woodcraft a few years ago. It's been a great fence, but recently the fence was resting with the tip on the floor and the basement flooded a bit, getting the wood sides wet.

It does look like the plywood on the ends is swollen due to the moisture. I guess I could just cut the swollen part off and leave it at that, but I would prefer to take the plywood sides off completely and replace it with UHMW facing.

A couple of questions-
-Is this advised?
-How do I secure the UHMW to the fence? I don't see any fasteners in the face of the plywood sides..
-How thick do I need to go for the material? 3/8"? 3/4"?
-What's the best deal for UHMW?

Thanks!
Travis

[LarryG]

My PM2000 has UHMW side plates. It's nice ... ultra-slippery, no worries about splintering or delamination, etc.

I've not had the faces completely off but they're held on with bolts that fit into keyhole slots on the back side. Your Bies probably uses a similar method, since there are no exposed fasteners.

I'd have to measure the thickness to be certain, but I think it's 3/4". Don't know which vendor would have the best deal but I do know that a slab of 3/4" UHMV will be pretty spendy, and then you'd have to machine it to attach it to your fence tube. So you might check to see if ready-made replacements are available ... they might cost a little more, but could be worth it since you'd know they'd fit and would slide right on.

[LinuxRandal]

I think it may depend on which model. I see lots of different models listed on one of the better diagram, parts sites. Some of the clones (and I would think Bies) have easily replaceable ones (Exacta fence comes to mind), while others from what I have read, you pull off the veneer to get to the screws:
http://forums.finewoodworking.com/fi...-fence-facings

Link that I had read.
I would consider Baltic birch if the veneer has to be removed, then use UHMW tape (woodcraft has some 3" by 10+') as the replacement veneer if that style.

[smorris]

I've used starboard on mine, not sure what it is made of but it is just about indestructible as it is a marine plastic.

[cabinetman]

The Biesemeyer fence faces are 1/2" ply. You have to remove black edging and the laminate face to get to the fasteners. You can drip lacquer thinner on the edge until it releases, and then keep dripping it until it comes off. Or, you can use a heat gun and keep it hot without the laminate blistering, and use a putty knife to stay between the laminate and the plywood.

The laminate will be hot so be careful. You can attach new faces with a solvent base contact cement, or some good double sided tape, like carpet tape. If you change the faces, make sure you check your hairline indicator that the measurement is correct.

.

[jnesmith]

mcmaster.com sells UHMW in many shapes and sizes.