Replies

1. 
   RickL | Feb 26, 2008 05:29pm | #1

   You can buy or make a mobile base depening on you skills. It's a shame to cut the fence down. Consider the Shopfox adjustable at Grizzly.  I've modified a few Bies fences for friends by cutting the fence and table and adding hinges so it's like a drop leaf table so when they need the extra capacity they just swing that  part up. Best of both worlds.

2. 
   Y1RET | Feb 26, 2008 06:48pm | #2

   I have a General 350 cabinet saw sitting on the Jet mobile base. The base is fully adjustable and the part that holds the table extension is shaped like a “T “. The arm connecting it to the base is fully adjustable. You could just slide it in as far as you need to if you have to shorten the extension table and fence.  

    

   As far as getting the UniSaw I say go for it. I am also a hobbyist, and I used a contractor saw for many years. I upgraded to a full sized cabinet saw last year and couldn’t believe how much better it was. I gave my old saw to my son in law and have had a couple of opportunities to use it while helping with some house projects. The difference is amazing. The cabinet saw is stable and has a lot more power. Everything I have cut on it, including 8/4 oak and hard maple goes through it like butter. The contractor saw moves when I feed it, without enough power I had to cut slowly and seemed like I was fighting it. This was cutting flooring and 2x4’s. The fence is horrible compared to the Biesemeyer.  The saw takes up a lot of room in my basement shop but I wouldn’t go back to a smaller. Before you shorten the fence try it in your shop for  while. You may find the extra size is worth walking around it.  

3. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Feb 26, 2008 07:24pm | #3

   Summit,

   Are you talking about the fence or the rails as taking up a lot of space? 

   If it's the rails, why not order shorter rails from Delta and stash the long ones till you need them or have the space for them?

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   Summit | Feb 26, 2008 11:01pm | #4

   I would be cutting down the rails.  The advice to live with for a while is solid, and I certainly am going to do that.

   One more question, I was also considering the Bench Dog Router table extension on the left side.  If I do that can I slide the rails to the left?  Do they make a new adhsive ruler?

   Thanks again.

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Feb 26, 2008 11:18pm | #5

   Summit,

   Yup, yup.

   Sorry, couldn't resist that.

   I have a home brewed router table in the right side of my Delta contractors TS and love it so I would think the Bench Dog would be just fine. 

   The one thing I wish I hadn't done is waste the money for a Rousseau Router Fence as I think a homemade one that could ride on the Bies fence would/could be better.  Don't get me wrong as so far the Rousseau has worked well especially the DC connection.

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

2. 
   [email protected] | Feb 26, 2008 11:27pm | #6

   Yes replacement rulers are available.  And, you can shift the rails to the left, which provides more room on the correct side of the blade to do bevel cuts on a right tilt saw.  You will probably have to redrill holes, and may have to cut new notches for the miter slots. 

   I just put the router table on the right. 

   If you design a good cabinet to go under the right wing, you gain quite a bit of storage space, so the impact on your available area is minimized.  Particularly if the whole unit is mobile and can be rolled out of the way. 

   PowerMatic has started offering a maple wing for the right side of the PM-2000, with dog holes and an end vise.  Again, this will minimize the impact of the space used in a small shop. 

   I would advice you to both, make cabinets underneath the wing, and put a good solid surface over there to use as a bench top. 

1. 
   Summit | Feb 28, 2008 04:46am | #7

   Thank you for the feedback.  After this thread, reavaluated my space, and I'm going to try and keep the longer fence.  Hope to bring the saw into the shop tomorrow.