Replies

1. 
   gpssam | Nov 02, 2009 09:27pm | #1

   The fence is dropping in at the front of the saw or the back?

1. 
   xpayroll | Nov 02, 2009 10:57pm | #2

   It's dropping the same amount accross the full length of the fence.  It's only fractional but it prevents the fence from sliding any further so that it is necessary to lift it up to pass.xpayroll

1. 
   gpssam | Nov 02, 2009 11:56pm | #4

   I have the same saw and fence. The problem is that the large box channel that the front of the fence rides on too low. You must remove the box channel by removing the screws from under it. With the large channel removed you can then loosen the nuts and bolts that attach the angle iron to the front of your saw. It is this angle iron that is installed too low on the saw. It will need to be raised up to the proper height. The fence came with a cardboard template to gauge the height of the angle iron in relation to the top of the saw. I can get you that measurement for you if you want it. This whole thing is tedious but not hard.

2. 
   piker | Nov 03, 2009 12:26am | #5

   Don't you have an angle iron rail (part of the Beismeyer fence package) mounted to the back edge of your table? There was a height-adjustable foot on the bottom of my fence (kind of like a furniture glide for a cabinet) that slid on this rail & was adjustable to raise or lower the fence.

1. 
   boilerbay | Nov 03, 2009 01:24am | #6

   If I remember correctly, the contractor version as supplied via Powermatic (before Delta bought Bies) used to have a back rail with a glider but the modern commercial fence was designed to ride on front rail, with a three point lock and with a nylon skid plate about 2/3 toward rear of fence as John White indicated. As others have said, your U channel needs to be raised.BB

2. 
   JohnWW | Nov 02, 2009 11:09pm | #3

   The front rail that the fence rides on should is supposed to be set high enough to support the fence off of the table a fraction of an inch so the fence doesn't catch in the miter slots. The instructions that come with the fence tell you how to mount the rail at the proper height. The outfeed end of the fence rides on a wide nylon block that will bridge over the slot.

   John White
   Shop Manager for FWW Magazine, 1998 to 2007
3. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Nov 03, 2009 09:40pm | #7

   I had the same problem with my Bies that was mounted on a Delta contractors saw and I swapped over to a 70s vintage Unisaw. 

   The bolt holes for the angle iron were just a skosh (highly techincal term from the 70s) too low (Didn't want to drill new ones) to match with the cardboard template that came with the fence.  Ha, ha, I saved mine, or it survived in spite of my propensity to lose stuff.

   What I did was insert some washers to raise the square tube the fence rides on.  Mind, these aren't your ordinary washers but what I call warped washers (Can't think of a better description, prolly another 70s tech term agin!) and tightened/compressed them until the fence slid smoothly in both directions the entire length.

   Worked for me,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

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

1. 
   RickL | Nov 03, 2009 09:50pm | #8

   Wave washers is the term if I understand your description of warped washers.

   http://www.mcmaster.com/#washers/=4cfgip

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Nov 03, 2009 09:57pm | #9

   Rick,

   Bingo!

   Thanks Rick,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

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

1. 
   xpayroll | Nov 06, 2009 10:34pm | #10

   Thanks to everyone.  I think there are wave washers in the Bies' future.  1) There are two holes for the bolts to hold the angle iron on the saw and there is only a small amout of movement in when it is loose.  As I recall it is already up as far a possible.  2) I figure the outfeed table on the side would have to be recalibrated to match the saw table even if I could get the iron up.

   Actually, the more I think about it, I think I'll make a spacer as wide as the tube so as to prevent the possibility of the tube 'rocking' when the fence is locked down.

   Thanks again,

   Fredxpayroll

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Nov 07, 2009 04:37am | #11

   Now that I remember I used the same bolts from the Uni fence that came with the saw (I bought it used).  I was able to match the holes to the fence angle iron.

   The wave washers do allow the tube to rock a bit, but only on release.  I've just mentally made a habit of leaning on the fence when releasing it.

   Regards.Bob @ Kidderville Acres

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