Replies

1. 
   Kent_F | May 10, 2005 05:29am | #1

   The General T fence is identical to the Biesemeyer (General used to be a licensed manufacturer for Biesemeyer).

2. 
   woodensplinter | May 10, 2005 05:04pm | #2

   I'd be more inclined to keep the General.

3. 
   Peter36 | May 11, 2005 12:49pm | #3

   Too many table saws,,,,sheeeeesssss. My neighbour has a General contractor saw. It is a bisemeyer style fence, but it is not the same as the ones on a cabinet saw. Everything about the fence is on a smaller scale and is much lighter duty. I have a Delta Uni Fence and it is much sturdier than my neighbours, although I still like his better because I often cut on the left side of the blade and with my saw I must remove the fence and reinstall it. If I was you I would set up the General and try it out, decide if I liked the fence and then see if it would be a pain to install on the Sears saw.                         Peter

1. 
   lumberjacksson | May 11, 2005 05:22pm | #4

   I've got the contractors saw as well with the "light duty" beis fence.  I'm not sure how much sturdier than sturdy a fence can be, I've never tried a unifence.  The fence is solid though, but on a bit smaller scale than the cabinet style beis.

    

   Andy

2. 
   Brett | May 12, 2005 03:59am | #8

   The Delta fence is called a Precision fence, not a UniFence. Are these one in the same, or did Precison evolve into the UniFence? Have you any problems with the locking mechanism on the UniFence? Brett

4. 
   WillGeorge | May 11, 2005 10:43pm | #5

   but I find it comes out of the track when I'm moving it side to side...

   If you love that saw.. I'd try to find out WHY it comes off AND FIX that problem!

   Could be just a simple fix.. But then again you would have to enjoy solving problems..

   Just me...

1. 
   Brett | May 12, 2005 03:52am | #6

   You're right on the one hand, however, the Delta Precision has a 29" capacity, the General, 52", so I would just as soon have the extra capacity. Also, I like the idea of being able to use both sides of the fence.
   While I do like to figure out why something doesn't work and fix it, I am a business owner working six long days a week, and a new father, so I'm lucky if I find a spare hour to butcher some wood. The General was a trade with a customer for services rendered, and it's like new, so I couldn't turn it down, but I wasn't looking to replace my shiny old Craftsman. Just looking to improve it. Brett

1. 
   WillGeorge | May 13, 2005 06:43pm | #10

   six long days a week, and a new father..

   NOW you have to work at night too!

   May the little one always be happy and healthy!...

    

   replace my shiny old Craftsman..

   I'd keep it polished and 'well tuned' for when the 'little' one gets a bit bigger and becomes a woodworker too...

5. 
   Dustmight | May 12, 2005 03:58am | #7

   The General fence is a General made Biese. Spitting image of the Biese Homeshop version and is a mighty fine fence IMHO....I actually prefer it over the commercial Biese I have on my Sears 22124. I'd keep that GI saw and the General fence, and sell the old Sears. Is there something about the Sears that gives it some advantages over the GI?

1. 
   Brett | May 12, 2005 04:31am | #9

   I got the Craftsman in January and I'm the 3rd owner. The original owner was an old-school Danish cabinet maker, and the stand and tables he built for the saw are super sturdy and well made. At a glance, the saw appears to weigh a ton, but it's just well built. It has drawers and compartments for spare blades and came with a bunch of shop-made throat plates for just about any occasion. While the fence capacity is only 29", the right side table is better than 55", is steel-framed, and hinges at 2 points to fold right up (if you want, although I just leave it up). The base is good and stable and won't tip at all when you have ####sheet of 3/4" ply hanging off in any direction. The blade adjustment wheels turn silky smooth and have no slop in them. It's running 220, while the General is 110. I believe it can be wired for 220, but its 110 rating is 15 amps, while my Craftsman's 110 rating is 17 amps. All this, and it has chrome on it, too! I just really like it and don't want or need more or less. All the advice about keeping the General makes me think I should be able to sell it for a good buck. Brett