Replacement fence for a DeWalt 746 TS
All,
I’ve owned a DeWalt 746 TS for about six months now and I am starting to look at fences to replace the stock fence (lousy). I’ve been looking at some of the more popular ones: Jointech (way to expensive as an up front cost), Incra (cheaper startup costs than the Jointech), Vega, Multi-Fence, etc…. I have a dedicated router table at the moment, but I’m tossing around the idea of incorporating it into the left wing due to shop space constraints (I know welcome to the club).
There are some posts regarding this saw and fences, but the ones that I found are about 2 years old and I was looking for more recent feedback. I know that all fences have their pros and cons as well as religious followers (I’ve learned to never aska group of woodworkers what tablesaw they like the best). So, specifically, does anyone have experience (good or bad) regading implementing any of these fences on the DeWalt. Most of these fences report to be Delta contractor saw friendly to install, but that doesn’t help me 🙂
Any recommendations or feedback much appreciated.
Cheers,
Michael
Replies
I have the Dewalt 746 and I wonder what you don't like about the fence?
Hi,
I have a few issues with the fence, although some of them involve setup. I don't think that it's terrible and it certainly is better than the stock fences on a lot of other contractor saws.
--First, I find that there is deflection in the rear of the fence. It's not terrible, but the fence certainly doesn't feel as sturdy some of the choices of fences out there.
--Second, I find that it is difficult to adjust the fence such that it rides very low to the table. Obviously there has to be some gap, but I haven't been able to get the gap to an 1/8 inch or less from the top of the table. This is troublesome in cutting very thin stock -- sure I could put an auxiliary fence in front of it....
--Third, it is very difficult to align the fence to be parallel to the blade (or slighly wider in the rear depending on your preference) and at the same time square to the table becasue the adjustments all center around the same thing -- those three screws in the front. You can adjust the fence to be square, then subsequently adjusting it to be parallel throws the first adjustment off just a bit.
With that said.... is this fence terrible. No with the exception of my first complaint (not having a solid feel and for me that's a biggie) most of my complaints are really setup related. It seems pretty good in terms of repeatability and I'm probably just being picky. In fact, maybe I'm just nuts -- that's very likely :-). That's why I was asking for reviews from folks that have replaced this with another fence. Has anyone seen a night and day difference, or thought that their replacement wasn't enough of an upgrade to justify the cost?
Thanks again,
Michael
Ok, setting the fence up to clear the table top. I use a formica sample slipped under and then "drop' the silver part of the fence on to them. tighten the "wing" nuts and from there I don't have to adjust often. Most times when cutting formica.
The only thing I miss is its single sided. It sure seems solid enought for me. When setting up I tightened the 3 bolts just enough to hold but still movable and set the fence with small bumps till right and then final tighten the bolts.
The bessy is the fence many go for but many of the supplied fences are just as good.
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