My Garage/Work Shop Makeover #17: Table Saw Fence Rail Modification

I am making preparations to build some kitchen cabinets, and hopefully, another cabinet or two for the shop. I needed more width so I can cut pieces for the cabinet bases 32 inches or wider.

So, after reading Knotscott's instructions, I decided to modify my fence also which would result in the ability to rip up to 36 inches. This is going to work out great.

Steps involved were:

• Relocate front fence tube to the right.
• Fabricate an extension for the rear fence
• Fabricate a wing to fill in the opening to prevent hangups.

This is the before picture.

I relocated the front fence tube one set of bolt holes to the right. If you look closely, you can see a pair of threaded holes. I used them later to bolt on a piece of 3/4 plywood to act as a support for the extension wing.

Newly positioned fence tube.

I installed a support by bolting a piece of plywood to the bottom of the fence tube with a pair of 1/4×20 bolts and a couple of fender washers.

I fastened a piece of hardwood to the rear fence rail. I was able to line up the two bolt holes and drill corresponding holes in the wood. That worked out great.

I fabricated a “wing” using scrap from the wood pile. After building the frame, I glue and stapled a piece of 1/2 inch Baltic birch on top. I drilled a few 3/4 inch holes for clamps…just in case they are needed.

I installed the wing with pocket screws.

Here is the finished product. The wing fits nicely and is level with the table. My fence slides cross it with no hangups. I now have the capability of ripping sheet goods up to almost 37 inches wide. That works for me.

And I can use the clamps to secure a router fence if needed. Most of the time I use the fence for dust collection only. I usually have a roundover bit installed in the router ready to go at a moments notice. I have a separate router table for other operations.

-- Handcrafted by Mike Henderson - Channelview, Texas