[rhodessam]

Two months ago I purchased a Powermatic 81 bandsaw from a local school auction. After getting it in working order with the help of several members on LJ ( Thanks) I started looking for a rip fence. I couldn't find a vintage one (not that I liked their look anyways) So I started searching for an aftermarket fence. I emailed several companies with no clear replacement found. I reached out here on LJ and started a thread asking for help and got very few responses. My conclusion after a couple weeks of searching was that I was SOL. The problem was
my table is basically 24" square which does not match up with currently manufactured band saw tables that are rectangular being wider and less depth. I tried a different approach and started looking at parts breakdowns for new BS that were similar to my 81's dimensions. PM has a 20" BS but the price tag for it's fence assy was over $ 1000 and price alone was not the only obstacle. As I found on several other 20" models my table wasn't wide enough to mount the fence rail. My table will have to be modified to buy any fence assy. I finally settled on a fence from Jet which looked a lot like the PM one. Jet had no aftermarket BS fence that would work but the fence assy for an 18" and 20" band saw looked really good. Jet number JWBS18B-1128 fence assy sold for $ 262 and I could buy direct from them as it sold as a part. I had the fence assembly sitting at my shop at just under $ 300 with tax and shipping. Now I get to plan the table extension. I've welded for years learning the basics in HS shop shop class but this is going to be fun (fun = PIA). I settled on adding 7" to the left side width of the table. If you want to see pics of the process here's a google link Powermatic 81 dob 1981 Bandsaw Table Extension and New Jet Rip fence
After parts of 4 days I now have a very solid rip fence installed on an improved and wider BS table.
So if you are looking for a more current BS fence here is an option.

 

[Unknowncraftsman]

Good looking bandsaw May it provide you with years of service.
Good Luck

 

[rhodessam]

Thanks. Band saws in that good of shape out in West Texas are seldom seen. I was lucky.

 

[hcbph_1]

That's a fine looking saw and your table extension looks to have been well thought out. I'm not surprised you might have found something from Jet that worked as at least at one time PM and Jet were through the same parent company.
This is just a thought on my part: though you had rails to the right of the blade, do you actually plan to move the fence to that side? Same thing with the extension you made, do you really think you'll be needing that space?
I have an 18" BS and honestly, I don't think I've ever used more than 4" between the blade and column except a couple of times when I was resawing a log. That's just me, not to take away from what you've done.
Congrats on getting it all together.

 

[rhodessam]

That's a fine looking saw and your table extension looks to have been well thought out. I'm not surprised you might have found something from Jet that worked as at least at one time PM and Jet were through the same parent company.
This is just a thought on my part: though you had rails to the right of the blade, do you actually plan to move the fence to that side? Same thing with the extension you made, do you really think you'll be needing that space?
I have an 18" BS and honestly, I don't think I've ever used more than 4" between the blade and column except a couple of times when I was resawing a log. That's just me, not to take away from what you've done.
Congrats on getting it all together.

Thanks for your comments. I thought the same thing about Jet And PM. They are still part of JPW Industries. I would agree on the table size. I tried to find a resaw fence that would fit on my existing table and none would. The problem was the mounting bolt on the left side of the rail had no where to go and there was no adjustment. I may not need it but I do have it.