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Delta T-Square Fence Systems

2K views 9 replies 8 participants last post by  dynrat 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I received an extremely generous $500 Home Depot gift card from an executive as a bonus for going above and beyond. I'm really thinking about using it to put a Delta T-Square (Beisemeyer) fence on my Ridgid R4512 contractor saw. I know it seems overkill, but considering it would essentially be free to me I am considering it. The saw fits all of my needs with the exception of the rip fence. Eventually I intend to upgrade to a cabinet saw, but that is at least a couple years from being within my budget. In the meantime this would get me a dependable saw/fence to work with.

Has anyone done this upgrade?
Would love thoughts and opinions (positive or negative)

Also would like to know for anyone that has either of these fences what the length of the rail is?
I really only need the 30" right rip capacity, but am considering getting the 50" just in case I decide to tackle something new. The deciding factor is how much of my aisle space the fence will eat up in my relatively small shop.
 
#2 ·
1) Size? The 50" cut width fence rail is ~84" or 7" long. The 30" is ~64".
If I remember correctly, the Ridgid fence is either 24/24 or 16/32 (left/right) with ~60" fence.
Do you have room for ~24 more inches on end of your present fence?

2) If you want the longer 50" capable fence, suggest the T2 version, not the T3.
T3 version is lighter weight fence for home shop, using a smaller front tube.
IMHO - T3 is too flexible for the longer length.

You can search LJ for many threads on Biesemeyer Delta fences to learn more about differences between models, plus good and bad points.
 
#3 ·
First. Congratulations. That is a nice gift. I must ask, however, is the Ridgid fence really that bad and is there nothing else in the shop that you need? Having asked, the answer really doesn't matter if this is one of those things you really really want. If the latter, it really doesn't matter what we think either. I can't answer if the swap is doable. I assume it is.
 
#4 ·
Would recommend a Vega Fence. Much cheaper than the Delta.

As for how to use the Homedepot card. Someone was telling me that Amazon has a way to cover most gift cards (pre-paid) into Amazon credits at a 1:1 rate.

Would believe that a google search could confirm.
 
#5 ·
I'm a HUGE Vega fence fan, but for a contractor saw I wouldn't suggest the Pro, but instead the home owner model. However being an HD card, they do not sell Vega's. I would tell you to look at a T2 Delta fence for a contractor saw. It will be a HUGE upgrade over the stock fence, and leave you enough left over to buy something else. Beis isn't all that and a bag of chips anyhow.

However you do it, enjoy it, and congrats on getting recognized for doing your job. Hardly see much of that anymore, unless you are an old fartola like me.
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
The new Biese just ain't what it used to be, and isn't worth the asking price IMO. The Delta T3 seems to be a much better value….a tad lesser fence, but it accomplishes the same task well, and is a lot less expensive. The Vega fence is another excellent option that can be a decent value….a better fence overall than the T3 IMHO, but costs more too. Either one should leave sufficient funds to add a couple of decent blades.

The Jet Xacta II, PM Accufence, Shop Fox Classic, or Saw Stop T-Glide are all good choices too, but I doubt they're available at HD….you could always sell the gift card for close to face value and buy what you want.
 
#7 ·
IMO upgrading a fence is a great idea regardless of the brand. The second best part of this is you'll be able to use this fence on any saw to which you upgrade in the future.

I like the idea of selling the HD gift card for face value and then buying what you want. That said there are, at times, items on the HD website which I am surprised to see there so…
 
#8 ·
If you can sell the card, there are a lot of good used cabinet saws that go low on Craigslist. If the money isn't burning a hole in your pocket, you may be able to get fence and saw. I just picked up a $950 hegner scroll saw for an even$100, and only 20 miles from home. Great things come to those with a little patience.
 
#10 ·
"Great things come to those with a little patience"

True right there.

- therealSteveN
Ended up using this motto a bit. Held off on the fence upgrade for a while and ended up coming across a guy selling a Biesemeyer fence on Facebook. Paid $175 for it and it was practically new. Only took a little cobbling to get her on my saw, but boy is it nice.
 
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