Recognize this Fence?

[DaveInHouston]

Got this in a truckload of Unisaw stuff. Similar to a Biesemeyer. From the 80’s. No name on it. Very heavy. Anyone ever seen one?

 

[BSWS]

You've got me really curious, I hope someone can explain it. There are many details that look exactly like my 1996 Biesemeyer. I'm not coming up with any explanation for the dog-leg thing.

 

[DaveInHouston]

There was also a Paralok Fence system in the load of stuff. In really good condition and had the manuf info on it. You can find some information on them on the web. Nothing on this fence except a “Made in America” sticker. It is seriously heavy duty.

 

[Voi]

I have never seen one. Trying to wrap my mind around what the advantage would be. That would reduce rip capacity on a saw with normal length rails so I really don't get it.

 

[DaveInHouston]

One guy said it may have been used with a slider? Wasn’t a slider in stuff I bought.

 

[Voi]

One guy said it may have been used with a slider? Wasn’t a slider in stuff I bought.

That crossed my mind.

The other thought I had was maybe this was a design to allow to fence to be slid back into "short" position? Like the Unifence and Euro saw fences?

Is the main fence welded to that angled, offset part? Or can something be loosened and it slide back and forth?

 

[DaveInHouston]

Oddly enough the angled piece, or gusset, doesn’t appear to be welded to the main fence, but both pieces are welded to the angle iron slide. There are no visible fasteners holding it togethe. Cam lock is missino.

 

[DaveInHouston]

Where it is welded they are very fine little tig welds.

 

[Voi]

Oddly enough the angled piece, or gusset, doesn’t appear to be welded to the main fence, but both pieces are welded to the angle iron slide. There are no visible fasteners holding it togethe. Cam lock is missino.

I didn't think that would be it. Are the square adjustment bolts in the same general area and the same general style as a regular Biesemeyer?

 

[tarmy]

I had a miter saw set up (outfeed tables type of thing for cutting long stuff) made exactly the same way that is setup. I sold it years ago and cannot remember that company name. I will dig into some old photos and see what I can find…but it had the same stickers, weldments and looked like the same manufacturer.

 

[DaveInHouston]

The adjustment bolts are Allen heads. Best I remember they are in the same location as a Bies.

 

[DaveInHouston]

i should have noticed sooner but the fence is 40” long. Maybe to work with a sliding table?

 

[seber]

I got there too late. Was there a Unifence in the lot? My current saw has a biesemeyer. I miss the Unifence.

 

[DaveInHouston]

There wasn’t a Unifence in the lot. I had one years ago and regret letting it get away from me.

 

[MongoTA]

In shape only it sort of reminds me of the fence on (I think?) the RT40, at least with regards to the left offset and gusset on the right. But no, I've never seen one like the one you have.
The Paralok was pretty nifty. Once set up it's a banger to use. That's a good thing. lol. But I do remember them being finicky to set up.
Good luck with it all, Nice score!

 

[turbowoodworker]

The faded/yellowed color screams Jet, but could be a sliding table piece.

 

[tyyost]

Try this link - http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/2709/6779.pdf Its a biesemeyer catalog.

It seems the Scmi offerings used an offset fence, guessing that’s what you got as it’s definitely a Biesemeyer fence.

 

[tncatadjuster]

I purchased a Biesemeyer in 1988 and it has the same tubing as the photo and the same America sticker as shown.

 

[Voi]

Try this link - http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/2709/6779.pdf Its a biesemeyer catalog.

It seems the Scmi offerings used an offset fence, guessing that’s what you got as it’s definitely a Biesemeyer fence.

Good find. Here is a screen grab from a restoration video.

 

[DaveInHouston]

That is it! So is it a Biesemeyer? That even looks like the same sacrificial piece on the fence.

Mystery solved. I watched the video and the guy says it’s a Biesemeyer. Thanks!

 

[tyyost]

Good find. Here is a screen grab from a restoration video.

Awesome picture, that was some impressive engineering to figure out how to keep the t-square functionality but get flush to the blade. Thanks for finding the picture/video.

 

[DaveInHouston]

Awesome picture, that was some impressive engineering to figure out how to keep the t-square functionality but get flush to the blade. Thanks for finding the picture/video.

Thanks. I was glad to find out what it was. As I restore the two saws I’ll put the Paralok on one and the oddball Biesemeyer on the other. It should work as well as any T square fence I suppose, it just looks a little odd. The Paralok is actually pretty cool.

 

[tncatadjuster]

I think it is a great fence, at the time it was highly regarded. I have had zero issues for 33 years.

 

[DaveInHouston]

Thanks. I’m going to have to decide which of these three Unisaws and fence systems I keep. Three is just too many. I’m not sure that “offset” Biesemeyer is going to do me long term. We’ll see when I get them all back together. Thanks again.

 

[tyyost]

Honestly, I’d use the rails as they all are interchangeable and send the offset fence to a good home. On a traditional saw I think it would be a pain, and with the design simple, you could likely cannibalize it for parts and make a regular style fence.

 

[PoorUB]

Thanks. I was glad to find out what it was. As I restore the two saws I’ll put the Paralok on one and the oddball Biesemeyer on the other. It should work as well as any T square fence I suppose, it just looks a little odd. The Paralok is actually pretty cool.

That odd Biesemeyer would make me crazy. No way to use the right side of the fence.

 

[DaveInHouston]

Yeah, it’s an odd piece of kit. I could do a little cutting and welding on it to make it into a traditional fence. Or just chuck it and pickup a normal Biesemeyer. I’ll for sure install the Paralok on one of the saws. It’s an oddity but serviceable. I’ve still got the old Jet Lock system on my old saw. Actually pretty happy with it, although I may go back to the shorter rails. I’ve got four or five Jet Lock fences lying around the shop. I’m curious if the center, metal portion of a standard Biesemeyer is the same dimension as this one? And what is the material the sacrificial portion of a Biesemeyer made of?

Heck, it’s just MDF. All other dimensions are the same.

 

[DaveInHouston]

That is it! So is it a Biesemeyer? That even looks like the same sacrificial piece on the fence.

Mystery solved. I watched the video and the guy says it’s a Biesemeyer. Thanks!

Converted it back to a standard Biesemeyer Commercial. I’ll strip and repaint before I reface it.

 

[Voi]

Converted it back to a standard Biesemeyer Commercial. I’ll strip and repaint before I reface it.

Nice. Look forward to seeing the final result.

 

[Voi]

So you have no Unifence parts?

I think I have a NIB front rail.

 

[DaveInHouston]

No Unifence parts. Just the Biesemeyer and Paralok. And a couple of Jet Lock. I used to have a Unifence. Should’ve kept it.

 

[DaveInHouston]

I’m moving ahead with the restoration of the Unisaws and the fence systems. I’ll have to decide which to keep for my little shop. I’ve stripped and repainted the Biesemeyer fence and will replace the faces as soon as the laminate arrives. Had to replace a couple of the UHMW slider strips. It’s looking really nice. I’m also stripping the rails and will repaint them and install a new measuring strip. My dilemma is that the rails and tube are a full seven feet long. That would take up a huge amount of room in my shop, plus I seldom cut full size sheet goods. Cutting those rails would be a shame but I’ll have to make up my mind soon. I’ve currently got a set of the long Jet Lock tube/rails on my old Unisaw and have been seriously thinking about putting the short ones back on it.
I put a modified a fence/rail system off an old defunct direct drive table saw on my Delta 14 Band Saw today. I think it’s going to work fine.

 

[Voi]

IMy dilemma is that the rails and tube are a full seven feet long. That would take up a huge amount of room in my shop, plus I seldom cut full size sheet goods. Cutting those rails would be a shame but I’ll have to make up my mind soon.

Isn't the rail system just some 2x2 steel angle and 2x4 steel tubing? Or something close to that?

I would try to live with it for a while before cutting them but if I'm remembering mine correctly it's not like you're cutting up rare parts exactly.

is there some way you can utilize the extra rails space? Maybe include a router table to justify being able to move the fence over or something?

I also didn't cut a ton of full sized sheet goods but used a lot of sleds and appreciated the extra space to slide the fence to the right and get it out of my way without having to remove it.

What year is the Unisaw you're restoring? It looks to be pre-1950 with the separate lower cast base?

 

[DaveInHouston]

Thanks. You’re right on the rails. It’s angle iron and 2x3 tubing. So not that big of a deal if I cut it. The old saw is a a 1950 model with a 1 hp bullet motor. I “restored” it a few years ago and it works well. I’ve got the old Jet Lock fence system on it currently. I’ve got two ‘80s vintage Unisaws with 3 hp motors that I’m cleaning up. I’ve also got a complete Paralok Fence system that is intriguing, but probably won’t keep it. I like the Biesemeyer and will probably keep it. It’s the bigger commercial model and is pretty beefy. Thanks again.

 

[chrisjung]

Do you still have this offset fence? I have a Tannewitz slider and I think its exactly what I am looking for.