I recently inherited my dad's Grizzly cabinet saw from the 90s, but there's a half-moon shape cut into the fence face, likely from when he raised the blade too high. It's unsafe to use in this condition because a corner of the board could get caught there. Though I've temporarily attached a piece of plywood to the fence, I'm looking for a more permanent solution. Can I replace the melamine or whatever material the fence is made of?
6 Answers
If your fence is the Shop Fox classic model that's often found on Grizzly saws, you can actually swap out the fence faces. Another option is to repair it using epoxy or Bondo; I've done that with my Unifence and while it might look a bit rough, sanding it down worked perfectly for me!
You can mount something flat against the fence, like melamine, but make sure it's really secure and perfectly flat. There's also the bow extender fence that could simplify long cuts, though your cabinet saw may not need it. Look into other budget-friendly options as well!
If you have a Biesemeyer fence, consider upgrading to something like the Woodpeckers versa fence. It does require drilling, but it’s a huge upgrade! And if you're not sure about parts, reach out to Grizzly's support—they're amazing at helping with older models even if you don't have a model number!
Building a slipover fence from MDF and plywood is another clever idea. It can be a simple fix that’s both effective and low-cost!
Consider putting a layer of material on the fence instead of trying to repair it directly. This helps maintain the flat surface, and there are many tutorials online for making fence add-ons. You can even include T-tracks for added functionality! It's a win-win solution!
Adding a sacrificial fence is a great way to go! It not only helps protect the original fence but can also make your cuts smoother. It's something you should consider doing regularly for wear and tear on your saw.
Totally! Having a sacrificial fence just makes everything more enjoyable to use.