TS Auxiliary Fence

[Marsha]

This post may sound very naive on my part, but I finally have to ask, why so many ww's use an auxiliary fence on their table saws. Do most table saws not come with a standard fence? What is the purpose of attaching an auxiliary fence to this standard fence? When I watch Norm Abrams and John Siloats, I see they have auxiliary fences attached to their saws and I always wonder why. I have never used an auxiliary fence and I wonder what I am missing? Some explanation on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
Marsha

[MadMark]

Several reasons.

First, if you cut rabbets the aux fence is sacrificial while your main fence is not.

Next, you can make aux fence taller, wider than standard fence.

Aux fence on miter slide shows where kerf is so is easier to line up.

Aux fence on miter slide gives support past blade.

M

[Bud Christiansen]

I don't normally use an auxiliary fence, (my good old Accusquare does most things perfectly all by itself) but I can think of three procedures where an add-on is a huge help. The first would be running tall stock through the saw, such as cutting a groove in the edge or raising a panel (not something I normally do on a TS). A high fence is a must for these. Second is when ripping a board that may have inner tension that would force the cut piece to curve toward the fence, throwing off the cut...sort of the reverse of the old bind-on-the-blade kickback problem. For this I use an add-on fence that ends just past the leading edge of the blade, giving the errant board some room to bend into. The third problem an auxiliary fence can solve is closing up the gap between the bottom of the fence and the table top when cutting very thin stock. My fence is only a couple of thou above the table, so I don't have this problem, but I've seen fences that were 1/8 inch above the deck, leaving lots of room for problems. Doubtless others have come up with more uses....BTW, no need to feel that you have to apologize for asking...that's how we all learn. Some wise soul once said that the only dumb question is the one you never asked. I've been turning perfectly good trees into sawdust for 50 years and it's a rare day that I don't learn something new even now. :^)

[J.P.Rap Hamilton]

I learn somthing new every time I visit this forum.Even if it's something I'll never use.I read every post almost every day
What a great bunch of folks we have here.
J.P.

[Roman]

now that I know what you are talking about. They are a god send. Just like Bud says, they basically keep your saw blade from damaging your fence and your fingers.Much like a cabinet scraper having a million (slight exadugeration) uses.
One thing I will say is that generally leaving your fence or auxillary fence above the TS bed an 1/8" prevents wood chips from pushing the piece you are cutting away from the fence.
I wouldnt buy one as any true piece of wood will do. P.S. spelling is not my forte

[Les West coast V.I]

Hi all; One thing first, Bud C. were you out on the west coast this spring ?? I was told to watch for you on here B & K said to look. The outher thing is I learn more from you all ( yall ) than when I drop into Tools & Space in Victoria ,What is T/S , It is a tool shop and it puts wood working class on, anyway I was glad to see someone ask this Q
I'll keep reading Les ; Good fishing out here

[Peter (up North,long days]

I would never cut rabbits(?) without having something between my blade and the actual metal fence. What works for me....I built a portable one out of hardwood that fits exactly over the real fence, sort of like a long rectangular box.
When I need it , I just slip it over top. Reason being I like to keep the accuracy of the metal fence for 98% of my cuts.
Peter.

[Marsha]

Thanks very much for all the responses. I quess I've just never been in a cutting situation where I thought I needed an auxiliary fence.
Thanks again
Marsha

[Bud Christiansen]

Yup, five all-too-short days visiting family in Sooke and Port Renfrew. I tried to find the time to get into T/S (gotta take home a few souveniers, you know) but didn't make it. I did manage to grab a couple of nice pieces of Pacific Yew out of my brother-in-law's shop, so the trip was not a total loss...LOL

[Wally]

I also have my router mounted to the right of my saw blade and have found that when rabbeting with the saw blade or moulding with the router a 3-4" high piece of srap melamine clamped to the fence makes a good sacrificial fence. I drill a hole in several different ones that I use and hang them on the wall by my table saw to use any time they are needed

Wally!