As the saying goes, "there's nothing new under the sun." Of course, there are plenty of new things being made all the time. But what the statement really hints at is that we're just finding new ways to accomplish the same old tasks. This is as true in woodworking as anywhere else.
The tools you'll see in this issue's Great Gear are from two companies you've probably heard of before. The tools in question are focused on common shop tasks, but with a new angle.
T-GLIDE FENCE SYSTEM
The first piece of gear to look at is a new table saw accessory from SawStop. This new fence is called the T-Glide Fence System, designed for use with one of Saw-Stop's table saws. The clamping arm of this system is mostly the same as a stock SawStop fence; where it differs is the auxiliary fence attached to it.
ALUMINUM FENCE.
The auxiliary fence is made of extruded aluminum, with two T-slots and a dovetail slot cast into it. This attaches to the main arm with a rail that slides into one of the T-slots. The rail tightens when the cam levers are turned.
The T-slots allow the fence to attach in a high or low position. The high position has the dovetail track facing outward, allowing for jigs and accessories to be attached. SawStop offers their own featherboards with the appropriate hardware, but you can make your own easily enough. Alternatively, I found a hex bolt makes for an acceptable anchor in those slots, as you can see with the featherboard on the previous page.
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| The low fence position provides clearance for a better grip on thin workpieces, or a for push stick on narrow ones. | By positioning the auxiliary fence ahead of the blade, it can act as a stop to cut small parts without them getting pinned and kicked back. |
The low position provides extra clearance for ripping thin or narrow workpieces. It allows room for push sticks, but I also found it just made for a more comfortable grip on certain cuts, as you can see above. Because the fence can be pulled back, it also works nicely as a stop when crosscutting short workpieces.
THE RESULTS.
If you have a Saw-Stop table saw, then the T-Glide Fence System is a well-made upgrade. However, your mileage may vary. If you don't see yourself using the dovetail track, or if you don't cut many thin, narrow, or short pieces, then you likely won't see the benfits of the fence system. Nonetheless, I found it to be reliable and comfortable to use, and it does a more than acceptable job at the tasks its made to do.
