Build a Handy Table Saw Fence Organizer
It seems like every time I'm ready to use my table saw, I have to hunt around the shop for a pencil, measuring tool, or some other accessory.
Rather than waste time searching, I came up with this simple table saw fence organizer that keeps frequently used tools in one convenient place.
The organizer is nothing more than an open-top plywood tray that hangs on the rip fence. A shop-made bracket and cleat, along with a couple of rare-earth magnets, hold it securely in place.
It's a practical storage solution that doesn't take up valuable space on your workbench.
A Simple Plywood Storage Tray
The organizer starts with a small plywood box. The open-top design makes it easy to see and reach the tools stored inside.
The version shown here is sized to fit a Biesemeyer-style table saw fence. If your saw has a different fence design, you may need to adjust the dimensions of the mounting bracket and cleat.
I started by cutting the plywood pieces to size.
Next, I cut rabbets in the side pieces to join them to the front and back of the tray. Grooves in the box pieces capture the bottom panel, which has a matching rabbet.
These simple joints make assembly straightforward while creating a sturdy tray.
Add the Fence Bracket and Magnetic Cleat
The mounting system is what makes this organizer especially handy.
A bracket extends across the top of the rip fence and supports a cleat that fits inside the fence's upper opening.
Rare-earth magnets installed in the cleat help hold the organizer securely against the metal fence.
After assembling the plywood tray, I attached the bracket using countersunk screws.
Then I drilled holes in the cleat to hold the magnets and glued the cleat to the bracket.
The result is a removable organizer that stays in position without requiring permanent modifications to the fence.
Keep Table Saw Accessories Close at Hand
As a final detail, I drilled a hole in the edge of the tray to hold a pencil.
Now I have a convenient place to keep the small tools and accessories I use most often at the table saw.
The organizer can be lifted off the fence whenever necessary, and the open tray makes it easy to find what I need.
Just be sure to remove the organizer before making cuts or moving the fence whenever it could interfere with the workpiece, blade guard, push sticks, or safe operation of the saw. Keep loose accessories secured and away from the cutting area.
It's a quick shop project that makes working at the table saw a little more convenient — and eliminates a lot of searching for misplaced tools.
Must-Have Table Saw Accessories
A well-organized table saw is just the beginning. The right accessories can make your saw safer, more accurate, and easier to use.
Explore practical table saw accessories and upgrades that help you get more out of one of the most important tools in your workshop.
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