When the need to replace your bandsaw fence arises, you may be lost for a choice since there are several options available on the market. Depending on the type you had bought previously, these replacements may be more often than you would like.
It's no good to always be at a loss as to what best aftermarket bandsaw fence will work well with your specific bandsaw. To help you overcome this obstacle, we have compiled an informative article to help you choose from among the best aftermarket bandsaw fences.
Let's go all in.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Aftermarket Bandsaw Fences
- OUR TOP PICK: POWERTEC BS900RF
- RUNNER-UP: Carter MFII-V2
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Kreg KMS7200
Comparison of the Best Aftermarket Bandsaw Fences
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What to Look for When Buying an Aftermarket Bandsaw Fence
While most bandsaws are of high quality, they don't always come with a durable and reliable fence. A good aftermarket bandsaw fence should be made of the right material, be compatible with several bandsaws, and have the right size as per your bandsaw.
Material Construction
Material is one of the major things to look out for when buying an aftermarket bandsaw. There are different materials for constructing bandsaw fences, and the material determines the durability, weight, and maintenance requirements.
Aluminum alloy fences are great as they are highly durable and lightweight.
Photo credit: tooltango.com
Steel fences are highly durable, but they usually rust quickly, especially when you work in humid conditions or with wet wood more often. They are also quite heavy and may be a nuisance when shifting.
Plastic fences come in the least likable as plastic bends easily and is prone to permanent deformation, especially when exposed to undue pressure and heat.
Compatibility
You will want to select an aftermarket bandsaw fence that will be compatible with several bandsaws you may have in your workshop. Fences come in different shapes and dimensions, so you have to ensure the one you choose will work with your bandsaw.
As a consolation, however, you will find some aftermarket bandsaws that will work with different types of bandsaws.
Size
Different bandsaws have different work tables and saw sizes. Large saws require large fences. Bandsaws with smaller work tables require smaller or shorter fences. It is important to have the size of your bandsaw in mind as this needs to match with that of the fence; otherwise, you can't install the new fence.
Lock Mechanism
Getting accurate straight cuts on a bandsaw calls for proper placement of the fence and locking it down to avoid shifting during cuts. The two most common lock mechanisms for bandsaw fences are magnetic and cam lock lever mechanisms.
Most people prefer the magnetic lock mechanism since it's easy to handle. However, you must check that the table of your bandsaw uses ferrous material like steel.
The cam lock mechanism uses a lever that proves quite tricky for most woodworkers.
Review of the Best Aftermarket Bandsaw Fences
Not all bandsaws have good stock fences. Aftermarket fences come in handy when you must improve the performance of your bandsaw and enhance your skills. Be sure to find a favorable pick from our review of the best aftermarket bandsaw fences.
Best Overall:
POWERTEC BS900RF
PROS
CONS
Specs
Weight: 4.6 ounces
Dimensions: 12.2 x 4.2 x 2.1 inches
Style: Rip fence for wood bandsaw
Material: Aluminum
Review
The Powertec BS900RF fence uses industry-grade aluminum that ensures a sturdy and durable fence that will last you for a long time. Unlike other aluminum fences with tight screws that often cause the fence to bend, this one comes fully assembled.
As such, you don't have to worry about ruining its form during the installation as you only need to attach it to the tabletop and learn to use the cam-lever to make adjustments for either tightening or loosening the grip on the table.
Bottom Line
Although the Powertec BS900RF fence is specifically for the Powertec BS900 wood band saw, it is compatible with other models with a tabletop size between 11-1/8 to 11-13/16 inches.
The fence is easy to install and will save time you can use for other productive woodworking projects.
Runner-up:
Carter MFII-V2
PROS
CONS
Specs
Weight: 3.31 pounds
Dimensions: 16.2 x 3.6 x 3.6 inches
Style: Magnetic bandsaw fence
Material: Aluminum
Review
Although some bandsaw fences are compatible with multiple bandsaw brands, this Carter Magfence stands out with its unique magnetic capabilities. The fence attaches to every bandsaw table made of ferrous metal.
The magnets are strong enough to withstand rigorous use and not inhibited by dust, which results in a firm grip and no drift when the setup is fully functional.
The magnets are switchable, and you can place them at any point on the table when you want precise measurements for accurate cuts.
Since several bandsaw tables use steel or cast iron, woodworkers with these types of tables will find the Carter Magfence an invaluable tool for their workshop.
Bottom Line
This Carter Magfence comes as a relief for most woodworkers since its magnetic properties ensure you can use it with multiple bandsaws as long as they use ferrous metal. It has two magnets for this function that attach solidly to the table for stability.
Before buying this magnetic fence, ensure that your bandsaw table is not made of aluminum or any other non-ferrous material.
Best for the Money:
Kreg KMS7200
PROS
CONS
Specs
Weight: 8.76 pounds
Dimensions: 2.5 x 32.25 x 8 inches
Style: Adjustable length bandsaw fence
Material: Aluminum
Review
Kreg is known for high-quality woodworking equipment, and it has done a good job on the KMS7200 bandsaw fence. The fence is shiny blue, enhancing visibility on the working bandsaw table, reducing chances for mishaps, like wrong cuts or human accidents.
The fence has two-dimensional adjustments and fits most 14-inch bandsaws from different manufacturers. It adjusts parallel to the blade easily and maintains good adherence to the blade drift to ensure straight and accurate cuts.
The fence fits several 14-inch bandsaws such as General, Grizzly, Delta, and Jet.
The aluminum construction ensures the fence is lightweight, rigid, strong, and lasts for a long time with repetitive use. It also ensures the pieces you work on are tight-packed and have the correct straight cuts as intended.
Bottom Line
When shopping around for a versatile aftermarket bandsaw fence that will fit multiple bandsaw brands you may have in your woodwork shop, the Kreg KMS7200 is a good bet.
The high visibility of the fence will ensure maximum accuracy on cuts and enhance personal safety when working with your bandsaw.
Editor’s Pick:
RIKON 13-900
PROS
CONS
Specs
Weight: 6.58 pounds
Dimensions: 24.6 x 6.7 x 6.7 inches
Style: 14-inch cam-lock lever bandsaw fence
Material: Aluminum
Review
Although the RIKON 13-900 bandsaw fence is specifically for the RIKON 10-320 bandsaw, it fits some other bandsaw brands, too. It comes with a ripsaw bar and rear glide rail that allow for easy adjustments for drift and 90-degree squaring to the table.
The fence has a simple design and is easy to install once you work your way around the cam lock lever mechanism, which helps hold it down to the table to ensure zero driftings even during rigorous woodwork.
The magnified cursor makes it easy to read measurements on the scale to ensure you make the right size cuts on all your wood to minimize wastage.
Bottom Line
Woodworkers who use the RIKON 10-320 now have an aftermarket bandsaw fence to look up to. The fence also fits some other bandsaw brands like Craftsman and is thus a good fit for users with 14-inch bandsaw tabletops.
Honorable Mention:
Grizzly Industrial H7587
PROS
CONS
Specs
Weight: 16.05 pounds
Dimensions: 23.5 x 11.5 x 6 inches
Style: 14-inch resaw bandsaw fence
Material: Aluminum
Review
This Grizzly resaw bandsaw fence is an upgrade to the standard fences and allows for more manipulations since users can alternate between a taller and shorter fence, especially for vertical cuts.
The fence is suitable for both existing Grizzly bandsaws and most other bandsaw brands because it fits other tables with matching dimensions. It fits 14-inch bandsaw tables of most other brands.
The Grizzly Industrial H7587 bandsaw fence is a good option for resawing purposes when you have to cut similar pieces of equal length and width up to eight inches high.
Although it has both plastic and iron components, this aluminum fence remains fairly lightweight and sturdy and withstands prolonged regular use.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a 14-inch bandsaw fence that will best serve your resawing needs, the Grizzly Industrial H7587 will be a good fit. The fence is lightweight, sturdy, and lasts a long time with regular use and proper maintenance.
When and Why Do I Need a Bandsaw Fence?
A bandsaw fence comes in handy for both commercial and hobbyist woodworkers. Commercial woodworkers usually produce more woodwork items with varying designs as they fulfill the needs of different customers. Hobbyist woodworkers might only have to make a few items for personal use.
A bandsaw fence is a great accessory for the commercial woodworker than for the hobbyist or Do It Yourself (DIY) woodworker.
The main purpose of the bandsaw is to make curved cuts. But, you can enhance its capabilities with a bandsaw fence. Firstly, the fence allows for resawing, whereby you can resaw wood or boards into thinner pieces with ease and accuracy.
Grizzly Industrial H7587
Resawing entails cutting a board into thinner pieces of equal length and width. By resawing, you can create wide panels out of narrow boards, thin veneer sheets, or even turn logs into lumber.
A bandsaw fence is also a good accessory for ripping. Ripping wood entails cutting the wood along the grain through its length. This straight-cut is one that a bandsaw fence facilitates since you have to align the fence, the wood, and the blade such that the cut is along the length.
Top Aftermarket Bandsaw Fence Manufacturers
There are many aftermarket bandsaw manufacturers, but only a few make it to the top in the industry in terms of quality, durability, versatility, and quality vs. price point suitability.
The following are some of the top bandsaw fence manufacturers.
Powertec
For over 40 years, Powertec has been manufacturing woodworking products such as machines, accessories, hand tools, and measurement equipment. Bandsaws and bandsaw fences are among the most popular products the brand has in circulation across the country.
The company makes different products for home use, commercial use, and hobbyist use to cater to these three unique markets. It also has other product lines like Dubois and Blue Brew.
POWERTEC BS900RF
Carter Products
Carter Products has been in existence for over 90 years and deals in tech and woodturning and woodworking products. The company's classic division deals with woodworking products for both commercial or light industrial use and hobbyists.
Carter now offers patented and trademark products for bandsaws, including bandsaw fences, stabilizers, circle cutters, tires and wheels, wheel brushes, blade tension toggles, table inserts, guide parts, mounts, among others.
The company also provides other woodworking-related products such as woodworking books and video DVDs.
Kreg
Kreg Tool Company is famous for its pocket-hole joinery techniques. Founded in 1989 as a family-owned business, it has grown to become an employee-owned business and one of the celebrated manufacturers of woodworking products, including bandsaw fences.
The company makes woodworking products and accessories like rip guides, pocket-hole joinery machines, miter gauges, and track clamps.
Kreg KMS7200
When is it Best NOT to Use a Bandsaw Fence?
Although a bandsaw fence comes in handy when you want to do ripping and resawing, it is not always the best accessory to use for these two needs. For ripping and resawing, a table saw with a properly designed and placed fence is better as it is more suited for making straight cuts.
If you use your bandsaw for making curved cuts more, this is the use for which it is best suited, and you don't necessarily need a fence for it. The fence only comes in as a save if you have to frequently make straight cuts, which you can easily achieve with a table saw if it's available.
Since bandsaw fences have varying sizes, no one size fits all bandsaws. As such, it would be pointless to use a fence that doesn't fit on your bandsaw. If you buy one that doesn't fit, you have to forego it and consider buying a new one that rhymes with your bandsaw.
A bandsaw fence would also not be the best choice if you are a hobbyist looking to explore just a handful of woodwork designs on a few items. These would require more curved cuts than the straight ones that a commercial or industrial woodworking outlet needs for different customers.
Photo credit: cordtocordless.com
Conclusion
When looking for the best bandsaw fence, consider its size, compatibility, lock mechanism, and construction. You want a fence that will last you a long time with regular and heavy use, so you don't have to shop around for replacements all the time.
For your needs, we featured at least one fence to help enhance your woodworking skills and projects. Be sure to order in your favorite pick.
Recap - Best Aftermarket Bandsaw Fences
Heading out? Here's a refresher on our best aftermarket bandsaw fences:
People Also Ask
Whether you are a newbie or an accomplished woodworker, you may have questions about bandsaw fences for which you need expert answers. This section explores some of the common questions to deepen your understanding and make the best use of your bandsaw fence.
How Do You Square a Bandsaw Fence?
To square a bandsaw fence, ensure the guide blocks are well-aligned and don't push the blade offline. The fence and miter slot have to be parallel to the blade. Adjust both the guide blocks and the blade accordingly, then bring the fence up to the blade to check if it's parallel.
Since the blade usually shifts differently based on the hardness and thickness of wood, you might have to keep adjusting the fence to match the blade shift or drift back into a parallel arrangement.
How Do You Build a Bandsaw Fence?
If you don't want to use stock or aftermarket bandsaw fences, you can build your own fence using locally available material like wood. You'll need to make a suitable lock system with a tightening knob and screws that will go through the holes drilled into the wood.
Use two flat pieces of wood of equal length and join them to form an L-shape, with the screw holes drilled into the bottom surface that will attach to the tabletop.