FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Biesemeyer Fence Conundrum

redoak | Posted in Tools for Home Building on March 3, 2008 06:57am

I recently bought a used 10″ Delta Unisaw that came with a Biesemeyer fence (missing the requisite fasteners, of course). I was able to get a copy of the installation guide for the fence online which, among other things, lists the fasteners needed and their sizes.

I’m a bit confused, however, about the attachment of the front and rear rails because the screws called for are larger than the holes on the rails?

The manual I have wants 2 5/16-18 x 1-1/2″ Flat HD Screws (with 5/16 washers, lock washers and hex nuts) for the front rail and 2 3/8-24 x 1-14″ Hex HD Screws for the back rail. The holes on the rails are all uniformly smaller?

Anyone else run into this problem? Unfortunately, I no longer have access to the seller.

So, should I try and drill out the holes on the rails to fit the larger screws or try and go with smaller screws?


Edited 3/2/2008 11:00 pm by redoak

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. frenchy | Mar 03, 2008 05:41pm | #1

    redoak,

     I would think buying screws that fit is easier than drillout and retapping for larger screws..

     Plus the laws of unintended consquences.  never know for sure that larger will work without some interferance problem or whatever..

  2. IdahoDon | Mar 04, 2008 02:30am | #2

    It probably doesn't matter.  The screw size is probably to match up with existing saws and not really a structrual matter.  Besides a smaller bolt of higher grade would be stronger anyway.  Nontheless, there isn't a huge amount of stress on any of it.

     

    Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

  3. Scott | Mar 14, 2008 08:03am | #3

    I've got the same saw and fence, and don't remember having to do any drilling/tapping. It was about 10 years ago though, so details are faint. Let me know if pics or measurements would help. As I recall, the whole thing was together and working within a couple of hours.

    Scott.

    Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”

    1. User avater
      redoak | Mar 14, 2008 08:33am | #4

      Scott, thanks for posting. Can't figure out why the fence holes are smaller than the holes shown in the set-up manual I downloaded off the web? The front rail calls for 5/16-18 x 1-1/2" Flat HD Screws and the back rail calls for 3/8-24 x 1-1/4" Hex HD Screws.A woodworker friend I know thinks I should drill out the holes rather than using smaller screws. I bought this saw used (Delta 10" Tilting Arbor Unisaw) for $500. It needed all new bearings for the motor which cost me another $100 and I gave it a new cord and a 240 plug. I'm thinking now that maybe I should have just gone with a contractors saw.

      Edited 3/14/2008 1:36 am by redoak

      1. Scott | Mar 15, 2008 01:22am | #5

        >>>A woodworker friend I know thinks I should drill out the holes rather than using smaller screws.Given the choice, that's certainly what I would do. So are you saying that the fence holes line up with the holes in the table but they're just too small? If so, drill away and then screw in the bolts. You'll be using that saw in less than an hour!Good luck,Scott.Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”

        1. Snort | Mar 15, 2008 01:43am | #6

          I haven't put together a Beisemeyer fence... but I have a unisaw with the unifence... and just put together a 12" Woodtek with their 50" fence.I'd try the smaller fasteners first, and if they don't seem like enough, go bigger.Like someone said, there's not a lot of stress on the rails... you could also put some extension legs under the rails, a good idea anyway, especially if you're going to rip sheet goods, since you'll need a support table out there.The front rail needs the flat heads so the fence locking arrangement can pass by them. The back end of the fence just rides on the table, or the rail top.You got a good deal, much better than the contractor's saw. Winterlude, Winterlude, my little daisy,

          Winterlude by the telephone wire,

          Winterlude, it's makin' me lazy,

          Come on, sit by the logs in the fire.

          The moonlight reflects from the window

          Where the snowflakes, they cover the sand.

          Come out tonight, ev'rything will be tight,

          Winterlude, this dude thinks you're grand.

          1. User avater
            redoak | Mar 15, 2008 07:32am | #10

            Those rails are heavy, but it looks like they just need two screws each. I do intend to make some extension legs. Thanks for posting.

        2. User avater
          redoak | Mar 15, 2008 07:11am | #8

          Scott,It seems that some of the holes line up. Looks like all I need are two screws for each fence. The back fence screws look like they screw into threaded holes, so I'll have to drill them out without the benefit of aligning them to the saw.Thanks for your posting.

      2. User avater
        popawheelie | Mar 15, 2008 06:29am | #7

        What! That is a great saw. Much better than a contractors saw. I think you are overthinking this. The rail just needs to sit at the right height in relationship to the table top. Try putting the fence on the rail like when you will use it. The fence will sit on the table top. All it needs is a little gap so it doesn't drag. Put a shim under the fence and you'll have the rail at the right height. The bolt holes should line up at this point.

        By the way I don't have a delta so it's not brand loyalty. I have a OLD Powermatic I bought for $500.  

        1. User avater
          redoak | Mar 15, 2008 07:23am | #9

          Thanks for the advice, popawheelie. I agree with you that once I get this thing set up, it will definitely be better than a contractor's saw. I guess was expressing my frustration with the time and effort it's taken me to get it up and running.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Rescuing Old Hardware

Whether it’s already in your house or picked up at a flea market, vintage hardware almost always needs help.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Fight House Fires Through Design
  • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
  • An Easier Method for Mitered Head Casings

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data