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
Replies
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..
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.
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.â€
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
>>>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.â€
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.