Without a fence, a band saw becomes very limited. In my opinion, the function of a bandsaw depends so much on a good DIY bandsaw fence. With a nicely crafted and well-thought-of fence, you can cut thinner, and much more precisely. This will also prevent you from cutting things other than the piece you’re working on.
While commercially available bandsaw fences have their own advantages, they are expensive and often lack the essential features that some of us require, such as adjustments for blade drifts or a supporting platform for the things you’re cutting. So, it’s a nice idea to customize or build your own fence. If you have no clue how to do just that, this article is perfect for you! Scroll down for a tutorial on a DIY bandsaw fence construction!.
Table of Contents
Here’s What You Will Need:
A simple bandsaw fence can be made using only a few skills, hardware, lumber supplies, and even scrap materials. Most of the tools needed are also staples in the usual workshop setting. Before we start with the tutorial, gather the following materials first:
- Your bandsaw
- A tape measure
- A drill
- Screws, nuts, and bolts
- Wood glue
- Miter
- Wood putty or auto body filler
- A table saw
- A few pieces of Plywood or some medium-density Fibreboard (MDF)
- Quick-release clamps
Engineered wood like MDF or plywood should be used as the main fence because they have a stronger tensile strength which means they are more resistant to warping than other types of wood. If you do not have enough scrap materials lying around your shed or workshop, you can adjust the dimensions. However, if you intend to buy plywood for this project, make sure to buy a square cut as much as possible.
DIY Bandsaw Fence Tutorial
Once you have everything you need, you can now start working on this project. Here are the steps in making your own bandsaw fence tutorial:
Step 1. Planning
Before starting anything, make a plan of what you want to end up with. If you have experience in carpentry, this should be fairly easy. If you can, draw a rough sketch of the bandsaw fence on a piece of paper using a pencil, preferably with approximate measurements or dimensions.
While doing so, consider the functions you want your bandsaw fence to serve. For example, you should think about equipping it with small detailed pieces or a means to handle large pieces of wood.
A measurement guide or scale will be very useful. Don’t worry, in the case that you want to make adjustments as you go along; you are free to do so. This will just serve as your guide.
Step 2. Measurements
Next, you should make all the necessary measurements of the dimensions of your bandsaw using a tape measure. Draw marks where they are needed.
Step 3. Cutting the Boards
Then, once you’ve made up your mind about the dimensions of the planks, you will need for the bandsaw fence. Cutting everything before assembling can save you a lot of time. The shape and size of the fence should be appropriate for the bandsaw ripping that you want to achieve. The sketch you did will come in handy in this step.
Step 4. Cutting the Base and the Fence
The base and the fence are the two basic parts of a bandsaw fence. For most bandsaws, you will need a 5-inch wide base and an 8-inch fence. Estimate the lengths depending on the type and style of your bandsaw as well as the kind of wood you’re using and your personal taste. After cutting these pieces, use a miter on the two corners at the back of the base. You will attach the clamps here later.
Step 5. Making Cutouts for Guides.
In this state, the bandsaw fence will likely go over and conceal the bandsaw apparatus guides. So, create a square notch all through the top of the piece that will serve as the fence to accommodate the guides.
Step 6. Assembling the Pieces of the Bandsaw Fence
Now, attach the two pieces together to form an L-shape when viewed from the short side of the planks. Do this by positioning the base piece flat on a surface and putting the fence on one of its sides facing upward as shown in the picture below.
Step 7. Securing the Pieces in Place
Once you have attached the pieces, use two small rectangular wood pieces to serve as support braces on the other side of the fence. Use screws to attach these rectangles to both the fence and base. Make sure to countersink each screw and seal them in using an auto body filler or wood putty. After this dries, scrape off the excess.
Step 8. Attaching the bandsaw fence
Position the bandsaw fence on the side where you prefer it to be placed. Use quick-release clamps along the notches at the back of the base piece or a utilizing bar to hold it in place. Adjust accordingly.
Step 9. Testing your bandsaw fence
Once you have done all the previous steps, your bandsaw fence should be ready to use. Prepare a piece of wood to cut and your bandsaw. Cut the piece of wood to check how the bandsaw fence works.
For a better illustration, please check out this video
Conclusion
That’s it! You now have your own DIY bandsaw fence! It did not only save you money but will also make your future projects faster, better, and more polished. If you liked this tutorial, please do share it with your friends and loved ones. Also, don’t forget to leave your comments, suggestions, or questions in the comments section below!
