RIDGID saw with Biesemeyer fence??

[Jason White]

I have a RIDGID TS3650 contractor saw with the stock fence, which works great.

I've also got a brand new, still-in-the-box Biesemeyer fence down in my basement collecting dust. I snatched it up at Lowe's a few months ago on clearance for $80, but haven't been able to bring myself to installing it on the RIDGID. I figured that I'd save it for the day when I'm able to afford a cabinet saw (which is probably several years away yet).

Has anybody with a RIDGID "upgraded" their fence to a Biesemeyer? Was it tough to install? Was it worth it?

Jason

[Jared Larrow]

Jason -

The woodworking forum over at Ridgid.com has a few threads related to this.

Here's one that might help:

http://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12874&highlight=biesemeyer

I'm still using the standard fence on my TS3650, but I would have made the switch if I had gotten the deal you did!

Jared

[John Gregory]

I have a Ridgid TS2424 and the stock fence worked great. I did buy the Bies at Lowes like you did. WOW I love that fence. I made new wings for my saw with MDF and formica, mounted my router in the right wing and installed the bies fence. I love the set up I have now. It is easier to get more accurate cuts, and the fence is longer and extends past the back of the table. That makes it easier to make good rip cuts. I could never have justified the $400 for the fence, but I am so very glad I have it now. Use it, you will love it.

Here is my post when I finished the install
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=79000

[Jim O'Dell]

I'm with John. I have the older Ridgid, 3612, and I put one of the Lowe's Biese fences on it, and it is such a joy to use. The stock fence was not bad, but it did have some wiggle to it that I couldn't adjust out. The Biese is rock solid! Jim.

[Alan DuBoff]

I'm with John. I have the older Ridgid, 3612, and I put one of the Lowe's Biese fences on it, and it is such a joy to use. The stock fence was not bad, but it did have some wiggle to it that I couldn't adjust out. The Biese is rock solid! Jim.
I had a 3612, but sold it. I never had a problem with the stock fence, and considered it to be one of the better features on the saw. I really did enjoy the use I got out of my 3612, a great little saw that is very practical and made decently. My only complaint would be in the power, it would struggle on most 8/4 hardwoods.

I do have a bies on the saw that replaced my little Ridgid 3612, and do like it a lot. Still, I would invest in other stuff before a new fence for the Ridgid, my $02. Sure, if you have the fence use it I 'spose, but it would require some modification to adapt it.

Even my bies required some mods to get on my current saw, see pic, I had to grind out the mounting bar to allow full access to the miter fills.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

I had a 3612, but sold it. I never had a problem with the stock fence, and considered it to be one of the better features on the saw. I really did enjoy the use I got out of my 3612, a great little saw that is very practical and made decently. My only complaint would be in the power, it would struggle on most 8/4 hardwoods.

I do have a bies on the saw that replaced my little Ridgid 3612, and do like it a lot. Still, I would invest in other stuff before a new fence for the Ridgid, my $02. Sure, if you have the fence use it I 'spose, but it would require some modification to adapt it.

Even my bies required some mods to get on my current saw, see pic, I had to grind out the mounting bar to allow full access to the miter fills.


Nice saw Alan. Yates-American, right? Do you have a tilting table and arbor, or am I missing something?

[Steve H Graham]

Hello, My name is John and I am a toolaholic

Now this is the signature of a man who has yielded to reason and faced reality.

I hope that never happens to me.

[Alan DuBoff]

Nice saw Alan. Yates-American, right? Do you have a tilting table and arbor, or am I missing something?
Thanks Steve, yes it is a Yates-American G-89. It doesn't have a tilting table, but it does have a direct drive 5 HP motor, that tilts, motor and blade pivot on a set of rockers and the straight white handle below the bies locks that pivot so it doesn't move. The handwheel on the right has a pinion gear that moves the motor/blade on the pivot.

The older saws had a tilting table, but those were the ones that didn't have a tilting arbor, like the No 1.