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View Full Version : Unifence on a SawStop?


Chas Richter
10-12-2010, 7:40 PM
Will be buying a SS soon. Since the ICS is a la carte, was toying with the idea of a Unifence. I really liked mine on my old Unisaw.

Has anyone done it? Would there be any issues mounting it?
mreza Salav
10-12-2010, 8:12 PM
Will be buying a SS soon. Since the ICS is a la carte, was toying with the idea of a Unifence. I really liked mine on my old Unisaw.

Has anyone done it? Would there be any issues mounting it?

You are probably aware that ICS is deeper (larger table) than old unisaw. Most likely your fence itself is deep enough to expand the whole depth but you better check.
If the holes don't line up you may have to drill holes either in your rails or your cast iron top.
I personally prefer a Biesemeyer fence style and the which the SS fence is a similar one.
Van Huskey
10-12-2010, 8:40 PM
You are probably aware that ICS is deeper (larger table) than old unisaw. Most likely your fence itself is deep enough to expand the whole depth but you better check.
If the holes don't line up you may have to drill holes either in your rails or your cast iron top.
I personally prefer a Biesemeyer fence style and the which the SS fence is a similar one.


+1 about the depth issue

Although I am not a SS fan I will admit their fence is as good or better than anything else out there on a stock saw.
keith micinski
10-12-2010, 8:41 PM
It would be deep enough. The Unifence is my favorite also. If your spending all of that cash on the SS then you should get this peachtree uni-t fence and some board buddies to.
http://www.ptreeusa.com/uni_t_fence.htm

This is my unifence on my Grizzly.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=148177
Jim Becker
10-12-2010, 9:25 PM
If I remember correctly, the full-size UniFence goes pretty deep and shouldn't present any issue on a SS with it's slightly larger table.

I'm also a UniFence fan and am so glad to be back to a similar fence on my Euro slider. Congrats in advance on your new saw and fence!
Dan Lee
10-12-2010, 9:26 PM
Had a PM66 with Beiseyer. Currently have SS ICS for 3 yrs with their stock fence. SS fence has adjustments the Bies didn't have. Great fence wouldn't have anything else.
Dan
Mike Heidrick
10-12-2010, 9:42 PM
Unifence can give you both thanks to Christopher!

http://christophermerrill.net/ww/shop/images/bigafence.jpg

http://christophermerrill.net/ww/shop/bigafence.html



I have the ICS with stock fence and it is a great Bies clone.
Kevin Groenke
10-12-2010, 10:30 PM
Unifence would be fine but...

Keep in mind that the Unifence is aluminum, could result in unintended "stops" if you're not careful.

-kg
Will Overton
10-13-2010, 6:08 AM
Question ... Even if the Unifence was an inch or two shorter than the table, what difference would it make?
Chas Richter
10-13-2010, 9:41 AM
The fence extrusion on the Unifence is 43" long, which is pretty long.

That aftermarket extrusion with insert does look interesting.
keith micinski
10-13-2010, 1:57 PM
The sawstop is 34" deep. The original or aftermarket unifence is plenty long.
Gerry Grzadzinski
10-13-2010, 7:50 PM
The sawstop is 34" deep. The original or aftermarket unifence is plenty long.

No, it's 30". A Unisaw is 27"
keith micinski
10-13-2010, 8:04 PM
No, it's 30". A Unisaw is 27"

Straight from sawstops website.

Overall saw dimensions: 44" w x 34" d x 34" h

69 1/4" w x 36 1/2" d x 34" h (w/ optional fence & 36" rails)

85 1/4" w x 36 1/2" d x 34" h (w/ optional fence & 52" rails)
Gerry Grzadzinski
10-13-2010, 8:20 PM
Straight from sawstops website.

Overall saw dimensions: 44" w x 34" d x 34" h

69 1/4" w x 36 1/2" d x 34" h (w/ optional fence & 36" rails)

85 1/4" w x 36 1/2" d x 34" h (w/ optional fence & 52" rails)

Also straight from the website.

Cast iron table: 24" w x 30" d, 44" w x 30" d (w/ extension wings)
keith micinski
10-13-2010, 8:34 PM
I'd love to know how they made the base of the saw wider then the top. Or better yet why?
Joe Mioux
10-13-2010, 8:51 PM
and this direct from my sawstop ICS...
mreza Salav
10-13-2010, 8:56 PM
I'd love to know how they made the base of the saw wider then the top. Or better yet why?

I think the 4" (or a good part of it) accounts for the big handle for raising the blade.
Will Overton
10-13-2010, 10:42 PM
I believe the overall depth measurement includes the fence rails. The cabinet is only 20 x 25.
mreza Salav
10-13-2010, 11:19 PM
Look at page 76 of the manual:

http://sawstop.com/documents/ICS%20Rev.%202%20Manual%20V4.2.pdf

It clearly shows that the dept of 34" (or 33 7/8" to be exact) is from the back of the table to the front of the handle and on/off switch.
The dept with rails is like 36.5".
Homer Faucett
10-14-2010, 2:15 PM
Will be buying a SS soon. Since the ICS is a la carte, was toying with the idea of a Unifence. I really liked mine on my old Unisaw.

Has anyone done it? Would there be any issues mounting it?

Can I be the first to officially answer that I have, indeed, mounted a Unifence to my SS ICS?

There were no issues mounting the fence. I did, however, switch to an Incra TS-LS, which has some special considerations with the SS.

To answer one of the other posts, yes, you don't want to bury your blade in the aluminum fence, as it WILL set off your saw. However, that is easily fixed either by adding a sacrificial piece, or not trying to take of 1/1000 th shavings off your boards.