Dan Forman
10-12-2017, 6:36 PM
I'm looking into getting a Driftmaster fence for my MM16. I have seen the directions for mounting to an MM20, but haven't found anything about the MM16 specifically. I would assume there would be some differences due to the dimensions of the two saws. Laguna sent me the PDF of the fence manual, but it is rather short on specifics. I could use some feedback from those of you who have actually gone through the installation process. Here is an example from the manual:
"The 1/2-inch minimum diameter holes need to be drilled 38 mm from the top of the table. The centers of the holes will depend on the holes that you select on the shaft, which will, in turn, depend on the band saw that you have and the coverage required." Maybe that would make more sense with the fence in hand and assembled, but from here it doesn't seem all that helpful.
Did you use the universal mounting brackets, or mount the rail directly to the table? They say the brackets may get in the way of opening the lower door, necessitating tilting the table first, depending on the saw. I have also heard that some need to move the fine adjustment knob from the left side to the right side in order to open the lower door. Are either of these things an issue for the MM16? My saw was made in 2005, by the way.
Most comments I've read here and elsewhere on the web say the installation can be frustrating, but don't go into the specific problems or solutions. Mechanical intuition is not one of my strong suits, so I would appreciate any advice that you might be able to provide.
Thanks,
Dan
"The 1/2-inch minimum diameter holes need to be drilled 38 mm from the top of the table. The centers of the holes will depend on the holes that you select on the shaft, which will, in turn, depend on the band saw that you have and the coverage required." Maybe that would make more sense with the fence in hand and assembled, but from here it doesn't seem all that helpful.
Did you use the universal mounting brackets, or mount the rail directly to the table? They say the brackets may get in the way of opening the lower door, necessitating tilting the table first, depending on the saw. I have also heard that some need to move the fine adjustment knob from the left side to the right side in order to open the lower door. Are either of these things an issue for the MM16? My saw was made in 2005, by the way.
Most comments I've read here and elsewhere on the web say the installation can be frustrating, but don't go into the specific problems or solutions. Mechanical intuition is not one of my strong suits, so I would appreciate any advice that you might be able to provide.
Thanks,
Dan