Dan Stuewe
08-07-2003, 4:26 PM
Let me premise this post by saying that I am in no way a tool expert, and if my observations are incorrect, please let me know.
I've noticed that in the past (>10 years ago) it seems the only way to get a high end fence for your table saw, was to get an after market fence. When I first started getting into woodworking (early '90s) it seemed like most table saws came with a poor or acceptable fence and if you wanted better you bought an after market commercial fence. I don't know when the Uni-fence came out, but I understand that Delta bought Beisemeyer after they had established themselves as high-grade accessory maker. Well now you'd be hard pressed to find a contractor or cabinet saw that doesn't come with a Bies clone (besides Delta offering either the Bies or the Uni-fence). Anyway, what I'm trying to describe is how what at one time was an after market add-on has become a standard part of a table saw.
My question is what might be the next feature to make it as a standard table saw accessory? We've started to see quite a few "Special Editions" with table boards or mobile bases. Delta has some great safety devices (both through Biesemeyer and the Uni-guard), but as near as I can tell, you can't order a Unisaw with these items, you have to do it a-la-carte. If nothing else, if one company raises the bar, competitors will have to respond (I understand that Jet's Beis clone has easily removable faces).
Any thoughts?
(BTW, this was written with “American” small shop table saws in mind. I’m even more clueless when it comes to industrial or European saws.)
I've noticed that in the past (>10 years ago) it seems the only way to get a high end fence for your table saw, was to get an after market fence. When I first started getting into woodworking (early '90s) it seemed like most table saws came with a poor or acceptable fence and if you wanted better you bought an after market commercial fence. I don't know when the Uni-fence came out, but I understand that Delta bought Beisemeyer after they had established themselves as high-grade accessory maker. Well now you'd be hard pressed to find a contractor or cabinet saw that doesn't come with a Bies clone (besides Delta offering either the Bies or the Uni-fence). Anyway, what I'm trying to describe is how what at one time was an after market add-on has become a standard part of a table saw.
My question is what might be the next feature to make it as a standard table saw accessory? We've started to see quite a few "Special Editions" with table boards or mobile bases. Delta has some great safety devices (both through Biesemeyer and the Uni-guard), but as near as I can tell, you can't order a Unisaw with these items, you have to do it a-la-carte. If nothing else, if one company raises the bar, competitors will have to respond (I understand that Jet's Beis clone has easily removable faces).
Any thoughts?
(BTW, this was written with “American” small shop table saws in mind. I’m even more clueless when it comes to industrial or European saws.)