Photo: General
If you do a lot of woodworking projects whether as a professional or hobbyist, the chances are that you own a table saw. But while it might be one of the handiest tools you can have in the workshop, you also need to have the best table saw fence to get the best service from it.
Most table saws will come with a fence but even the top end and pricey models will often include a lackluster quality fence, and this is what makes it necessary to invest in an aftermarket rip fence.
A rip fence is simply a metal bar that will run parallel to the table saw’s blade, and its main purpose is to help ensure more even, precise and safe cuts by acting as a guide for the material.
With a good rip fence, you can easily determine the rip capacity you get from your table saw and it will also make it easier to hold down the material you are cutting as it goes through the blade.
However, to get these and many other benefits, you need to choose a good model. But the good news is that we have you covered as our top 5 table saw fences reviews and buyers guide will provide the information you need to choose a good model.
5 Best Table Saw Fences – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Vega U26 (Best Overall) |
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 | 2. Shop Fox W1410 (Best Universal) |
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 | 3. Vega Pro 50 (Easy to use with High Rip Capacity) |
| |
 | 4. DeWalt DW745 (Inexpensive & Well-Built) |
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 | 5. Delta 36-T30 T2 (Great for Regular Users) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Vega U26 (Best Overall)
|
2. Shop Fox W1410 (Best Universal)
|
3. Vega Pro 50 (Easy to use with High Rip Capacity)
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4. DeWalt DW745 (Inexpensive & Well-Built)
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5. Delta 36-T30 T2 (Great for Regular Users)
|
1. Vega U26 – Top Pick Table Saw Fence
Photo: Vega
- Max Rip Capacity: 26 inches
- Construction Material: Steel
The Vega U26 is a universal table saw fence that has been designed to fit a wide variety of table saws, and you can almost be certain that it will work for the particular model you have.
It is a well-built table fence with steel construction to ensure that it serves you for a long time. And you can easily measure the cuts you want to make thanks to the built-in and clearly marked scales.
Besides allowing fine adjustments, this top-rated table saw fence maintains the alignment throughout the cut, and it has also been designed to be super easy and quick to install.
Many users will love that it allows for both vertical and horizontal adjustments thanks to the slotted front brackets. And there are some handy jacking plates to make it easy to level the fence rails.
The included instructions are not very detailed which can be a problem for beginners, but this is a quick and easy fence to install, and so this will hardly be an issue.
Pros:
- Durable steel construction
- Accurate measuring scales included
- Quick and fairly easy installation
- Fits a variety of table saws
Cons:
- Assembly instructions are not very good
- Wanting end caps quality
2. Shop Fox W1410 – Best Universal Table Saw Fence
Photo: Shop Fox
- Max Rip Capacity: 49 inches
- Construction Material: Aluminum
A universal table saw fence like the Shop Fox W1410 is perfect for woodworkers that have several table saws from different brands in the workshop as it will eliminate the need to buy different fences.
But apart from being compatible with table saws from most major brands, this fence is also designed to be super easy to install and will lock on both ends to ensure a more secure fit.
There are fine positioning knobs on both sides to allow for both left and right-handed use, and it moves on ball bearing guides that will allow users to move it easily with one finger.
Included drill bit is not good quality, but this should not be a big concern as you can easily and cheaply get a replacement if you do not already have one in the workshop.
Pros:
- Quick and easy installation
- Locks on both ends
- Fits most major brand table saws
- Simple one finger fence movement
- Allows for both right and left-hand use
Cons:
- Included drill bit is not good quality
- Handle sticks out a little too far when folded
3. Vega Pro 50 – Easy to use Fence with a High Rip Capacity
Photo: Vega
- Max Rip Capacity: 50 inches
- Construction Material: Aluminum
A good table saw fence is always one that gives you an easy time like the Vega Pro 50 because with this fence everything from the installation to the adjustment will be super easy.
This fence uses a unique mounting system that is designed to allow for full adjustment for fast and more accurate cuts. This is an easy fence to install as it has been designed to mount on the existing holes which eliminates the need to drill.
Also, this table saw fence offers the highest rip capacity among our table saw fence review as you can rip up to 50 inches to the right of the blade and 10 inches to the left.
Cutting accuracy is further guaranteed by the micro adjustments and aux table support that will ensure the fence remains stable throughout the cut.
While the included instructions for alignment and squaring are quite wanting, if you have been using a table saw long enough, you should be able to figure things out even without using them. Furthermore, the internet is full of useful resources that can help out.
Pros:
- Fully adjustable for maximum accuracy
- Higher rip capacity
- Quick and simple installation
- Will not require any drilling to install
Cons:
- Instructions for alignment/squaring are wanting
- Steel brackets have sharp edges
4. DeWalt DW745 – Inexpensive & Well-Built
Photo: DeWalt
- Max Rip Capacity: 20 inches
- Construction Material: Aluminum
Being the cheapest table saw fence on our list, the DeWalt DW745 is a perfect pick for anyone shopping on a small budget and has a compatible table saw.
Besides being more affordable, this fence is well-built as it features high-quality metal parts that are designed to withstand regular use and last a long time.
Also, many users will love that this fence does not take a lot of effort to install and will not require any drilling. And it will fit the table saw perfectly to ensure that it remains securely in place when cutting for more precise and accurate cuts.
Ease of adjustment helps to make this one of the best aftermarket table saw fence. Adjusting it will not take a lot of effort and you can easily set it up before a cut as all you need to do is to align it correctly.
While the 20-inch rip capacity might look relatively smaller when compared to others on our list, for the 10-inch DeWalt table saws that this fence is meant for it is still perfect.
Pros:
- Easy and quick installation
- Durable metal parts
- Fits saw perfectly
- Highly affordable
Cons:
- Relatively smaller rip capacity
- Not universally compatible
5. Delta 36-T30 T2 – Great Fence System for Regular Users
Photo: Delta
- Max Rip Capacity: 30 inches
- Construction Material: Steel and Aluminum
If you use your table saw a lot, you will need a fence that can handle the abuse that comes with this like the Delta 36-T30 T2.
What makes this one of the best replacement table saw fences is that its durable steel and aluminum construction can withstand almost anything you throw at it. The construction includes a steel tub fence body and an aluminum face.
The steel tube fence body has been designed to glide easily to ensure that it can handle quick and repetitive cuts while also helping to square the cuts and make ripping more precise.
However, the 3-point T-square locking system is the highlight of this table saw fence as it makes it up a to an impressive 1/64 of an inch accurate.
With this fence, you get better support when using feather boards and jigs thanks to the added rear hold down. And this is generally an easy fence to install that will also not take a lot of effort to adjust.
When you compare this table saw fence to other models on our list, it is relatively expensive, but it is also highly durable, easily adjustable and accurate which makes it worth it.
Pros:
- Secure fence clamping
- Easy gliding fence body for quick and precise cuts
- Durable aluminum and steel construction
- Measurement scale included
- Accurate 3-point locking system
Cons:
- Relatively pricier
- Mounting on some table saws still requires drilling
How to Buy the Best Table Saw Fence
Not just any table saw fence will work for you, and so before settling on any model, it is important to make sure that it will suit your needs.
There are also different types of table saw fences from different brands. But picking the best table saw fence only requires you to watch out for the following things.
1. Compatibility
Regardless of how good a table saw might be, it will not work for you if it is not compatible with the table saw you own.
These fences will have a particular range of table saws that they can work with and the manufacturer will often specify this clearly on their description, and so you should only pick something designed to work with your table saw.
And while it is possible to customize most fences to suit almost any table saw by drilling new holes to reposition the bolts, this is extra work which not everyone can get right.
Hence, the best idea is always to measure your table saw and then using these measurements to choose a fence that provides a precise match.
2. T-Square or Standard Table Saw Fence
Besides compatibility, you will also need to decide on the type of table saw fence to buy, and here the two common options are T-square and standard table saw fences. Both can be very useful when making cuts but will be ideal for different situations.
The T-square table saw fence is the best for woodworkers that want to get more precise geometric shapes like rectangles and squares. It will typically have a 3-point locking system that allows it to maintain the squareness and will also allow for easy jigs and fixtures attachment.
Standard table saws are what you will typically find on the sliding table saws and they will slide back and forth to allow for more precise cuts. Also, these fences are more able to remain flat which makes them highly useful when dealing with thinner stock.
3. Rip Capacity
As you shop for a table saw fence upgrade, you will also need to consider the rip capacity which measures the maximum distance you can get between the blade and fence.
The larger the rip capacity the wider the material the fence can accommodate. When it comes to the rip capacity, the materials you handle often should help you decide on what to buy.
Typically, you can either go for the 30-inch or 50-inch rip capacity. For those that handle smaller pieces of wood often or are looking for something for small projects, 30-inch rip capacity is often enough. But for professionals that handle larger materials or work on large projects, 50-inch rip capacity is more ideal.
4. Construction
The overall construction of the table saw fence also matters a lot as it will determine its durability and ability to withstand regular use.
In most instances, the table saw fences made from aluminum and steel are often the most durable ones. But if you have to choose between the two, it is important to note that while aluminum might be more lightweight and rust-resistant, steel is more durable.
5. Accuracy
The need to make accurate cuts is one of the main reasons for buying a table saw fence, and so any model that you settle for should provide a high level of accuracy.
One of the main determinants of accuracy on a table saw fence is the ease of adjustment. And here are the fences that allow for micro adjustments will be the most accurate.
But besides allowing for micro adjustments, the table saw fence should also have an easy-to-use adjustment mechanism.
6. Ease of Installation and Use
Installing and using the table saw fence that you buy should be as easy as possible. Something that gives you a hard time will not very useful.
Different table saw fences will have different installation mechanisms with the most popular ones being drilled holes, locking mechanism and bracket.
To make sure that the fence will be easy to install, the mechanism should be compatible with your table saw and should not require any additional parts or drilling to install. And the best ones are those that will not take more than half an hour to install.
Conclusion
From our review and buying guide above, it is clear that the best table saw fence for you will depend on your preferences and how you intend to use the table saw.
However, to make sure that you get a model that works well for you and provides the best value for cash, you will need to consider important factors like rip capacity, type, construction and compatibility with your table saw.
And whether you are a DIYer or professional woodworker, you can be certain that there is at least one table saw fence in our top 5 reviews that will be perfect for your projects.