Quick-Release Bandsaw Fence

Using a fence on a bandsaw is a great way to resaw boards. This method will reduce the amount of wood converted to sawdust compared to resawing with a table saw as well as offering a greater depth of cut. Commercially available bandsaw fences have many great features and are easy to set up. Fortunately for us, this fence can be made at a tenth the cost with easily accessible materials. Using a quick release toggle clamp and some scrap wood, this quick release bandsaw fence can be made in an hour or two.

Materials:

• Vertical Toggle Clamp
• Bolts to attach runners to bandsaw table
• Bolt with a point
• Plywood
• Wood
• Water based Polyurethane

Tools:

• Bandsaw
• Level
• Table saw
• Clamps
• Hand Plane
• Square

Insert a sharpened bolt (sharpened using a bench grinder) into the threads of your bandsaw table. Using a level or other straight edge, align rails cut to the size of the end of your bandsaw table. Press hard against the rail to mark the location of the bolt. Drill a clearance hole in the rail.

Attach the runner to the table through the clearance hole previously drilled. Repeat this process on the other side of the table to locate and drill the hole. Create and attach a runner for the back side of the bandsaw using this same process.

Cut a 3/4 in. by 3/4 in. piece of plywood the length of the back runner. Cut a 10 degree angle off one of the laminated faces. Glue this rail in place. Depending on where the bolts are located, cutting out clearance around the clearance hole might be necessary.

Mark the location of the miter gauge slot and cut it out using either a bandsaw or table saw with multiple passes with a cross cut sled.

I squared up two 2x4s and glued them together. This fence was roughly 6 inches longer than necessary. The excess wood will be removed in a later step.

Chamfer the edges of the fence using a block plane. This will keep the dust produced from the bandsaw from interfering with the use of the fence.

Mark the location of the clamp base in the middle of the fence. Drill pilot holes and attach using 2 in. long screws.

Cut a matching 10 degree angle along another piece of plywood. This catch should be about 2 in. wide and 4-5 in. longer than your fence is wide.

Set the depth of the rubber portion on the toggle clamp to its shallowest depth. This will give you maximum adjustment later on. Close the toggle clamp and hold the catch in place at the back of the bandsaw table. Mark the location of the back of the catch on the fence. Cut off excess wood from the fence using either the bandsaw or table saw.

Attach the catch to the back side of the fence with one screw. Using a tri or combination square to ensure that the catch is square to the fence. Once in place, secure the catch with a second screw.

Remove the rails and fence for a final sanding and finish with water based polyurethane.

Once dry, install the rails as before and attach the fence.

Use a tape measure or ruler behind the bandsaw to set the depth of cut. Remember to use push sticks to keep all fingers attached.