Band saw outrigger fence

Listing #5096 Listed on: 08/18/2019 Company Name: Featherwood
Name: Buzz Coren
Website:   featherwoodworks.com

Lacking a table or radial/chop saw I use my workhorse bandsaw as a next-best option. I needed to accurately make repeated lengths of 26", way too long for my 15" General to accommodate. I used some straight narrow boards spring-clamped securely to the fence guide rails, extending them out as far as needed, 30" in this case. With another short straight piece clamped on both extensions at carefully measured spots this worked well with a short setup time and easily repeated for future use. Some carnauba wax rubbed onto the active portion of the fence helped the cut wood glide along smoothly.

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Posted By:David R Sochar
That jig is a good start. If we think there is a chance we will use the jig again, we will 'evolve' it a bit.

First, we would make it so it could snap into place on the bandsaw, with maybe just one or two clamps to hold it in place.

Secondly, I'd add a support for stock out at the fence and under it, to hold that far end up and against the stop.

I'd also be thinking about a moving fence along the rails, with a t-square type design to hold it square even at different length settings.

Finally, and important, is to find the jig a home you can live with. Leaning up against a wall will not do. Hanging on a wall near the saw is ideal. The idea with storage is to find/make storage that will allow access to the jig without moving anything else. As soon as you have to move this and/or that to get to it, you have lost any gains you hoped to get by evolving the jig.
Posted By:Buzz Coren
Thanks for this input David, it's all really good. I considered a more refined edition of this as soon as I had it set up but pressed for time and rarely needing such a rig I used what I had and for a thrown-together rig it worked well.

Fortunately this wonderful bandsaw's guide rails have two extra countersunk holes in them that would make a nice, stable platform for your enhanced version to simply and securely screw into place.

I already made a moveable floor stand with rolling support at table height for long stock so that covers your second point at least for me. I love the moving fence idea. Jig storage, critical! Wall space...very little left!

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WalzCraft Original Saw