Difference between a Biesemeyer and Xacta Fence

[johnj]

Just a question which has been rumbling in my mind. I bought the JET XACTA fence with my contractor saw. I understand that it is a BIESEMEYER clone. What would the difference between the two fences be. (Please -- This is not a Beisemeyer vs INCRA question!!)

thanks

johnj

[Lou_williams]

The Biesemeyer fence uses a heavy square channel bolted to the front of the saw as a reference. The fence uses the TSquare principle (like the old drafting tSquare) to make a 90 degree reference to that channel. A lever applies a three point clamping system to keep the fence at the location set and keep it at the 90 degree angle to the channel. The fence has an angle iron on the inside of the channel with the outside of the iron, having raised nubs. That combined with the clamp in the middle of the outside give the three point attachment.

All fences that use this general method are Biesemeyer clones. There is a lot of clones. The differences might be in the size of the channel the length of the angle iron, the way the nibs are attached to the angle iron. That sort of thing. The nibs on the Biesemeyer. Are welded steel. Some others are plastic glued in place.

Hope that helps.

Lou

[Sonny Edmonds]

Right you are Lou, I think so anyway.
I have a Jet fence on my bandsaw that came with it. I was really surprised how in appeared to be a copy of the Biesemyer.
Until I bolted the fence to the head of it. No stability there, I thought to myself. But that's for a bandsaw and not a table saw.
The other and biggest difference was it won't fit on the B's track at all. Of course I didn't really expect it to.
But they are both of the same design principal, yet worlds apart (or half a world anyhow).
I will most likely be replaceing the fence on the bandsaw with something of real substantial strength. But in good time.
Also the Jet bandsaw fence's head appears to be made of pot metal or cast aluminum.
This is all on my in shop comparision. If one could find the two fences on display, side by side, then some real comparisons could be made. (Yeah, in a perfect world! LOL)
Not much help, huh?
Sonny

[johnj]

I don't know anything about the Jet fence but the Xacta sounds very much like the Beismeyer. I haven't really used my saw alot - yet bu I was just wondering what the difference was. So far, I love the saw and the fence. After that *^%&# bench saw I had, it is nice to be able to cut a piece of wood without having to measure from the blade everytime.

thanks

[johnj]

I don't know anything about the Jet fence but the Xacta sounds very much like the Beismeyer. I haven't really used my saw alot - yet bu I was just wondering what the difference was. So far, I love the saw and the fence. After that *^%&# bench saw I had, it is nice to be able to cut a piece of wood without having to measure from the blade everytime.

thanks