A reader informed us that SawStop launched a new table saw fence.
Bob – thanks for the heads-up! – wrote:
I am getting tired of “influencers” promoting new products in such a blatant way. The new SawStop fence is a good example.
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What new SawStop table saw fence?
I did some digging and learned that SawStop launched this a month ago, with their social media post advertising that this is their “newest and most versatile rip fence.”
“Newest” isn’t really a feature or selling point, but is it versatile?
Let’s take a closer look at the SawStop T-Glide Advance.
Gone are the low-friction side panels, hello “dead-flat aluminum face” that “won’t warp over time.”
It looks like SawStop stripped down their T-Glide fence and added a custom aluminum extrusion with-slots.
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People have complained about SawStop fences for ages – mine isn’t perfect but also not terrible – and others have added 8020 t-slot or other aluminum extrusions so that they can easily mount accessories. I can see why SawStop went with this type of a setup.
The face can be used in two positions, or flipped to the opposite side of the fence.
The slots also allow use of a featherboard. Better options already exist, such as Jessem’s Clear-Cut system (via Amazon, via Acme Tools). (Jessem recently launched a magnetic support accessory that doesn’t require modification of your table saw fence.)
Being able to attach a featherboard seems convenient.
The new fence is priced at $349 for upgrading older SawStop PCS fences, and $399 for the ICS size. It doesn’t look like the plastic featherboard is included.
If you’re buying a new SawStop table saw, the T-Glide Advance fence is a $147 upcharge compared to the regular T-Glide fence for the PCS, and $164 for the ICS. Or you can buy a replacement fence later $349 for the PCS, and $399 later for the ICS.
I don’t see much appeal in the new fence, but I appreciate that new and existing SawStop customers have more options.
Jason
My wife got me a SawStop jobsite table saw to upgrade from my trusty Dewalt table saw a couple Christmas’es ago. Unfortunately, I think the fence design… sucks. I honestly just use the Dewalt whenever she’s not looking as it has a much more reliable fence that doesn’t want to flex or bend and the measurements on the “ruler” are dead on accurate.
The SawStop fence wants to bend slightly, and I still have not figured out how the markings on the “rule” relate to reality. Plus, the red lever to lock it is annoying because I never realize it’s not locked properly until it’s too late. I find myself actually acting less safe with the Saw Stop trying to keep material aligned and fighting the fence as I feed in long stock than I am with my Dewalt.
Not sure if this new fence design will solve my problems, but I can see why one was needed – the existing design is so bad that I hoped it was just a feature of the “cheap” jobsite style saws, because I can’t imagine anyone using a cabinet saw with this style of fence.
It’s also possible I am just dumb or mine is defective, who knows.
kent_skinner
Jobsite table saw fences, in general, are bad.
Contractor saws and cabinet saws have the ability to install a “real” fence, and they are somewhat standarized. The vast majoprity of the good fences are a copy of the first really good fence, made by Biesmier (sp?) back in the 70’s or 80’s. It was good enough that Delta bought the company, but the patent has expired, and everybody from Saw Stop to Jet and Grizzly have copied it.
Sadly, none of them can be (easily) adapted to a jopbsite saw.
fred
Many years ago, I upgraded the standard UInifence that came with my table saw to then newer Biesemeyer fence. I was happy to have made the change. Maybe others would have thought it a waste of money. New fences that offer options or solve specific problems are always welcome – but the hype that sometimes goes with them rarely is justified. Over 50 years of using my Unisaw, I’ve built and/or bought many auxiliary fences, featherboards, rip guides etc. I find the Jessem Clear Cut system to my liking – and regularly use it when ripping. Mine is an older model and perhaps the newer versions are even better. Recently, among the enormous number of emails that I’ve gotten from Woodpeckers – quite a few have been promoting their new auxiliary fence:
https://www.woodpeck.com/woodpeckers-auxiliary-rip-fence.html
Looks Ok – but I’m not tempted.
Champs
Maybe DeWalt’s rack-and-pinion design is the one to beat for adjustment are the gold standard, I’d rather a more conspicuous lock like this red lever.
Champs
Finishing that thought, after I accidentally hit Post Comment…
I like the look of that Clear-Cut system. Seems like something you could build out into an entire anti-kickback, featherboard, and thin rip jig, plus a few things I haven’t imagined yet, although not very elegantly.
Dustin
Pair it or your existing fence with the T-Fence MicroMag Adjuster from Canyon Fire Tools and it will take your fence to a level of precision that will shock you.
http://www.canyonfiretools.com
Stuart
This is the most blatant self-promoting comment I have ever seen here. And you used your real name. I appreciate that, I’ll allow it.
Dustin
Thanks. I don’t have a big advertising budget like SawStop and Woodpecker so I try to get the word out anyway I can. Do you have a T-Style fence, if so I can send you one to review if you’re interested.
Stuart
Thank you, I will keep that in mind!
A C
I bought the BOW products fence extender for the saw stop cabinet saw in our shop. Didn’t like how I couldn’t add any feather boards to the fence for the small rips and cuts we do for cabinetry. It’s a pretty solid unit for the fence in my opinion.
Bf
$350
No thanks.
A W
“SawStop’s new table saw fence is their newest fence. Please stop using AI for your marketing. And if you aren’t, then maybe you should.”
This paragraph seemed disjointed and confusing to me, but maybe I just need more coffee.
Stuart
I see their marketing as “New! It’s newest!” Seems like AI came up with that. And if not, maybe they should lean into AI.
Their newest fence? This is their first fence change in how many years? “Newest” is a state of existence, not a feature for a new product.
Someone should but this because it’s the newest? But you’re right, I’ll tidy it up.
William
This is similar to the old Delta Uni-fence except a better T-square glide and lock and T-track. However, having used that fence a bunch, I much prefer the Biesemeyer style. The big benefit of this fence is the ability to slide it backwards for crosscuts with a miter gauge to prevent trapping stock between the blade and the fence.
However this looks like a dovetail slot instead of a T-slot for the accessories. That’s really annoying.
And I would be surprised how many people not filming videos would actually adjust the fence to the flat position. I have never done it on my Unifence.
Also, to cut on the right side of the fence for opposite bevel cuts, you need to flip the fence around to the other side of the bar. It’s a pain. But luckily most people do that rarely.
Kristian
In my experience, all of the SawStop style fences that clamp down on a square guide rail have the same issue – if you move the fence into position from the right and lock it, you have more toe out. If you slide it into position from the left and lock it, you have less toe out (or toe in depending on how you set up your fence), which leads to a higher chance of kickback.
The only fence I found that didn’t have this issue was Vega as it clamps onto a tubular rail and is consistently locks with the same amount of toe.