In cleaning up my shop after 6 months of large projects I came across my Rikon 10 inch fence which had managed to get stuffed behind it.  Sure I probably don't use it much, but is nice to have when needed.  So I looked for a place to put this thing.  As I am doing so I remind myself this only works if you can have it easy to get to.  So in thinking about placement this was a primary concern.  

 

My friend gave me 30 or so of these magnets they use to install a diaper on the forklifts at his work.  They don't like oil on the new concrete.  Seems they just chunk the old ones.  The new kit comes with new ones so why bother?  Enter a good friend who remembers magnets are used for several things in my shop.

 

Taking two of these I had a means to attach, but be about to easily remove, this fence holder.  Perfect!  Now I go to my bins and find a short piece of Kreg channel which fits the one end.  Then raided the aluminum bar scrap bin and found a short piece for the opposite end.  Now I have metal on both sides which the fence can squeeze and stay put.  All that was left was a chunk of wood and some paint.  To prevent the magnet from scratching the BS I cut to fit a piece of tape.  

 

Simple but effective.  Now the fence holder itself is a fair tip.  But the real tip is making good use of space, and making in this case a fence, useful because it is easy to get to and you can see it.  Without being in the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love magnets!

I just store the fence on the BS table. If using the BS without using the fence, I just turn. to place the fence on the TS.

32 minutes ago, Al B said:

I just turn. to place the fence on the TS.

This cat says, "uhmmm, NO you won't!"  

 

33 minutes ago, Al B said:

I just store the fence on the BS table. If using the BS without using the fence, I just turn. to place the fence on the TS.

 

Huh!  That's how it works in my shop too.

My Shopsmith bandsaw has no fence. It has an iron table so, I made one of wood with half inch magnets epoxied in the bottom. 

Easy to accommodate for drift. It lives on the Smith's legs when not on the table. 

14 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

I made one of wood with half inch magnets epoxied in the bottom.

These magnets I got are rather strong.  Don't have any info on how strong but I am wondering if they might be good for some featherboards.  Maybe next smallish project for me.  Once I get more horizontal surfaces cleaned up.

My TS tables are cast aluminum, darn it. 

59 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

My TS tables are cast aluminum, darn it. 

Upgrade?? 

 

Naw, I'd lose the drill press, 6"X48" belt sander, 12" disc sander, horizontal borer, and lathe (no biggie, there, though) and, the portability. Not to mention, green isn't my favorite tool color...or, red either, for that matter.

1 hour ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

Upgrade?? 

 

Oh my aching back! 

26 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

Oh my aching back! 

No, ,no, no!!!  In me and @Gene Howe's new 150,000 sq ft workshop we have a FORKLIFT!!!

On 10/9/2019 at 10:00 AM, Woodbutcherbynight said:

These magnets I got are rather strong.  Don't have any info on how strong but I am wondering if they might be good for some featherboards.

You might consider switchable magnets.  I have a featherboard using them and I love it.  Maybe you could make your own switchable magnets from the ones you were given.  That might be in interesting project.  Just remember, as I am sure you know, like poles repel, so you would need to retain the top magnet when the assembly is turned off.

These were free. And the guy brought alot. Have to play with your idea some. See what magic I can come up with.

 

Like other shopsmith owners, my bandsaw table is caste iron.  If I want to use a fence, I have a wooden one that I use with C-clamps to put in place.  Other times, I put down a piece of tape if it is not serious, mark the distance from the blade to the mark on the tape and keep approximate.  Mostly I use the tape when I cut pieces for the lathe.  

Just now, FlGatorwood said:

If I want to use a fence, I have a wooden one that I use with C-clamps to put in place.

This was what I used on the smaller 3 wheel Craftsman I had.  On a rare occasion.  This Rikon is only a 10 inch saw so mostly I use this for quick cuts and curves and such..  My bigger JET is a 14 inch I use for larger work and resawing.