Work fence apparatus and attachments
Disclosed are various work fence embodiments that may be employed separately or in combination with one another, including (a) an extended fence having at least one end extending beyond the work surface edge and a feed support(s) suitable for attachment to an extended or sliding fence, (b) an improved sliding work fence for use with cutting and shaping equipment such as a table saw, and (c) a work fence height extension including a T-slot track(s) along or adjacent a top surface
1 . An extended work fence apparatus for use on a work table, comprising:
a linearly-extruded, extended fence member for attachment to a pre-existing work fence adjustably connected to the work table;
at least two attachment mechanisms to operatively connect the extended fence member to the pre-existing work fence,
where said extended fence member is of a length greater than the pre-existing work fence and includes a first surface including features for receiving the at least two attachment mechanisms and a second surface having a substantially planar portion extending a length thereof for contact with and guiding a workpiece before and across the work table; and
at least one feed support adjustably affixed to said extended fence member.
2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said extended fence member further includes at least one slot extending longitudinally along at least one of the first surface and the second surface, said slot suitable for receiving one or more fastening mechanisms thereby permitting other devices to be removably affixed to the extended fence member.
3 . The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein at least one slot is located on both the first surface, the second surface and a top surface of the extended fence member.
4 . The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein said extended fence member further includes at least one slot extending longitudinally along a bottom surface thereof.
5 . The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein each of the slots located on the first surface, the second surface, the top surface and the bottom surface of the extended fence member are T-slots.
6 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said at least two attachment mechanisms include adjustable clamps.
7 . The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein each of said adjustable clamps are T-track clamps including:
an arm for operatively engaging the extended fence member, and
an adjustable member, moving relative to the arm, for releasably clamping the pre-existing work fence between the adjustable member and the first surface of the extended fence member.
8 . The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the arm operatively engages the extended fence member by insertion of the arm into a vertical slot on the first surface.
9 . The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the vertical slot extends downward from an edge of the first surface and below a longitudinal T-slot so that the arm, when fully inserted into the vertical slot, does not interfere with the longitudinal T-slot.
10 . The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein a height (H) of the at least one slot on the second surface of the extended fence is greater than a minimum operable distance (D) of a featherboard attached to the extended fence using the at least one slot.
11 . The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one slot is located on a bottom surface of the extended fence member, and a plurality of low-friction standoffs are inserted therein to assure separation between the extended fence member and an upper surface of the work table.
12 . The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the extended fence member includes:
an inner linearly-extruded member comprising the first surface, for attachment to a pre-existing work fence on the work table; and
an outer linearly-extruded member, slidably engaged with the inner linearly-extruded member, said outer member comprising the second surface.
13 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one feed support includes at least one feature that adjustably engages with a slot on the extended fence member.
14 . The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one feature includes a nub that self-aligns and engages with at least a bottom-facing slot on the extended fence member.
15 . The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one feature includes a fastener in combination with a tightening mechanism that engages with at least a bottom-facing slot on the extended fence member.
16 . The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the fastener includes a T-bolt fastener that, in combination with the tightening mechanism, engages with at least a bottom-facing slot on the extended fence member.
17 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one feed support is adjustably affixed to said extended fence member via a slot extending longitudinally along a bottom surface thereof.
18 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said feed support includes an upper horizontal surface for supporting the workpiece.
19 . The apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the upper horizontal surface is a feature of a body having a generally L-shaped cross section, the body further including an inner vertical face where the upper horizontal surface intersects the inner vertical face at a right angle; and
the body further includes at least one feature that slidably engages with a slot on the extended fence member.
20 . The apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the feed support further includes at least one releasable connector for affixing the feed support to the at least one slot, such that the feed support remains stationary relative to the extended fence member when the at least one releasable connector is tightened, and the feed support is capable of supporting a workpiece beyond an edge of the work table.
21 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said feed support includes:
a body having a generally L-shaped cross section, with an inner vertical face and an upper horizontal surface intersecting at a right angle; and
at least one adjustable connector for affixing the feed support to the at least one slot, so that the feed support is stationary relative to the said extended fence member, and capable of supporting a workpiece beyond an edge of the work table.
22 . An extended work fence apparatus for use on a work table, comprising:
a linearly-extruded, extended fence member for attachment to a pre-existing work fence adjustably connected to the work table;
at least two attachment mechanisms to operatively connect the extended fence member to the pre-existing work fence, wherein said extended fence member further includes at least one T-slot extending longitudinally along at least one of the first surface and the second surface, said T-slot suitable for receiving one or more fastening mechanisms thereby permitting other devices to be removably affixed to the extended fence member and where said extended fence member is of a length greater than the pre-existing work fence and includes a first surface including features for receiving the at least two attachment mechanisms and a second surface having a substantially planar portion extending a length thereof, said extended fence being suitable for guiding a workpiece on the work table; and
at least one feed support for attachment to said extended fence member, wherein said feed support comprises:
a body having a generally L-shaped cross section, with an inner vertical face and an upper horizontal surface intersecting at a right angle; and
at least one adjustable connector for affixing the feed support to the at least one T-slot, so that the feed support is stationary relative to the said extended fence member, and capable of supporting a workpiece beyond the edge of the work table.
23 . The apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein said feed support further comprises at least one feature for operatively receiving a vertical support leg therein.
24 . The apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein a bottom horizontal surface thereof includes a recessed pocket for receiving an upper end of the vertical support leg.
25 . An extended work fence apparatus for use on a work table, comprising:
a linearly-extruded, extended fence member for attachment to a pre-existing work fence adjustably connected to the work table;
at least two attachment mechanisms to operatively connect the extended fence member to the pre-existing work fence, wherein said extended fence member further includes at least one T-slot extending longitudinally along at least one of the first surface and the second surface, said T-slot suitable for receiving one or more fastening mechanisms thereby permitting other devices to be removably affixed to the extended fence member and where said extended fence member is of a length greater than the pre-existing work fence and includes a first surface including features for receiving the
at least two attachment mechanisms and a second surface having a substantially planar portion extending a length thereof, said extended fence being suitable for guiding a workpiece on the work table; and
at least one feed support for attachment to said extended fence member, wherein said feed support comprises:
a body having a generally L-shaped cross section, with an inner vertical face that contacts the first surface of said extended fence member and an upper horizontal surface intersecting the inner vertical surface at a right angle, a portion of the upper horizontal surface of the feed support contacting a lower edge of the extended fence member; and
a plurality of adjustable connectors for adjustably affixing the feed support to the at least one T-slot of the extended fence member.
26 . The apparatus according to claim 25 , where the extended fence member includes a lower longitudinal T-slot in the first surface adjacent a lower edge of the extended fence member and a bottom longitudinal T-slot in the lower edge of the extended fence member, and where the plurality of adjustable connectors for adjustably affixing the feed support to the extended fence member engage both the lower longitudinal T-slot and the bottom longitudinal T-slot.