Introduction
If you’re going to put a benchtop router table and router in your basement, garage, or workshop you definitely need to have a high-quality fence to use with them. The fence is something all woodworkers use, which is a piece of wood or other material that holds your piece of wood in place on the table top when you’re ready to work with it. That means you’re definitely going to want a good one and here we’ve found some of the best.
Top Router Table Fences
If you’re looking for the best router table fence for anything you’re planning to do, you’re definitely going to want to look at the Bench Dog Tools PreFence. It’s going to give you a lot of great quality and features and a moderate price while you’re at it.
If you’re looking to save as much money as you can and still get a good quality unit then the 24” Deluxe Router Table Fence by Peachtree Woodworking is a great choice because it’s going to get you what you need and save you some money.
32” Deluxe Router Table Fence By Peachtree Woodworking
The 32” Deluxe Router Table Fence is made with 2 MDF fence plates that are surrounded by an L-shaped aluminum fence. What this means is you’re going to have a sturdy frame to work with.
The system also includes a built-in track and can use bits that are up to 3 ½” in diameter, which is large enough for just about anything you may want to do with this system (and your router table, of course). That means you can easily get to work on any projects you might have sitting around and waiting.
The unit also has tall adjustment knobs, which make it easy to adjust your fence forward, backward or wherever you need it to be. There’s a shim system on the mounting fence and offset tracks with the bar inserted at varying depth so it’s just where you need it every time. You can get a 32” or a 32” if you prefer, so you don’t have to worry about what you’re working on next. It’s also ready to go quickly because the setup is actually very easy, with only a few pieces to put together and it’s ready to go on your router table.
Bench Dog Tools Bench Dog Tools 40-132 32-Inch PreFencePreFence
Priced moderately and right in the middle of these options, the Bench Dog Tools PreFence is heavy duty in design with anodized and extruded aluminum all the way around.
It’s precision machined to ensure it’s not only completely flat (thus ensuring a better job), but also that it’s entirely square. You don’t even need tools to get it started because it has large T-knobs that control everything and get you exactly what you’re looking for in the overall design of the unit. Not only that but it has a heavy-duty bit guard for both large and small bits.
The universal T-tracks on both front and back of the unit are able to provide a great attachment for feather boards, stops, hold-downs and anything else you might need while you’re working. The system also allows you to use any accessory that has ¼” T-bolts and 5/16” or ¼” hex bolts. You also get an integrated bit guard with a 2 ½” dust port. All-in-all, the unit itself is prepared with anything you might need and has the ability to adjust from 24” – 30” as needed. You can adjust this to fit the table that you already have.
JessEm 4010 Master Fence II
A little on the expensive side, the JessEm 4010 Master Fence II is made with heavy-duty aluminum for a sturdy and durable use time and again. The fence faces are entirely adjustable and the knobs are quick locking so you can always get just what you want.
You also get fence tracks that are side mounted and feature built-in scales. Not even just that but it has fence adjustments that can be completed without tools at all. The offset bars are 1/32” and 1/16” and you even get a dust collection port to keep your workspace clean.
This is a very substantial fence which provides a range of excellent features. The instructions definitely leave something to be desired, but once you figure it out you’ll be able to use this fence without problems. For anyone that participates in woodworking either as a hobbyist or as a slightly more professional it’s definitely a good quality unit. You also mount this to the side of your table rather than fitting it on top of the table. All of the measurements are written on the side in easy to read print so you always know where your cuts are going.
Jet 708124 XLIFT-K: Xacta-Lift Router Fence
The Jet 708124 XLIFT-K is the most expensive option on this list. It actually has a lot of different features as well, which includes not just the fence but a table as well. It has an anodized aluminum plate which can prevent sagging and will last a whole lot longer than a plastic router.
It also uses solid steel shafts to add durability and ensure you can cut your pieces at just the right depth. Anything that moves throughout the unit also has bronze bearing surfaces to help glide them where you need them to be.
The guard positions are adjustable and fit directly over the router bit to increase safety and you’ll have no problem with larger router bits on the table. The moderate weight of the fence, at only about 20 lb, is ideal for any place you need to use it. The plate is strong, with ¼” thick aluminum and the engineering is top notch as well. You get a pre-drilled master plate that fits just about any router and is easy to drill out for any additional holes you may need. You also get 2 ½” travel lift to go along with it.
Conclusion
No matter what type of router fence you’re looking for you’ll be able to improve your router table and get everything you’ve been looking for. Just make sure you take a look at what you really need for your next project and get the right router for you.