Sawhelper Jigfence Installation Manual
Read and understand the safety rules provided with your power tools
and read the following guidelines before beginning assembly.
*Keep hands away from the blade during all cutting operations.
*Properly align the fence with the saw blade or dangerous kickback may result.
*Before any cut is made, be sure that the material being cut is resting firmly against the tool
bed and fences.
*Check the alignment of the extension fence if it is jarred during use. Readjust immediately if needed.
*Be sure that your fence is securely bolted to the base of the tool before use.
*Both eye and ear protection should be worn when operating your power tools.
*Before any saw cut is made, be sure that the material being cut is resting firmly against the bed and
fence of the tool. Warped boards or any material that cannot be firmly positioned against the saw surface may cause the saw
blade to bind. Damage or injury may result.
ATTACHING THE JIGFENCE TO YOUR TOOLS
The Jigfence was designed with a bolt channel running the entire length of the fence for versatile attachment to a variety
of tools. 1/4" bolts are supplied with each fence and these may be used at any point along the fence to provide an
attachment to the table. In some cases, the Jigfence may be bolted directly to an existing work surface, and in others
you will have to add onto the existing table. Some examples are provided in these pages for building larger table
surfaces. Regardless of how you attach the Jigfence to your tool, be sure that it is securely attached in such a way
that it will not move during use.
Each fence is supplied with a stick-on measuring tape for the upper tape groove. This tape is used
in tandem with the JSS Flipstop fence gage, a precision measuring device/repetitive stop designed for use with the
Jigfence. The lower tape groove uses any 3/4" tape refill - included with the hardware for your Jigfence is a clamp to
secure this optional tape. Instructions for installing the tapes are included at the end of this document.
Please note: Measurement tapes should always be installed after the Jigfence is bolted to the tool and the
instructions on pages four and five are read and understood.
USING THE JIGFENCE WITH YOUR MITER SAW
To use the Jigfence with a power miter saw, it will be necessary to construct a wooden table to support the Jigfence
and the saw. Figure 1 shows a typical application. Dimensions of the support table should be varied to suit your
particular saw and application.
Figure 1
After building your table, bolt your miter saw into the central section so that it is flush with the
wooden support table to either side.
Using a straight edge, mark a pencil line on the top of the wooden table that is a parallel extension of
the miter saw fence. (see Figure 2) Mark another line on the table 7/8" behind the first line and use it as a
reference line to locate the holes for mounting the Jigfence.
Drill as many 5/16" holes as necessary to secure the Jigfence to the table. Secure the Jigfence
to the table with at least three 1/4" bolts per 48" length of Jigfence. Slide the bolt heads into the channel of the
Jigfence until they are aligned with the holes. Use a straight edge to align the Jigfence with the fence on your saw
and securely bolt the Jigfence to the table. Use longer bolts if you make a thicker table.
Figure 2
USING THE JIGFENCE WITH YOUR DRILL PRESS OR BAND SAW
To use the Jigfence with your drill press or band saw, it may be helpful to enlarge the existing worktable of the tool as
shown in Figure 3. The slotted holes in the table allows you to position the fence wherever you want on the table.
A 48" long Jigfence should be secured to a drill press or band saw with a minimum of two bolts; use
four bolts on an eight foot fence. Secure with additional bolts if the fence is not rigid. If your tool is large
enough, in may be possible to bolt the Jigfence directly, without making an accessory table.
Figure 3
USING THE JIGFENCE ON YOUR RADIAL ARM SAW
To use the Jigfence on your radial arm saw, you should add an auxiliary table as shown in Figure 4. This table should
be securely attached to the table of your radial arm saw so that it cannot move.
Drill a series of holes as outlined on page two in order to attach the Jigfence to the auxiliary table,
using a minimum of three bolts to secure a 48 inch length and five bolts for an 8 foot length of fence.
Be sure that the Jigfence is parallel to the fence of your radial arm saw before tightening bolts. Use as
many bolts as necessary to securely mount the fence to the table, using longer bolts if you have a thicker table.
Figure 4
Adjusting the Flipstop and Installing Rulers into your Ultrafence
ADJUSTING THE MEASURING TAPES
Two tape measures can be installed on the Jigfence. The upper tape is supplied with each fence and is used with the Flipstop
precision gage. The lower tape groove holds a 3/4" tape refill. This tape is not supplied with the fence, but can be
purchased locally.
Postion the adjustable sliding stop bar of the Flipstop approximately half way through its travel and secure
the stop bar with the T handle. Cut a board 20" long, leaving it in position on the saw table, against the lowered blade of
your saw. Slide the Flipstop up to the board and lock it into position. Mark the position of the hairline pointer on the fence
with a pencil.
Remove the Flipstop and position the stick-on tape so the 20" calibration is aligned to your mark. Be sure
the fence is free from dirt and oil before applying the stick-on tape. Wipe the fence with solvent if necessary. Contact
cement may be used to secure the tape if the sticky backing does not hold well enough.
Position the lower tape so the zero mark corresponds with the saw blade. Using a tin snips or aviation
shears, cut the tape so it will fit the fence properly. A clamp (see Figure 5) is provided to hold the tape in position
in the groove. Drill a 1/4" hole 5/8" from the end of the fence. Center this hole in the groove on the back of the fence
and apply the 1/4" x 3/8" bolt from the back of the fence. Cut the tape so that when properly adjusted, its end will
fall in the middle of the clamp tab. In this position it can be adjusted slightly to accommodate saw blade changes.
Figure 5
FLIPSTOP™ PRECISION FENCE GAGE
It is necessary to "break in" your aluminum fence to get the smoothest sliding action with the Flipstop. Fully unlock the
lever on the Flipstop, place it on the fence and apply a few drops of light oil to the aluminum fence. Slide the
Flipstop along the entire length of the fence applying more oil until the gage slides freely all the way. Wipe off
excess oil. From time to time you may need to add a small amount of lubrication to get the smoothest sliding action
with your gage. In addition to the lubrication methods listed above, automobile wax or stick wax may be used.
If the Flipstop is too tight to slide freely, place a thin metal shim or piece of sheet metal between
the fence and the stop. Fully lock the lever. This will stretch the Flipstop enough to allow it to slide freely.
From time to time oil the moving parts of your Flipstop. Use the oil on all the parts except the eccentric
mechanism where it bears against the locking gate. This point should be greased.
It is not always necessary to completely lock the lever when using the gage. To lessen wear and tear, lock
completely only for heavy-duty use. The Flipstop has tremendous holding power.
The Flipstop is a dust-free fence gage; it has two dust seals made of adhesive Velcro strips on the Lexan
viewplate. These seals extend downward to wipe the ruler of any dust that may catch on it. If you remove the viewplate, make
sure to reposition it so the Velcro protrudes lightly below the Flipstop body. If you need to replace the Velcro, it is
available in the sewing section of most department or drug stores - use the pile side, not the hook side.
During repetitive cutting operations, you can flip the stop bar out of the way to clear sawdust from
the table and then flip the bar back to resume cutting without resetting your measurement.
To lock the Flipstop on your fence, pull the lever towards you. To unlock the gage, place your fingers on
the top rear of the Flipstop and push the lever back with your thumb. The lever must be fully unlocked to slide the gage
or to remove it from the fence.
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