Woodpeckers new Rip Flip Fence Stop

[Df1k1]

Just saw the announcement today of woodpeckers new tool. Didn’t know if anyone had any thoughts on it but seems like a genius way to set up multiple cuts on your Saw Stop. Im sure there’s easier ways but this struck me as a great idea, especially the dado feature.

 

[Bob D.]

Interested but Woodpeckers product description says it only works with Sawstop saws.

They may offer a version for other saws later it says. I don't see what limits the use of
this to only Sawstop saws. Why would it not fit my Unisaw 36-L336 fence rail.

Only difference I can see might be the width of the fence lock lever is probably different. But that would seem to require only a different length coupling pin.

What am I missing?

 

[ear3]

That's interesting that they have profiled their customer base as being both Festool and SawStop users. I'm not disputing that, and certainly I know there's a fair number of folks on the forum that run SawStop.  I just didn't realize that there was that close of a correlation such that Woodpeckers could count on sufficient numbers for it's initial run of this accessory.

Interested but Woodpeckers product description says it only works with Sawstop saws.

They may offer a version for other saws later it says. I don't see what limits the use of
this to only Sawstop saws. Why would it not fit my Unisaw 36-L336 fence rail.

Only difference I can see might be the width of the fence lock lever is probably different. But that would seem to require only a different length coupling pin.

What am I missing?

 

[cpw]

That's interesting that they have profiled their customer base as being both Festool and SawStop users. I'm not disputing that, and certainly I know there's a fair number of folks on the forum that run SawStop.  I just didn't realize that there was that close of a correlation such that Woodpeckers could count on sufficient numbers for it's initial run of this accessory.

Interested but Woodpeckers product description says it only works with Sawstop saws.

They may offer a version for other saws later it says. I don't see what limits the use of
this to only Sawstop saws. Why would it not fit my Unisaw 36-L336 fence rail.

Only difference I can see might be the width of the fence lock lever is probably different. But that would seem to require only a different length coupling pin.

What am I missing?

My guess is they test it with Sawstop, but not other brands even if they think it will work.  At this point; I think you either have a Sawstop, jobsite saw, or the rest of the market is very fragmented.  You'll have some PMs, Jets, old iron, contractor saws from Delta.  But all of that is inconsistent, if you are aiming for an expensive table saw accessory, the Sawstop seems like the most uniform market.

Edward, I'm not sure there needs to be any correlation with Festool ownership for Woodpeckers to make that calculation (but there probably is some given both are premium tools).

I've got a lot of Festool, but my Sawstop came first [as did the Woodpeckers table built into the side].  If I were to buy another table saw it would either be another Sawstop or a Euro slider.

 

[Birdhunter]

i have a SawStop Industrial model and the Flip Stop looks very attractive. I think being able to return the fence to an exact point is a valuable asset for me.

 

[Bob D.]

I contacted Woodpeckers with some questions and received this response.

“Thanks for your interest in our new Rip Flip System.  The current system is designed to mount to the factory hardware and dimensions on the T Glide  Fence system.  We are currently working on  a different and more universal system that may fit a wider variety of saws that use a Biesemeyer style rail system.  The main challenge is designing around the many different styles of fence locking mechanisms on the market and making sure that those fences will line up properly with the flip stops.  While the track may fit different saws, it is useless unless the flip stops work with the Fence locks.  We are testing this new version on Powermatic that we fitted with both of their fence styles.”

I got pretty much the same response to my email this morning.

" You'll have some PMs, Jets, old iron, contractor saws from Delta.  But all of that is inconsistent,"

There are many, many cabinet saws that use the Biesemeyer style fences. Their designs are so similar that I doubt much change is needed between them to work.

If WP hesitates to offer a version that works with the thousands of Unisaws and PM2000, Jet, Grizzly, and other brands out there someone WILL fill that gap.

 

[Bob D.]

In a second email I was told that they are working on having a version for other saws very soon, maybe before Christmas.

 

[ChuckM]

My take on why they chose SawStop to build their first fence stop on is this: potential sales. SawStop has been the #1 selling cabinet saws in the US and their owners in general have spending power for accessories. Not a lot of people are willing to spend another $400 US (including the dado option) on an accessory.

Other saws will have their turn just a little later than the SawStop folks.

 

[cpw]

My take on why they chose SawStop to build their first fence stop on is this: potential sales. SawStop has been the #1 selling cabinet saws in the US and their owners in general have spending power for accessories. Not a lot of people are willing to spend another $400 US (including the dado option) on an accessory.

Other saws will have their turn just a little later than the SawStop folks.

As I read the page it is $200 to have the dado option on 52" rails, for $199 pre-order onhttps://www.woodpeck.com/rip-flip-fence.html:
"Includes 52" capacity anodized aluminum track with mounting brackets and hardware, two Rip-Flip Stops and one dado Coupling Pin"

 

[ChuckM]

As I read the page it is $200 to have the dado option on 52" rails, for $199 pre-order onhttps://www.woodpeck.com/rip-flip-fence.html:
"Includes 52" capacity anodized aluminum track with mounting brackets and hardware, two Rip-Flip Stops and one dado Coupling Pin"

Sharp-eyed on my typo. [wink] Not a good Android keyboard user here. (Now back on my usual laptop.)

 

[ChuckM]

Another similar option from Custom Fabricating Solutions. I am not affiliated with this manufacturer in any way.
https://www.customfabricatingsolutions.com/store/p2/Table_Saw_Fence_Micro-Adjuster.html#/

Price-wise, the WP system seems to be a better deal as its package includes a lot more items and the dado function.

 

[cperren]

Is this Woodpecker system better than a Wixey Saw Fence Digital Readout?  My preference would be the DRO..     

 

[ChuckM]

Is this Woodpecker system better than a Wixey Saw Fence Digital Readout?  My preference would be the DRO..   

If I were considering the WP rip fence, I'd wait until I see some user feedback (i.e. after next Feb.), because a) the introductory prices (ending Nov. 2) are not a huge saver, and b) the product is yet to be proven in the consumer field.

I only saw some reviews on the Wixey product, but have not known anyone in person who has it (about $130US in Canada). One of the videos I've seen is this:=emb_logo

 

[Bob D.]

Does the Wixey have hard stops?

Once you set the stops they are good until you move them. Next cut or next week it doesn't change.

With the Wixey you have to eyeball each time you want to duplicate a setting as I see it.I

So if I'm correct the Wixey is more of a one time setting aid, the WP stop is rock solid repeatability.

I like Wixey prosducts. I have a few of them, but the Woodpeckers flip stop system I'd take that any day plus the easy dado setup.

If they don't come out with a version for my Unisaw I will make my own.

 

[Cheese]

1. Does the Wixey have hard stops?

2. Once you set the stops they are good until you move them. Next cut or next week it doesn't change.

3. With the Wixey you have to eyeball each time you want to duplicate a setting as I see it.I

4. So if I'm correct the Wixey is more of a one time setting aid, the WP stop is rock solid repeatability.

I've attached the Wixey to my metal lathe. For what my needs are and for the price I paid, it works extremely well. To fit a conventional commercial DRO to my lathe I was looking at $1400-$1900. I think I paid $110 for the Wixey.

1. No...I'd call it a "soft stop" at best.

2. Yes & no...If you shut off the DRO and move NOTHING, the next time you turn it on the Wixey will be in the same position and will now still register 0.000. However, any time during that period that you're not using the saw, just a slight bump of the fence may move the Wixey and thus the "soft stop" as it were has been moved.

3. What would work is to get all the materials and cutting widths together so everything can be cut in 1 cutting session. So instead of using the saw's scale you'll be using the DRO instead. It is repeatable and accurate to .005".

4. Yes...I thought about adding the Wixey to my table saw but I actually like the Woodpecker better with the hard stops.

I think the important thing in woodworking is to get an absolutely repeatable size, whether it's .005" or .010" or 1/64 inches too wide you don't really care as long as that width is repeatable all the time.

For metal working the important thing is getting the exact size.

The best solution would be to combine the Wixey & the Woodpecker.  [cool]

 

[cpw]

Watching the deep dive today, this is actually a less expensive solution for nominal 1/4" drawer bottoms than an undersized Dado set like this one:https://www.forrestblades.com/dado-king/8-thin-kerf-dados-3-piece-set-with-1-16-chipper/

 

[Bugsysiegals]

I got my SawStop ~$150 cheaper by letting them know I didn’t want the stock fence and instead went straight to the Incra TS-LS Joinery System. Besides calibrating it, I’ve never had to use a rule again and have repeatable cuts and micro adjustability to +/- 0.05mm or +/- 0.002”.  It wasn’t cheap but none of these tools are and it’s a really nice fence system.
https://www.incra.com/table_saw_fences-tsls_joinery.html

 

[cperren]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] - I didn't realize that the Wixey DRO lost its positioning if moved when its off... That surprising and would be disappointing.  All of my DROs maintain positioning independent of power although they are more expensive than Wixey.   

- Chris       

 

[Cheese]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] - I didn't realize that the Wixey DRO lost its positioning if moved when its off... That surprising and would be disappointing.  All of my DROs maintain positioning independent of power although they are more expensive than Wixey.         

Chris you're probably talking about DRO's that are 10-20 times the cost of the Wixey module. I'll check for you tomorrow morning but I'm certain to the 99th percentile that once you turn it off and move it, it's lost its original homing position. As far as I know there is no extra intelligence on board the Wixey products. Just the ability to zero their position and then measure any forward or rearward movement. Also, any onboard intelligence would further shorten the battery life on the module.

I'd love it if I'm wrong.  [big grin]

 

[cperren]

Hi [member=44099]Cheese[/member]

I just review the FAQ for WR700... Base on #2, it appears it has memory... I'm interested if your model has memory too.
http://www.wixey.com/fence/faq/index.html#02

How Long does the battery last if I turn off the readout?
How long does the battery last?


The battery life should be 6 months with the unit turned on or off. Because the readout always maintains the calibration even when it is turned off, it is actually reading all the time. Turning it off only turns off the display which takes almost no power to run. Removing the battery is the only way to conserve it's life but then you have to recalibrate every time.

Thanks Chris