Vintage Sears Craftsman Rip Fences for Table Saws – History, Types, and Restoration Guide
Introduction
The rip fence is one of the most important components of any table saw, determining its accuracy, safety, and usability. For decades, Sears Craftsman rip fences were a defining feature of Craftsman table saws — reliable, simple to adjust, and designed for the home and professional woodworker alike. From the early cast-iron models of the 1930s to the improved steel and aluminum fences of the 1970s, Craftsman fences evolved with the brand’s reputation for quality and innovation.
Today, vintage Craftsman rip fences are valued both by collectors restoring original machines and by woodworkers upgrading older saws for improved accuracy.
History of Craftsman Rip Fences
Sears offered a variety of rip fence systems across its long table saw product line, with design and manufacturing handled by its key partners:
- King-Seeley Corp. (1930s–1950s): Produced the earliest cast-iron “locking bar” and angle-iron fences for Craftsman 8” and 9” table saws.
- Atlas Press Co. (103 series, 1940s–50s): Built several saws using heavy steel fences with cam-locking mechanisms.
- Emerson Electric (113 series, 1950s–1980s): Developed the most recognizable Craftsman rip fences, used on millions of 10” contractor and bench saws.
Each generation improved in rigidity, ease of adjustment, and safety, mirroring broader innovations in American table saw design.
Notable Fence Types and Models
1. Early Cast-Iron Fences (1930s–1940s)
- Found on early King-Seeley Craftsman saws.
- Featured a heavy cast-iron bar with a front screw-lock clamp.
- Offered simple but solid alignment when properly adjusted.
2. Angle-Iron “T-Slot” Fences (1940s–1950s)
- Used on 8” and 9” Craftsman bench saws.
- Constructed of machined steel angle iron sliding in front and rear rails.
- Locked with dual cam levers or a single front lever.
3. Emerson “Micro-Adjust” Fences (1950s–1970s)
- Found on 10” contractor saws (Model 113 series).
- Aluminum or steel bodies with cam-action locking handles.
- Front-rail clamp design for easier single-hand operation.
- Offered optional fine-adjustment knob for precision rip settings.
4. Deluxe Aluminum “Align-A-Rip” Fences (Late 1970s–1980s)
- Introduced near the end of Craftsman’s golden era.
- Parallel T-square design improved rigidity and repeatable accuracy.
- Often paired with heavier cast-iron top saws for professional use.
Design and Features
Typical Craftsman rip fence designs shared several key traits:
- Front-Rail Clamping: Early versions clamped at both ends; later ones used front-only locking for speed.
- Steel or Aluminum Construction: Ensured long-term rigidity and minimal deflection.
- Scale and Cursor: Integrated rip scale with adjustable magnifier window for accurate width settings.
- Cam or Screw Locks: Varied by model; cam locks were common on mid-century saws.
- Compatibility: Many fences were interchangeable between Craftsman 8”, 9”, and 10” saws.
Some higher-end models even included micro-adjust mechanisms, a notable feature for a consumer-level saw at the time.
Usage and Applications
Craftsman rip fences were designed to support a wide range of woodworking operations:
- Ripping and resawing boards to width.
- Crosscutting with miter gauges in combination setups.
- Dado and rabbet cutting with fence stops.
- Panel cutting using auxiliary fence faces.
These fences provided dependable accuracy for home workshops, vocational schools, and small professional shops, forming the backbone of many mid-century woodworking setups.
Collectibility and Value Today
Vintage Craftsman rip fences are sought by both collectors restoring original saws and woodworkers upgrading period tools.
They remain desirable because:
- Authenticity: Completing a restoration requires an original-style fence.
- Durability: Heavy steel and aluminum construction still performs well today.
- Interchangeability: Many Emerson-built fences fit multiple Craftsman saw models.
- Nostalgia: For many, the red Craftsman logo and smooth cam action recall decades of home projects.
Values typically range from $40–$125, depending on the model and completeness (rails, knobs, and guides included).
| Fence Type | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Early cast-iron fence (1930s–40s) | $75–$150 |
| Mid-century steel fence (1950s–60s) | $60–$100 |
| 113-series aluminum cam-lock fence (1970s) | $50–$125 |
| Deluxe Align-A-Rip or XR series (1980s) | $75–$150 |
Manuals, Catalogs, and Resources
- VintageMachinery.org – Craftsman Table Saw Fences & Manuals
(Public-domain Sears and Emerson documentation.) - OWWM.org (Old Woodworking Machines): Restoration discussions and mounting diagrams.
- Archive.org: Digitized Sears catalogs showcasing table saws and fence systems from 1930–1985.
These resources provide factory drawings, setup instructions, and vintage catalog imagery showing the evolution of Craftsman fence systems.
Tips for Restoring and Maintaining
- Identify the Fence Type: Note prefix codes “103” or “113” on the saw or fence bracket.
- Clean & Polish Rails: Use fine steel wool and lubricant to remove rust and improve sliding.
- Replace Missing Hardware: Cam handles, knobs, and guide rods can be replicated or sourced online.
- Check Alignment: Adjust fence parallel to the saw blade within 0.003″ for safe, accurate cuts.
- Upgrade Cursor and Scale: Reproduce vintage scales or install adhesive replacements.
- Repaint & Restore: Use Craftsman gray enamel and original-style decals for authenticity.
Properly tuned, these vintage fences can rival modern systems for everyday woodworking tasks.
Conclusion
Vintage Sears Craftsman rip fences defined an era of dependable, affordable woodworking machinery. Built with simplicity and precision in mind, they gave generations of craftsmen the accuracy needed for fine joinery and cabinetry. Whether restored for display or daily use, these fences remain a cornerstone of Craftsman’s long woodworking legacy.
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Images for Vintage Craftsman Rip Fences
- “Vintage Sears Craftsman aluminum cam-lock rip fence on a 1970s 10-inch table saw.”
- “Restored Craftsman 103-series steel rip fence from a 1950s table saw.”
- “Original Sears catalog page showing Craftsman table saws with cam-action rip fences.”
This Craftsman Rip Fences page documents many of the various types of rip fences that were provided with Sears Craftsman Table Saws over the years.
The saws of the 1950’s and 60’s used heavier fences made of aluminum and steel. They required aluminum fence rails that fastened to the front of the saw table and any extension wings that were attached.
Later fences were made of all steel construction first with handles that tightened a clamp against the fence rails.
The better fences used a cam locking device to secure the fence to the rails. Most recently, Craftsman has been making their fences out of lighter aluminum as can be seen in the photos below.
See Craftsman Rip Fences for sale on Ebay
Craftsman Rip Fences for Table Saws
Over the years, Craftsman provided a variety of types of rip fences with their table saws. The photos below document many of the more popular fence types that were used on numerous models of saws.
Craftsman Rip Fence with Clamp Handle and Micro Adjust
This fence was found on many Craftsman vintage 1950’s and 1960’s table saws. It required special aluminum fence rails. This one came from a Craftsman 113.27520 table saw from 1951.
Craftsman Rip Fence with Handle
This fence was used on saws with 27″ deep tables. It required the use of Craftsman angle iron fence rails at both the front and back of the saw.
More information and parts list.
Craftsman Rip Fence with Cam Lock Handle and Micro Adjust Knob
This fence was used on saws with 27″ deep tables. It required the use of Craftsman angle iron fence rails that had an optional serrated piece of steel attached to the rails for the micro adjust gears to mesh with.
Craftsman Rip Fence with Cam Lock Handle
This fence was used on Craftsman 10″ table saws with 27″ deep table tops. It was common on table saw models in the 113.298xxx and 113.299xxx series. It requires the Craftman angle iron fence rails.
Craftsman Align-a-Rip 24-12 Rip Fence & Rails
This aluminum fence will allow ripping up to 12″ to the left of the blade and 24″ to the right of the blade. It usually comes with the matching set of front and rear rails that bolt on to the saw table. It was originally provided on Craftsman table saws in teh 215.228xxx series but should mount to other saws with 27″ deep tables.
Craftsman Align a Rip XRC Rip Fence
This Craftsman Rip Fence was for use on 10″ Table Saw Models 315.228130, 315.228410, 315.228510, 113.299310, 113.299410, 113.299510. The front rail was 69 1/2″ long and the rear rail was 59 1/2″ long. The fence has a Quick-release micro -Adjustable Fence knob
