Using a fence on a bandsaw is a great way to resaw boards. This method will reduce the amount of wood converted to sawdust compared to resawing with a table saw as well as offering a greater depth of cut. Commercially available bandsaw fences have many great features and are easy to set up. Fortunately for us, this fence can be made at a tenth the cost with easily accessible materials. Using a quick release toggle clamp and some scrap wood, this quick release bandsaw fence can be made in an hour or two.

Step 1: Tools and Materials

Materials:

Vertical Toggle Clamp
Bolts to attach runners to bandsaw table
Bolt with a point
Plywood
Wood
Water based Polyurethane

Tools:

Bandsaw
Level
Table saw
Clamps
Hand Plane
Square

Step 2: Attach Rails

Insert a sharpened bolt (sharpened using a bench grinder) into the threads of your bandsaw table. Using a level or other straight edge, align rails cut to the size of the end of your bandsaw table. Press hard against the rail to mark the location of the bolt. Drill a clearance hole in the rail.

Step 3: Repeat on the Other Side

Attach the runner to the table through the clearance hole previously drilled. Repeat this process on the other side of the table to locate and drill the hole. Create and attach a runner for the back side of the bandsaw using this same process.

Step 4: Attach Angle Catch

Cut a 3/4 in. by 3/4 in. piece of plywood the length of the back runner. Cut a 10 degree angle off one of the laminated faces. Glue this rail in place. Depending on where the bolts are located, cutting out clearance around the clearance hole might be necessary.

Step 5: Miter Gauge Slot

Mark the location of the miter gauge slot and cut it out using either a bandsaw or table saw with multiple passes with a cross cut sled.

Step 6: Fence

I squared up two 2x4s and glued them together. This fence was roughly 6 inches longer than necessary. The excess wood will be removed in a later step.

Step 7: Chamfer Edges

Chamfer the edges of the fence using a block plane. This will keep the dust produced from the bandsaw from interfering with the use of the fence.

Step 8: Attach Clamp

Mark the location of the clamp base in the middle of the fence. Drill pilot holes and attach using 2 in. long screws.

Step 9: Attach Catch

Cut a matching 10 degree angle along another piece of plywood. This catch should be about 2 in. wide and 4-5 in. longer than your fence is wide.

Set the depth of the rubber portion on the toggle clamp to its shallowest depth. This will give you maximum adjustment later on. Close the toggle clamp and hold the catch in place at the back of the bandsaw table. Mark the location of the back of the catch on the fence. Cut off excess wood from the fence using either the bandsaw or table saw.

Attach the catch to the back side of the fence with one screw. Using a tri or combination square to ensure that the catch is square to the fence. Once in place, secure the catch with a second screw.