My table saw fence gave out mid-cut on a maple panel

It happened yesterday afternoon while I was ripping a 3/4 inch thick piece of hard maple for a cabinet face frame. The fence lock just slipped, letting the panel kick back hard. I had to shut everything down and check the locking mechanism, which had a worn plastic cam inside. I'm ordering a metal replacement part today, but it's set me back a full day on this job. Has anyone else had a similar failure with their fence system, and what did you replace it with?

3 comments

3 Comments

lilyrodriguez1mo ago

Honestly that plastic cam is such a known weak point. Tbh I swapped mine for the metal upgrade kit a while back and it's been solid since.

henry_williams631mo ago

Yeah, I feel you lilyrodriguez... that plastic part was just a time bomb.

mitchell.shane21d ago

Ngl, did the same swap and it's night and day.