Ever wish you had more control at the bandsaw? Most stock fences don’t provide easy drift adjustment or micro-adjustability, two things that can make a big difference in your day to day use of the tool. The Laguna Driftmaster DXIII hopes to solve that problem for you, if you have the cash.
I reviewed the original Laguna Driftmaster Fence System a couple of years ago and while I liked the feature set, I found the installation and maintenance to be a pain in the rear. Fortunately, most of my gripes were addressed with the new Laguna Driftmaster DXIII.
If you purchase the Laguna Driftmaster DXII using our link, you can save 5% off your order and we’ll get a small portion of the sale as an affiliate with Beaver Industrial Tools.
The Good
- It’s significantly lighter.
- Easier to install and calibrate. Instructions are clearer and installation videos can be found on the Laguna website.
- The fence now rides on a linear bearing guide allowing for smooth and fast adjustment.
- Taller fence with T-Tracks for accessories
- Much more intuitive and elegant design.
- The switch from a lead screw to rack and pinion makes for faster travel when using the handle.
- Ergonomics are much better than the previous generation. The entire unit is less intrusive and less likely to cause issues with various saw brands.
The Not-So Good
- The track requires wax/lubrication to prevent the bolt from tilting when moving the fence back and forth. Easy fix, but worth noting.
- Setting the fence square to the table is not quite as intuitive as I’d like. The video explains the how’s and why’s of this issue and why it’s ultimately not a major problem.
- The switch from a lead screw to rack and pinion makes the micro-adjustment, while speeding up movement, makes the adjustment much coarser than the previous generation.
- Backlash in the gear can make adjustments tricky if moving forward and back repeatedly. Not as much of an issue when advancing in one direction.
Final Verdict
There’s really not much competition in this space, which means I’m essentially evaluating this product in a vacuum with nothing to compare it to. The only logical comparison is the previous generation of the Driftmaster, which is no longer in production.
That’s why, in spite of the few minor quirks, the Laguna Driftmaster DXIII represents a substantial upgrade for just about anyone looking to up their resaw game. And if you’re thinking about utilizing the bandsaw for joinery, this is the kind of setup you’ll want to look into.
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