Customer Reviews

Freud SH-5 Professional Micro-Adjustable Router Table Fence

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This fence seems to be a very good value. Upon receipt, I began installation and soon discovered that I needed the optional extension base plate. I contacted the folks at Freud and they were very helpful and said that the Tool Crib folks could special order it for me. I then contacted Tool Crib and they, astonishingly, refused to special order it for me. So, they had essentially sold me a product that I couldn't use. I then contacted a local tool supplier, who was a Freud "dealer" and he obtained the part for me with no problem. The bottom line is that I would recommend the product, but my advice is that you do not buy it from Tool Crib, since they will not do what is necessary to help you get it into service. Instead, go to a local supplier of Freud equipment and get the product along with the support you may need.

I am a remodeling contractor and do a lot of cabinet and finish work.
First things first. This router fence is nice! I like the fact that I can micro adjust both sides of the fence independently. This allows for adjustment to obtain full contact of the routed work to be in solid contact with the out feed fence. The dust collection port works wonderfully. All in all, this fence is very very nice.
Secondly, I was torn between rating this product a 3 or a 5. Like many, I purchased the SH-5 prior to Freud including the adapter plates, which are needed on most router tables. Now that the plates ARE included, this is no longer an issue. I did find it quite frustrating when I first received the unit. Also, the quality control department overlooked the fact that the 1/4 -20 machine screw holes in the in feed bracket were only tapped ½ way thru. I found it frustrating that I had to finish the tapping of the threaded holes myself. After my anger passed, the assembly was very straightforward. Instructions are not included, but really people, they are not needed. With the above mentioned the product would qualify for a 3 star rating.... Please read on.
I routed 12" x ¾" x 3/8" deep slots in my table so that I could mount mini-T-tracks perpendicular to the router fence. This allows for much improved positioning of the fence to bit situation over the limited threaded screw inserts supplied. The total assembly of the t-tracks, re-tapping and assembly of the adapter plates was an hour and a half. All well worth the time spent.
I have this setup installed on my Rousseau table saw wing using a Porter Cable 890 router and a Rockler on/off switch plugged into a Craftsman Auto switch that activates my Shop Vac when I turn on the router. I made accurate and smooth passes on the Freud fence. I played a little with the out feed table and even used it to joint ¾" edges on finish work. The whole wing of course is removable with all the hardware attached for easy storage.
Would I buy this router fence again? Yes. Would I use it in my home workshop? Yes, IF my budget was limited and I wanted a quality manufactured router fence. This is a good solid product and I look forward to using it more.

I just purchased and received this fence albeit without the 4 threaded inserts which should have been included. I did call customer service at Freud who promised to mail them out to me that day. In the meantime, I was able to pick up a few in the Rockler Store and mounted the new fence easily. Although the one page of instructions are minimal, I found them precise and to the point. No need for a manual with pictures or 100 plus pages. I experienced no problems setting up and using the fence with the included ALEPSH-5 Adaptor Plate, required for my 9 X 13" router insert. I replaced the standard wing nuts with star knobs and zeroing the precision controls was a breeze. I did not experience any flexing using the standard auxillary fences, however I do plan to replace the faces with 3/4" molecular slick plastic material to further reduce friction. The vacuum port accepted the 2-1/2" hose from my Shopsmith Dust Collector without adapters and coupled with the vacuum port on the router itself, my work was almost dust free (which pleases the miss'es). I'm so thoroughly pleased with this Freud system and I highly recommend it to anyone requiring a precision fence at a bargain price to boot!

I was excited to receive the Freud router table fence. I soon found out that the Freud router table fence was made to fit the Freud router table. It will work on your router table if you adapt your table. There are no instructions or parts to do so. I found this purchase very misleading. I did call Freud. I felt they had a lack of interest.

I purchased this fence about 6 months ago and mounted it on a home made router table. It has worked like a champ, but with all things good you can find some things not so good.

Good: Solid construction, easily to adjust for exact cuts, dust collections works great with Shop Vac, delivers quality cuts.

Not so good: The fence is not level with the bottom of the base. I had to put a piece of 1/4" MDF under each of the mounting screws so the fence bottom sits flush on my table top. Worse, the fence cannot be closed completely (both sides touching in middle behind the bit) which makes making fine cuts difficult since the wood loses contact with the fence.

Overall: Great fence system with an ok fence. Without question I would buy again. Easy to use and very, very well made.

I received my Freud router fence this week and installed it on my router table.(old cast iron table saw top, that I had milled out to accept the rosseau router insert) I had to use the included extensions to fasten the fence to the cast iron top.
It was a simple matter to drill and tap 2 holes in the top, and presto the fence bolted right on. The only thing left to do is buy an adapter 2 1/2" to 4" for my dust collector. I tried the fence out and it works great and was very easy to assemble. Everything seems to be quality workmanship and materials. I will probably buy a couple more of these for my other router tables.

The ALEPSH-5 expansion brakets are now available on Amazon. I ordered the fence and the expansion kit and received them in fine condition. Freud has redesigned the expansion option for larger base plates. It is no longer an aluminum plate that bolts to the bottom of the fence. It is now a pair of brakets that attach to each end with press fitted bolts. Mine went together easily. The attached brakets fit snuggly and are solid as a rock. I'm using mine on a table extension for my table saw and it works great. It would be nice, however if they included the expansion kit by default. I'm sure most people will need it.

This thing is built like a freight train and is incredibly accurate and repeatable. As mentioned in the previous review, it now includes adapters for use with wide insert plates. The first thing to do after mounting it is replace the MDF fence faces with hardwood ones and make several pairs so you can make them zero clearance.

I have a Mule Cabinet Router Table that came predrilled for this fence. So installtion was very easy. I added to additional mount to expand the work area. Took about five minutes to calibrate the fence. Once this was done the fence worked perfectly

I knew of the issue with the mounting width before building my table, so I installed the insert to fit the fence (rotate the insert). It gives the functionality of a shaper fence. As long as you pay attention to the base width, this is a great fence with very good accuracy!