When it arrived, I deliriously started installation and found that the rails were way too long for my tablesaw\/router table combo and started the process with Harvey to get the shorter rails, thinking this would be an easy fix since they are really, just over the hill in CA.\u00a0 Not to be. \u00a0Best they could do was 25% off the full price for just the rails not including shipping and they wouldn\u2019t take the long rails back.\u00a0 I wound up buying a full B-36 Big Eye for about $20 more than their offer and put the B-52 up for sale.\u00a0 Eventually, I sold it for about half of what I paid. \u00a0So\u2026I have the world\u2019s most expensive Harvey B-36 Big Eye fence which is\u2026fantastic!\u00a0 Is it worth what it cost me? No.\u00a0 Is it worth what you\u2019d pay?\u00a0 Yes, it is.\u00a0 Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, it\u2019s incredibly well made, as are most Harvey tools, and just like the others, the instructions suck. Fortunately, enough people have installed these on various saws to help me (and you) work though the process. YouTube is your friend here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Second, watch those install videos again and know that the Big Eye adjust-ability is also a negative aspect.\u00a0 If you\u2019re one to \u201cskip ahead\u201d because you’re too cool to read instructions, it will take you longer to get it right. I promise you.\u00a0 One of the best ways to start the Big Eye setup is with a Woodpeckers table saw alignment gauge<\/a>.\u00a0 If you start with getting the table aligned with the blade, the Big Eye fence will follow.\u00a0 Trust me on this.\u00a0 If you chose to start with \u201cclose enough\u201d, buy snacks, drinks, and maybe dinner for the shop; you\u2019ll be a while.<\/p>\n\n\n The most frustrating part of the install was getting the height of the front rail level across the run of the table.\u00a0 Harvey could have made a small height block to make this easy but alas\u2026not. The instructions are for metric measurements, so adjust your plan of attack accordingly.\u00a0 I used a Jessem gauge<\/a> to mark height at both ends, and then slowly snugged up the rail across the width of the saw.\u00a0 You can use a small adjustable \u201cT\u201d square as well.\u00a0 Do not use a tape measure or your neighbor’s combo square from Harbor Freight!\u00a0 Pay attention to the \u201cGuide Rail Mounting Hardware\u201d eccentric bolts to ensure you\u2019re not doing this over and over.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n The biggest thing with the Big Eye (yuk yuk) is that once the rails are installed, the fence is almost 90 degrees to the blade at both ends without adjustment.\u00a0 But, dialing the fence in was a labor of love.\u00a0 On the original fence, I found the process used by Rick (“The Shack”<\/a>) of YouTube fame to be the most accurate and easiest to repeat.\u00a0 Same process for the Big Eye, except for the head alignment.\u00a0 Generally the adjustment screws are easy to access with an assortment of hex wrenches. Take your time here and don’t accept less than perfection.<\/p>\n\n\n Once calibrated, I did a few cuts and was hugely impressed by the smoothness of the fence.\u00a0 It\u2019s just glides on the rails front and back.\u00a0 Over the last year I\u2019ve cleaned the rails maybe four times and it still runs like new.\u00a0 Also impressive is the thumb wheel \u201cmicro adjustment\u201d.\u00a0 Gone are the days of rapping my knuckles to nudge the fence over.\u00a0 Once on measurement, the locking mechanism doesn\u2019t move the fence when locking down, unlike a traditional fence.\u00a0Even my Harvey moved a fraction of a hair at lock-down but not the Big Eye. I\u2019ve moved the scale a few times for different blades but it\u2019s relatively simple and makes quick work of similar cuts; change the blade, change the scale, and it\u2019s off to the races.<\/p>\n\n\n I installed this with the \u201chigh\u201d side of the fence and set my specs to that thinking I\u2019d eventually use the low side.\u00a0 Never did, probably never will.\u00a0 Over the year I\u2019ve had this, I ‘ve re-calibrated maybe twice and that\u2019s because of some bad cuts.\u00a0 Turned out it was the blade and motor belt, not the fence.\u00a0 Getting accurate and repeatable cuts is now never a problem.\u00a0 If you have a quality saw and need a better fence, I think this one should be your first choice. Or your second choice if just want to spend a lot of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When I bought my Harvey Woodworking table saw, it came with a very serviceable fence that was very accurate and waaaay better than my Porter Cable contractor saw (RIP). But, we can always do better, can\u2019t we? Read on and learn from my very expensive lesson on personal improvement. I have a love hate relationship with Harvey. On the one … <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thelosttrail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screenshot-2025-07-07-111404-300x204.jpg\")
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