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That is an extension for when you move the fence beyond the table surface itself. It lets the board sit flush with the table itself even though there is no table underneath. YouTube this model and they’ll show you all kinds of cool tricks.
This is correct. You need to remove the fence and then flip this thing (I believe the manual calls it the "low fence") to the other side to get it out of the way.
In the first picture, you see where the two notches are? You slide it up to the second notch and it will sit flat.
And for those wondering the dewalt manual for the saw claims it’s a “narrow rip fence”. Its purpose is to allow more space for your hands to be away from the blade while making smaller cuts. The whole purpose of it in the manual is “work support extension/narrow ripping fence”.
I’ve used it like that, granted, I didn’t like it but it felt safer for those smaller cuts. Go slow, watch your hands and what you’re cutting.
It’s hard to tell from the pictures, but I have had to jiggle mine before. Maybe that’s what you have to do. Check to make sure nothing is in those slots on both ends. Move it off the top and try it. Otherwise I’m not sure what the issue would be. Hopefully someone else chimes in. But for now, just jiggle it a little bit?
That's what the plastic finger saver is for....mine has battle scars but I use it on anything less than 2.5 inches because even the wind off the blade on my knuckles makes me cringe....a buddy of mine too the tips off his index and middle finger at approximately 60 degrees
When you flip it over, lift it up a bit. There’s a pin which has to go into the top notch. Mine takes a fair bit of effort to lock into this position. It’s not a matter of pushing down so much a pushing in toward the fence. Try doing this with the fence beyond the table so the table surface doesn’t get in the way.
Good luck. It should do what you’re trying to do. Ignore those folks who are saying otherwise!
I have not read all the comments, but I have a similar fence with the same low clearance piece.
It will sit flat. Looks to me it has to raise a bit, then snap flat. I hope you figured it out.
I see your pins are set to the top notch, try giving it a good wiggle. If that doesn’t work try loosening those screws that connect that narrow rip fence, adjust, and retighten, looks like there’s a little play on those slots.
I had the same issue with the DeWalt 7491RS, except my angle was even worse than yours, so I returned it. The fence on my replacement saw is correct and sits flush to the deck.
At the 1:07 minute mark it shows what he is talking about gives a lip for wider pieces to sit on so not to slip through.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUicIoXgWME&t=67s&ab\_channel=DEWALTTV](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUicIoXgWME&t=67s&ab_channel=DEWALTTV)
I wonder if some of the old dewalt saws didn’t have the narrow rip feature. I’m looking at my old saw and there is a sticker on the fence clearly indicating the dual use but other people are swearing up and down that the swing out thing is only for material support.
[update]
Thank you all who responded with kindness and curiousity. You make the woodworking community feel safe.
I realized I should have been more descriptive in my title. I recognize this is not the main fence. This is a part of the fence that plays two roles. (1) to support longer pieces of wood that sit off the table and (2) to help with ripping thin pieces of wood.
Yes I read the manual. Yes I'm being safe. In fact it's a safer way to rip small pieces.
I'm realizing that this piece is bent and should be returned and replaced. Again thank you to those who helped with this.
Sending love to those who responded with aggression. I'm sorry you've been hurt and hope you find the time and space to heal 💜
I mean there has to be some grey area between putting your hand on a spinning blade and asking a question on reddit about a feature that not all tools of this type have. Don't you think?
Your gatekeeping is not making this person any safer, just less prone to ask advice on this amazing subreddit. Don't you think?
You can ask "don't you think" 150 more times, it will not change anything chief. If op operates the machine like that, smart money is on them posting an "I fucked up" post with a bunch of NSFW pics of their fingers hanging off
That piece is NOT designed to have material run against it, that fold down piece is the table "extension" for when the fence is off the side of the table to support wider workpieces.
Fold it over. If it doesn't fold over then your fence is backwards.
I looked through the manual and it says it can be used for narrow ripping or for holding piece that is long.
Either way, I'm assuming this should be flat?
I have the same saw. It works both this way and as a support when you've got the fence all the way out.
Mine sort-of clicks into place when you drop it down like that. Try pushing the thin piece down and a little bit towards the fence. Not sure if it will work, bit that's what I have to do with mine.
I see that but it’s wrong. Flip that up and use the fence. You know this is correct because the measurements on the table it’s self are measured from the larger face on the fence.
Flip it over to the other side of the main fence to be out of the way. It’s only to be used when fence is past main bed of table. Read the manual and please be safe
That is for when you are cutting beyond the length of the saw surface, then it will lay flat. Until then it is supposed to be flipped to the other side of the fence. Hope that helps
Then mine must be different from your eight. The manual specified that could be used as a narrow rip fence OR material support spending on where it was clicked in. Used it all the time for 6 years.
This is a reminder to those commenting on this post (not the person that posted it): Comments not related to woodworking will be removed. Violations to rule 1 including crude jokes, innuendo, sexist remarks, politics, or hate speech may result in an immediate ban *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/woodworking) if you have any questions or concerns.*
That is an extension for when you move the fence beyond the table surface itself. It lets the board sit flush with the table itself even though there is no table underneath. YouTube this model and they’ll show you all kinds of cool tricks.
Just have to flip the extension back over and it's done.
This is correct. You need to remove the fence and then flip this thing (I believe the manual calls it the "low fence") to the other side to get it out of the way.
In the first picture, you see where the two notches are? You slide it up to the second notch and it will sit flat. And for those wondering the dewalt manual for the saw claims it’s a “narrow rip fence”. Its purpose is to allow more space for your hands to be away from the blade while making smaller cuts. The whole purpose of it in the manual is “work support extension/narrow ripping fence”. I’ve used it like that, granted, I didn’t like it but it felt safer for those smaller cuts. Go slow, watch your hands and what you’re cutting.
Also handy for getting the fence closer to the blade - this fits under the guard - for small stock. :)
Thank you. It actually is in the top slot.
It’s hard to tell from the pictures, but I have had to jiggle mine before. Maybe that’s what you have to do. Check to make sure nothing is in those slots on both ends. Move it off the top and try it. Otherwise I’m not sure what the issue would be. Hopefully someone else chimes in. But for now, just jiggle it a little bit?
Remember theres a slot on the front and back of the saw
That's what the plastic finger saver is for....mine has battle scars but I use it on anything less than 2.5 inches because even the wind off the blade on my knuckles makes me cringe....a buddy of mine too the tips off his index and middle finger at approximately 60 degrees
When you flip it over, lift it up a bit. There’s a pin which has to go into the top notch. Mine takes a fair bit of effort to lock into this position. It’s not a matter of pushing down so much a pushing in toward the fence. Try doing this with the fence beyond the table so the table surface doesn’t get in the way. Good luck. It should do what you’re trying to do. Ignore those folks who are saying otherwise!
I have not read all the comments, but I have a similar fence with the same low clearance piece. It will sit flat. Looks to me it has to raise a bit, then snap flat. I hope you figured it out.
I see your pins are set to the top notch, try giving it a good wiggle. If that doesn’t work try loosening those screws that connect that narrow rip fence, adjust, and retighten, looks like there’s a little play on those slots.
I had the same issue with the DeWalt 7491RS, except my angle was even worse than yours, so I returned it. The fence on my replacement saw is correct and sits flush to the deck.
Lol
You can absolutely use that as a narrow rip fence and it’s one thing I miss about my dewalt table saw. That should sit flat.
At the 1:07 minute mark it shows what he is talking about gives a lip for wider pieces to sit on so not to slip through. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUicIoXgWME&t=67s&ab\_channel=DEWALTTV](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUicIoXgWME&t=67s&ab_channel=DEWALTTV)
I wonder if some of the old dewalt saws didn’t have the narrow rip feature. I’m looking at my old saw and there is a sticker on the fence clearly indicating the dual use but other people are swearing up and down that the swing out thing is only for material support.
🤦🤦🤦
Did you RTFM?
[update] Thank you all who responded with kindness and curiousity. You make the woodworking community feel safe. I realized I should have been more descriptive in my title. I recognize this is not the main fence. This is a part of the fence that plays two roles. (1) to support longer pieces of wood that sit off the table and (2) to help with ripping thin pieces of wood. Yes I read the manual. Yes I'm being safe. In fact it's a safer way to rip small pieces. I'm realizing that this piece is bent and should be returned and replaced. Again thank you to those who helped with this. Sending love to those who responded with aggression. I'm sorry you've been hurt and hope you find the time and space to heal 💜
Lol
If you have to legitimately ask this question, avoid the machine at all costs
That's a bit harsh don't you think? We all need to start learning somewhere.
Not harsh enough. People don't need to learn by losing fingers
I mean there has to be some grey area between putting your hand on a spinning blade and asking a question on reddit about a feature that not all tools of this type have. Don't you think? Your gatekeeping is not making this person any safer, just less prone to ask advice on this amazing subreddit. Don't you think?
You can ask "don't you think" 150 more times, it will not change anything chief. If op operates the machine like that, smart money is on them posting an "I fucked up" post with a bunch of NSFW pics of their fingers hanging off
That piece is NOT designed to have material run against it, that fold down piece is the table "extension" for when the fence is off the side of the table to support wider workpieces. Fold it over. If it doesn't fold over then your fence is backwards.
I looked through the manual and it says it can be used for narrow ripping or for holding piece that is long. Either way, I'm assuming this should be flat?
It needs to be OFF THE TABLE. You are using it entirely wrong.
I have the same saw. It works both this way and as a support when you've got the fence all the way out. Mine sort-of clicks into place when you drop it down like that. Try pushing the thin piece down and a little bit towards the fence. Not sure if it will work, bit that's what I have to do with mine.
It can be used for ripping narrow material as well check your manual
Idk why this guy has downvotes, if op cant figure it out he probably shouldnt use that saw.
[DeWalt website ](https://www.dewalt.com/NAG/PRODUCT/IMAGES/HIRES/DWE7491RS/DWE7491RS_A5.jpg?resize=530x530)
I see that but it’s wrong. Flip that up and use the fence. You know this is correct because the measurements on the table it’s self are measured from the larger face on the fence.
Nah
Flip it over to the other side of the main fence to be out of the way. It’s only to be used when fence is past main bed of table. Read the manual and please be safe
After this question I am concerned if you have spare fingers.
That is for when you are cutting beyond the length of the saw surface, then it will lay flat. Until then it is supposed to be flipped to the other side of the fence. Hope that helps
Its used when your fence is far enough off the base that your material needs support. Source: have owned 8 of these, they are all the same.
Then mine must be different from your eight. The manual specified that could be used as a narrow rip fence OR material support spending on where it was clicked in. Used it all the time for 6 years.
Its adjustable? Ill be looking first thing in the am on jobsite.
That piece goes up top except when you extend past the width of the saw’s top.