Thanks for the link bobismy,nice one stop parts source but unfortunatly they didn't have this one. I agree that redesighn and changing mfgrs every few years severly diminished the value of Craftsman power tools. Such a shame because in reality "many" of their tools were miles ahead of competivly priced brands. Another example,Delta was once high quility tools but now days some of the sorriest junk around wear's the name. But that seems to be the norm. We whine and complain about imports from China then refuse to buy anything else. Once again,thanks and I'm still searching if there's other ideas out there.

the folks at owwm.org might be able to point you to a source. Lots of those machines we sold under many names and have interchangeable parts. You might also call someone like http://www.springsfast.com. At worst a custom spring shop can make you one.

Klem,

I'm sure you know this but there are aftermarket fences available (or at least used be). While probably more expensive than a replacement part, one might be the most expedient solution.

Remember when the "cheap" tools used to come from Taiwan? ;-)

Yea I'm aware of after market fence systems but it's such a shame having to buy one for lack of a $10 spring. I'm torn about investing in one not knowing wherther something else might fail that isn't replacable. This saw is used for hobby work so my income isn't suffering.

As a last resort, get some 1" wide steel banding, fashion it into the shape you need. The lumber bands are made from spring steel, and they do make inch-wide stuff; I used to keep some around.

Careful drilling, it's hard af, and will burn steel bits, use cobalt bits, do not hold it with your hands, if/when the bit grabs it will cut you up.

Casey

Thanks Casey, I'll ask the lumber yard to save a few feet so I can start experimenting while continueing the search. Who know's,it might work well enough I can stop looking. Meanwhile,I'm still on the hunt and open to all suggestions and leads.

Is this a really weird spring or might you be able to find it at a hardware or industrial supply? Even Ace Hardware has cabinets of springs to choose from. I'm sure there are online hardware vendors with thousands of them. You just have to figure out what type of spring (extension or compression, etc.) and the dimensions which you already seem to know.

This won't help you but since we're on the subject, I save springs, nuts and bolts and all kinds of hardware for this sort of occasion. I have half a hardware store organized in my shop but sometimes I do actually fix things without spending a dime. It impresses my wife anyway. :-]

Yea tox,it's one of a kind. Visualize 3.25" of metal lumber strap like Casey mentioned above bent with slots and a screw hole. Were it not spring it would be much easier to heat and form. Thanks for offering but I doupt there's one in your coffee cans.^_^ I found that Emerson Electric manufactured this saw for Roebuck but I found very little information about other brands they built. Off the subject but as mom used to say when people had unfair advantge with something,"Sears had retail by the tail with a down hill drag"then let Wal-Mart snatch it away. The first time I heard of Biesemeyer fence,it was offered on Sears Best table saw in 1965. The first time 90% of people in USA heard of a steel belted radial tire was when Sears introduced Michelin in the late 60s.

It's slotted at the top so it dovetails into the recess of the end of the fence? I think that's how mine is. I remember it as thicker than 1/16

Is it like this drawing?

http://c.searspartsdirect.com/lis_png/PLDM/00039400-00003.png

When I did this search a lot of exploded drawings came up.

https://www.google.com/search?q=sears+craftsman+fence+parts+TS&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj1iJKuyuTMAhWMlR4KHYINAQwQsAQIMw&biw=1366&bih=635#imgdii=jRP3bi5FGR5MJM%3A%3BjRP3bi5FGR5MJM%3A%3Bi1wuM4fsadBKUM%3A&imgrc=jRP3bi5FGR5MJM%3A

It's #10 Casey,easily confused with #11,latch which is much thicker

Have you tried making a replacement out of sheet steel. From the diagram, it looks like you turn the handle and it pulls the rod forward, which pulls part 11 which in turn presses part 10 against the rear of the table saw, so the part in question looks like it the screw on top with the bend holds it off the rear of the saw until you tighten the handle. If you can't get sheet steel to spring back, see if there is a regular spring that you can fit there to make part 11 stay off the rear of the TS

I haven't attempted making one barry but plan giving it a try useing steel lumber band as suggested by Casey. If that prove's beyond my capabilities it look's like an aftermarket system or replaement saw if I want to butcher wood.

Wish I still had my Craftsman fence I could send you, but I gave it away when I upgraded to a Delta T2 fence. I only wish I'd done that sooner! The T2 turned it into a new saw, so I'd suggest reconsidering the upgrade.