Replies

1. 
   BG | Jun 17, 2003 11:58am | #1

   Snide,

   I just went through the same decision process last Friday looking for a miter gauge for my Grizzly.  I looked at the series of Incra's , Osborn, Vega and Accu-miter. 

   Only one respondant to the thread had the Osborn, and he/she was quite pleased. From my readings, it has gotten very good reviews...smooth, accurate, solid.  Personally, I was concerned with the price and that it took up real estate on the table saw that was very valuable.   

1. 
   forestgirl | Jun 17, 2003 07:09pm | #2

   BG, I've never really understood any attaction to the Osborne.  Like you say, it takes up valuable real estate, and the price!  Any indications if that extra cost is justified (above and beyond other quality aftermarket gauges)?  What if the user needed to miter a board up on edge?  Wouldn't that bar get in the way?

   Hard for me to imagine that it outperforms an Incra and I prefer an "indexing teeth" approach to a simple visual lining-up when cutting angles.  Maybe I'm missing something, but I just don't get it. <g>forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   BG | Jun 17, 2003 08:32pm | #3

   FG,

   I'm not the best to answer your questions..I'm biased, I bought the Incra...lol. However, there is a simple elegance to it's design and the fense is quite substantial with (I think) longer support for the price.  Also, I believe it can collaspe to a smaller footprint for storage and has fewer appendages to get bent and out of line.....but that is all speculation on my part and arguable.

   With that said, I do not disagree with your comments. 

1. 
   Fingrs | Jun 18, 2003 10:28pm | #4

   I bought the Osborne EB-3 about six months ago and absolutely love it.  Granted, I'm a tool hound and the price is a bit steep, but this is an accessory I'd buy all over again. 

   Pros:

   It holds alignment really well, but is easy to adjust if needed.  Quick changes from 90 to 45 degrees and back is accurate as well.  The built in stop-block is useful...I make a lot of cabinet doors and can really knock out rails and stiles that are exact duplicates.   The long edge adds comfort and safety.  Adjusting for my miter slot was easy and solid.

   Cons: 

   It's big, and when not in use I have a hard time finding a place to put it.  But, since I have fully adopted it, I cleared a space on a workbench for it along with my tenoning jig (another favorite).

   Hope this helps.

2. 
   bobpowers | Jun 19, 2003 12:07am | #5

   I have been using an EB-3 with my Unisaw for several months now, and have no regrets.  It does exactly what the advertising promised.  I have no experience with the Incra or others, and can't comment on the pro's and con's of comparison.  However, try the following:

   1. It's very accurate.  Can anything be more precise and rigid than an adjustable triangle?  The support bar is calibrated by degrees, and if you want 57 degrees, loosen the locking knob, slide it to 57 degrees, tighten the knob,  and that's it.  If you want 45, 90, etc, loosen the locking knob, press a button underneath, slide it to the desired angle and let go.

   2. I don't understand the concerns about real estate.  The support bar is to the left of the slot, and behind the fence, presuming you are using the left slot.

   3. So far as a place to put it, I hang it on the wall near my saw, suspended from a couple of Shaker pegs.

3. 
   triplenet | Jun 19, 2003 05:48am | #6

   I am currently taking a box making class from Doug Stowe in beautiful Eureka Springs, AR.  Doug has written numerous books on the subject and this week introduced us to the shop built sled for table saws.  I am amazed at the accuracy and convenience.  He had one each for 90 and 45 degrees, although any angle is possible.  The sled merely is a conveyance for the wood, the arbor on the saw is set to the angle you need.   We have cut very small precise pieces.  My PM miter gauge is taking a trip!!

4. 
   ownersrep | Jun 19, 2003 10:17pm | #7

   Snide,

   I'm another of the people that use the Osbourne on my uni-saw.  I've been very pleased and am having trouble understanding others concerns.  It is very solid and very accurate.  I hang mine on the hooks on the side of the saw.  (The miter gage that came with the uni-saw is now on the bandsaw).  I am familiar with the Incra products and own several but just feel the Osbourne is more substantial. 

   My 2 cents,

1. 
   forestgirl | Jun 19, 2003 11:32pm | #8

   Finally, we've gotten some substatial feedback from several Osborne owners!  This is good, I was wondering where you all were.  Sounds like a quality product.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   dlwheel | Jun 20, 2003 12:36am | #9

   I feel like a lone dog here. I've had the EB3 for a month on my PM66 and have had deflection problems. If I hold on to each side of the fence i can move it back and forth enough to affect accuracy. I have tightened the 3 set screws just to the point of grabbing.... still small experience deflection.

   This is not a problem for small stuff... but crosscut 8/4 white oak or maple 6' long... and it becomes a problem.

   I thought maybe it was the "barrel" at the end not seating properly... i'm just not sure.

   Called Osborne/Excalibur and they sent a new bar and set screws... still deflection. I'm not sure what to think.

   FWIW,

   David

1. 
   forestgirl | Jun 20, 2003 02:34am | #10

   Hmmmmm, sorry to hear that David.  Maybe one of the Osborne-owners here can help you out.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

5. 
   DaveinPa | Jun 20, 2003 05:52am | #11

   I hate to be a fly in your soup but I looked at the Osbourne EB-3 ($189 at Woodcraft, $159 at ToolHawk.com)and thought of all the room it would take up and ended up buying an Incra 1000, both Woodcraft and ToolHawk.com had it for $109. I love it and when not in use it hangs on the pegboard right behind the T/S.

   Dave in Pa.