Just spent an informative 20 telephone minutes with Incra ( http://www.incra.com ) tech rep “Perry” – here are results not found on sellers’ web sites – hope they’ll help a few others.
Topic: Table Saw Miter Gauge
Had been looking at 3000 and 5000, but getting discouraged, because the 5000’s gauge fence is integral – tough to convert to non-sled use, and the 52″ fence would be a liability hangin’ out there when not actually in use. Wanted to find a way to arrive at “quick change” so as to use 18″ extendable flipstop fence everyday, with option of longer flipstop fence when needed.
Gist of conversation:
The 1000SE is actually about the best and certainly most flexible of the bunch, as it has 1/10 degree vernier PLUS flip stop in 18″ extending fence. [ Standard 1000 is 1/4 degree vernier and only 18″ slide stop fence. 18″ will fit within tabletop confines of ordinary 10″ table saw with standard left extension. ] Neither 3000 nor 5000 has vernier – a “downer” for me.
At end of June, Incra will release (first through WoodCraft, others later) a new “MITER EXPRESS” accessory. Essentially a 5000 without the protractor head. Major benefit is that it will accept ANY 3/8 x 3/4 miter gauge, has built-in expansion adjusters in the integral slot to suit any miter bar, expands into any standard table’s 3/8 x 3/4 slot, and has the 5000’s integrated surface T-tracks. Slick. Retail about $149.95 msrp, though they expect street price to drop. (I know – ya kin make yer own sled – to me, the price versus time and sleekness are worth it.)
ALTERNATE FENCES, Extending “Flip Fence”
(has integral flip stop) style:
No dealers carry these, so Incra will sell them direct. I only asked about two – 36″ is $44.95, 52″ is $59.95. Either will exchange with standard fence in 1000 or 3000 in a few seconds.
Note: The standard flip stop locks in 1/32 increments, with a fine thread adjuster for tuning.
As a result, my (for example) upgrade “do it all” plan is:
1) Purchase 1000SE for all use, rough work and fine. 18″ extending fence w/ flip stop, 1/10 degree vernier. About $130
2) Purchase 52″ Flip Fence as change-out option for longer critical length matching. About $60
3)Add (maybe) “Miter Express” when its price settles down. About $130
I really like this, as it leaves me the option of using a miter sled, or just relying on a zero-tol throat insert.
Total approx investment: $320 — about $20 more than the much less flexible 5000. Most likely will actually be just $190 for 1000SE plus exchange fence.
—John
Replies
I liked the miter-in-a-sled concept so much I made pretty much what you just described. It has the 3/4" miter track embedded in the sled. I originally had the stock GI gauge with an aluminum fence in it, but have an Osborne EB-3. Both of these gauges have adjustable bars so it was easy to snug 'em up.
Thanks for the note. You're right - the protractor-in-sled approach has real merit.---John
I have a 1000SE.. I like it ALOT!.. Be aware that the nylon adjusters will wear out in that 'T' slot after several hundred passes and you need to check them.. Well, sometime...
Hi, Will ...Thanks for the tip re inserts. Mine's on its way.---John
and the 52" fence would be a liability hangin' out there when not actually in use.
I got a saw like that! PAIN to BE SURE! BUT when ya need it... Just wonderfull!
Amen, brother - my shop just isn't roomy enough to swing that much yardage in the breeze without its being seriously in the way. Was relieved to learn that Incra does offer alternate fence lengths, and that they're easily exchanged.---John
18" extending fence.. I got a hunk of heavy aluminum with a stop... out there that bolts to it...
I guess the longer the guide the more ya got to be correct in the ANGLE.. Works for me...
I've used the bolt/clamp/skyhook method forever (so it seems), and have never been other than impatient with it - too much settin' up time when there are only a couple of cuts to make. Critical interest lies in angular repeatability of the protractor - - but for their minimal cost, the extending multiple fences with built-in stops pretty well make themselves unavoidable for my needs.---John
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