My JDS miter gauge arrived and for the last three days I have been trying to align it. Once I get it to 90 degrees, it cuts perfectly, then when I switch it to 45 degrees, it is off by 1/32 or so. I spoke to my neighbor who is into woodworking and he said no one ever gets a perfect 45. I really don’t believe that, the JDS cost $160 and I expected it to cut perfect angles. Any ideas. thanks for your help.
By the way I returned it yesterday and am looking at a Woodhaven miter gauge.
Edited 5/27/2004 3:15 pm ET by woodctr
Replies
It is certainly possible to get perfect 45 degree miters with any decent tablesaw and miter gauge provided they are tuned up properly, but I would guess that 90 percent of all table saws have never once been tuned.
A miter gauge cannot be adjusted to cut correctly unless the miter slot is close to perfectly parallel to the blade, so I would start with checking that alignment. I prefer to use a miter gauge where each stop can be adjusted separately since it is rare to find a preset gauge where both the 90 and 45 settings are both perfect. Also, make sure the square you are using is truly square, if it isn't you can't tell where the problem lies.
John W.
Thanks for your comments John, I will be double checking the alignment, however, first time around everything seemed to be parallel and square. You would think if it cut square at 90 then it should cut exactly at 45. I'll keep trying. thanks
woodctr,
Your expectations are well founded! John W's advice is right on! Have you looked at the Incra 1000SE? I bought one a month or so ago and it's a precision piece of equipment and cost a bit less than $160.
Regards,
Mack
"WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"
I agree with john W and your thoughts. I have looked at the Incra 1000SE and it looks good, however, the reviews gave it less than great. Apparently the fence was out of square withthe table and needed to be shimmed. I used both a carpenter's square and drafting triangle which I presume to be pretty close to 90. Also my blade appears to be parallel to the miter slot, so all should be OK. I'm going to keep looking and thank you for your comments.
I've had the Incra 1000se for about a year and really like it. The presets are right on and the fence didn't need shimming
Dusty,
I had no trouble setting up my 1000se at all. It's probably more miter gage than I really need but I hope to get deeper in WW as time permits.
I take reviews with a large grain of salt as most times they are subjective. It's like the Chev. Astro van. Consumer Reports had been ripping it up for years (back when we got ours in late 1991). Ours now has 234K on it, never had any engine work and doesn't use a qt. of oil between changes. It's been through a vending business and now a paint contracting business and still going strong. If it's bottom of the heap as far as mini-vans go; I'll take two!!!
I find the Incra 1000SE to be solid, precise and well made.
Regards,
Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"
I always try to buy more tool then I need right now asumming I'll grow into it. Saves having to buy new stuff so often. The one problem I have is the little plastic nuts that hold the metal rod to the flip stops loosen up if you don't tighten them often.
I don't pay to much attention to Consumer Reports car evaluations anymore they seem to like foreign cars - or did anyway.
Dusty
"...and he said no one ever gets a perfect 45. I really don't believe that...." Neither do I, 'cause my Incra 1000 cuts accurate 45* angles.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Well, I think you have convinced me. I have read your other excerpts about your Incra 1000 and most people I have talked to, think it's a pretty good piece of equipment. Hated to return the JDS, but I could not live with the inaccuracies I was having. Thanks for your help.
Uh Oh, now my derriere is on the line! Sure hope you don't get a lemon, LOL! Nah, I'm sure you'll like the Incra.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
You're ordering the SE, right??forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I have the Incra V27...a little cheaper than the 1000SE but I love it..dead accurate right out of the box...
JC
Yes I am. I understand the SE has a larger flip stop and I believe a longer fence. I'll let you know how I like it. Thanks for your input.
What a coincidence. I just received the same miter gauge last weekend and have the exact same problem. The 90 degrees is fine, but the 45 is way off. In addition, I had to get a new miter bar from JDS because the holes were incorrectly tapped in my original one (they were very kind and helpful by the way). In general, I have heard nothing but positive things about this miter gauge, but it looks like there are few problems in the latest production run. I was debating getting an exchange, but it looks like I should go for another brand.
I have the Incra 2000. It took about 45 minutes to get it out of the box, read the instructions, square it up, and insert a paper shim (no big deal) to get the fence perp to the table. Another 15 mins to make and attach an aux fence.
90s and 45s are right on, no daylight under my machinist's square.
(I seem to recall someone on this forum saying to calibrate 45 FIRST, then check 90. )
BTW, put a sheet of paper under the fence when you tighten it up to lift it a skosh off the table and keep it from dragging.
Can't say I'm crazy about the Shop Stop. It leaves a gap between the stop and fence that doesnt positively catch mitered ends (the whole point here!) The Flip Stop looks more effective for that (in photos), but I haven't tried it myself.
Wouldn't you think that the quality control would be a bit tighter for a product that cost this much? I talked to the people at JDS and they were very nice also, however, I still felt like I had to return it. I would really frustrate myself day after day trying to get accurate cuts. Thanks for your comments.
Your neighbor has me pegged. It is really tough to get it exactly right. I think most of us have to tidy up with a plane. Need to learn how to plane a corect 45.
Good Luck
I love my planes!!!
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled