Replies

1. 
   cuttoff | Jun 12, 2002 10:59pm | #1

   I found this post on the internet, maybe it will help.

   Incra Vs JoinTech?

   Incra and JoinTech market similar precision router fence systems. When I was the WW show in Nov. '99, I watched demonstrations of both systems and was convinced I wanted one or the other, but not having the cash to buy either at the time. Taking in all the marketing hype at the show, regretting I couldn't take one of their juicy show packages that day, I drooled on the flyers and brochures when I got home.

   After reading all the literature, I decided the JoinTech was the superior product, but with a much bigger initial cost. The Incra is marketed as components while the JoinTech is sold as a complete system (although it is sold on the web both as a system and as components).

   When you get the Incra components equivalent to a JoinTech Cabinetmaker's System, I believe the price will be very similar. Although I didn't verify this, you can at the respective websites. I believe the equivalent Incra components to a JoinTech Cabinetmaker's System are an Incra Jig Ultra and an Incra Intelli-Fence.

   • Woodpecker's (retailers of the Incra systems)
   • JoinTech

   IMHO, the features that make the JoinTech a better system are

   • the fence inserts
   • better dust collection
   • more templates and smarter organization of same
   • parallax reduction scrib mark on the clear plastic curser
   • better center finding system

   Which system for me?

   I bought a used 16" Incra Ultra Jig from someone on the net for about 60% of retail. It was an easy way to grab a tool that I wanted to play with for far less than buying either system new.

   What's New?

   There's a recent addition to the Incra product line. It's called the "WonderFence" and it seems to address the dust collection issue listed above. As of this writing, details are not available on the Woodpecker's website. It's just $20. more than the Intelli-Fence it appears to replace, but it's pricey compared the the JoinTech SmartFence (a component of the JoinTech system) . Makes me wonder: Has anyone attempted to attach the JoinTech SmartFence to a Incra system?

   View Image

   ---

   =Bob Waltenspiel
   email: [email protected]
   web page: http://www.sonic.net/~bobino

   Last modified: Thu Nov 22 15:12:44 PST 2001

   John

2. 
   TomMGTC | Jun 13, 2002 12:10am | #2

   Depends on what you want to do with it. The incra and jointech jigs are fine for small box making and excell at decorative joints on such boxes but I think you will find they are very limited when it comes to drawer or casework. They look great at woodworking shows and such because they use them for what they are best at, joining small boards together. You will notice that almost every time they demonstrate these jigs they use small stock. They larger the stock, the harder it is to control, especially when placed vertically on the table. I have an incra jig and a leigh jig and the leigh wins hands down. I can do small boxes to drawers to casework on it and the results are alway excellent with total control of the router and stock. If you are interested in making small decorative boxes the incra or jointech may be a good choice.

1. 
   gerry001 | Jun 13, 2002 05:53am | #3

   >Depends on what you want to do with it.

   That's always the truest statement, and people often ask for recommendations without taking this into account.

   That said, I agree with Tom that handling a fairly long board on a router table is awkward at best, e.g. for smaller drawers the Incra is fine, but for large ones the table becomes a problem. You can picture this to pretty much judge your limits. For instance, I'll be starting two end tables and the Incra should handle those drawers okay. Also, production dovetails will be much faster on the Leigh.

   On the flip side, I primarily bought the Incra for a precision router fence, and it serves that purpose well. It allow me to mess up one piece in a batch, then return later to make an exact duplicate that will fit with the others.

   Compared to the Jointec, I think they're pretty much even. If I was doing all small boxes and such, I'd have probably gone for the Jointec. Buying the Incra in pieces allowed me to better learn what can be done and what I need.

   Gerry

2. 
   charlescates | Jun 16, 2002 06:10am | #5

   In the same context as above: table( Incra and Jointech) vs. Leigh jig with longer boards> How would you rank the Woodrat system?

1. 
   TomMGTC | Jun 16, 2002 03:22pm | #6

   I have never used the woodrat system so I can't speak to it's operation. I have used the leigh jig for very large casework (18" X 72" ) with great results. Had to turn the jig 90 degrees so the long peice layed horizontal and the router was used horizontally as well but it worked well. Never would be able to do that with the incra or jointech and I don't think it can be done on the woodrat but they aren't really designed for that anyway.

   For mortising I use a homemade routermachine (the frankenrouter) that works very much like the JDS multi-router but has more capacity and it works wonders. I set it up to accept the JDS tenoning and dovetailing templates. The tenon templates work great, I haven't had the need to use the machine for dovetailing since I like the leigh but I may get the templates someday to try it. After using the machine I found that I wished I had built it sooner or bought the JDS unit. It is expensive but the accuracy and speed with which you can cut mortises is incredible. Pics of my machine are available in the hollow chisel mortiser thread.

3. 
   bobbylonghare | Jun 13, 2002 04:13pm | #4

   I've used both and I prefer the Jointech. In general it just seems easier to use.

   Bobby