I was thinking about buying an incra miter gague ’till I read the review in Oct ’03 FWW. The aouthor only rated it “fair” has anyone out there had the chance to compair miter gagues “head to head” so to speak or tried the kreg or Jessem Miter Gauge?
I’m looking for a pretty high degree of accuracy.
Rich
Replies
The Jessem looks very nice, well built and sturdy. Haven't had a chance to get my hands on the kreg though.
Truly a shame that Bench Dog didn't continue to produce theirs... it's a work of art, and bullet proof (as well as adjustable).
I purchased 2 when they were first released and wouldn't sell them for anything.
mike
I own the Incra 1000 and have opinions (of course!) about the other two(2000, 3000). It's apparent that he liked the 1000 except for the small stop. These days, there is a 1000SE available that is much better outfitted (extension, bigger stop). He has the same objection to the 2000 that I have: Too cumbersome. It's obviously not made to be easily switched from one side to the other. He doesn't really say anything about the 3000, but for most of us it's probably overkill.
His big problem with the Incra was that it was warped. Well, gee guy, send it back! This is the only time I've ever seen a report of one being warped. They are, sometimes, out of square with the table (mine was not), but that's easily fixed with shims.
I love my 1000, and if you search the archives you'll find many other people who have been very happy with their Incras.
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 2000 and my miters were off. Drove me nuts. Finally contacted Incra and they diagnosed that the miter bar was warped. They sent a new one, no charge. It looked the same, but my miters are straight and haven't had a problem since.
I do agree, it is a bit of a pain to switch sides of the saw. If I had to do it again, I'd look around first.
I really don't understand why Incra doesn't redesign the 2000 and make it like the 1000, except for 1* increments instead of 5* (the 1000). I simply don't see the sense in that pie-shaped design. For those who really need 1* increments, that would work great. Otherwise, the 1000 is, IMHO, a much more practical model.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 like Forest have the 1000.. I have no regrets getting it.. But then again I have a lot of their stuff so I guess I'm sort of biased...
Forest.. How is Kitti doing? Fine I hope...
Rich,
I own the Incra 1000se and as Forest indicated it's great. However, the new Jessem, while more expensive, is much more substantial and may well be worth the extra dollars...only you can judge...but you won't be disapointed either way I suspect.
I think that F.G. is right, chances are that they could have sent it back for a replacement. But that is not really the problem I have with it. They market their products as being super accurate percesion tools, yet the conctruction is delicate and sometimes flimsy. The tools are NOT appropiate for a working shop, and they are overkill for most hobiest. I like the Jessum a lot, also the simple pinned units are great. Like the woodbridge and the Kreg.
Mike
"...yet the conctruction is delicate and sometimes flimsy." Mike, could you be more specific with regard to their miter gauges? I've never thought of mine as being "flimsy."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" .... :>)
Hey FG,
I have the JDS Accu miter (or whatever its called). Compaired to that pretty much any thing feels flimsy. However I do need to retract that statement, Incra's miter gauges are made mostly of steel parts and the fence is substantial enough. Really I am thinking of those ridiculous fence systems. Sorry for being an ####, but they are absurd. Even the miter gauges are overkill. Do you really need a half degree detent? The people who buy that stuff are the same who but titainum bolts for their bicycles, carry three sets of cams on their climbing rack, use titanium spoons when hiking and buy hokey golf-swing-improving double jointed lazer guided putters (that is a real product sold at reputable proshops). WOod bridge sell a gague that costs like $40 and is extremely accurate and easy to use. Please don't hate me FG, I'm just feeling honery tonight. :-)
Mikeplease excuse my spelling.
"Do you really need a half degree detent? " That's why I got the 1000 -- no need to pay for overkill precision!
"Honery" hmmmmm, I'm afraid to ask! :>)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" .... :>)
How do you spell it? Onery. ownery. honery. awnerie. awnrie.
English sucks. I'll stick to spanish, aneri. Yea that looks more like it.
Mikeplease excuse my spelling.
The "honery" just gave me a good laugh! Looked like a word that covers being ornery as a side effect of being horny. I like it actually!
UHohhhhh, I'm going to get in trouble for hijacking. I'll go to my corner now.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" .... :>)
English sucks.. YEP.. I always said that when took a test in English...
But it is pretty good for a 'Traders Language'..
One thing about English.. You can type almost anything and most will understand.. Try that in most other languages! Just me....
That is an amazing observation. I speak three languages with near fluency (including English) and a little Hindi, Vietminese, and Malay. So I figure I am sort of an amature linguist. I've never made that conection, but you are correct. Bugger up a sentence in Tagalog and they will have no clue what you mean. English seems to be more forgiving.
Mikeplease excuse my spelling.
Hi Rich,
Check out the Smartmiter at jointech.com
It's expensive but worth every penny.
Dick38
JDS Accu-Miter is the one I have. It was worth every penny and I would buy it again tomorrow. That being said, have you built a crosscut sled yet for your saw?
Tom
My vote goes to Kreg. I have had mine for about a year now. No regreats at all, was dead acurate out of the box, easy to set angles, I would buy one again.
I echo the positive comments on the AccuMiter. Rock solid and accurate - BUT, then I bought a JoinTech "sliding table type' miter gauge/cut-off device. I never use a miter guage now. I really like the fact that the cut is supported right up to the saw blade. Accurate and easy to lay on the saw table.
Jerry
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