What do you Thinkra about Incra?

Man that full ride TS/Router system is a beaut. I have a funky home-made table that has served me well for its intended purpose (small box work, edge-forming).

The visible table top rests on a 3/4 plywood “subfloor”
I never use the miter slot, but if I ever redo the melamine top I would put it closer to the bit. I have to put new runners on the vertical positioning jig, as I have chewed into them over the years, but everything works as it stands. If I ever decided to do cabinet work involving dovetails I would probably get a Keller of a Leigh jig, but I don’t do much fine woodworking on a larger scale and would likely to stick to the Kreg jig for the bathroom cabinets and shop tables I see in my future.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

How close is the miter slot to the bit? What should it be?

-- Check out my new website! http://www.theeasellife.com

Good question. I think on a do-over I would position it about two inches to the left of the insert. Mostly I just reference to the fence with a sled of scrap behind the workpiece.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

I have the Incra Universal Precision Positioning Jig. I’ve tried it a couple of times, but have not had consistent luck with it. I know it’s just that I haven’t mastered the “learning curve” yet and once I do, I think it is a great addition to my shop.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

The incra is a great tool – the learning curve is not for the faint of heart though. I enjoyed using it once I figured out most of the bells and whistles. I don’t use it much at all now though. To fussy and I don’t have the patients for a lot of fussy. That said, if you do a lot of intricate joints and want a lot of variety this is a good way to go. I’ve quite a few friends who have boxes made with the incra and I have a side table that I enjoy a lot whose drawer I made with the incra.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

Hey Blake. Yeah, I really do like the lift. Of course, I’m coming from a PC698 where you unclamp and twist the little 1HP router up and down to adjust, so nearly anything seems worth it.

Although I bought a fairly high end lift, I do think a lift is worth it. What used to take me quite a long time, and a lot of hand adjustment and lots of trial pieces of scrapwood I feel comfortable doing on the first try.

And a 3HP router is a dream. There really is a huge difference in having a strong router in that table!

I like the Incra stuff. I don’t look down on aluminum stuff. I’ve done some machine work, and I know you can get some crazy good tolerances with precision aluminum.

I was sort of like you Blake. Not so much a snob if you will. Just balked at the price. However, I’ve been reading here and researching miter gauges and have looked at the Incra as well as Kreg. I have a Kreg fence on my bandsaw and I’m very pleased with it.

I’m like Jon3 with regard to the precision you can get. Thanks for the post. This gives me more info to ruminate. Tom and David Pruett have both posted informative blogs/videos on the Incra and Kreg systems.

I’d be interested to hear more about any research you did before ‘plunging’. Nice setup and post by the way.

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

I was a snob till I shopped for a quality dovetail jig
Never regreted getting the 25” LS Positioner.
I haven’t found anything negative yet, ( at first the centering and depth of cut setup cuts annoyed me but now it’s just routine, they make a centering gauge but Incra told me it wasn’t as precice)
Woodpecker table, would have made my own but for about $50 more than materials to make my own already made and flat. Also Woodpecker aluminum insert with the interchangeable rings for different bits, really a good feature!
Working on the drawers, fuctional now so I can finish the rest with the setup.

Got the idea and plans/guide from http://members.toast.net/boatguy/routerstation.htm

First try on a cornerpost double dovetail. It takes a little getting used to the system but if you replay the video while doing it you will catch on. then after that youll get the idea.

I also bought the project book, it has alot of step by step instructions with pictures and drawings, helps alot getting used to the system, neat little boxes and small items to practice with without using alot of precious wood, but very nice projects.

Some of the projects use the wooden Incra hinge, I’m going to either get the hinge plans and drill guide or the Hingecrafter (on sale at Hartville Tools $59) the plans and drill guide are $12.95. at Woodpeckers.

-- MARK IN BOB, So. CAL

I really like that Cabinet/Table!

So what do you use for centering work and depth of cut setup? I have not bought the centering jig yet. Should I?

-- Check out my new website! http://www.theeasellife.com

Hi,
I just do how Incra says in the instructions , a piece of scrap to center then a piece for the depth, then I use that piece for a backing board to eliminate tearout.
I thought the centering jig would save some time/wood but contacted Incra through E-mail and they said they have them but said you get better results from doing the centering cut proceedure so I opted out.
I am going to call them because I was thinking of using one of those centering pins for a router to do it, it seems it would be more accurate than two cuts then eyeballing the center.
Do you have the master template library book and templates? They have the manuals on the Icra site.
I did forget to say that INCRA has the best product support I have ever come across, feel free to call or E-mail them there great!! They even suggest you call because it is easier to answer questions about their products in person.
Mark

-- MARK IN BOB, So. CAL

I use an Incra Mitre Express and Mitre 1000SE mitre gauge. I considered an incra router table fence but don’t have the room in my shop for how far they stick out the back. The incra stuff is pretty sweet, for sure.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

You can always make a fold down extention and remove the jig when not in use!

-- MARK IN BOB, So. CAL

I own the Jessem system which is also aluminum extrusions and I have been very happy with it but boy, that setup sure looks sweet.

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

Blake I’ve got the TS III table system with the router on the right. Like the last picture you posted in the blog.

I use it on the table saw and on the router table. I’ve never used it for dovetails though. I used it for finger joints when I made the hinges for my Joinery Challenge contest entry. using the Incra Hindge Crafter.

I love it. I even put an Incra tube on my sliding table so that I can use the ShopStop for cutting length. I put on a long tube and extension so I can get about 8’ using the Incra tube on the sliding table.

I bought the first TS III that was shipped because i needed a custom size. 44” in depth with a 32” slider. I upgraded it to the LS when it was offered at a discount. So I’ve still got the older slider and I’m thinking about making another router table so that I can have two different bits in at the same time for Stile and Rail cutting. Then maybe I’ll need another for the raised panel.

The only thing that causes a problem is when the jig is set up for the router, then you need to cut a board. So it’s move the jig to make the saw cut and then reset it back to the router. I guess I’ll need to get the second table saw up and running.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Like Chip, I’m in the Jessem camp.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

I have the Incra Ultra Lite and think it’s great. Even if you don’t use it for dovetails, it allows very precise adjustments, in tiny increments. Plus, it is a local company.

-- North Texas

I have the:

Incra Universal Precision Positioning Jig;
Incra Mitre Gauge;
Incra 5000 Miter Sled with 36” to 64” telescoping cutoff fence;
and several of thier rulers.

Great stuff!

Blake:

Earlier this week, my Incra mitre 300SE arrived….....I decided on it based off of mitre guage reviews done byTom, Wayne, and Dave here in jocks and notes back and forth. It just so happened that Highland had a deal going but I got in late and was back ordered….........NOW my problem: I hate entering new toys into a project, I know I’ll loose focus, so it sitting in the box tempting me. I flipped the box around so I didn’t see that red and gold label.

Oh the torture!!!!

You have just entered a new world. Be brave.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.theeasellife.com

Has anyone used the cheap Incra positioner (they call it the Universal Precision Positioning Jig) that Rockler sells? It seems like if you’re not doing production work, and don’t mind spending a little more time making changeovers than you do with the LS, it’s a great deal at $100 for the positioner and a fence.

Gbvinc, is this the one you have?

-- Nils Davis, Menlo Park, CA

Nils I have the Incra Universal Precision Positioning Jig it came with a package containing a router table and insert from Rockler for $150 if memory serves me correctly. There’s a learning curve but they supply a helpful DVD with it.

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

I’ve been a anti-Incra snob; I admitt it. Never tried their stuff. But that is probably not a good thing.

I used to be a anit-Windows snob. Stuck with MSDOS 3.0 on one machine for years. Had a boat load of cool software. Waited until Windows 98 to put it on my machine. Probably waited about 2 years too long.

Incra has some facinating looking gadgets. For small fine precision joints it looks like the way to go. Still looking for the good deal on craigslist …

-- ..... art for lifes sake ... danwalters@lumberjocks.com

Nils, I have been using the ‘cheap’ Incra positioner for a couple of years now. Love it. Probably should upgrade to one of the shiny ones, but so far it is doing what I need it to do.

Blake,

I’m not so much an anti-Incra snob as I am an anti-machine dovetails snob. I do have the Incra 1000SE mitre fence and I love it. I use it both on my table saw and router table. I have a Freud router fence but I do not like it so much despite the fact that it has very fine adjustments. I find that a piece of wood or a wood fence works better as a fence. The incra fence you have ( as is the case for most metal fences) cannot provide a zero clearance cut. I find this to be very usefull. Also, to cut the tenon part of the dovetail silded, I need a tall (6” at least) fence. Most metal fences are not tall enough (Including mine).

The reason (besides cost) that I am not at all tempted by the Incra fence is that it encourages machine joinery vs. hand joinery. Using a machine in the name of saving time is fine but, judging by a demo I saw at Woodcraft, using the Incra fence is not exactly fast. Some 1 1/2 years ago I learned how to cut dovetails by hand and I never looked back. Now, if you look at the cradle I made for my baby girl (http://lumberjocks.com/projects/2887), you would realize how limited the Incra fence is. I cut dovetails at an angle, in 5/16” material, on lage pieces (more than 3ft) of large width (18”). Cutting the dovetail by hand just took longer but was not harder than cutting them on a box. The main reason though is that machine cut dovetails look artificial. I literally place the dovetails by eye (no mesuring). This not only speeds up the process but they look good. Now if you add the fact that the saw and chisel make no noise and need no dust collection system, I think I’m better off without the Incra router fence.

In terms of my router table (and what you should do for the new table you are planning to build) here are it’s features (I’ll post a picture when I get home):

1. The top is made out of two glued pieces of laminated MDF (laminated on both sides). It is very flat and stable. A sheet of laminated MDF is about 35$ at Lowes (or is it Home Depot). I made all kinds of jigs from a single sheet (still have some left).
2. The router plate is a Rousseau plate. It does not flex and it commes with lots of useful things (line a starter pin). I can take out the router with the plate installed and use it as a plunge or fixed router (when I cut sliding dovetails for example on large boards).
3. The fence as I mentioned is Freud. I installed two T-tracks that allow me to put a piece of wood or a wooden fence that fits by bandsaw. Since I can link the dust collector either to the Freud fence or the router encasing, unless I cut molding or rabbets I use a wooden fence.
4. I purchased a variable speed 3 1/4HP router (Hitachi M12-V2) and I installed the Raizer system. I trully reccommend the Raizer (gets the job done very well and it is the cheapest).
5. I installed a miter track about 2” below the router plate (about 6” from the router bit. I do use it together with the Incra 1000SE when I cut dado channels on small pieces.
6. I have a mobile base installed (very useful in a small shop).

Good luck with the new router table,
Alin

-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida

I can’t comment on their fences but my incra miter gauge is right everytime all the time!!

-- http://mitchell-woodworks.com/default.aspx

Not too long ago I purchased the Miter Express as I hadn’t had any luck making a crosscut sled that I liked. As luck would have it my cheap tablesaw had undersized miter slots and my $300 Red and gold toy was useless. Well we all know how to solve that problem. It works perfectly on my new Ridgid contractor saw. I guess I was really just waiting to buy a new tablesaw. Anyway, so far I have been pleased with both the Miter Express and the saw. The combo has given me a big boost in accuracy and confidence. As space and money allows I’m sure there will be more red and gold in my future.

-- Mike and his helper "Stoli"

I have never seem their fence systems, but hopefully they will be at the woodworking show in Dallas this weekend. I’d like to check them out.

I have their 3000SE miter gauge which I love. The 1/2 degree resolution is great.

Gary

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

I, too, took the Incra plunge last year. I had an order for triangle frames and my stock miter gauge just did not measure up…LOL pun intended. I ordered an Incra 1000 SE and then ordered their rules. I got the set that does corners, as well as lays out a line parellell to an edge. (A nice feature to lay out resaw lines on stock.) I have always wanted to get the router fence, so I used my profits from a job to order one from Rockler when they had it on sale. I have not used it yet. Too many “home” projects taking my time…LOL

Incra makes very precise measuring and fence products that look o provide years of service. I would be lost, sometimes, without that rule set!

God Bless,
Hawg

-- Saving barnwood from the scrapyards

I, too, took the Incra plunge last year. I had an order for triangle frames and my stock miter gauge just did not measure up…LOL pun intended. I ordered an Incra 1000 SE and then ordered their rules. I got the set that does corners, as well as lays out a line parellell to an edge. (A nice feature to lay out resaw lines on stock.) I have always wanted to get the router fence, so I used my profits from a job to order one from Rockler when they had it on sale. I have not used it yet. Too many “home” projects taking my time…LOL

Incra makes very precise measuring and fence products that look to provide years of service. I would be lost, sometimes, without that rule set!

God Bless,
Hawg

-- Saving barnwood from the scrapyards

Sounds good Hawgnutz.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.theeasellife.com

Sounds good Hawgnutz.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.theeasellife.com

Santa has my wishlist for the Incra Universal Precision Positioning Jig from Rockler, so we’ll see if the big red guy comes through. I also just got a Miter 1000SE but I’ve only made one cut since I started making pens for all the Christmas presents.

To GaryK, make sure to take your checkbook to the show – once you see the LS system in action, you’re going to buy one. I’m lucky in that regard – my little table saw isn’t even supported by their system – phew!

-- Nils Davis, Menlo Park, CA

It’s O K

-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke".