Replies

1. 
   Jimurock | May 13, 2008 03:15am | #1

   You can set it to either the right or left of the blade -- it's reversible.

   It will do an acute or obtuse angle up to 45 degrees.

   As far as I know there's no provision for a sacrificial fence -- I've never felt the need.

   One minor annoyance is that the top of the flip stop interferes with reading the distance tape somewhat.

   Jim

   
   

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   Edited 5/12/2008 8:26 pm ET by Jimurock

1. 
   Disputantum | May 13, 2008 03:26am | #2

   Thanks.Nothing would be done at all if a man waited till he could do it so well
   that no one could find fault with it.—John Cardinal Newman
   Disputantum Semirotten Woodworking

2. 
   BruceS | May 13, 2008 04:01am | #3

   With out a doubt get the Incra 1000 or the 3000.   Just recently did a trial test of the Osborn(Import from China).  Set it up per their instructions and had the 90 degree spot on.  Reset to the 45 degree detent and it was about 1.5 degrees off.  Can't say all of the Osborns will be off.  BUT!  I only got the one sample to play with.  I personally use the Incra 1000 and would only give it up for the JessEm Mite-R-Excel.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   flairwoodworks | May 13, 2008 09:11am | #8

   Bruce,

   Are you familliar with the Accu-Miter?  If so, how does it compare?Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

1. 
   BruceS | May 14, 2008 04:05am | #11

   I have played with an Accu-miter but it was long ago, and it did not ring any bells for me.  As Simon Cowell would say it was kind of a forgettable performance. 

   IMHO The JessEm is way out ahead of all and then the Incra 3000 and then the Incra 1000.Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   Disputantum | May 14, 2008 04:57am | #12

   I'm starting to think I should stick with my old gauge and tune that up. How accurate is the Starrett protractor head?

   Nothing would be done at all if a man waited till he could do it so well
   that no one could find fault with it.—John Cardinal Newman
   Disputantum Semirotten Woodworking

   Edited 5/13/2008 9:58 pm ET by Disputantum

2. 
   pzaxtl | May 15, 2008 05:33pm | #17

   I have the JessEm Mite-R-Excel and it's a great jig -- very accurate and very easy to set.  However, I have a couple gripes with it:

   you can't use it to the right of the blade -- left side only.

   And being that the extruded aluminum fence is heavy, with a significant portion of its length hanging off the table, I find that I have to tweak the handle to the right when starting the cut and until the head is fully sitting on the table.

   Other than that, it does a great job.

3. 
   | May 13, 2008 04:16am | #4

   Dis,

   I received an Incra 1000SE for Christmas 2007 and I have been using it for about six months now. I have to say that I am a bit disappointed for the following reason. Although the the bar is adjustable to eliminate slop in the miter channel, the washers ware quickly so you have to keep checking the fit. In addition, the pivot point for the head has some slop and as a result has a tendency to shift during the cut. The movement is slight, but when doing a 45 degree miter for a 90 degree joint, for example, the error is doubled. and even a slight gap is not acceptable.

    

   Bob, Tupper lake, NY

   
   

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   Edited 5/12/2008 9:16 pm ET by salamfam

1. 
   Disputantum | May 13, 2008 04:55am | #5

   Thanks very much Bruce S., salamfam, and Jimurock. I've ordered the Osborne which is on sale. The JessEm looks nice but is way more than I want to spend on this. If it's as off as Bruce's sample, I'll return it.

   Nothing would be done at all if a man waited till he could do it so well
   that no one could find fault with it.—John Cardinal Newman
   Disputantum Semirotten Woodworking

   Edited 5/12/2008 9:57 pm ET by Disputantum

1. 
   BriMcG | May 13, 2008 05:34am | #6

   I have had the Osborne for 3-4 years and have never had a problem. I just got a new PM cabinet saw that came with a very good stock miter guage but it will play second fiddle to the Osborne. 

   By moving the fence over you can get very close to the blade which is plenty of support and if you need a sacrificial fence for tearout run a second piece between the Osborne and the workpiece. Works fine and is safe. And the detents for different angles are dead on.

   Now that I have a T-slot miter on the TS  I wish I could convert the Osborne to a T-slot runner but the adjustment set screws do a good job.

   You won't be unhappy with the Os.

   Brian

   Edited 5/12/2008 10:42 pm ET by BriMcG

1. 
   Jimurock | May 13, 2008 06:29am | #7

   My Osborne had a removable washer at the front end of the miter slot bar,  for T-slot tables.  You had to unscrew it for a table without a T-slot.  Maybe you still have it kicking around somewhere?  If not, there should be a screwhole there that you could use to attach a custom-made washer or whatever to fit into the T-slot.

   Jim

1. 
   BriMcG | May 15, 2008 06:34am | #16

   Thanks Jim! I hadn't thought about that. I've had it for a few years and am betting I put that T slot part in a VERY special place where I would never lose it. Ya...RIGHT!  Anyway I'll find something that will work.

   Thanks again,

   Brian

2. 
   Disputantum | May 16, 2008 02:15am | #19

   Thanks, I just got it, and it looks well made. I'll put it through its paces next week.Nothing would be done at all if a man waited till he could do it so well
   that no one could find fault with it.—John Cardinal Newman
   Disputantum Semirotten Woodworking

2. 
   forestgirl | May 13, 2008 07:34pm | #9

   Bob, I have not had either of the problems you're mentioning with my Incra 1000.  Wear of the miter-slot washers could, I suppose, be attributable to the light use in my shop, but I'm mystified by the "slop" in the "pivot point" of the head.  When you tighten down that upright black handle, the head should be absolutely solid.  Have you spoken with Incra about the problems?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   | May 14, 2008 05:03am | #13

   Hi Jamie,

   No, I have not tried to contact Incra. To be honest, I just don't have the time or the energy to haggle with them. My decision and I'll have to live with it. I think that the gauge is a definite step up from the stock gauge that came with my Delta Unisaw, and although it has a measure of precision, I would not call it "high precision"; just my opinion. I do like the flip stop, and as long as you take the time to calibrate the rules, it is accurate for making repeated crosscuts. By the way, mine was purchased from Woodcraft and has a Woodcraft Logo on the protractor,  maybe that could have something to do with it, who knows.

   Bob, Tupper Lake, NY

1. 
   forestgirl | May 14, 2008 05:23am | #14

   To each their own, I guess.  I cannot think of any reason there should be slop in the pivot point once the handle is tightened down.  Mine's rock solid.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   bones | May 14, 2008 06:06am | #15

   I have the Woodpecker (incra) 1000se and its been dead on.  I have no slop and the minute adjustment has been there every time.  You should contact them and get it repaired.Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

3. 
   BruceS | May 16, 2008 02:02am | #18

   Worn nylon rings?  Yes they wear till you get a little flat spot(per experience) and now I keep the miter slot more waxed than I used to.  And have cut the wear down 100 fold.  I guess thats why they gave us spares.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

   Edited 5/15/2008 7:23 pm ET by BruceS

4. 
   brad805 | May 14, 2008 02:33am | #10

   I didnt like the Osbourne, but the Jessem was rock solid.  I returned the Osboure immediately after trying it out.  I did learn recently that they have made some modifications since I owned one.  I think it boils down to how fussy you are and what you are trying to do.  For me, it flexed too much and was kinda light for my liking, but it is much cheaper. 

   Brad

5. 
   bobpowers | May 16, 2008 05:50pm | #20

   I have been using the Osborne for several years, and like it very much. I have never had trouble cutting any angloe I chose. It takes about three minutes to convert it from left to right side of the blade. My miter saw has been resting in the corner ever since the Osborne arrived.

1. 
   Disputantum | May 16, 2008 09:28pm | #21

   I put it together today tried it out. Looks like a winner.Nothing would be done at all if a man waited till he could do it so well
   that no one could find fault with it.—John Cardinal Newman
   Disputantum Semirotten Woodworking

2. 
   flairwoodworks | May 17, 2008 04:04am | #22

   Bob,

   I have a feeling that says more about your miter saw than the miter gauge.  Unless you work on a small scale.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer