Shopsmith vs. Incra Miter Gauge?

[freedomlives]

I'm looking to get a Miter Gauge for my Mark V 500.
As I see it, my options are: buy used, original Shopsmith miter gauge with safety grip down from eBay (around $50), same new from SS (around $105), or the Incra 120 with safety grip from SS ($132).

I've never used a miter gauge before. I wonder if the $80 more for the new Incra will be worth it in the long run? I'm 27, so I can get away with "long-run". On the other hand, I don't have an unlimited supply of money, so I have to compromise in places-- as well, since I live in Slovakia, I won't have an unlimited amount of room in my suitcase to bring things back.

With the original miter gauge, is it not repeatable to just line up the 'tick' marks on the scale to cut different angles-- I guess that takes a bit more time, but otherwise what are the practical advantages of the Incra?

[dusty]

I'm looking to get a Miter Gauge for my Mark V 500.
As I see it, my options are: buy used, original Shopsmith miter gauge with safety grip down from eBay (around $50), same new from SS (around $105), or the Incra 120 with safety grip from SS ($132).

I've never used a miter gauge before. I wonder if the $80 more for the new Incra will be worth it in the long run? I'm 27, so I can get away with "long-run". On the other hand, I don't have an unlimited supply of money, so I have to compromise in places-- as well, since I live in Slovakia, I won't have an unlimited amount of room in my suitcase to bring things back.

With the original miter gauge, is it not repeatable to just line up the 'tick' marks on the scale to cut different angles-- I guess that takes a bit more time, but otherwise what are the practical advantages of the Incra?

I'm not going to register a vote here but I will comment. I am not certain that the Incra is compatible to table miter slots on the Mark 5, Model 500.

If it is compatible, I would recommend the Incra. The Incra is more accurate and it fits firmly in the miter slot (the miter bar is adjustable).

[heathicus]

I am not certain that the Incra is compatible to table miter slots on the Mark 5, Model 500.

Only having a 500, and not being familiar with the Incra other than the concept, I wasn't sure why it wouldn't fit a 500 (I thought the table slot was the same size across models). So I looked at the product page at Shopsmith's web site. I found this and wondered if this might be what you were referring to?

And the special T-Clip (removable for use w/ Model 500 Mark V's) on the opposite end of the bar slides in the table T-Slot

All I can say to the original question is, after reading more about the Incra, if I was looking to buy a miter gauge for my Shopsmith, and had the money, I'd go with the Incra. But I have no experience with it.

[dickg1]

I assume you are refering to the Incra V-120 which is compatible with the 500 and available from SS.
My suggestion is to go with the Incra because at some point you will wish you had. The basic SS miter gauge will do the work you need for it to do, but it is lacking in repeatable, accurate settings. Additionally you will find that, at some point, given that you are doing angular cuts you will need some sort of ancillary device to help ascertain the proper angle (or just make trial cuts adjusting until you come up on the right angle). I used the standard SS miter gauge for about 50 years (since early 1960) until I replace it with the Incra. I don't go back!
The Incra is adaptable to the 500 slot and if you do upgrade to a 510 table,or above, you upgrade the Incra by replacing the small disk you removed earlier (assuming you stored it in a safe, known place!).
The Incra does cost much more than the standard gauge but, in my opinion, it is money well spent. Obviously YMMV.
Dick

[reible]

Here is the story I'm sticking with. I know your feelings of limited amounts to spend on tools but in some cases a little long term planning is in order.

I got my shopsmith new from the factory in 1976. I used the same miter gauge until I upgraded to a 520 when the kit supplied me with an upgrade, the bar is longer and has a "washer" that fits the t-slot on the newer machines. I used that until just a short while ago. The miter gauge is quite good so for most operations it is fine.

I had a project along the way that required me to be changing angles often and this was the point that I wanted something with positive steps that were easy to lock into. At the time the incra 2000 was the only shopsmith comparable solution. It did what I wanted and was great at it but it was also heavy and bulky so I ended up going back to the old miter gauge except for when I need the extended ability of the 2000.

In the last few years shopsmith has added the v-120. I wasn't really in the market for yet another miter gauge but then I went to a couple of demos where they were featuring the v-120. When I felt the weight and saw the features I began seeing this as a potential purchase, especially at the show price. After looking at it about 3 times I went ahead and spent the money.

Much to my surprise I found myself grabbing it almost every time I needed a miter gauge this last year. So it is my go to one as of now. It however has some issues with compatibility. I've addressed some of them in my reviews.

The lastest issue I've run into was when I wanted to use the miter gauge with the sanding disk to the side of the main table. The protractor head is so large that it extends beyond the table edge forcing the sanding disk to be farther away from the table. That gap can be a problem when sanding smaller thinner work pieces. I had to go back to the original miter gauge to do the operation. (I have not yet checked to see if the v-120 works with other tools like the bandsaw, beltsander, router table, and jointmatic.)

Since the shopsmith original is still a nice piece of gear and works well for most operations you might want to get one so you have something to work with. Then if you manage to save up some money and still want to upgrade (this can be in a few years time) go for it. That is how I see it anyway.

Ed

[Gene Howe]

My vote is for the V120 with the gripper.
When Kreg first started offering their very precise gauge, I bought it. Then they quit modifying it for the SS. But it is extremely accurate at all settings. If I were in need of a accurate gauge today, I'd spend the extra $ and get the V120.

[dusty]

Only having a 500, and not being familiar with the Incra other than the concept, I wasn't sure why it wouldn't fit a 500 (I thought the table slot was the same size across models). So I looked at the product page at Shopsmith's web site. I found this and wondered if this might be what you were referring to?



All I can say to the original question is, after reading more about the Incra, if I was looking to buy a miter gauge for my Shopsmith, and had the money, I'd go with the Incra. But I have no experience with it.

Capability to the t-slot was the question. This being said, I guess there are no reservations to recommendiung the Incra. Interesting to note, during the Shopsmith/Lowes demo this past week, I noticed that Mike Young was pushing the Incra Miter Gauge.

[JPG]

As seen from afar(not as far as you, but I do not have one).

The main advantage is detents! That makes for repeatable settings.

The adjustable slot slop adjustment is useful.

The different shapes makes for futzing to use stuff originally intended for use with the original, though over all a good job was done within their unique restraints.

If the decision was between a new SS and the SS v120, the incra is a no brainer.

Since $ is a factor, I would lean towards used SS with a newer hold down.

Another consideration is do you need the 'repeatability' for immediate future endeavors?

Read Ed's post above carefully. Lotta good (first hand) info!

A Wixey(or look alike) makes for a good angle 'setter'.

Then there is the 'Miterset'(SS version) (act quickly!).

[JPG]

Fix Mike's name Dusty!* I assume that was to have another sale potential.

* That is if you care to!:D

[wasatch]

Don't forget the Osborne EB-3-SS for the Shopsmith. It has some good features too.