Incra LS fence system best practice

bhiebeler · Post by **bhiebeler** » Mon Jun 30, 2014 11:12 pm

I have a 510 which has the Incra LS with the wonder fence system. In order to use it you have to use the accessory tables at the end of the 510 to stablize the tables. What is the best way to adjust the additional tables. Should you remove the tubes from the main table and then adjust the table hiegth. Then reconnect the tubes and level the additional tables? I have never got a straight answer even when attending a live demonstration. They usually do not use any of the accessory tables in the demonstration. Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks,

bill

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Jun 30, 2014 11:24 pm

I do not see this as any different from simply matching the auxiliary table height to the main table height with or without the connecting tubes.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Jul 01, 2014 6:51 am

I do not have a Wonder Fence (wish I did) but I think I can relate. Finding that you have to change table height after you are all set up with extension tables attached can be frustrating.

The extension tubes almost have to be removed in order to do this. Well, maybe they don't have to be "removed" but the extension tables need to be disconnected from the Main Table.

To make this easier (for me) I have created a coupling that I use to tie the Main Table Extension Tube to the Extension Table Extension Tube. Loosen the extension tube, pull it away, make the adjustments and reconnect the extension tube.

I have an old Stanley level nearby that I use to check table height. It has lost its ability to function as a level but it is a good straight edge.

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[ATTACH]25513[/ATTACH]

I tend to use this only on the front rail unless I think I need extra table stability. Using this has made my 5' extension tubes into an ornament on the wall.

bhiebeler · Post by **bhiebeler** » Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:50 am

That's what I have been doing. Without the Incra fence system you can make changes to the all the tables without removing the bars. I was concerned with the incra system that the additional weight might bend the bars. The Incra fence system is really a nice addition to the Mark 5.

Thanks for your imput.

Bill

benush26 · Post by **benush26** » Tue Jul 01, 2014 3:00 pm

Are you using the 5' or 27" tubes?

After re-reading the post, are you using the adjustable legs at the end of the tubes to support the Aux table? With them, there should be no worry about bending the tubes.

There have only been a couple times when I was using the LS with different thicknesses of stock and had to make a table height adjustment. With the 5' tubes it is often easier to just remove the LS, loosen the support legs, slide the tubes so they stick out evenly from both sides of the main table. make your height adjustment and reassemble. If you use the Sliding T-nut trick to align the fence to the miter slots, it goes faster.

Frankly, there is no quick solution. With the incredible repeatability of the LS, I wouldn't worry about removing it to readjust a table height.

I did come up with a jig to use the table adjuster collar to move the SS fence in small increments. That may be one way to not have to mount the LS every time. https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=13175&highlight=solution It's not elegent, but can be simple and quick.

Be well,
Ben

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 2:30 pm

bhiebeler wrote:I have a 510 which has the Incra LS with the wonder fence system. In order to use it you have to use the accessory tables at the end of the 510 to stablize the tables. What is the best way to adjust the additional tables. Should you remove the tubes from the main table and then adjust the table hiegth. Then reconnect the tubes and level the additional tables? ...bill

I can't agree with your premise "in order to use it".
My Incra is attached to the right Extension table. Height setting, basically, is simply matching the Ext to the Main, like in any other configuration. Support legs are not needed.

I use an Aux floating table between the Main and the Ext, but it is on the rail tubes, of course, so is the same height as the main anaway, and the tubes stick into the Ext.

SS adjustable stop collars on Main and Ext assure table plane and also make removing and reinstalling the LS a matter of seconds instead of minutes (w/ normal config usage).

Height change is a matter of adjusting the stop collars like amounts, temporarily sliding out/in the rail tube(s).

Seems to me using the Aux table (ie Not Ext) for LS creates problems one doesn't need.
(I don't think so, but just in case I'm confusing anyone with my terminology, the Aux tables are floaters without feet, while the Ext table is mounted on support legs attached to the mainframe.) Using rail tubes w/ Ext is a way of making the saw table have four legs instead of two.

** I suppose I should add that I seldom make table height adjustments when using the LS system, since I set blade height to the max I intend to need at the beginning. I have yet to follow a rip on a 3 1/2 board with a trim cut on a piece of 1/16 ply...

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:40 pm

I would be inclined to refer to the aux table as the auxillary or extension table, and the floating table as a floating table. Tis cornfuxzzing enough without inter mingling the terminology!:D

As for raising/lowering more than one table at a time by leaving the connector tubes secured to the tables is likely the reason some of us have bent tubes.

I however have not used the 510 that much, so my mindset is more attuned to the Mark 5 methods(everything adjusted independently).

benush26 · Post by **benush26** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 9:26 pm

I recently bought the 5' tubes but have been using some approx 42" tubes. Initially I had given some thought to the method that keakap is using, but frankly using a floating table to attach the LS base is simple. I think either way would work well and keakap's eliminates the support legs, but I've gotten so used to my way, it has become second nature.

I presume the reason I stick with the floating tables to the right (besides the instructions from INCRA), is that is also the setup I use for the Miter Express. A floating table next to the main to help support the sled. Then if I need extra support for the cut off on the sled, I just add the extension table to the left.

As I write this, I think part of my method is because up until three days ago, I had significantly less space to work in (about 75% less) and the right side of the SS had fewer things to block the tubes and such as I turned it 90 degrees so I could use it. But then again if I had a LARGE space I probably would have set up the LS on the table saw.

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Fri Jul 04, 2014 2:57 pm

JPG40504 wrote:I would be inclined to refer to the aux table as the auxillary or extension table, and the floating table as a floating table. Tis cornfuxzzing enough without inter mingling the terminology!:D

As for raising/lowering more than one table at a time by leaving the connector tubes secured to the tables is likely the reason some of us have bent tubes.
...).

raising/lowering plural tables w/ tube attached is a definite NO-NO, I agree. It amazes me how "soft" those tubes are under that kind of leverage, especially the long tubes. Procedure here is arrange the tables THEN put in tubes to tie together. (Possible exception- done delicately- is an aux table tightly abutting the main.) (uh, 'floater' that is)

The other thing, aux versus ext , is terminology learned from SS (and ordering same from SS) and the PTWWFE.
But your suggestion seems a good way to try and improve on that. How could anyone possibly mistake a floating table for an extension (fixed) table, one wonders. I'm going to try and remember to use 'floater' first.

edit: OOPS, I just realized, the extension table does not equate to an aux (no legs) table. This is a problem.

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Fri Jul 04, 2014 3:10 pm

benush26 wrote:I recently bought the 5' tubes but have been using some approx 42" tubes. Initially I had given some thought to the method that keakap is using, but frankly using a floating table to attach the LS base is simple. I think either way would work well and keakap's eliminates the support legs, but I've gotten so used to my way, it has become second nature....

"so used to my way"---

Thanks for the reminder. I tend to forget that your way- or, of course, my way on this end- is the most important criterion. Next, I guess, would be the situation's particulars in each case. What works for you...

I need a sign plastered to the top of my monitor saying "Don't be such a blowhard".

And I forgot that I too use an aux table for the Miter Express, positioned right up agin the Main, and oh-by-the-way with the additional Support Legs.

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