Miter Bars, A Comparison

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:52 am

During the earlier days, on this forum, I have made the statement that there is no need to measure and cut with precision accuracy when doing wood working. I am now sort of changing positions on that.

I have started using my Incra Jig more often, I now own decent digital calipers, I invested in better eye sight and I have fine tuned my Mark V. It is quite easy to now get very accurate. I may be embarking on a new age, at least new in my shop.

Last week, Incra had a sale that included some marking and measuring tools and a Shopsmith Miter Bar. I got the order yesterday and I am now an anxious owner of an Incra Miter Bar to be used on the Shopsmith. I am very impressed. It is "rock solid" in the miter track. I think I now know why those of you with Incra accessories are so pleased.

I have also begun using the Incra Jig to cut finger joints. Now I have done a lot of finger joints and have been quit pleased with most of them but the Incra Jig may have opened up a new avenue for me as well. Accuracy to 1/16" may no longer be good enough. Rick Davis tried to tell me that a long time ago but I wasn't hearing.

Why all of the concern, all of a sudden? Well, because I have a project coming up soon that will result in several drawers that must fit and I do mean fit.

With my trusty Mark Five and a few new accessories, I think there is a good possibility of success.

Yes, I know there is wood filler where there should not be wood filler. Those are errors in execution (set up) not measuring.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:00 pm

dusty wrote:During the earlier days, on this forum, I have made the statement that there is no need to measure and cut with precision accuracy when doing wood working. I am now sort of changing positions on that.

I have started using my Incra Jig more often, I now own decent digital calipers, I invested in better eye sight and I have fine tuned my Mark V. It is quite easy to now get very accurate. I may be embarking on a new age, at least new in my shop.

Last week, Incra had a sale that included some marking and measuring tools and a Shopsmith Miter Bar. I got the order yesterday and I am now an anxious owner of an Incra Miter Bar to be used on the Shopsmith. I am very impressed. It is "rock solid" in the miter track. I think I now know why those of you with Incra accessories are so pleased.

I have also begun using the Incra Jig to cut finger joints. Now I have done a lot of finger joints and have been quit pleased with most of them but the Incra Jig may have opened up a new avenue for me as well. Accuracy to 1/16" may no longer be good enough. Rick Davis tried to tell me that a long time ago but I wasn't hearing.

Why all of the concern, all of a sudden? Well, because I have a project coming up soon that will result in several drawers that must fit and I do mean fit.

With my trusty Mark Five and a few new accessories, I think there is a good possibility of success.

Yes, I know there is wood filler where there should not be wood filler.

Dusty
Where did you see the sale? I must of missed it, I have been looking for the incra miter bar for the SS.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:20 pm

I received an email sales flyer from Incra. I thought I had saved it but it is gone. I don't remember the details about times but if you are interested just call them. I one I bought was advertised for the Incra 2000; I don't know if it is universally applicable to other Incra accessories or not.

I believe it is going on my cross cut sled. If it works as good as it appears it will I think I'm going to be "forced" to get an Incra Miter Gauge.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:43 pm

I just made an interesting observation; at least it was to me. The Incra Miter Bar is actually a couple thousandths smaller than the four Shopsmith bars that I have.

The Shopsmith bars measure a nominal .724" while the Incra bar measures .721" to .723" and yet it is noticeably tighter in the miter track.

The difference is made by the six spreader points that have been incorporated into the Incra bar.

mbcabinetmaker · Post by **mbcabinetmaker** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 7:04 pm

Dusty

I am looking forward to your project. I cant imagine something with drawers to that type of tolerance.

Mark

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 7:48 pm

mbcabinetmaker wrote:Dusty

I am looking forward to your project. I cant imagine something with drawers to that type of tolerance.

Mark

NO, NO there will never be drawers that come out of my shop built to that kind of tolerance. That is not what I was trying to say. What I was trying to say was that there is no longer the simple expectation of 1/8" to 1/16".