Jointech

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 5:35 pm

Per Ed's (Reible) request I opened this thread so we can discuss his experience with the Jointech fence system.

I have looked at this my self, and it is now on sale, however I think you still need to buy fence rails for the router table which increases the actual price by about $78.

I would like to know easy it is to set something say 5 1/8 inches from the blade. Do I need glasses to see the little tic mark? Do I have to worry about parallelex throwing my measurement off? Can I two week from now cut another piece of wood exactly the same as that? Or will I have to sand the two pieces to get them identical?

Now much bother is it to install and remove the fence? Is there or could there be any way to utilize the Jointech system with the Overhead Pin Router?

Reible I envy you I would love to have a standalone OPR so I could mount a router permanently in both the table and support arm. I would think that would be the ultimate router workstation.
Ed

mtobey · Post by **mtobey** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 7:36 pm

I am not familiar with "Jointec." Of course the original Incra Jig allows for accurate repeat procedures( the down side there is the need for off-center router plate placement and 1/32nd interval only). As for my preference, for what that is worth, home-built fences with "T" tracks and rule holders provide versatility. On the "bay" there is a vendor"8020" selling aluiminum extrusions that are quite versatile and offer the means to economically build sliding fences and zero clearance faces- most all with ordinary Grade 3, 1/4-20, capscrews.I construct with BB 1/2" or 3/4" ply and face with UHMW--the UH requires real planning since mechanical fastening is the only option; can't have screws where the bit might go-OUCH!!Double Darn!! The tough part of the process is getting rid of the quivers as you set about to rout slots for tracks in that beautiful tabletop you just finished to perfection.

I am a regular cusromer of Pat Warner(just google)- his bases and accessories for routers are unparelleled as is his worthy advice. With his edge guide and advice you can confidently do those those critical dados with maybe only two drops of sweat rolling off your nose. His offset router bases in lucite are must have upgrade( counterbored for PC Standard template bushing a no-extra-charge option) He does business on an honor system that is so fresh in today's world. Enough rambling. Hope I have been helpful with food for thought.mt

reible · Post by **reible** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 8:52 pm

Hi,

First off I don't have much experence with this system, but I know from past post we do have somepeople here who have had one for a while so maybe they can chime in too.

First if you have not done so please visit the jointech site and look at the catalog section and then the sawtrain 520.

The system has a lot of the same functions as the Incra system and even goes about things in a simular way. However the details of how they do things ends and people have to decide for them selves on which way to go.

As was mentioned the front and rear rails of the router table are not included, and this means you need the springs and threaded knobs as well. They provide the need long screws but again you need the nut/lockwasher parts. You can check current prices for those parts.

On this system the connection part that goes on the shopsmith connects to the shopsmith rails and no modifications are needed to the shopsmith. The on and off process is quick and when it is off you have your old shopsmith system intact. I should point out that it is not a simple matter to shift these end for end on the shopsmith... I think that is also the case with the Incra system.

These system use a lead screw with 32 threads per inch and when you clamp you end up clamping in to 1/32". A dial lets you set to .001". The scale is easy to read for me with my normal glasses that I have to wear for reading. The sight window has a two line system so when you line the lines you have no parallax. The third position of the clamping setup lets you freely move the fence.

I have never attempted to take off and reposition weeks later but I think that is a do-able thing. From what one reads this is one of the strong points of both this and Incra system.

The fence is also portable to a router table and can be used several ways, even with a simple edge clamp (not included).

I think I caught most of the questions but feel free to keep asking or re-asking.

Ed

reible · Post by **reible** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 9:34 pm

mtobey wrote:I am not familiar with "Jointec." Of course the original Incra Jig allows for accurate repeat procedures( the down side there is the need for off-center router plate placement and 1/32nd interval only).

I own a few pieces of Incra equipment including the orginal gray plastic one Shopsmith use to see for the OPR. I think it is pictured in some of my photos. Shopsmith went so far as to put holes in the table to mount it.

I also have one of the ultimate series (If I recall it ran about $280 new plus a few $$ more for additional attachments). This system has been my main stay for router table use when makeing certain things that require it. I'm not unhappy with it and may even buy a few more upgrades for it. This type jig has the dial that allows for .001 changes as do all the higher priced Incra jigs.

As for my preference, for what that is worth, home-built fences with "T" tracks and rule holders provide versatility. On the "bay" there is a vendor"8020" selling aluiminum extrusions that are quite versatile and offer the means to economically build sliding fences and zero clearance faces- most all with ordinary Grade 3, 1/4-20, capscrews.I construct with BB 1/2" or 3/4" ply and face with UHMW--the UH requires real planning since mechanical fastening is the only option]I personally am not a fan of Pat Warner but I'm sure he has his good points I have never purchased any of his stuff or wanted to. When you get into routing you find several different views on how things should be done. I just don't fit in his way of doing stuff. Most of my routing I like to do as simple as I can. When I go to the other end I have mostly used Incra. This is my first use of Jointech and so far I'm happy. [/color]

Now before Charles jumps in with his soap box about woodworking to .001. Some of these tool allow you to do things easier, faster and better. Not everyone wants the ability to work this close and I certainly do not think that everyone should own one of these. For a few of you, yes this might be just what you are looking for.

I would say 85 percent of my routing is done of dirt cheap wood fences or stips of UHMW as fences. Another 10% is off a nice expensive fence that I could make on something cheaper. Only 5% of what I do really needs that extra touch. If my eye sight hadn't gone down hill and I didn't want to make some of those fancy double double joints I wouldn't have gone this route either.

It is kind of like when I first learned to make dovetail joints... then got a router jig to help out... ohhh that jig is to small so I got another one... now it has been I don't know 15 or 20 years since I've made use of them, just lost interest in dovetails (OK I still like sliding dovetails and use them). For now I like this type of setup and having fun with this type of capacity. Ya gotta have some fun in life.

Now for prospective, you can get a sandflee or a jointech system, same general price range. You know where my money went.

Ed

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:15 am

Hi! I seriously thought about jumping in - but this is not the Season for curmudgeonly posts. - - So - I'll just read.

curiousgeorge · Post by **curiousgeorge** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 9:34 pm

Hi guys. I just ordered the 520 upgrade ($549) from Jointech. I had been slobbering over this system for quite some time and since the shipping in Texas is free

along with the sale price, I just couldn't resist.
As for no rails for the router table, why couldn't you use the rails off one of the floating extension tables? Then you could simply use the router table as an extension if you happen to need both. Wouldn't that work and if not why?

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:08 pm

curiousgeorge wrote:Hi guys. I just ordered the 520 upgrade ($549) from Jointech.

I have not gotten a straight answer, does this work with the new 520 with rip scale?

reible · Post by **reible** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:19 pm

curiousgeorge wrote:Hi guys. I just ordered the 520 upgrade ($549) from Jointech. I had been slobbering over this system for quite some time and since the shipping in Texas is free along with the sale price, I just couldn't resist.
As for no rails for the router table, why couldn't you use the rails off one of the floating extension tables? Then you could simply use the router table as an extension if you happen to need both. Wouldn't that work and if not why?

Hi,

Sorry your plan is not going to work very well. The fence has a fore and aft clamp system that uses the shopsmith rails. You might luck out a few times but it is unlikely to be all the time.

The router table is about the same size as the saw table. It has a square channel mounted below that is drilled for the main table rails. They provide the longer screws you need but the rails and other parts I mentioned before do not come with it.

Like I had mentioned the price was as low as I've seen it in the last couple of years. Of course I also order a few extra items to take advantage of the free shipping offer they had going at the time. If I get some money for the holidays I'd like to order a few more things while the sale is on.

Ed

reible · Post by **reible** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:27 pm

paulmcohen wrote:I have not gotten a straight answer, does this work with the new 520 with rip scale?

Hi,

The hardware I have on both of my shopsmiths has the rails for the scales. As far as clamping on the Jointech stuff, it doesn't care if you have scales on or not. The Jointech doesn't require the scales as it has its own scales it uses.

Does that clear it up?

Ed

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 12:02 am

Thanks I was worried the new 520 rails would interfere, I asked Jointech and never got an answer.