Shopsmith Forums

A couple of years ago I had an opportunity to look at Jointech at a woodworking show. Oddly enough I had just purchased my second Incra guide. I have no desire to be negative or bad mouth anyone or any company. I found the gentleman showing the line rather pushy. Never one time have I felt that way about Incra. The quality of what I viewed that day left me with a feeling that it was lighter weight than Incra. Every time I have a question about Incra they jump at an opportunity to satisfy my need and never ever do I wait more than a few hours to receive an email response or if necessary a phone call. Please view my remarks of one old guy with far too many opinions. Jim

fjimp wrote:A couple of years ago I had an opportunity to look at Jointech at a woodworking show. Oddly enough I had just purchased my second Incra guide. I have no desire to be negative or bad mouth anyone or any company. I found the gentleman showing the line rather pushy. Never one time have I felt that way about Incra. The quality of what I viewed that day left me with a feeling that it was lighter weight than Incra. Every time I have a question about Incra they jump at an opportunity to satisfy my need and never ever do I wait more than a few hours to receive an email response or if necessary a phone call. Please view my remarks of one old guy with far too many opinions. Jim

The fact that Incra has created a shopsmith version tells much about its philosophy.(give em what they need):)

Hi Bearcat,

Raising and lowering the router bit is no harder on the Shopsmith router table than it is on any other router table.

You can either reach under the table to raise the bit, or lift the router plate (with the router attched) and do it that way.

Also, some routers have a built-in lift (like mine does) making the purchase of a seperate lift unnecessary. I have a Freud 3 1/4 HP router that has an above-the-table lever/crank. All you need to do is drill a small hole in the router plate to use it. You can also lock and unlock the bit the same way. This allows you to change the bit above the table. Best of all, this router cost me less than most stand-alone router lifts.

Using the Incra system has never caused me any problems or gotten in the way of raising, lowering, or changing my router bits.

Hey, I am really glad that you have decided to go for an Incra wonder fence. I have been a regular user of Incra products for a very long time and I have been satisfied with them. The drilled table is required for it. It is easy to use, so don’t worry at all.

bearcat2k wrote:Hi everyone!

I am considering buying an Incra fence for my Shopsmith 520. ... so I've got a couple of questions for anyone that has one.

First, how easy is it to use? I am not a very experienced wood worker, so my main goal is to increase my efficiency in my shop. I am hoping to reduce measuring time and increase my accuracy. Will the Incra Ultra Fence work as advertised?

dont know nuttin about the Ultra Fence, except maybe it's obsolete (?). I've got the (new) TS_LS, so my comments derive thusly. And it is easy to use onct you get into it. As for measuring time and accuracy-- Beyond excellent, with caveats.

Second, how much do you need a predrilled table? Is this just a nice luxury, or is it really needed to make the fence work properly?

Aha, caveat #1: IMHO the "pre-drilled" Extension table is a must, in order to get the accuracy et al you seek. BUT-- it is the easiest drilling operation you can imagine. The idea is to lock the tables together (like you would anyway) and along with 'em the Incra. That gives you rock-solid accuracy and repeatability to a level it's hard to believe. Add the carriage lock collars and you're in binness.

Mike

(my comments in bold)

dusty wrote:...
You do not NEED a predrilled table. Instructions are available on how to work around that. However, drilling the table is not an issue. ...

Yes, I agree. If a "predrilled" table is one that gets purchased from Shopsmith along with the Incra_Shopsmith version, that is.

If, however, you "predrill" your own Extension table, then by all means do it. It'll be the easiest drilling you ever done done.
BUT_ I realize I am talking about the Incra positioning system (TS/LS-Shopsmith in Incra/Shopsmith lexicon). If what is being sought is merely a "fence", then as Roseanne Roseannadanna said, "never mind".