Incra Box Joint

[dusty]

Putting the I-Box together and making it ready seems as though it should be a piece of cake. It probably is, if you read and follow the directions and do nothing else. Don't look at pictures. Not even those posted here on the forum. There are subtle differences.

For use with a Shopsmith (tilting table), should the I-Box be assembled per the left tilt or the right tilt instructions?

I choose to treat mine as though it was a left tilt. Hope that is what every one with a Shopsmith has done or I am the odd man out.

I have the red adjustment know on the left end of the I-Box when viewing it as thought I was working at the table saw. In this configuration I have the Miter Bar Assembly installed to the left of the cutout for the blade/bit.

The T portion of the Miter Bar is on the side nearest the operator.

Now I have it fully assembled and I believe I have followed all of the directions for use on a left tilt table saw. BUT mine does not match the picture on the top of the box. I have a mirror image of what is on the box. PS My wife says it is not a mirror image but she agrees that what is pictured and mine are not assembled the same way.

Is this a difference that occurs if I switch to a router setup????

Dusty, did you have the bolt head clearance problem that reible discussed in his thread, or have they fixed that ... Just wondering ...

The bolt head clearance issue is resolved. My unit came to me with an additional plastic bag that contained a brass bolt that has a thin head (about half the thickness of the original bolt). In the bag, along with the replacement bolt, is an instruction sheet that tells you where the brass bolt is to be used. The thin bolt head can now be slide past the other bolt head that was causing the problem. Problem resolved. Don't know why this is a Shopsmith only issue but I guess I don't care since I'll never want to use it elsewhere.

[dusty]

The red adjustment knob --- does it belong on the right end or the left end when being used with the Shopsmith and does that change when being used with a router rather than a table saw???

[rjent]

Putting the I-Box together and making it ready seems as though it should be a piece of cake. It probably is, if you read and follow the directions and do nothing else. Don't look at pictures. Not even those posted here on the forum. There are subtle differences.

For use with a Shopsmith (tilting table), should the I-Box be assembled per the left tilt or the right tilt instructions?

I choose to treat mine as though it was a left tilt. Hope that is what every one with a Shopsmith has done or I am the odd man out.

I have the red adjustment know on the left end of the I-Box when viewing it as thought I was working at the table saw. In this configuration I have the Miter Bar Assembly installed to the left of the cutout for the blade/bit.

The T portion of the Miter Bar is on the side nearest the operator.

Now I have it fully assembled and I believe I have followed all of the directions for use on a left tilt table saw. BUT mine does not match the picture on the top of the box. I have a mirror image of what is on the box. PS My wife says it is not a mirror image but she agrees that what is pictured and mine are not assembled the same way.

Is this a difference that occurs if I switch to a router setup????

Dusty, did you have the bolt head clearance problem that reible discussed in his thread, or have they fixed that ... Just wondering ...

The bolt head clearance issue is resolved. My unit came to me with an additional plastic bag that contained a brass bolt that has a thin head (about half the thickness of the original bolt). In the bag, along with the replacement bolt, is an instruction sheet that tells you where the brass bolt is to be used. The thin bolt head can now be slide past the other bolt head that was causing the problem. Problem resolved. Don't know why this is a Shopsmith only issue but I guess I don't care since I'll never want to use it elsewhere.

Outstanding sir, thank you. I am glad they "fixed" that. I am really looking forward to getting mine. I have a lot of box joints in my near future!

[reible]

The red adjustment knob --- does it belong on the right end or the left end when being used with the Shopsmith and does that change when being used with a router rather than a table saw???

The knob is to the left, at least that is how I did mine.

Have never configured it for a router table so I can't help you with that.

Ed

[dusty]

If one never tilts the table while using the I-Box is there a reason for being concerned - right tilt/left tilt?

I've been thinking about this since I first read the instructions and I just do not understand. Reible posted a picture of the blade with the table tilted. That must mean something or he would not have put it in a post about the I-Box.

[JPG]

If one never tilts the table while using the I-Box is there a reason for being concerned - right tilt/left tilt?

I've been thinking about this since I first read the instructions and I just do not understand. Reible posted a picture of the blade with the table tilted. That must mean something or he would not have put it in a post about the I-Box.

It has to do with the side of the blade the nut is on. Actually the other side of the blade that is a reference when using variable width cuts(dado etc.) As the kerf width is increased, the reference side does not move.

In the case of the shopsmith, the reference side is to the left which is the same as a tilt arbor blade that tilts left(nut on the right).

No the jig is not used in 'bevel cut' mode.

[reible]

JPG is correct, the use of left/right tilt is confusing when using a shopsmith. The referenced picture I took shows the perspective of having the main table horizontal by way of tilting the camera. From this perspective the blade does appear to tilt left. Since they have adopted this lingo just think and follow the instructions for a left tilting saw. The left miter slot is used etc.

It is too bad that shopsmith and or incra did not take the time to give a set of shopsmith only instructions. A sheet of two of instructions with the proper pictures of a shopsmith version would have cleared all this up.

It would also have been nice for someone to have put one of these together at least once as it would have been quite clear that things were not got to work quite right. At least they did respond with a fix and add the information in to the box on how to use the part.

Ed

[JPG]

I think they needed to also actually try to use it on a SS.

[dusty]

JPG is correct, the use of left/right tilt is confusing when using a shopsmith. The referenced picture I took shows the perspective of having the main table horizontal by way of tilting the camera. From this perspective the blade does appear to tilt left. Since they have adopted this lingo just think and follow the instructions for a left tilting saw. The left miter slot is used etc.

It is too bad that shopsmith and or incra did not take the time to give a set of shopsmith only instructions. A sheet of two of instructions with the proper pictures of a shopsmith version would have cleared all this up.

It would also have been nice for someone to have put one of these together at least once as it would have been quite clear that things were not got to work quite right. At least they did respond with a fix and add the information in to the box on how to use the part.

Ed

I wholeheartedly agree with your comments; however, I have one assembled right now that uses the original bolt (with no modifications) and it works fine. What I can see is that if I need to relocate parts I may have interference. I'll try to clear that up over the next week or so.

[dusty]

If one never tilts the table while using the I-Box is there a reason for being concerned - right tilt/left tilt?

I've been thinking about this since I first read the instructions and I just do not understand. Reible posted a picture of the blade with the table tilted. That must mean something or he would not have put it in a post about the I-Box.

It has to do with the side of the blade the nut is on. Actually the other side of the blade that is a reference when using variable width cuts(dado etc.) As the kerf width is increased, the reference side does not move.

In the case of the shopsmith, the reference side is to the left which is the same as a tilt arbor blade that tilts left(nut on the right).

No the jig is not used in 'bevel cut' mode.

I have some doubts about the validity of this statement. When you change the width of the pins both pin plates move. With some experience (of which I have none right now) I may need to eat those words. It also depends on what you call the "reference surface".