Exact-90 Miter Gauge

[Michael Kellough]

Hmmmm, maybe I'm naive, but this gizmo seems to solve a lot of miter gauge problems. It's on my shopping list.  [wink]

I got one of the sets last year (frankly because it was on clearance sale; 30% off or more?), but I have yet to use it (too busy with other regular furniture projects...may be until now).

I don't know if it'd an issue as there's some play in slot on the miterset with the SawStop miter gauge bar. The spring bearings on the bar are not in contact with the slot. I suppose I have to hold the bar against one edge of the slot when setting the angle.

With that device the pivot point of the miter gauge has to be dead center in the slot or those pin positions will not set the angle advertised.

 

[ChuckM]

With that device the pivot point of the miter gauge has to be dead center in the slot or those pin positions will not set the angle advertised.

Dead centered? The way I understand its working principle is that as long as the bar's edge is parallel to the center line, the setting should be ok.

 

[Michael Kellough]

With that device the pivot point of the miter gauge has to be dead center in the slot or those pin positions will not set the angle advertised.

Dead centered? The way I understand its working principle is that as long as the bar's edge is parallel to the center line, the setting should be ok.

Pretty sure the symmetrical hole pattern assumes a snug fitting bar and a dead center pivot. If the pivot is off center the angles will be a little off, but still more accurate than most of the things people use to set angles.

It’s good to start with something close to the angle you want but you also need something that allows you to easily make adjustments until it’s right. I like the Incra 1000 and that Kreg with the vernier scale looks like it would be good too.

 

[Dr. P. Venkman]

I’m not familiar with that product, but unless I’m missing something (entirely possible!) basic geometry says that the miter bar only needs to be parallel to the device’s track.

The pins create a plane at a given angle relative to the track. If your miter bar is parallel to the track, the angle of that plane relative to your miter bar will be the same.

Theoretically, if the fence on your miter gauge were six feet long, your miter bar could be way off to the side of that device and you could still set your fence at the designated angle relative to your miter bar, so long as the bar is parallel to that track.

If your miter bar is moved left to right, the point on the fence that contacts the pins will move, but the angle will stay the same.

 

[ChuckM]

I’m not familiar with that product, but unless I’m missing something (entirely possible!) basic geometry says that the miter bar only needs to be parallel to the device’s track.

My thinking, too. I'm not aware of the miterset using a different geometric principle to set the angles. It'd be a hit or miss to have a miter gauge bar that fits the miterset's slot snugly. I'll try the Jessem miter gauge tomorrow.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Venkman and Chuck, I get it now. You guys are right, as long as the bar is parallel to the slot and the fence touches a pair of pins the angle is as accurate as the device can be. Even with a 3/8” bar.

 

[Valleywood]

I hate that I'm late to the party on this, but I have to chime in.  All things considered I love Woodpecker stuff.  What I own works perfectly and that is unusual for most tools.
The Exact-90 is a product that has been screaming to be made for years now, and I would love to buy it.  Their miter bar is long overdue and I wish I could mount it on my Incra 1000.  FWIW, I have had good luck with the Incra but it is too fiddly after changing angles. 
I would buy the Exact-90 in a heartbeat because it solves the crosscut problem on the table saw without having to mount my sled which has its own limitation problems.  However .....

1) There is no metric option for the Exact-90 and that may be a deal breaker for me.

2) I understand that "stops" and "detents" are handy, but all of them have to be repeatedly checked.  If the Exact-90 had the locking mechanism release so that I can move the angle at my own risk and then lock that angle with the handle then return to 90 it would be a perfect mitre gauge.

I understand that Woodpeckers sells Incra and perhaps there are "non-compete" provisions, but if Woodpeckers offered their miter gauge with no stops allowing the user to find the angle they want I suspect they would be in compliance with competition agreements.  Most woodworkers are capable of flying blind and do not need the protractor on the head of the miter gauge but the Woodpeckers lock on the handle is genius without any fiddly stuff such as I have on my 1000.
Of course,  if I could figure out how to mount that miter bar on my 1000, I could fix the 1000 in other ways.  That Woodpecker miter bar is the cat's pajamas.

 

[djcook50]

So I decided to purchase the Exact-90 miter gauge.  Just got it set up today.  It’s pretty cool how the miter bar hugs the right side of the slot.  I’ve used the Incra 1000SE for about 15 years and it has served me well, but most of my cuts are at 90 degrees and the Incra is fiddly to reset. I also don’t care for how the Incra’s protractor extends so far out in front of the saw.

One of the reasons I bought the Woodpecker unit is with the “slop-stop” feature it allows me a bit more room in front of the blade by being able to bring the gauge more forward.  I have a  Sawstop PCS and when using the blade guard it reduces the space in front of the blade considerably, so I’m hoping to use the guard more often.

So, yeah, the Exact-90 is a bit of a luxury (but so are some of my Festool products) for a serious home shop.  I’ll use the Exact-90 most often and use the Incra for the occasional angle cut.  The fence calibration and stop calibration were simple and accurate.  Hopefully WP will come out with a metric scale for those who want it.

So far, so good.

Dave