Incra fences

[irvin00]

Huge upfront disclaimer: I'm not a professional wooodworker. I'm a hobbist with a ultra, ultra-tiny personal shop (a small foyer plus closet space in my apartment!), so my opinions should be taken in that context.

Anyway, here I go: I'm in the process of building a hybrid workbench, to accomodate a router and a jig saw (both under the table), so naturally, I have been around looking for ideas and, whenever possible, equipment that does the job at a reasonable price, so i don't have to re-invent the wheel. I came across the Incra range of fences, but I have the impression that they are overly complicated (from a design point of view). They just look to intricate for my taste - even though they might work wonderfully, I don't know.

Am I the only one?

 

[AlexThePalex]

I came across the Incra range of fences, but I have the impression that they are overly complicated (from a design point of view). They just look to intricate for my taste - even though they might work wonderfully, I don't know.

Am I the only one?

You're not the only one. They look ridiculously over-engineered. Looks like equipment you'd find aboard the Space Shuttle. You start wondering how those pre-19th century woodworkers ever where able to make furniture.

 

[bonesbr549]

Huge upfront disclaimer: I'm not a professional wooodworker. I'm a hobbist with a ultra, ultra-tiny personal shop (a small foyer plus closet space in my apartment!), so my opinions should be taken in that context.

Anyway, here I go: I'm in the process of building a hybrid workbench, to accomodate a router and a jig saw (both under the table), so naturally, I have been around looking for ideas and, whenever possible, equipment that does the job at a reasonable price, so i don't have to re-invent the wheel. I came across the Incra range of fences, but I have the impression that they are overly complicated (from a design point of view). They just look to intricate for my taste - even though they might work wonderfully, I don't know.

Am I the only one?

As someone who has the Incra ls120 (bought used) I like it.  Its machined very well.  Has easy to use stops and has multiple scales so I can track lateral movement in and out. Repetative cuts are easy and the Scales are easy to change.  I also have the incra 1000se miter gauge.  Dead accurate and stays that way.  Talk about sneaking up on a cut.  As to over engineered, I don't know what that means exactly.  If you mean the complcated use of multilayered dovetails, it is challenging but isn't it all? The manual is very well written and after an initial getting to know it, it's a piece of cake.  I guess its like anything some will like it and some will not see it.  Either way is ok.  Have a good one!

 

[PeterK]

I have quite a few Incra items - table saw fence, router table fence, router lift, miter guage, sliding panel, rulers, squares, etc. The table saw fence is awesome. For the router table, unless you want to get into the custom dovetails on small boxes and such, a simple pivoting router fence will work just as well. Many use a simple board that is straight and true as a fence. The Incra lets you repeat the position later, allows dust collection, many custom type cuts. Yes it is somewhat complicated for the double dovetails and such. If you are a tool geek like me, the Incra is a no brainer. For you - if you want a pre-made fence, Woodpeckers has several to choose from that don't require the positioning system so are way cheaper and are well made. If you have not visited, go to woodpeck.com to see what they offer.
Pete

 

[irvin00]

thanks, everyone, for the input. My search continues

 

[score0matic]

Irvin,

It is refreshing to hear anything in a festool forum being referred to as over engineered  
In your plans for your table are you considering any other under mount tools besides the router and jigsaw.  are you planning on using the table for assembly.   Are you using a TS 55 or 75 for your rips or a portable table saw?    do you plan on making dovetail joinery.  I am asking only because i want to get a feel for your uses.  I have an LS super system  for my router, it would also work as a fence for a homemade table saw.    You could build a table that would allow you to place the fence on and off without having to unbolt it every time so you could make it more multipurpose.   The system is Top Drawer and most every one who owns one loves it.

Craig  Edited because i cant spell, or Cap, or punctuate 

 

[irvin00]

Hi, Craig

I'm using a TS55 for almost everything (the rest is cut with a small Hitachi miter saw, the Bosch jigsaw or a Shark pull saw). I do not do dovetail joinery - I stick to dowels (dowelmax, a real jewel to work with) and/or pocket holes. And, yes, the idea is to maximize every component's use. One of my goals it to have a single fence for routing/cutting operations. Thanks for the (LS super system) recommendation; I'll take a deeper look.

From the answers here, it seems perhaps Incra needs to do a better job of explaining how its products actually work - where are the videos in this age of "instant media"? Most of what I see are little pictures of fences with multiple attachments that often cover more than 50% (!!!!!) of the work area (http://www.incra.com/product_tsf_main.htm).

BTW, this is more or less what I have in mind:

http://www.amazon.com/Skil-3100-12-X-Bench-Workstation/dp/B0010ODQ1U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1245145713&sr=8-1

I'm hesitant to buy it because it looks flimsy and the reviews often mention chipped and damaged tops, but the concept is great and fits my purposes nicely. I wish I could see one in person. My current table is a very simple one made from some legs with a wooden countertop bought from Ikea (see images below) but I'm ready to move unto something a bit more flexible.

 

[meldgaard]

From the answers here, it seems perhaps Incra needs to do a better job of explaining how its products actually work - where are the videos in this age of "instant media"? Most of what I see are little pictures of fences with multiple attachments that often cover more than 50% (!!!!!) of the work area (http://www.incra.com/product_tsf_main.htm).

Incra has their own channel on youtube.com with 13 HQ videos so far 

 

[irvin00]

From the answers here, it seems perhaps Incra needs to do a better job of explaining how its products actually work - where are the videos in this age of "instant media"? Most of what I see are little pictures of fences with multiple attachments that often cover more than 50% (!!!!!) of the work area (http://www.incra.com/product_tsf_main.htm).

Incra has their own channel on youtube.com with 13 HQ videos so far 

Excellent! Thanks a lot for the link. I'll take a good look at those videos.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

From the answers here, it seems perhaps Incra needs to do a better job of explaining how its products actually work - where are the videos in this age of "instant media"?

Perhaps it's more a case of Incra needing to do a slightly better job of pointing visitors to the videos on their website! Go to www.incra.com, click on "Product List" at the top of the page, and then click on See All INCRA's Demos

Forrest

 

[daves1996]

I have the Incra ultra fence, the wonder fence upgrade and the 1000HD miter gauge and they are all fantastic items and not overpriced in my opinion. I also have that Skil workbench and it fits my needs when I am on a jobsite. The tops are not solid wood and they are a little fragile but with care they will last. I hope that this helps.

Dave

 

[irvin00]

Thanks, Dave, for the valuable information!

And, yes, Forrest, maybe that's what Incra needs!

 

[Greg_R]

I would be very concerned with the Incra system given the size shop you have.  The fence does not work well in tight spaces (center extends well off the table when making wider cuts, etc.).

Something that I would consider right now would be your methods of work.  Specifically, moving the wood across the tool will take more space (2x length) than moving the tool across the wood (1x length).  For your size shop, look into tools and techniques that will move the tool across the wood (Festool is a good example, there are plenty of others including hand tools).  I have a much larger work space than you and am working on switching over to a "tool across the wood" style shop due to available space.

Good luck!

 

[Meatplow]

I think the Incra fence system is a great idea and almost went it myself. Here is what I discovered through working in my shop: I take my fence off and put it back on about twenty times a day, maybe more. I am not completely educated on the Incra and don't know if it is chore to take off and put back on again, but I know this, I can put my fence on in seconds and do not need to check the squareness...never, almost never. Is this true with the Incra...now I'm curious? The router may be a different story like PeterK has setup.

Please and Thanks, Godspeed

 

[Les]

If you don't plan on doing dovetails or box joints, the Incra or Jointech systems are probably over kill. Check out something as simple as the Woodpecker fence. In my router table cabinet I use the Jointech and I do cut dovetails with it. As a second second setup I use the Woodpecker fence and top between 2 MFTs. This is used for standard router table work (non dovetail and box joints). I still have a problem free handing some of the larger radius bits thus I use the table.