Incra LS... Go Metric or Imperial?

schtumpig · Mar 3, 2016

Hi,

I'm ready to pull the trigger on an Incra LS fence for my new homebuilt router table and I am debating between Metric and Imperial. ALL my shop tools are Festool so they are metric already. I own 1 (yup [embarassed]) router bit so I can buy metric bits as a build my shop. But I live in the USA so imperial is the 'Standard'.

If you have an Incra LS positioner and have used metric or imperial, what have been the issues you have had. Lack of templates, plans, bits? All advice is welcome!

Thanks! [smile]

Bohdan · Mar 4, 2016

Give your brain a rest and go metric!

Kev · Mar 4, 2016

To me this is a "no brainer" as I see people staying imperial for a number of reasons .. they are typically ..

1. Current investment in imperial tools
2. Current understanding of imperial systems and learning transition difficulties
3. Material, client or other dependencies on imperial measurement compatibility

You don't seem to be encumbered by any of these .. so GO METRIC [wink]

Max Fracas · Mar 4, 2016

I went all metric when I bought my TS75. It didn't take long to realize it was the way to go for everything, so when I bought the LS for my tablesaw I got the metric version. Now the only time I use imperial is when I talk about measurements to those who only understand feet and inches. It was a very easy transition to move the workshop from imperial to millimeters and I'm very glad I did.

rst · Mar 4, 2016

Go metric, all the Woodpeckers squares and rules I've been buying have been metric. Makes every measurable thing a breeze. Get yourself a metric tape Hultafors (EBay...Big red Box) or one of the many versions that Fastcap makes.

chrisrosenb · Mar 4, 2016

If you like metric & it works for you, get the metric one.

I do things in my shop because I want to do them that way & they work for me. I do not do things, because others think I should do them that way.

Tayler_mann · Mar 4, 2016

As another USA residents advice; go metric. I switched about one year ago and haven't looked back. Unfortunately a lot of times customers bring me measurements of what they want in imperial and I convert it but other than that things have gotten soooooooooooooo much more easy since the switch.

GPowers · Mar 4, 2016

Go Metric [big grin] Much easer to work with. No fractions!!

bkharman · Mar 4, 2016

GPowers said:
Go Metric [big grin] Much easer to work with. No fractions!!

We have fractions. Between 1 and 2 mm you have 1.5.

Wink, wink.

I personally have both lead screws and kits. I still have some very nice bits that need the imperial version of my dovetail set, but mainly use the metric setup on my LS 25.

You will love it either way mate!

Cheers. Bryan.

AndyUK · Mar 4, 2016

Bohdan said:
Give your brain a rest and go metric!

^
This [smile]

schtumpig · Mar 5, 2016

Thanks for all the advice! [big grin] Still thinking about, I'm giving myself till Monday.

bkharman said:
GPowers said:

Go Metric [big grin] Much easer to work with. No fractions!!

Click to expand...

I personally have both lead screws and kits. I still have some very nice bits that need the imperial version of my dovetail set, but mainly use the metric setup on my LS 25.

You will love it either way mate!

Cheers. Bryan.

Thanks Bryan! I like to hear that you mainly use metric. I DON'T like that the same Whiteside Incra bit set costs $25 more than the imperial set. Add that to the Incra extra cost for the metric LS Positioner and METRIC = MORE MONEY. At least here in the good old USA. Ultimately my biggest concern is that having the Metric LS Incra is going to mean that I am limiting my options. Either:
1- The number and types of joints I can make (It looks like Metric is an after thought for Incra)
2- The availability/cost of router bits and accessories (Metic is harder to find here in the USA and seems to carry a surcharge)
3- The utility of the router table it's self. (Having problems sourcing local wood/plywood in the correct dimensions)

If this was just the old Metric vs. Imperial debate it would be a "no Brainer" METRIC. But things get messy when you start looking a practicality here in the USA. So I am still thinking about it. Again anyone using the Metric Incra LS 17 (430mm) or LS 25 (635mm) please let me know your experiences. Also if you have a preference for the longer LS 25. I have the Precision Dogs LS plate (LOVE IT! [big grin]) and I am leaning toward the shorter LS 17 since you can just move the whole positioner to a different set of holes on the MFT.

Again thanks for all the suggestions I carefully read each one and I appreciate all the help!

Alex

bkharman · Mar 5, 2016

Anytime Alex. What part of our great state are you in?

Personally I wanted the 25 for the ability to do dovetails and cuts pretty far away from the fence. I like being able to move it all around and if I need to do a rabbet 600+mm away, it can handle it. I thought about saving a few bucks with the 17, but glad I didn't.

The other day I was notching the backs of some drawers and it allowed me to do both sides of the drawer without farting around at all to do so. I know the width on my TS 75 blade and just changed it from my guide in the LS. It works so quick that I don't think about it much anymore!

Here is a pic of that operation and a pic of the LS bracket I built. Definitely make one so you can keep the setup dialed in when it is off your MFT setup.

Cheers. Bryan.

schtumpig · Mar 5, 2016

That looks awesome Bryan!

I live smack dab in the middle in Columbus. Worthington to be exact.

I am back an forth between the 25 and the 17 so seeing your set-up helps a lot. I was considering the 25 because it would give me the flexibility to move it to a SawStop table saw later if I buy one. My set up for now is just a dedicated router table no TS-55 mounted in it.

As far as the Metric Incra you have had no problems using the metric setup? You haven't felt like there are less joint templates or hard to find the right bits? If I was using it as a fence for my table saw I could see where metric would be super useful to compliment the TS-55 and Kapex.
Any other shortcomings of going with the Metric Incra LS?

This is my setup as of tonight. I'm using a Excalibur Cast iron top, Incra lift, Porter-Cable 75182, Precision Dogs Plate. Now all I need is the Incra LS [smile]

Thanks for sharing your setup.

rljatl · Mar 5, 2016

[member=27343]schtumpig[/member] - What did you use to fill the gap between the router table and MFT/3? Looks great!

schtumpig · Mar 5, 2016

zxcv said:
[member=27343]schtumpig[/member] - What did you use to fill the gap between the router table and MFT/3? Looks great!

Thanks... Here is what I used:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-in-x-36-in-Aluminum-Angle-Bar-with-1-16-in-Thick-801387/204273987

Cut down to match the width of the cast iron table. I used flat counter sunk machine screws using the existing holes in the cast iron table so they would not interfere with the extrusion on the MFT:

rljatl · Mar 5, 2016

Great solution. Simple and cheap, the best kind. [smile]

schtumpig · Mar 5, 2016

zxcv said:
Great solution. Simple and cheap, the best kind. [smile]

Thanks... But it was your design so I should be saying that to you. Thanks for sharing it! [embarassed]

[member=18283]zxcv[/member] Did you go with Metric or Imperial out of curiosity?

rljatl · Mar 5, 2016

schtumpig said:
zxcv said:

Great solution. Simple and cheap, the best kind. [smile]

Click to expand...

Thanks... But it was your design so I should be saying that to you. Thanks for sharing it! [embarassed]

[member=18283]zxcv[/member] Did you go with Metric or Imperial out of curiosity?

I originally ordered imperial, but later decided to convert it to metric. I am trying to go all metric now.

Stone Message · Mar 6, 2016

schtumpig said:
That looks awesome Bryan!

I live smack dab in the middle in Columbus. Worthington to be exact.

I am back an forth between the 25 and the 17 so seeing your set-up helps a lot. I was considering the 25 because it would give me the flexibility to move it to a SawStop table saw later if I buy one. My set up for now is just a dedicated router table no TS-55 mounted in it.

As far as the Metric Incra you have had no problems using the metric setup? You haven't felt like there are less joint templates or hard to find the right bits? If I was using it as a fence for my table saw I could see where metric would be super useful to compliment the TS-55 and Kapex.
Any other shortcomings of going with the Metric Incra LS?

This is my setup as of tonight. I'm using a Excalibur Cast iron top, Incra lift, Porter-Cable 75182, Precision Dogs Plate. Now all I need is the Incra LS [smile]

Thanks for sharing your setup.

Did that cast iron top come from the UK - it is exactly the same casting as the UJK one bought from Axminster?

Peter

mavrick1903 · Mar 6, 2016

Those of you that have gone metric, are you running a metric table saw blade? Or still at 1/8"?

Incra LS... Go Metric or Imperial?

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