Incra LS SUper System or The JessEM Setup - Router Tables

[ForumMFG]

Looking to purchase a router table setup.  I'm really interested in both the JessEM setup with the Master-R-Fence, Master-R-Lift, the sliding fence attachment, and the Incra LS Super system fence setup.  If I go with Incra I will buy the fence and buy the JessEM lift.  Can anyone give someone information on both systems?  It's always hard to make these choices since there are so many great products out there.

 

[bonesbr549]

Well I have the incra LS120 system and really love it.  You can dial that sucker in by a frogs hair which has come in handy.  It's constructed well, and the fine adjustment and the variable scales.  I have that mated with the woodpecker precision router lift.  When I was looking I too looked at the one you mentioned and I'm sure either will do the job, I just liked the fact of a chain .vs. that thin rubber belt.  Anyway I made my table from Norms plans and put a PC 7518 in it and have been totally satisfied.  Here's a pic.  Couple things I have learned from my experience.  The bigger the surface on your table the better, and plan for dust collection.  I've lucked out on both of those.  Finally on wheels helps as well. 

 

[ForumMFG]

Can you tell me how the angle fence attachment works?  How does it attach to the main fence.  When you move it does it glide smoothly or not?

I bought a Jet Table saw with a Incra TS-lll fence on it.  I wonder if I can buy anything to upgrade to the LS model?

 

[sw1211]

One big selling point of the Incra is the ability to do joints that are more out of the ordinary, such as double dovetails. If you'll be doing these types of joints you'll really like the Incra. They have some good demos on their site, in case you haven't seen them here's a link, page down to live demos, Incra Demos

 

[Roseland]

When I was looking to get a router/table combination, I decided on the Triton 1/2" router ( http://www.triton.com.au/product.php?id=27) as it includes as standard 'through the table' fine height adjustment. 

Is there something else the router lift does?  It seems a lot of money if it isn't necessary?

BTW, I'm impressed with the Triton, especially given its price.  It doesn't pretend to be a Festool, but it isn't Festool money!

 

[greg mann]

I have both fence systems and generally use them differently. If you think you would like a wider table the Incra makes sence because you are not limited to the width of your fence locks. I bought the Jessum fence and had to narrow the width of my table about 4 inches overall so that I could mount the t-slotted brackets on the sides at the rght width for the fence locks. That was a little annoying as I like a wider table. Other than that, I do like the fence and I like the miter slide a lot. Some folks don't like the slide but I do. I have no miter slot on that table and it is easy to keep clean as I work. I use that table mostly for rails and set up the Incra for stiles. I like to mate components as I go, checking the quality of my assemblies. If I blow out a corner or just screw up a component I don't need to go back and duplicate a setup. The Incra is on a Woodpecker table with a miter slot. I seldom use the miter slot for end-grain work and,while it does help with featherboards, it also is a debris magnet. The repeatability of the Incra fence is a great feature and since the fence is positioned and locked by the positioner you can have a wider table surface if you want Even though my Woodpecker table is not any wider than the homemade table I had to cut down for the Jessum, I could have left it wider if I had decided to mount the Incra on it. I chose not to because I wanted a deeper table to allow for a longer positioner. That wouldn't make the fence any wider but you might find a wider table suits you. In that case the Incra is a little more adaptable. If you are attracted to the joinery you can do with the Incra then I would say that would be a great reason to buy the Incra. I do like the dust collection on the Jessum better and it is easier to make custom fences for the Jessem, and the fences are taller. If I had to give one up I would be hard pressed to decide which one. If I was doing a lot a dovetail or box joinery it would be easy. I like having both. (No matter what you decide, you will want to make changes at some point in the future so you might just as well accept that now.) 

You can drive yourself crazy picking a router lift too. My only caveat would be pick a standard size like Jessem, Incra, or Woodpecker (all the same size) and stay away from a proprietary size, like BenchDog.  That way if you get another one and want to change out for any reason.... (like being narcissistic enough to feel you need more than one RT) :-[

Note: I have nothing against the Bench Dog except its odd size. And, IIRC, it might be possible to get it in the same size as the others but I may be wrong on that. Just something to consider.

 

[joraft]

... and stay away from a proprietary size, like BenchDog.  That way if you get another one and want to change out for any reason.... (like being narcissistic enough to feel you need more than one RT) :-[

Note: I have nothing against the Bench Dog except its odd size. And, IIRC, it might be possible to get it in the same size as the others but I may be wrong on that. Just something to consider.

I have the Incra LS "Super Sytem" with all the accessories, and I love it.

I also have the Bench Dog ProLift router lift, and I bought precisely because it's made for the Porter-Cable 7518 router (a great machine).

Greg, I don't know if you mean proprietary regarding the router, or the table. The lift does come with adapters to fit several of the most common routers, but with the 7518 it fits like they were made together. 

 

[Aegwyn11]

I bought a Jet Table saw with a Incra TS-lll fence on it.  I wonder if I can buy anything to upgrade to the LS model?

As for upgrading the TS-III to the LS, this is off Incra's site:

1. If you have an Ultra TS-III saw fence system purchased in 1999-2000 and the rip fence has only one T-slot in the front face and one T-slot in the rear face, it will be necessary to upgrade to the newer TS-3A fence extrusion to use an LS positioner. Please call for details: 888.804.6272.

Otherwise, I think you only need this: Incra LS 32"

 

[greg mann]

Greg, I don't know if you mean proprietary regarding the router, or the table. The lift does come with adapters to fit several of the most common routers, but with the 7518 it fits like they were made together. 

The Bench Dog plate size is about 1/2 inch smaller in width (or front to back). I can never remember the odd sizes these guys use but Jessem, et.al., are 9" plus something while BD is less than 9".  If you love the BD lift and make your table to fit then it is a non-issue.

 

[score0matic]

Dave
the LS 17 or24 cannot be topped for a fence setup.
The training video is fun to fall asleep to too ;D ;D (annoys the wife though, hehehe)
Craig