Incra Rails on Sawstop and Incra LS fence

[suds]

I have the 1.75 Sawstop PCS and I'm thinking of using the Incra LS25 fence system to replace the SS fence. My question is do I have to have the Incra rails to use the fence? Most of my work is for small to medium size boxes and I have 2 Festool 1080 MFT's I'm mounting a router between so I can use the LS25 for joinery work. I would set up a specific mounting location on the Sawstop to be able to replicate consistently. I'm disappointed in the SS fence because it moves when locked down and since I'm going to use the Incra LS25 on my MFT tables I figured it would make a great fence.

 

[SittingElf]

I'm not sure of the answer, but what I can tell you is that Incra has GREAT customer support and will take the time to fully answer your question. Strongly suggest you give them a call.

I am an Incraholic and have never had any even remotely negative dealings with them. Give 'em a ring!!

Cheers,
Frank

 

[Gary in Texas]

Suds,

I have the Incra TS fence and rails on my Jet Cabinet Saw.... The fence can be locked in place on both the front and back rail, so no movement whatsoever once the fence is locked down.  I think in practice, Incra suggests once you've locked the fence in place (on the positioner) you should lock down the front part of the fence, which again leaves the fence pretty immovable.  Locking the back is optional...

Attached is a photo of the front fence lock down.  In the bottom right of the photo you can see the fence mounting bracket where you attached the fence to the saw.  The fence is really quite simple to install.

Also, please note the LS Positioner is not mounted to the saw extension table as is with their router tables, but secured to the front and rear rail.  Once in its proper position, you can pick up the entire positioner and fence and reposition it for longer(wider) cuts, are place on the opposite side of the blade.

I don't think I would care to try the positioner on my table saw if secured only at the positioner as is the case with the router table.  Any flex, you will have a kickback....

Gary

 

[suds]

I’m thinking about attaching the Incra Positioner directly to the Sawstop fence. That way I can utilize the accuracy and repeatability of the Incra and be able to lock down the fence. I saw where a woodworker replaced the lexan “skin” on the Sawstop with aluminum channel similar to the Incra fence and it turned out fantastic.

 

[grbmds]

I’m thinking about attaching the Incra Positioner directly to the Sawstop fence. That way I can utilize the accuracy and repeatability of the Incra and be able to lock down the fence. I saw where a woodworker replaced the lexan “skin” on the Sawstop with aluminum channel similar to the Incra fence and it turned out fantastic.

As SittingElf suggested call their Technical Support number. I just bought an Incra router table/fence system. They will take whatever time you need to answer your questions. So far, they seem to have experienced almost everything at one point or another and always have an answer. All of their answers to me were right on.

 

[Birdhunter]

Just curious, but what problem do you have with the SS fence?

 

[mike_aa]

In my case, nothing else comes close to the ease of setup, repeatability, and precision that an Incra fence offers. 

Mike A.

 

[suds]

Birdhunter...when I lock down the SS fence the far end of the fence "jumps" about a 1/16 towards the blade. 

 

[SittingElf]

My original response to the OP was after not reading your exact question.

The answer is YES, you need the Incra rails to use the TS-LS system. It is unparalleled in precision, and I guarantee that you will love it.

I'm regurgitating the attached image of my "dressed out" PCS with more than just the TS-LS.  I know, a little overboard, but I actually do use virtually everything you see regularly.  (Note that I have the Router table extension, and the fence is shown with all the accouterments that you can build the fence to for the whole system approach)

[attachimg=1]

Cheers,

Frank

 

[Gary in Texas]

Suds,

I have the same long rails (92") on my Jet Cabinet saw as Frank has on his SawStop. Mine has been configured that way, less the router table, for over a year.  After I caught onto Festool and got the TS-55, I no longer cut sheet goods on the cabinet saw, thus, don't need or want that 52" cut capacity.  This past week, I changed out my rails for the shorter rails, which significantly reduced the cabinet saw's footprint, thereby gaining extra work area space.  I'm pleased with the smaller profile of the saw.

I never got the router table add on for my cabinet saw, as I didn't like not being able to stand in front of the router table, with this set up, you do have to reach some.  But, having the router table does enable you to use what would otherwise be a dead space area.  This is probably my main negative using Incra, you basically lose your work table extension less you remove the positioner, and have a place to store it without it getting banged up!!!  With a regular style (Biesmeyer) fence, you just move it left or right and you're left with a work table (if you have the long extension table).....

But.....the Incra Positioner is awesome!!!

 

[Greg M]

Birdhunter...when I lock down the SS fence the far end of the fence "jumps" about a 1/16 towards the blade.

Are you sure that it's moving a 1/16 out of alignment or is it straightening when you lock it down.  Mine moves when I lock it down but that's because it's actually grabbing hold of the rail and the fence is straightening. 

 

[Gary in Texas]

And even if it is moving out of align, you can adjust it so it is parallel to the blade...

 

[Birdhunter]

My Sawstop fence, locked down, is absolutely parallel to the miter slot as measured by the Woodpecker dial indicator tool. This is true front to back. The dial moves, perhaps, a little back and forth as I slide the tool down the miter slot. I attribute the movement to variations in the white surface on the fence. The movement is within 0.01 mm if I'm reading the dial right.anyway, the needle stays within a single set of marks on the dial. There is some slight movement as the locking lever is engaged. The movement can be eliminated by pressing backwards on the fence as it is adjusted and then clamped tight.