Some have asked for info about my Incra purchase, so here it is. Sorry it got so long, but I can't seem to say what I want in a few sentences. I researched tables for a couple of months before upgrading from a 10-year old Rockler table with an Incra positioner made for Rockler by Incra. I purchased the following directly from Incra (actually incrmentaltools.com).
•Incra Router Fence and Table Combo #3 (includes the ProFence II, Wonder Fence, 17” LS Positioner, and miscellaneous – list on the site)
•Incra Cleansweep Dust Collection Combo (including the Cleansweep ring set with open slots to permit down drafting of chips and dust)
•Incra Mas-R-Lift II (which is really Jessem’s made for Incra)
•Incra Router Stand Wheel Kit
TOTAL Price = $1,251 plus shipping
I got a 10% discount at that time. I think there may be a first-time customer 10% discount but am not sure about that. So, for the above my cost was actually $1,126 plus shipping.
I also bought the Porter Cable 7518 motor, ¼” collet for the router, Jessem switch for the table, and an Incra book for a total of $387 ($348 after the discount). Everything was bought from Incra but the router and switch can be bought other places or an existing router used. The lift accommodates a wide range of common routers. If you already have a router that you can dedicate to the table, you use that. However, the 7518 is a great and powerful motor. It mounts easily to the lift right out of the box (noisier than a Festool router though).
I did later add the Incra (Whiteside) router bit set that contains the most common dovetail and straight bits used with the Incra templates.
The Incra top is laminated MDF but I have not had problems with MDF tops. For 10 years I used my Rockler MDF top and it was still flat when I sold it a month ago. The Incra top is 1 ¼” thick and, as far as I can tell, flat. I feel the value of this table combo can’t be beat. In my opinion, the Incra positioner is one of those tools which just doesn’t have an equal for accuracy, permitting very minute fence adjustments. The Jessem lift has an above table crank that also permits adjustments in very tiny increments given that one turn is, I think, equal to 1/64” or 1/32”. It does take a number of turns to raise the router above the table to change a bit, but I feel the accuracy outweighs the small inconvenience of more turns. Both the plate and the Incra rings are completely adjustable to make them level with the top. Dust collection with the under table CleanSweep is terrific. There are usually a few chips which escape at the start of a cut when doing joinery, but that is really about all. I have it connected to my 20-year old Oneida dust collector, 4” port on the Cleansweep. Everything gets sucked down through the rings with the grating arrangement in Incra’s rings. However, in my opinion, it really does require a dust collector with a 4” connection, though. I tried it with my Festool CT 48, but it does not get as much of the chips/dust. I think the dust collector moves a higher volume of air and that is what is needed to pull the chips below the table.
I love the table and the experiments I’ve made cutting box and half-blind dovetails make it obvious to me that I can do these joints with a minimum of practice on the table and get great results. The video that is included and the standard Incra manual on cutting joints and using the templates included tells you everything you need to know to cut 50 different sizes and patterns of box, half-blind, and through dovetail joints. There are also templates and directions for cutting double and corner dovetails which are interesting. With only 2 tries I was cutting box joints so they fit very accurately. I am now practicing on half-blind dovetails and believe that only a few tests will let me cut those without trouble also. It has made me sorry I invested in dovetail jigs and other joint cutting equipment over the years, just like buying the Domino made me sorry I spent money on other mortise and tenon makers.
I should also say that Incra's technical and customer support equals my experience with Festool. It is great. All the questions I've had have been answered with suggestions that all are right on. I did have a little problem leveling the plate to the top, but the Incra support made a couple of suggestions and would have taken it back if these didn't work. They did work and I felt these things were minor in the overal scheme of things. Anyway, they responded and never argued with me; only helped. If you call you either get someone or get a call back within 24 hours or less. Emails sometimes take a little longer but you still get the response you are looking for.
I hope this helps others, but I would encourage you to do the research and find out what you think the best solution for you is. Woodpecker, General (Excalibur), Festool, and Rockler (Bench Dog) actually all make great tables. lift, fence combos. The Incra system seems to be the most versatile and accurate to me for the price.
