MFT Upgrade! Incra LS Positioner Incremental System vs. Table Saw Fence on MFT/3

[amt]

Sean, that sounds like a nice solution, but I am hoping I do not have to by the CMS just to use only the sliding table.  When I bought the TS-LS-joinery combo, I also got a router table top with a miter and t-slot channel close to the router insert, similar to what you have pictured above (but not a metal top).  I was hoping I could use that channel for sliding while using the LS+wonder-fence.

Perhaps another option is a sliding table saw attachment.  I know jessem has one, but I can't find any for sale.  Maybe the Grizzly one would work.

 

[amt]

I had a look at the Techno-Isel extrusion parts, and that stuff looks really cool.  I may just build my own slider.  Not sure if the slider would be mounted against the Incra fence, or just bolted to the table top to the left of the router nisert (Incra fence to the right)

 

[NuggyBuggy]

I have some concerns (maybe unfounded) about the "slider" that is normally used with the Incra fence.[/b
]

Your concerns are not unfounded.  Their right-angle fence is, in my opinion, a glaring weak link in their packages.  It the ugliest of ducklings in the  Incra family.

The RAF connects to the main fence only via nylon screws which slide along the top of the back of the fence.  This region is very narrow so it is very easy for the thing to deregister- so it never feels secure, and you have to be careful about how or where pressure is exerted so as not to make the thing pop out. 

I don't know what Incra was thinking - it renders an otherwise great product - well, less great.  There are no shortages of complaints out there.  On Sawmill Creek I'm pretty sure there's another thread where a guy used the Jessem Mite-R-slide with an Incra fence... it was something I thought about as I also have the Jessem.

 

[Slappy]

found a thread @ Lumberjocks with Pix their pix are blocked here
google ;   Jessem Mite-R-slide with an Incra fence

looks like the direction I'm going in soon
saved the pix to my PC
  I think a 80/20 rail would work as a mount & I'd offset it more off the table to get more usable area to slide from

 

[Sean KS]

Amt,

The sliding table is just a bonus. The jessem/incra setup would work like a champ without a sliding table. I'd be careful building your own miter slider. I don't think the tolerances are tight enough with a standard aluminum extrusion bearing. They can be pretty sloppy and don't like being torqued. A fully enclosed linear rod bearing is really what is called for in this situation and the Jessem is way cheaper than building one out yourself. These high precision tools take you way out of Kansas and is not a game even the avid DIYer should play. I've ordered the Miter Slider for an up coming project. Ill let you know my thoughts when it gets some use.

 

[Slappy]

Sean , let us know how you mount that Jessem Sliding miter onto the Incra fence  ( you are using the add-on Wonder Fence right  ?  ? )
I found a deal the Jessem silder so I think I'm gonna get it & the LS system .

 

[bkharman]

Hmm.. this thread is rapidly sliding towards an expensive thought experiment...

Played a bit with Sketchup and mocked up a visualization of an Incra XL tablesaw positioner (34" wide fence, 52" long positioner - apparently 52" is only marketing speak and the picture is vaporware since the longest positioner incra has is a 32" one which is reflected in picture #2) on top of an MFT/3 + MFT-VL extension with mocked up V-groove supports for the fence to support the weight/torgue of the positioner when extended.

[attachthumb=#] [attachthumb=#]

What I'm thinking here is to minimize the required parts (get rid of the Incra lenght wise tracks, cross members and side attachment plates) to keep storage simple, but at the same time retain accuracy, repeatablity and usability.

Wonder would something like this work in real life with jig dogs used for positioning and under table knob tightening without the table wide cross member at the positioner end that was mentioned above and that comes with the Incra LS-TS package?

Reiska,

Did you ever advance on this?  I have my Incra LS-25 "quasi" mounted on my MFT/VL combo currently but like the additional small bits of v-groove you added.  I am wondering if you ever finished this project?

I have mine mounted (as a temporary solution until my 25 mm bit comes in) with two Qwas Rail Dogs and two MFT clamping elements.  It is just meant as a means to get the bloody thing on the table to test out a few things!

One of the things that caught me slightly off guard is the "play" in the fence.  It moves about 1-2mm fore and aft when you press against the fence  I figured this out... I didn't have the clamping knobs tightened on the MFT Clamping Elements below!  I found it out when I went to take the pics.  Much better (even for a temp solution!) .  I figured it wouldn't be 100% solid, and I assume my flex is in the fact i am using temporary holds on the positioner base instead of a solid lock all around.  I am very excited for this to work out.

One thought was to try out the Lee Valley low profile mounting stops, but alas I do not have them to try out.  Wanted to use those between the positioner and the MFT either with bolts through, or thread them to attach.  If anyone has them, could you let me know if the dogs are threaded to use table knobs underneath?  Would love to get my hands on two or three to test this out, they seem like the winning combo.  I am coming up with a 2nd place item to mimic that effort, but again, waiting for my 25mm bit to arrive.

cheers

Bryan  

PS - Additional pics (as promised!)

 

[plouf]

Hi bkharman,

PS - Pics coming soon...

Looking forward to see your solution to this problem too!

- plouf -

 

[Slappy]

I just scored a  Jessem Mite-R-slide @ 25% off  a few days ago & am getting the LS super system as well next week .
so am looking forward to getting these mated up  to each other . .
So I look forward to you guy's work on this project  [blink]

 

[dicktill]

I just scored a  Jessem Mite-R-slide @ 25% off  a few days ago &  . .

Where did you get the Mite-R-Slide Slappy?

Thanks, Dick

 

[Slappy]

more Pix I found on the web : 2 different set-ups

 

[Slappy]

I just scored a  Jessem Mite-R-slide @ 25% off  a few days ago &  . .

Where did you get the Mite-R-Slide Slappy?

Thanks, Dick

Amazon had one that was from their warehouse deals

 

[bkharman]

Pics uploaded above. Very easy to do via mobile by the way!

 

[plouf]

Hello bkharman,

Pics uploaded above.

Very nice! Using the rail dogs was a known trick already mentionned here around. But fixing the other side with the clamping elements is a kiss and clever idea. Thanks for posting the pictures.

- plouf -

 

[bkharman]

Thanks plouf!

It actually holds fairly well too!!

I hope to have my final version ready later this weekend.  Hope to get my 20 and 25 mm bits soon enough.

cheers

 

[bkharman]

Got my JessEm clear cut "feather boards" today and slapped them on. Ran a few boards through it. I am really liking this setup!  I know it isn't 100% yet, but it works so well. Quickly running through repeat routes and accurately setting things with the micro knob make this a million times better than the Festool fence. No offense Festool, but the fence is the weak link in my CMS setup.

Ultimately, I will have another MFT to the right but this will do nicely for a while.

Here are a few snaps.

Cheers.

 

[Slappy]

Got my JessEm clear cut "feather boards" today and slapped them on. Ran a few boards through it. I am really liking this setup!  I know it isn't 100% yet, but it works so well. Quickly running through repeat routes and accurately setting things with the micro knob make this a million times better than the Festool fence. No offense Festool, but the fence is the weak link in my CMS setup.

Ultimately, I will have another MFT to the right but this will do nicely for a while.

NICE !
I ordered a LS Super with the 32 LS on Friday incremetaltools gave me 10% off the whole order
Last week I got the Jessem slider glides system from Amazon for 25% off
I got those Jessem clear guides as well
I still have more parts to order
look forward to more pix from you

 

[bkharman]

Thanks Slappy!  Awesome find on those deals.  I got some penny saving deals off and on, but most of it was just being in the right place at the right time.  By the way, forgot to mention, even with the temporary holding system for this LS, the thing is solid and friggin accurate.  I ran into some difficulties with trying to bore my 20MM holes 96mm on center... but with the rail dogs and clamping elements, it went through about 10 door builds in maple and MDF panels this weekend.  Bryan is a happy camper!  It takes about 30 seconds to take on and off and maybe another 30 seconds to fiddle with it a bit for accuracy and after i get my more permanent mounting solution in place, it should be very adequate.

Bryan

 

[Slappy]

Thanks Slappy!  Awesome find on those deals.  I got some penny saving deals off and on, but most of it was just being in the right place at the right time.  By the way, forgot to mention, even with the temporary holding system for this LS, the thing is solid and friggin accurate.  I ran into some difficulties with trying to bore my 20MM holes 96mm on center... but with the rail dogs and clamping elements, it went through about 10 door builds in maple and MDF panels this weekend.  Bryan is a happy camper!  It takes about 30 seconds to take on and off and maybe another 30 seconds to fiddle with it a bit for accuracy and after i get my more permanent mounting solution in place, it should be very adequate.

Bryan

I got a AL 1/4" thick plate from 80/20 on Ebay , I plan on mounting the LS on that & then mount some ( 4 )  Qwas mini rails on the AL plate's underside  to match the MFT hole pattern so then it's just a "drop-in-item" in seconds

 

[Slappy]

If you call Incra @ Incramentaltools.com has a 10% holiday discount right now
you have to ask