New Table Saw accessory question

[GreenGA]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a new table saw (replacing my Bosch 4000).  Since the new saw offers a couple of different versions, the saw I am ordering does not come standard with a fence and rails.  My intention is to order the Incra TS-LS for this new toy, er... tool.

My question is this.

Would it make sense to order the factory fence and rail, or just the Incra?  Is there any benefit having the factory rail & fence if I have the Incra?  [unsure]

Inquiring minds want to know.  [cool]

Thanks.

Oh, Shane...  Would it be possible to add "Incra" to the spell checker dictionary?

 

[nickao]

Exactly which saw are you getting?

 

[GreenGA]

Sawstop.

JR offered/wants to help on a couple of projects so out with the Powermatic and in with Sawstop.

 

[Aegwyn11]

If you're going to get the Incra right away and there are savings to be had if you don't get the Sawstop fence and rails, I'd say save the money. If its pretty much the same price, get the fence and rails and sell them once you install your Incra. You might come out ahead?

 

[GreenGA]

Actually, the Incra is couple hundred more than the fence and rails for the Sawstop.  Hence the inquiry...

The Incra I am most interested in, is their TS-LS Combo #3.  Router Table on the left, with the rails and support legs, along with the LS Positioner and a bunch of other stuff.  This leaves enough room on the right to build a clamping station and storage underneath.

 

[Neill]

Gary,

Sawstop is supposed to be a great table saw in terms of safety but I have not heard much about its performance one way or the other.  Maybe I just have not been paying attention.

Anyway, are there any limits on the company's liability if you are injured and not using all of their approved accessories?  Certainly you cannot make any modifications to the "drive train", but what about a different fence and rail system?

Neill

 

[GreenGA]

Good questions.

I do know that there are a number of Sawstop users that have installed Incra positioners.  While the folks at Sawstop are unable to make any recommendations, they are aware that many users have installed the Incra's.  [smile]

Incra even has a special version of their TS-LS for the Sawstop Industrial model.  Seems they are a little deeper than the usual table saw.  [unsure]

As for performance...

Just about everything I have read says the saw would stand up against all comers even without the safety features.  That said, I think I recall reading somewhere that someone noted that a relative was using his, the commenter's, Sawstop with an Incra installed and ran the position fence into the blade.  Which of course brought everything to an immediate screeching halt.  A new blade and brake, thank you very much.  [embarassed]

 

[Aegwyn11]

Just about everything I have read says the saw would stand up against all comers even without the safety features.  That said, I think I recall reading somewhere that someone noted that a relative was using his, the commenter's, Sawstop with an Incra installed and ran the position fence into the blade.  Which of course brought everything to an immediate screeching halt.  A new blade and brake, thank you very much.  [embarassed]

The guy you're referring to was using in Incra miter guage. If I remember right, his dad was using it and flipped it over to the slot on the right side of the blade. Whoops. First hand experience with the blade brake.

Actually, the Incra is couple hundred more than the fence and rails for the Sawstop.  Hence the inquiry...

The Incra I am most interested in, is their TS-LS Combo #3.  Router Table on the left, with the rails and support legs, along with the LS Positioner and a bunch of other stuff.  This leaves enough room on the right to build a clamping station and storage underneath.

The TS-LS combo 3 is the one I'll eventually get...some day...

I was more meaning that you might come out ahead getting the Sawstop fence/rails, selling them, and getting the Incra versus not getting the Sawstop fence/rails at all. Sometimes with package deals and everything, the fence/rails doesn't add hardly anything to the price...

Also, FWIW, I saw a little while back that Incra is offering their fence in metric now.

 

[Scott Rollins]

I have the Sawstop Industrial with an Incra fence.  It is amazingly accurate and repeatable.  I put the router table on the right hand side (under the bridge for the Incra fence).  I bought the 32" version and pushed the rails all the way to the right and I can get a 49" cut to the right of the blade by moving the bridge.  You do not need the extended bridge or fence.  It can be done without them.  However I did buy the extended bridge in the end because I thought it would just look better (i think it was around $35 two years ago)
You need to be carefull about thinking you can put a router table on the left side of the blade.  There is a very important access door on the left side of the saw behind the bevel adjusting handle. It offers the only access to vacuum out the area under the trunnion so you can drop the sawblade all the way down below the table (I sometimes forget to turn on the Dust collector...too bad festool doesn't make a
HUGE DC).  I can send you pics if you like.
I put a sliding table on the left side (replacing the cast wing).