Osborne EB-3 Miter Gauge Or INCRA Miter 1000HD

[GPowers]

Trying to decide between  Osborne EB-3 Miter Gauge Or INCRA Miter 1000HD. Always thought the Incra looked a little flimsy. On the other hand the Osborne looks a lot more stout. I like the triangle design the Osborne has. The Osborne has a greater range of angles that can be cut on the same side of the table saw.  But the Osborne is also a departure from what is normally used.  Should that be a concern?

Can anyone comment on the sliding angle adjustment on the Osborne?

Is the Osborne as strong as they advertise?

Others have comment on the flimsy construction of the incra is there a better Incra maybe the 3000?

 

[chrisrosenb]

I have several different models of the Incra miter gauges. I think I have 8. I would not describe any of them as flimsy.
The thing that sold me on Incra miter gauges was the amount of positive stops that are on them. Some have stops at
every  5 degrees, others every 1 degree & another with stops at every 1/2 degree.

I bought a new table saw about a year ago. The dealer had a special that included an Osborne miter gauge with the saw.
I was not impressed with the Osborne & exchanged it for a tenoning jig.

 

[Corwin]

I certainly wouldn't call my Incra miter gauge flimsy either.  What do you find flimsy about the Incra?

 

[wnagle]

GPowers,

I have a Kreg and a Osborne EB3.  I gave the Kreg to my Dad and use the Osborne all the time.  It is the best in my opinion. I love it!  I especially like the way it zeroes with the eccentric cam.  I set mine to square with the 4 cut method, then all the detents are accurate when setting angles from that point on.  It has and adjustable miter slide and the triangle makes it very stable.  It is my favorite miter gauge.

 

[mwhafner]

I have  both the Osborne and an older Incra 2000 (mine has a fence very similar to the 1000HD, but there could be minor differences).  Both are extremely well made, and very functional.  I would recommend either, depending on what type of work you do.  If I were in the market now, I would also look at the Jessem and Kreg models.  

The Osborne is my favorite, but generally stays set at 0*.  The flip-stop is excellent.  The "slide rule" angle adjustment works well, but I don't trust it like I do the Incra.  

The Incra is also extremely well made, but lighter.  The big advantages of the Incra are repeatability and fine adjustments, the hallmarks of most of their products.  I wouldn't call it flimsy, but its not as heavy duty as the Osborne.  The stop is very functional, but it takes a little longer to set.  

My advice -

If you just want a rock solid miter gauge, go with the Osborne.  If you change angles often, or often need to go back and "recreate" a precision cut, go with the Incra.  

 

[MarkF]

I considered both of those along with the others of the same type when I got serious about woodworking and ended up with a http://www.jointech.com/smart_miter.htm  .
Miter gauges have never been sturdy or precise enough for me. Too much flex.  When I looked, the EB-3 depended on all the miter slot nuts being engaged in the slot.  This reduces wide stock precision.  It also was a PIA to reconfigure for right hand slot use.  The Incra was nice but by the time I added all the things to make it usable, the Smart Miter made $ sense and is so much nicer.

 

[Wood_Junkie]

I have an Osborne EB-3 and an Incra V27 (these can be found in the $40 range sometimes on sale) with a small auxiliary fence attached.

I use the Osborne whenever I need to make repeated length cuts, since the fence and stop are so good.  I keep it dialed in and locked at 0 degree, as others have indicated.  I built a wall-mounted holder for it, so the weight of it is on the fence, not the body/frame.
Norm used an EB3 throughout the last several years of his show.

I use the V27 when I want to set a very precise angle on relatively small pieces.

I use the Rockler sled when cutting larger/wider pieces at any angle.  The huge protractor makes it exceedingly accurate.
I expect as I gain more experience with angle cutting on the MFT and TS55 I'll transition that direction for these cuts.  Removing the reliance on the miter slot would be a good thing.

Unfortunately, these were all acquired over time as my needs grew.. and are about $250 invested.  If I could go back I would just get a high end Incra, maybe with the Miter express platforms.

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

For 25 years I have used the JDS Accumiter and recently added an Osborne which I like a lot. It is lighter than the JDS but has great stops for repeat cuts and is easy to square up. I like to use a sled withcomplementry angles for cutting motets, etc.

Best,
Todd

 

[GPowers]

JessEm 07500 MAST-R-SLIDE looks like a great table saw accessory but I was hopping to keep the expenditure for a miter gauge under $200. The Mast-r-slide might be something I add later. Thanks for the heads up mwhafner.

 

[dltflt]

You might want to look at the the Dubby at In-Line Inustries.  I have the double Dubby and it is very accurate.  I have tried 8 sided frames and it is dead on every time.