Sawstop PCS 52" fence...Did you replace it or augment it?

[mike_aa]

[member=58818]Mini Me[/member]  From the Incremental Tools website:

"The TS-LS is already perfect in measuring increments of 1/32” or 1mm, but when you need to match existing project parts, the large micro-adjust knob turns the lead screw against the mating threads, allowing the fence to be shifted between 1/32” steps with 0.001" (0.025mm) resolution."

Mike A.

 

[Mini Me]

I think we are talking at cross purposes here, the way the Incra fence works on my mitre saw is that once the flip stop is moved and locked there is no resolution from the measure it is set to and providing that the fence has been set up accurately 50mm is 50mm. On a table saw the fence can be set then be moved via a fine adjuster if a setting between two whole numbers is required such as .5mm.

The Wixey if set to a whole, number let's say 50mm, can be moved a certain amount before the screen registers a change and as the Wixey does not lock into a setting it can be set anywhere between two whole numbers by the amount of distance it take to register a screen change. To clarify that a bit more the Wixey measures in decimal steps and has movement between those steps before a change is registered and it can actually be felt and the fine adjuster knob turned quite a bit before a screen change is seen. I have always meant to measure it and never have but I have always been curious about how much it does move. I bought into the Wixey because I saw it as the best way to get repeatability and then realized that no it is very very good but it does not give absolute repeatability but in use the difference that may happen are not worth worrying about. On a precision job on a mill it might present a few problems.

 

[Hotwheels]

Here are some more pictures of my setup when in "table saw mode".  Right now I can cut up to 22" with the Incra LS, but it does stick out quite far.  Also pictures of the LS when pushed in and not in use.  Any cuts larger than 22" are made with the tracksaw.  I have the Rockler 1250cfm wall mount dust collection and dust separation bin.  I hook that up to the sawstop for both under table and blade guard dust collection.  I'm very happy with this setup although I do still have to clean up dust on my own after I'm done cutting.  Hope this helps.

I am replacing the 52" rails on my Sawstop ICS trying to save some shop space.  I don't really need 52". My first thought was the SS 36" rails although I became intrigued with the Incra system until I saw this image.  That must space to the right would be a problem for my work space but I'm still intrigued by the accuracy available with the Incra fence.

 

[smorgasbord]

Count me as another vote for the Wixey. On a Swiss-made Inca (not to be confused with aftermarket rack device maker Incra).

I used a friend's Incra setup and didn't like it:
1) You need a lot of space to the side to accommodate the Incra's arm as your rip gets wider.
2) It's a two-step process: First, set the cut to the closest 1/32" (or 1mm) and THEN turn the knob to the exact delta from that. This is way worse than a tap or two, at least for me
3) This is unique for me - I run my fence to the left of the blade and the Incra would be oriented upside down. I do this so that blade tilts away from the fence for both ripping and cross-cuts.

I just looked at Woodpecker's rip-flip thing. It's so last century. Really, a flip stop for tablesaws? The kind of repeatability I need is when I ruin a piece at step 6 and need to cut another one starting at step 1. First, there's the "did I set a flip stop for every cut I've made since starting?" and that's even assuming I have enough flip-stops for all the cuts for all the pieces AND that none of the cuts are close in dimension so that the flip-stops don't get in the way of each other.  Second, to set the cut you're still doing the tap-tap thing to get the right dimension and then setting the stop against that fence setting. How archaic.

With the Wixey, you're getting more than enough accuracy on a digital readout so ANY previous setting is repeatable well within wood movement, not to mention subsequent sanding/planing, tolerances. There's nothing sticking out the side, and has a quick-zero delta capability that doesn't mess with your absolute zero setting (which can also be easily changed when you change blades). It can work left or right and can work in Imperial or Metric.

I have not experienced the "lock to round numbers" behavior that someone posted up-thread. If I move the fence head, the readout changes no matter how small an amount I move the head. And since the Wixey can be zeroed at any measurement, I cut a 75mm wide strip, use my digital calipers to measure the exact width and then set the Wixey to that measurement without moving the head. Easy and the fence doesn't get near the blade to zero.

The Wixey has also been a great help for me in migrating from Imperial to Metric, as it's just a button push to switch between modes.

 

[Hotwheels]

A digital read out OR the Rip Stop, that seems to be the options for repeatable cuts and each seem to have their strong advocates.  The Wixey or other DRO's seem to be a straight forward addition for precision and repeatability.  Thanks for the comments.

 

[Peter_C]

I am replacing the 52" rails on my Sawstop ICS trying to save some shop space.

Why replace? Just cut your current rails down. Hacksaw, bandsaw, chop saw, or even a grinder will get the job done.