VS600: If you have a VS600, what Incra fence (or similar) do you choose?

[Ned]

I haven't bought the Incra fence for the router workstation I'm designing.

At one time I owned a huge Incra Ultra--I think it was a 28" fence on a 24"-travel base.  Worked fine but an awkward piece to store.

I'm thinking that the VS600 (and a future Domino) has the large joining work covered and therefore the Incra can be smaller. 

Cutting large grooves is likely to be the job of a rail-mounted router.

All in all, I think the Incra Ultra Lite (22-inch ~560mm fence, 12-1/2-inch 315 mm travel) will be sufficient.

[attachimg=#]

As I said, I haven't bought it yet.  Any thoughts?

Ned

 

[Steve Jones]

If you need a small Incra jig, Rockler Hardware sells the original Incra jig (The one that started it all for Incra) It's a deceptively simple looking plastic molded gadget that clamps or screws to your router table (or whatever) does not have the fine adjust screw of the larger modesl, but does use a molded in 1/32" increment that gives the same repeatability - plus I think the thing sells for about $50

 

[Ned]

Steve--

Yep.  Still got one of those.

I want the fine adjustment.  And I want metric scales and racks, which can be added to the Ultra Lite.

BTW, a metric version of the original Incra Jig as you described is apparently available in Australia.  Haven't tried to get it here yet.

Thanks,
Ned

 

[Corwin]

Well, looks like we're all on the same page.  I emailed Incra a while back to learn that the original jig that is now sold at Rockler is the only one available -- the overseas units were the same only the metric conversion racks were installed.  Funny this should come up here now...  I have two of those Rockler exclusives in route and should arrive in the next day or so.  Wonder who will be the first to post their new jigs?  Darn, I'm getting a little too slow these days  

 

[John Stevens]

And I want metric scales and racks, which can be added to the Ultra Lite.

Ned, do the scales include DT templates, or are they just millimeter scales?

Regards,

John

 

[Ned]

Corwin, John--

Here's a metric original Incra Jig:  Woodpeckers in Oz metric Incra Jig.  Also additional metric scales from Oz.  Be sure to click the "International Prices" button to see the prices without Australian tax.  At this moment, 1 AUD = 0.94 USD.  There's a comment on the site from a Swede saying that he got no help from the manufacturer (Incra in Texas) and had to buy from Australia.

Metric racks and a 0-430mm scale are available in the US.  AFAIK, the various templates for dovetails and such are not available in metric.

Ned

 

[Corwin]

Ned,

I have had the metric conversion kits for my Incra Track for some time.  My kits each came with the racks and two scales that read right to left; 0-416 and 410-826.  Linda at Incra says that these are the only scales available in metric.  Also, the Imperial racks come in both 4" and 6" lengths; the 4" racks work best for the ShopStop.  The metric racks are only available in the 6" length.

I have expressed my desire for Incra to expand on their metric offerings in the past.  Maybe more people should give them a call so they get the message that there truly is a market for metric.  It certainly would be a lot nicer if they were to at least offer the scales through 1 meter -- or using their current sizing go through 2 meters by adding 800-1200, 1200-1600 and 1600-2000mm scales.  

It looks to me that the sites you posted are showing the same picture of the Positioning Jig that Rockler uses for their ad.  I was told that these overseas offerings have imported these from Rockler and changed out the racks.  This may account for some of the confussion for those abroad.

Corwin

 

[Ned]

I have had the metric conversion kits for my Incra Track for some time.  My kits each came with the racks and two scales that read right to left; 0-416 and 410-826.  Linda at Incra says that these are the only scales available in metric.  Also, the Imperial racks come in both 4" and 6" lengths; the 4" racks work best for the ShopStop.  The metric racks are only available in the 6" length.

The metric racks, being plastic, could easily be cut if it improves things.  You'd have to drill & counterbore another screw hole.

I have expressed my desire for Incra to expand on their metric offerings in the past.  Maybe more people should give them a call so they get the message that there truly is a market for metric.  It certainly would be a lot nicer if they were to at least offer the scales through 1 meter -- or using their current sizing go through 2 meters by adding 800-1200, 1200-1600 and 1600-2000mm scales.

Oregon Rule might be able to help us here.

It looks to me that the sites you posted are showing the same picture of the Positioning Jig that Rockler uses for their ad.  I was told that these overseas offerings have imported these from Rockler and changed out the racks.

You're right.  I'd assumed that the Original Incra Jig had the racks cast integral with the body, requiring complete different top and bottom halves to go metric.  Before I mistakenly stated that, I decided to root around in the machine part pile because I thought I had one of the jigs.  Yep.  And they use the racks!  I agree completely.  The Aussies are converting inch jigs to metric.  IMO, there is no Incra product mentioned on the Australian site that isn't available in the USA.  Clearly cheaper for North Americans, and possibly Europeans, to get the Incra stuff from the USA.

Like you, Corwin, I am frustrated by Taylor Designs' (Incra manufacturers) apparent lack of interest in exporting to a metric world.  Incra products are first rate engineering, and artful use of aluminum extrusions.  They're as good in their way as Festool.

Looks like I'll upgrade my Incra Original to metric and wait a bit to get one with micro-adjustment.

Ned

 

[Corwin]

A year ago, those metric conversion kits (5 racks and 2 scales) were $6.95 US -- tomorrow I'll know what they running now.  You'll probably have to order directly from Incra.

 

[graphex]

Oddly enough I just emailed Incra last week and got an informative response

My email:

I'm thinking about getting an Incra router fence, but I prefer to work in metric when possible. I already have metric versions of your excellent t-rules and bend rules, and would love a really nice router fence, but with metric measures and lead screw.

I thought I'd pass along a not-metric map of the world just to help show which locations are limited by an imperial-only product

Incra's response:

Hello, Sean~

Any of our rack-based tools can be converted to metric by purchasing our metric racks and scale kit.  It includes 5 metric racks and a 2-piece metric scale (0-410mm and 400-816mm) for $6.95..  Please note that you cannot use our joinery templates on converted tools, as the templates are designed for use with our standard 1/32" racks.  Also, the micro adjust feature cannot be converted.  Our LS products are not available in metric and cannot be converted as we don't have a metric leadscrew available.

Mom always said "I don't care what everybody else is doing.  If everybody else jumped off a cliff, would you do it?"  I guess it depends on how many feet (or meters) I'd be falling...

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Best regards~

Linda
Taylor Design

I think I would want to use their joinery templates, so I'd hate to convert and lose that ability... it sure would be nice if they had a relatively full metric offering. I didn't reply to her about the fact that it wasn't a cliff I jumped off, but started sliding down a relatively slippery slope that was greenish in color.

I was considering a VS600, but it can't do much with 1/2" stock, which really makes me question its usefulness to me. I would like something I could set up to do some complex showey joints.

 

[Corwin]

Well, Linda has that story down.  The first paragraph must be identical to what I received a year ago.

Don't be too concerned over those templates, as one can easily convert the system back and forth between the two (metric and imperial).  I've done this with a couple of my Incremental Tracks, and it is fairly quick and very simple -- the Universal Positioner should be about as quick to change out.  I hope to post a bit on this track and some jigs in the next couple of weeks.  Maybe even some ideas on the Positioner by then too.

 

[Ned]

I was considering a VS600, but it can't do much with 1/2" stock, which really makes me question its usefulness to me. I would like something I could set up to do some complex showey joints.

You're right.  For 1/2-inch stock, 10mm box joint, 20mm through dovetail.  For 9mm (~3/8 inch) stock, only the 6mm box joint.

The Incra's a good choice for "complex, showy joints".  The VS600 shines as a production machine.  Set it and go.  Too much of the control is manual on the Incra.  Move the jig to the next (correct) mark.  For anything the VS600 can do, if I had to make 30 or 100 of something, I'd much rather use it.  How about both?  I'm thinking of adding an Incra Ultra Lite.

I was going to tell you that you can easily convert the system back and forth, but I see Corwin's beat me to it.

Ned