Why would I need a Incra 5000

[suds]

Purchased a SawStop recently and was talking with the salesman and he stated I should look at the Incra 5000.  I told him I had a Kapex so why would I need the Incra?  Am I missing something here other than the SawStop could handle a much wider board.  However, if I needed to cut a wider board I have the TS55 & MFT1080. [huh]

 

[chrisrosenb]

No, you are not missing anything. The salesman is just doing his job.

 

[rst]

It mostly depends on what kind of work you are doing.  The Incra will give you incredibly precise cuts with minimal fussing.  Remember you can build a house with a hatchet but why would you?

 

[NVA_WW]

As RST stated, it depends on what you are doing.  I have an Incra 5000 on my Sawstop.  I go through periods of extensive use and I seem to prefer this combo over my TS and MFT most of the time.  I especially like the combo when doing a lot of repetitive cuts.  For extra wide boards (25"+), I tend to use my MFT and TS saw.  The great thing about the Incra is I know it's dialed in perfectly.  My cuts are exactly 90 degrees to my blade no matter how wide or long the board.  If you have two MFTs, you can quickly crosscut short pieces from extremely long boards.  The Incra allows you to cut boards up to 68" (or somewhere there) and up to 25 or so inches wide.  I only have a 12" miter saw, so I can't cross cut long wide boards on it.

In conclusion, I'll reiterate what RST said, it depends on your applications.

 

[jtwood]

I have had an Incra 5000, which I use with my Powermatic TS, for a long time.  It is especially efficient at repeated cross cuts, either at 90 deg. or at angles.

It is very accurate, easy to set up and very well built.  If I haven't used it for a while, or if I have changed blades, I'll check it for accuracy before use.  I rarely have to make an adjustment.

I looked at a lot of miter gauges before buying this.  While it isn't inexpensive, I have never regretted spending the money.  Kind of like a Festool product.

Steve