INCRA Table Saw Fence

My son just bought a Delts 10" table saw and the fence is soso. He's looking to buy the INCRA fence about $320 delivered with router table attachment.

They talk a good talk but you know how that goes!

Anyone use one of these or know anything about them?

T_Bone

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T-Bone,
I've probably used 30 different saws in my 20 years of woodworking, and the Biesemeyer is by far the best fence system I've used.

I can't personally comment on the use of the INCRA system, but I do have a couple of concerns after looking at the INCRA and Amazon websites.

Do you have to walk around to the end of the saw to adjust the INCRA system? The Biesemeyer can be adjusted while you are sighting down the blade.

Can you adjust the INCRA while holding a piece of wood in your left hand? It's a pain to have to set down your work piece so you can adjust the fence.

The INCRA systems seems to be very susceptible to saw dust and wood chips clogging up the mechanicals. Is it self cleaning?

How do you remove the fence for large cross-cutting chores? The Biesemeyer lifts off in one easy step.

I don't work for either company, but I figger if it ain't broke, don't fix it. What ever unit you decide on, be nice to it and it won't go out of whack.

I've got the Delta Platinum 5HP Left Tilt UniSaw with two extensions plus out feed table and I just love it. I use a router table for most of my routing, I just find it easier to change machines rather than change settings. I'd hate to have to cut "one more piece" on the saw after I'd already routed 20 others and they all need to be identical.

My nickels worth,

Scott

Ya I was talking with the son about some of the same concerns today. I'm not an AL man for years of repeated accuracy as to me it seams there would be alot slop after years of use.

To me the INCRA would need cleaned with air after each cut to clear the rails.

T_Bone

Thanks for the website and I'll have the Son take a look. What didn't he like about the INCRA fence? or router table?

T_Bone

interesting fence. You're being generous calling the Delta fence "soso". The price Incra listed was a bit higher. If he's going to cut sheet goods he needs a bigger rip capacity, 48" minimum. I happily use a Biesemeyer 50", used to be made in Mesa. When I lived in Denver I sold over 40 Biesemeyers to the wood-butchers there, no complaints and almost always replaced the Delta junk. Fine Woodworking did a survey several years ago, they said all the after-market fences worked well. I'd prefer a fence that didn't require me to walk to change the rip. Other than that, if he can get one for only $320, it ought to work.

Son got his Delta fence to cut with-in 1/64" but like you mentioned he has to set both ends and check square each time, PITA.

The Biesemeyer dealer in Phoenix put him onto the INCRA fence and commented it was hands down best over the Biesemeyer for repeatable settings and square. They claim .002 square repeatable? But my first thought is out of Aluminium? Can AL hold .002?

I never thought to ask the Son what length he was buying? I didn't see a length on the INCRA. Son is wanting the best not nessecary the cheapest.

Tom if you would take a read of the INCRA website for me to see if were missing something? After reading do you think the INCRA is worth a try vs the Biesemeyer?

T_Bone

Snow on the ground here with bright blue skies. You still remember what that looks like?

Incra has been pushing router accessories for many years. I've never seen much use for them. Using the extension on the tablesaw for a router table is an old idea. Mine was set up when I first bought my Biesemeyer 20 yrs ago. It's been used professionally and bounced around a lot but still works as well as when I bought it. Readjustment has been needed maybe twice in that time. The only mistake I made was not getting a left extension to give me a little more ripping on the left side of the blade. I didn't know it was available. Not a small point but not enough for me to spring for a new rail. One factor that doesn't look possible with the Incra and reason enough for me not to buy one. I do have to rip on the left side occasionally.

Incra says you can return to any position in less than 5 sec with zero error. That's a long time for a setup (Biesemeyer is more like 2 sec) and no problem for any decent fence. As you know, with woodworking we usually deal in fractions of an inch. 1/32" (.03125")is no guess with a Biesemeyer. 1/64" (.015625") is less certain but with wood it makes no difference. It's gonna move more than that with humidity changes, even in Arizona. By that point you also get into blade discrepancies. Freud, by the way, makes a specialty rip blade with a thicker blank and fewer teeth that is far the best I've found for hardwoods, especially with difficult grain.

I don't like the looks of the Incra adjustment mechanism. The Biesemeyer only locks on the front rail and the locking mechanism is self-cleaning, no chip problems. It's also steel, not extruded aluminum. Don't forget KISS.

Without using one I can't give you a real evaluation. Why the salesman would recommend it I don't know, but there are lots of possibilities. IIRC FineWoodworking deemed the Excalibur the best, with very little performance differences in the group. I've never used one of them either as I have no problem whatsoever with my Biesemeyer. One thing you didn't mention was what he was going to cut. Sheetgoods really are different and only shop size should determine the fence length. My Biesemeyer had thousands of sheets pushed against it in Denver and I often wished for a longer rip capacity. Now I'm strictly hardwood lumber, often straining the capacity of my Unisaw with thick stock.

In the end, take a good look at the adjustment with regard to chip clogging, ripping on the left side of the blade, sturdiness, and if can you conveniently attach auxiliary fence guards. Then there's not much chance of going wrong whichever way you go. Good luck and don't forget to take the necessary time to ready the saw for the fence. Some grinding is usually necessary.

Ya I do as we took the grandkids to 8500ft during X-mass break so they could play in the snow. One had never seen snow before and what a sight :)

I was talking with the son today and he's backed off the INCRA. I read him what you posted and he said thank you for taking the time. Wood is not my thing as I know enough to get me into trouble. He's probably going with the Biesemeyer.

I did read some different websites last night and didn't see any coments about the INCRA fence but were a few comments on the dado jig and router table. All said even with watching the video and reading the instructions it was still difficult to use them. I bet that also applys to the fence.

T_Bone