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Now I admit,
I am a nut for power tools. So understanding that will help you appreciate my being taken
with the simple photo at the left. Never has one little device made the main tool, my
table saw, so capable. I really don't know how I managed with the regular miter
gauge for so many years.
The Incra Miter Gauge has earned its place in my shop. Simply put, it is nice
to be able to cut a 90o cormer and have it come out exactly 90os...and
to do the same with every other degree you might want.
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Generally, I try to cover all the set-up
steps. I won't this time. It is really easy. But I would like to touch on the
basics—those that make the Incra Miter Gauge (IMG) so accurate.
In the photo, I am pointing at one part of the system that allows the IMG to
be so accurate. There are three screw adjustments that allow you to tailor the device to
your table saw's miter track. Once adjusted, it can slide smoothly and without any
"slop" that can contribute to inaccurate angles.
It literally takes five minutes to adjust and will not need further adjusting
while on this table saw.
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The second alignment step is to use a
square and align the fence exactly 90o to the blade.
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There are three Allen screws that are
tightened once the 90o adjustment is exact. Again, it takes only five minutes
or so to get it perfect.
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This last adjustment is
"zeroing" the Incra Stop. It should be 0" from the blade. I start by
placing my adjustable square against the teeth of the blade. This tool is exactly 1"
wide. I then move the Incra Stop until it is touching the square. A set screw allows a
fine adjustment. Once set, I lock it in place.
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This is what it looks like. The 1"
wide rule must be touching the blade teeth. The Incra Stop is moved to just touch the rule
and is locked there.
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With the Incra Stop locked
at 1" away from the blade, the scale is moved over until it reads 1". This one
adjustment must be done at every angle cut. It takes just a second to complete.
Those few adjustments have now made the Incra Miter Gauge 100% accurate. But
the real test is in the cutting.
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The Incra Miter Gauge has a "Quick
Reference Angle Chart" which gives you the angle setting for shapes from 4 sides to
20 sides. Now I know that all you have to do is to divide the number of sides into 360,
but I do like having this convenient reference.
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