Woody
Tool Workout:
Sure-Loc™ Miter Gauge
Available only from Rockler (See below to order)
Repeatable accuracy is paramount in a functioning shop. Creating duplicate pieces on your equipment is just as important as your first measurement and cut. The latest piece of equipment to face the rigors of this old workshop is the Sure-Loc™ Miter Gauge from Rockler.
One
of the more frustrating tasks in the workshop is setting the angles on various
tools and equipment and nothing is more aggravating then trying to repeat
angles on a worn miter gauge where the numbers or lines have been worn off
or are simply not there. You slide the gauge back and forth, pondering if
you really are set at 17.5 degrees or is it on that side of the line? More
often then not you end up 
guessing
and praying you got it correct. Enter the Sure-Loc™ Miter Gauge. The
feature that allows for accurate setting of the angles are precision teeth
on the fence and on the slider bar, each allowing 2.5 degrees of change, locking
into place and leaving no guess work in setting the angles. The 2.5 degree
increment might limit you building 5 sided frames, since 72 degrees is not
an increment of 2.5 degrees, so you might not want to throw out your old non-locking
miter. But then again in my years of woodworking I have yet to build, or desire
to build a 5 sided frame on anything, but you might.
A sliding lock system on the miter bar allows it to fit into any slot accurately. It adjusted fairly easily and slid smooth the length of our table saw. The grip on the Sure-Loc™ fits nicely in your hand for good control and is larger then typical miter gauges, a simple thing, but definetly something we were happy to see. The clean design, and solid feel of the miter gauge gives an over all impression of a fine tuned piece of equipment.
Our
Sure-Loc™ also included the flip-Stop system for setting lengths. I completely
recommend adding this accessory. The solid stop block in the flip-stop system
allows you to not only create accurate angles but also repeat lengths with
ease. The flip-stop system is also available in a 4' model which I am seriously
considering adding to our chop saw table.
Although I would have never imagined that the miter gauge that came with our Jet table saw was obsolete, once I got my hands on the Sure-Loc™ miter gauge and put it to work, I seriously doubt I will ever reach for the stock gauge anytime soon. In fact the beautiful blue Sure-Loc™ gauge is now hanging in the spot where the old stock miter gauge used to hang.
The Sure-Loc™ miter gauge is certainly a precision tool that you will rely on. When you set your angle there will be little doubt that you hit the mark. The locking system clicks into place and stays in place when you tighten the handle. In my opinion any tool that increases the accuracy, the repeatability of design, and the control of your power tools is a tool worth investing in. This one gets the full-woody hands down. We have been impressed with the products we have seen from rocklers designers, we get the feel these are designed for woodworkers by woodworkers.
Daniel
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Sure-Loc™
Miter Gauge and Fence with Flipstop Our New and Improved Miter Gauge now features dead-on accuracy in 1-1/2 degree increments, a patented ''no-slop'' bar now 2'' longer and a re-engineered aluminum fence with MDF face that allows for ze.. |
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Precision craftsmanship. Simplicity
of use and repeatable accuracy make this a solid performer.
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$120 investment for this tool is not
out of line with its usability and workmanship.
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Although you probably have a miter
gauge that came with your saw, once you feel the Sure-Loc™ perform
you will only use this one.
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