If you just want to know what is the best table saw miter gauge without having to read this entire article, then Incra MITER1000SE Special Edition Miter Gauge is your best choice.
If you are new to working with table saws, then you might be surprised by the number of accessories available for this versatile tool. One of the most important items that can be used with your table saw is the miter gauge.
As with all tools, some products are better than others. What makes the best miter gauge? The article below hopes to answer that very question.
Quick Comparison:
5 Best Miter Gauges: The Reviews
Incra MITER1000SE Special Edition Miter Gauge
- Engraved stainless steel primary scale for precision accuracy
- 41 laser cut V-stops for extreme accuracy at all popular angles
- Patented GlideLOCK miter bar with 6 expansion points for quick repeats
OVERVIEW
This precision miter gauge is designed for shops that will make repeated cuts often. Features like the expandable miter bar are great for fine woodworkers making duplicate furniture pieces.
PROS
CONS
Incra Miter 5000 Miter Gauge With Sled And Telescoping Fence
- Capitalizing on a great idea, the folks at Incra
- The sled with T-track and clamping fixture secures the work piece as one solid unit for precision cross-cutting at any angle
- The right-hand portion of the sled, once cut
OVERVIEW
This product comes with not only the miter gauge but also other accessories. It is designed to hold wood securely as cuts are made and features various controls to limit movement and slippage during operation.
PROS
CONS
Incra MITERV27
- Miter Gauge featuring 27 angle stops for precise incremental control
- No-nonsense design and compact size
- Delivers extreme miter cutting accuracy
OVERVIEW
This entry from Incra represents the no-frills side of their product range. It has a compact design that is intentional, a feature that allows it to fit a wider range of table saws without difficulty.
PROS
CONS
POWERTEC 71005 Deluxe
- INCLUDES: (1) Table Saw Miter Gauge
- FUNCTION: Provides you with a premium table saw miter gauge replacement that allows you to make crosscuts at any angle with high precision
- FEATURES: Positive stops at all common angles for exceptional accuracy, a large ergonomical grip for control and comfort, set screws to remove any play, and a tip resistant washer to keep the unit...
OVERVIEW
Powertec provides an affordable model with no extras, a package that might appeal to someone with a used table saw that lacks a miter gauge or for someone needing a backup to their main gauge.
PROS
CONS
Kreg KMS7102 Table Saw Precision Miter Gauge System
- Premium Home Improvement Tools: This miter saw table gauge helps you make accurate and repeatable angled cuts
- Versatile Woodworking Tool: Saw accessory has a brass pin that lets you make quick changes between stop angles
- Accurate Measuring Tool: Miter saw guide has 5 positive stops; vernier scale aids adjustments to 1/10 of a degree
OVERVIEW
Last but not least on our list is Kreg KMS7102. This specific miter gauge is highly acclaimed for its excellent out-of-the-box alignment. This product from Kreg stands out and will offer you an alternative to your current miter gauge setup. Overall, this miter gauge offers great value for the money.
PROS
CONS
Miter Gauge Buying guide
Why Do You Need A Good Miter Gauge?
A miter gauge is an invaluable table saw accessory that will allow you to make angled and crosscuts through the wood at precise angles. It provides a solid holding position to keep the wood in place as you move it through the cut. It works in conjunction with your table saw through the slot located on the surface of your table saw.
A miter gauge provides you with a secure platform that your lumber can butt up against when crosscutting. The miter gauge face provides the angle at which the wood will sit when compared to the saw blade. That angle becomes the cut angle as you run the project across the saw blade. This accessory also provides a critical safety feature.
The miter gauge will hold the wood in place as you move it. This secure purchase helps to prevent the wood from lifting off of the table surface as well as preventing it from bouncing off of the blade.
In short, it will help to greatly reduce the possibility of kickbacks.
Never make an angled cut or crosscut freehand. Always use a miter gauge or a crosscut sled to support the piece as you crosscut on a table saw.
Things To Look For in An Aftermarket Miter Gauge
It all starts with the building materials. One thing I have learned since starting woodworking is that tool quality really makes a difference. This is also true for power tool accessories, such as the miter gauge.
You will want the gauge head to be made of durable metal and not thin aluminum. The thicker material will absorb vibrations and should not flex while in use. For the miter that slides into the miter slot, it needs to have a smooth surface that is free from defects. This will allow it to travel in the miter slot without catching, which could cause errors or even damage your project during a cut.
The knobs and hardware used for adjustments should be made from lighter metals and not from plastics, which have a tendency to strip and crack with prolonged use. Finding a miter gauge that works well with shop jigs is a bonus as well.
Other Features To Take Into Account
Your next consideration should be the functionality of the miter gauge. It should include markings for all angles that are easy to read. A pointer or cursor should aid you in setting the exact locking point. Its adjustment knobs should be easy to use, even with one hand. If those knobs can make micro-adjustments to the angle, then that is a bonus.
Finally, the gauge’s ability to run smoothly in the miter grove should be taken into account. If there is a slop in the movement, your cuts will be off every time. If the gauge is too tight, it will be difficult to move and may cause the wood to become stuck at the blade or jump into it, causing damage to the cut line.
How Do You Use A Miter Gauge On A Table Saw?
To begin with, your table saw should have a slot that runs along the surface of the table that is parallel to the saw blade. This slot is where your miter gauge will rest when it is in use. The gauge should be placed in the slot so that the gauge face is positioned away from you. That will allow it to support the lumber as you move it through the cut.
Once the gauge is placed properly, you will want to adjust the angle using the readings located on the gauge itself. Once the desired cut angle has been set, you can lock the gauge in that position so that it will not slip while in use.
Place the wood across the front of the gauge so that it will butt up against the face. Align the point marked for cutting with the blade, making sure to compensate for the blade’s kerf. Once the gauge has been set and the lumber is in position, secure it properly with your hand at the gauge. You can now begin your cut.
Keeping Safety In Mind At All Times
Safety should always be number one, especially with power tools that can do serious damage in an instant. There are a few recommended steps that will help ensure you are making the safest cut possible on your table saw.
Getting square with the miter gauge
- Engraved stainless steel primary scale for precision accuracy
- 41 laser cut V-stops for extreme accuracy at all popular angles
- Patented GlideLOCK miter bar with 6 expansion points for quick repeats
Each of the miter gauges looked at above will provide support and a fair bit of accuracy when cutting across the grain or at an angle, but the Incra MITER1000SE Miter Gauge is the best miter gauge.
It uses solid materials for a majority of its components, including the dial. This is not the case with some of the others. It provides a smooth connection with the miter slot, allowing it to travel without hangups.
Beyond the textile, it includes features that provide for infinite adjustments. Novices should not fear this gauge, as these adjustments increase its versatility. Finally, these adjustments are easy to make and will not disturb your project’s positions when they are made.
2 thoughts on “Best Table Saw Miter Gauges (2024 Review)”
Interesting article. I have a Sawstop cabinet saw and the Kreg miter gauge. The saw is a left tilt (blade tilts to left for angle cuts). Why are miter gauges with a fence shown for use to the left of the blade? I set up mine for use to the right if the blade.
Hey Carl,
It really makes no difference which slot you insert your miter gauge into. Just make sure you don’t ride along the rip fence when crosscutting. Also, for beveled cuts, place your miter gauge on the opposite side of the blade tilt (right side in your case) so that the offcut remains under the tilted blade.