incra miter express opinions

[toolguy1000]

i have a CL lead on one of these:

http://www.incra.com/product_miter_express.htm

anyone who owns one care to comment on it's usefulness? it seems to be well made but is it really a noticeably better crosscut sled than a plywood do it yourself type of sled? any shortcomings that become evident with use? how does it differ from, or is it similar to, the "build it " product that incra makes? any inputs appreciated.

[LCHIEN]

looks like you custom cut the platform to fit your saw. You'll end up with a sliding portion and a cut off support portion and zero clearance to the blade for both when you cut the platform.

So is the one on CL new and uncut or already cut for his saw in which case it won't fit your saw perfectly?

[jussi]

I have the Incra 5000 which is similar to the miter express I believe that I got at a garage sale a while back and like it. I haven't really used it much though because I only had one project that I really needed it. But the few cuts I needed it for worked really well. Just like the other Incra products I have. I did have to buy a replacement panel for it because the saw it was originally on was different than mine. I wanted to just use some mdf but couldn't find the exact thickness .60" . I ended up getting it from Hartville tools. It was around $35 with woodnet discount. But even with that I still paid waaay less than retail.

If the one CL is also used you may try your luck finding a board with similar thickness. But if not Hartville is having a big sale right now. Check out woodnet SS section.

[radhak]

long ago I had the privilege to try out the incra express at somebody's workshop. it cut so neat, with such precision, that I vowed to buy one for myself. But the cost stopped me - $300 for the works, and $150 if I used my miter-gauge (I've Incra), seemed a bit too deluxe for me. If ever I see it on CL, I'll be on it like a hawk.

I was about to suggest you replace all the panels (3 pieces) with MDF if the rightmost is already cut; but at $32 from Hartville Tools, you wouldn't need to.