Tool Gloat **PICS**

[Ken Salisbury]

I received my Jointech SmartMiter Tuesday and did the assembly and set-up yesterday afternoon.

Very little assembly was required. The set-up procedures described in the manual were well written and easy to follow. I had previously watched the video on Jointech's web site (http://www.jointech.com/smart_miter.htm)so I basically had a head start on set-up.

Of course I was not able to do it as quickly as the person on the video (since he probably has set up a few hundred of them :D). However, the set-up was no problem.

After set-up I tested various angled cuts both from the negative and positive positions of the fence. Did a octagon from some scrap material and it came out dead nuts perfect.

I was pleased with the tool from the start. After more testing I will generate a review and post on my web site. -- So far -- So good

This picture shows the parts as received:

http://www.oldrebelworkshop.com/otherpics/miter1.jpg

This shows the unit after set-up (pic taken from the rear of the TS)
http://www.oldrebelworkshop.com/otherpics/miter2.jpg This is a close-up of the fence/stop (also taken from rear of the saw)

http://www.oldrebelworkshop.com/otherpics/miter3.jpgn

[Mike Schwing]

Ken, I've got about 6 months on mine, and the only time I ever use the mitre saw now is for things that are too long for the Smartmitre that might get in the way of the Saw Train fence. Its really nice to be able to leave the fence in place and just throw the Smartmitre on the saw and have at it.

Wonderful tool. Absolutely wonderful. Almost wish I had another table saw just for the Smartmitre.

I hope (and am sure) you will be as satisfied with yours as I am with mine.

[Lloyd Robins]

Congratulations! What does this weigh? I have a Delta which works well, but hurts to pick up because of weight. Good luck!

[Tom Pritchard]

Congratulations Ken! I saw one of these Jointech SmartMiters at the Buffalo WoodWorking show in January, and was very impressed with it. I ended up buying an Osborne EB-3 in June to save a few $$$, and I have had nothing but trouble with it since I bought it. Wish I would have waited for the Jointech...Oh well, live and learn! Good luck with your new tool, it's a beauty!!!

[Pete Lamberty]

Hi Mike. You mentioned that you always use the Smartmitre except for things that are to long for it. How long is the longest board that you can comfortably cut on the Smartmitre? How wide? Pete

[Ken Salisbury]

How long is the longest board that you can comfortably cut on the Smartmitre? How wide? Pete

Pete -- the fence has an extention that slides out from the inside which extends to 48". As far as width goes - I am not sure. I will check this afternoon and get back to ya.

[Mike Schwing]

Pete, the only limits are physical space and weight of the piece being supported. Long skinny boards are OK, but heavy thick stuff is problematic. The fence end has an extension out to about 48" (I think) but it has a flipstop that can be raised to ignore the stop, should you need longer, hand measured cuts.

The offcut is supported only by the offcut table, and a long piece will pop up as soon as it is cut - could be potentially hazardous near the spinning blade.

My limits are that I like to to keep the real saw fence on the table at all times, realistically though, if you made another offcut table the same height as the main table - you could extend it out as far as you wanted to make the offcuts more safely longer.

As for width of cut, it soon becomes apparent that the table is meant for narrower boards - when I cut the ends off of cutting boards that are 14" wide I approach the outer limits of what is OK for one cut but repetitive cuts - I'd find another way.

Ken - one word - take it from a dummy - always reset that fence to zero degrees when you're done. Its really easy to start cutting with it at a degree or two and not notice till its too late!

[Ken Salisbury]

The fence end has an extension out to about 48" (I think) but it has a flipstop that can be raised to ignore the stop, should you need longer, hand measured cuts.


Yes - below is a picture of the fence extended to 48"


As for width of cut, it soon becomes apparent that the table is meant for narrower boards - when I cut the ends off of cutting boards that are 14" wide I approach the outer limits of what is OK for one cut but repetitive cuts - I'd find another way.


I believe a maximum width of 12" is more reasonable since the sled will have a tendency to tilt forward when retracted much further than that toward the front of the saw table (at least on my Jet cabinet saw).


Ken - one word - take it from a dummy - always reset that fence to zero degrees when you're done. Its really easy to start cutting with it at a degree or two and not notice till its too late!
Funny you should mention that !! It happened to me while I was doing some testing.<p><p>
Photo of unit with fence extended to 48": </p>
<p align="center"> <IMG src="http://www.oldrebelworkshop.com/otherpics/miter4.jpg">