The Incra TS LS Table saw Fence 6yr Review in 6 minutes

A full on fast paced review of the Incra TS LS Table saw Fence system after using the product for well over 6yrs.
I tell you the pros and cons in my opinion of using the Incra table saw fence.
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[@wdwtx2.0]

Well done.

[@fredastaire6156]

Bloody good review gov!!! Thanks!

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Fred, Thanks. 😁👍

[@cavzzila5805]

Hey Graham thanks for the video great information I’ve had mine for about two years I love it. no more bump and pray it’s right on every time thanks again!

[@GTWoodshop]

It is great kit isn't it. Thanks for watching. 👍

[@floridabeardedwoodworker]

Great review update!!! I will be investing in incra systems myself thanks!

[@GTWoodshop]

Glad it was helpful, I'm sure you find it fantastic :)

[@scottgoodwin9162]

As a TS LS user of 4 years, I enjoyed seeing your enthusiasm for the many advantages of this system. Like you, I can't imagine using any type of fence. My list of gripes about the TS LS is longer than yours however. In case the info may be useful to other current or prospective Incra TS LS users I thought I'd chime in and add some comments. First a brief description of my setup. I have a Grizzly saw, and my router is in the table to the right of the saw. So my TS LS is also my router fence (by attaching the “wonder fence”) I bought the full joinery system so the router table surface and lift were also purchased from Incra. Shortly after purchasing the TS LS, I engineered my own linear rail system, so in my case, the fence is actually sitting on a pair of ball bearing guides which ride on the rails. My only reason for mentioning the linear rail aspect of my setup is that doing this required that I fuss with virtually every piece of the TS LS system to get it to work. So in general, I went to some extremes to dial everything in to be as accurate as possible. The things that were problematic for me may not be problematic for others. OK, so here are some things that come to mind that I would count as negatives: 1) The fence itself. is neither straight nor square. My experience includes three separate fence pieces: The one that came with the kit, an extra long version, and a replacement that was sent to me by Incra for the extra long fence. My methodology for aligning the fence to the miter slot (and blade) revealed that the first (long) fence was not machined flat. The outfeed end of the fence curved inward toward the blade by nearly ten thousandths of an inch compared to the center of the fence. Incra sent me a replacement, but it also shares the same "bow" in the center. Each end of the fence is closer to the blade than the center. Another problem is that the face of the fence cannot be made perfectly square to the table because the topmost portion of the aluminum rail is closer to the blade than the majority of the face. It's fine if your material is 3/4" thick. But if you're trying to stand something up against the fence, it's never going to be 90 degrees to the table. In general, extruded aluminum tubing is not an easy thing to make straight and flat -- especially when you start attaching things to it with nuts and bolts (which can easily bend the aluminum). 2) The steel plate connecting the fence to the positioner. The plate’s job is to securely mate the positioner to the extruded fence component. The problem is the plate is just a stamped piece of steel which is not flat. In my case, the plate was causing the fence to wobble on the end of the positioner. If you try to eliminate the play by tightening the bolts you will almost certainly bend the aluminum channels on the fence side, which makes the problem worse. Incra warns against overtightening the bolts for this reason. My fix was to remove the plate from the positioner and file both sides as flat as possible with a metal file. 3) Installing and aligning the TS LS requires time, patience and lots of shims. Because the positioner has a very long travel, any type of misalignment is exaggerated from end to end. The rails must be absolutely parallel to the top and sides of the table else the rails will guide the fence into a variable (but reliable) state of misalignment with the blade. In addition to the basics described in the installation manual, the positioner mechanism must also be perfectly parallel to top surface of your table else it will rise and fall from one end to the other - which can cause it to bind. A trick I discovered was to clamp a 6’ level to the front and back of the rectangular mounting platform for the positioner. By extending the level from one end of the table to the other you can see the horizontal angle of the platform. Adding shims between the platform and its mounting brackets will allow you to level the positioner mechanism before attaching it to the fence. To anyone about to install a TS LS system, I strongly recommend buying a kit of professional, 2” x 2” shims like this one. You will need them: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00065V0MG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 4) Sometimes the positioner lock mechanism binds. I don’t know why it happens but occasionally when you go to lock the positioner in place, the lever will abruptly stop mid travel. My guess is there’s a small percentage of time the threaded rod (in the positioner) and the threaded clamp won’t merge together because they are in a peak-to-peak position instead of a peak-to-valley position. Moving the positioner a tiny amount in one direction or the other clears the problem. This phenomenon has led me to become very cautious when locking the mechanism so as not to break something. On the whole however, I’m very happy with my Incra fence system and would absolutely buy it again. In a future round of modifications, I do plan to replace the fence portion of the system with a different type of ground aluminum fence material.

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Scott, thank you for taking the time to write this, I can't disagree with anything you've said. I suppose we could get up on out soap box and shout about the points mentioned, especially as they (Incra) shout about exact setting to the 32nd etc, however like you, I also beleive it to be the best fence system I've ever owned. Disappointingly it didn't work well on my sliding table saw, but it will come out again when I buy another smaller saw while I hope to do. 👍👍👍

[@OzSafe1]

I have had a similar setup for a few years now and everything you say is spot on. Thanks

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Sprint, thank you. 👍😊

[@bigmoguls9359]

very helpful, thanks.

[@GTWoodshop]

Thank you. 👍

[@ubwoodman915]

Thank you Graham, believe it or not I ordered the 32” a few months ago and it was delivered today. Thanks for info, it’s going to be an interesting process to add it and start using it.

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi, I am delighted for you, you're going to absolutely love it. Let me know how you get on? :)

[@conankilcoyne5826]

Good man. No waffle and I enjoyed your review.

[@GTWoodshop]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you.

[@josuecastillo1143]

That I love!!

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Josue, thank you. 😁

[@joshuabray37]

Thanks for this! The cost doesn’t bother me too much, but the size might be an issue. Thanks for pointing that out. I’ll probably still get it, but need to figure out space.

[@David-hm9ic]

Great and insightful review. I have a very similar fence system, the Jointech Saw Train which has been out of production for several years. It includes the equivalent of the Incra Joinery System. I suspect that either Jointech or Incra used the other for inspiration in their designs. I have exactly the same evaluations. The accuracy is superb but my goodness, they take a LOT of space both beyond the saw table and on the saw table. Well over a foot (300 mm) of cutting width is lost to the massive size of the fence parts. I can set mine up to cut a thin slice off of the edge of a plywood panel because I have a table extension that can be added to the end of the router table but it's a nuisance to have to move the entire system and get it set up accurately for wider cuts. You have the benefit of a 32" wide cut. I'm limited to a little over 18"/450mm without moving the fence. Mostly I have posted useless information other than to wholeheartedly agree with your evaluation. I could easily resolve all of the negatives except the space requirement by going to the 52" Incra system.

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi David, not all, great comment and thanks for sharing. I've yet to find the perfect tools, they all have a limit somewhere but we manage to find ways to work around them. 👍

[@ardealco]

Thanks for the review, I totally agree with all your points. I've got mine earlier this year. The prices have come down a bit since you bought it. There might be another con that I would add: the long lead time to receive it once you bought it. It took about 14 weeks to get mine... but the price and the wait was totally worth it. I have a crappy, old Craftsman saw but this fence makes it a great saw, a pleasure to use.

[@GTWoodshop]

Wow, 14 weeks, thats a long time. About the same time it took for my planer to arrive, nearly forgot about it by then.

[@FrankC76]

Excellent review. The prices have come down lately and I'm getting close to buying one. I did not realize that I need to permanently clear out the space behind the table to account for that large moving center rail. That is good to know and I'll need to plan accordingly.

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Frank, you can of course get away with storing 'Stuff' below and above, but you will need the space. Its so worth it though. Hope you get yours soon. 😉👌👍😁

[@jamespolucha6911]

Thanks for the video, I’m sold on this, I have a vintage delta cabinet saw that I’ve overhauled and works great but I have bought so many fences and not happy with any of them they move there not accurate and just tired of bumping it over and it’s not right, I’m saving my money to buy this fence system, haven’t read any bad reviews all have been good so hopefully I’ll be getting one soon

[@GTWoodshop]

HI JAmes, I'm sure you'll be delighted with it accuracy and repeatability. Just be sure to allow for the space needed to the right of the saw in your calculations. 👍

[@1QKGLH]

Looks like an awesome piece of kit. The only issue I see is it almost doubles the size of your table, but you can't fold the extension down to gain space. Oh, and I assume the astronomical cost would be a downside for a normal dude like me. EDIT: he addressed both of those points. I was impatient.

[@WasimBarri]

Great video! Another con is the loss of rip capacity. At the moment I can get 36" (914mm) but with the Incra that drops to about 32" (812mm) . I have to decide if that worries me and yes the space needed on the right of the saw is not good in a small workshop but love the concept. Thanks for the review

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi John, thank you. 👍

[@michaell7877]

Hi. I have the complete Indra system including the router setup on the TS. Question, I would have liked to see you zero out to the blade. Great vid. Thx. The only problem I had with the system was the setup. It was very hard for me to set it up. I had to have help. However;, now that it is setup, I love it.

[@GTWoodshop]

Completely agree, setup was an issue, but once done, superb. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@garymac121]

I also got mine 6 yrs ago and I agree with your points entirely. But I would say I have found one con, if you may. It has to do with my table saw , a Grizley with a right tilt blade. I do not like to tilt the blade towards the incra fence. You could say this is a problem with the saw and not the fence. Other fence systems you could move the fence to the other side of the blade, perhaps. Anyway, I am still happy with my incra fence system.

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Gary, good point. I think I missed that one as mine tilts away but I agree that I would not like that at all. 👍

[@BossSpringsteen69]

I'll be happy to pay the price for great accuracy.

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Boss, its definitely worth it.

[@befmx31]

Hi Graham. I also have the system for the table saw and a separate system for my router table. As far as setup goes on the table saw, I thought it was a bit of a pain also. I was also disappointed to know that in order to get the fence dialed in, I had to use tape. Tape! I just couldn't believe that on such a technically advanced fence, you had to use tape to get the fence square to the table. The micro adjust wheel is awesome for things like making runners for jigs. Sneaking up on the fit is precise.

[@GTWoodshop]

wow, what was the tape for?

[@befmx31]

@@GTWoodshop to get the fence 90 degrees to the table top.

[@GTWoodshop]

Ah, They sent little shims with mine, but that was a long long time ago.

[@OldTownHomeBlog]

Only other cons I’ve found is the transition from saw to router in the combo is a bit more cumbersome than I’d like, and moving the fence along the front and back rails sticks a bit. It seems like the bind can be fixed. Otherwise I love this fence so much.

[@kevinbeachus6988]

, even offered a tea, which I would have accepted if I wasn’t already behind schedule

[@kevinbeachus6988]

Oops, don’t know what happened to the rest of the comment! 🤣

[@GTWoodshop]

All good projects start with tea. :)

[@GTWoodshop]

I got the jist of it.

[@martinrandez7021]

Thanks for this insightful review! I love the idea of such system. One question if you have a moment, how easy/practical is it to move the actual positioning arm? For instance, I like to use jigs "straddled" onto the fence itself, and slide them along its axis. Since the positionner arm appears afixed around the center, can one easily shift it so fence-friendly-jigs be used without unscrewing the whole setup? No one has addressed that point in what I've seen... Thanks :))

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Martin, good question. I would not recommend changing the connection between the fence and the positioner after calibration has been completed. How ever, one could with relative ease construct and plate to sit on top of the fence to allow the use of jigs in exactly the same way as a standard front locking fence. 👍

[@martinrandez7021]

@@GTWoodshopMany thanks!

[@aflawlessfinish19]

Thanks for the review, been looking at this system. I've got a tough decision to make, do I get a cheaper table saw and spend the money saved on the incra fence 🤔 Especially if I could use the same fence and put my router on the end of the table saw.

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Flawless, that's the way I went, with the Router in beside the Table Saw. It stayed there for some 8yrs or more. Requires a little more planning. 👍

[@aflawlessfinish19]

@@GTWoodshop when you have a small workshop like me everything takes allot of planning. If only money and space was no object 😂 You've got a great channel, top class knowledge 👍

[@GTWoodshop]

@@aflawlessfinish19 Thanks Flawless. 😁👍😎

[@robertrobinson3597]

OR, you could use one of the parts you made earlier to provide exact position, and you will have repeatability and accuracy without measuring.!!! I did it myself yesterday with my Bosch contractors portable saw fence. BTW I do own the Jointech "Clincher" machine. Apparently this is identical to the TS LS system except for color. I suspect Jointech was bought out by Incra, or at least this patent. The real advantage is the ability to move the fence for or aft with the built in micro adjustment. You can sneak up a location with great precision. Mine is attached to my router table built from Fine Woodworking Magazine plans 15 years ago. The Jointech came with a series of templates for making a variety of precise sawtooth patterns. I am planning on a new Laguna fusion saw that I might then see if I could get the sliding fence supports from Incra. You still could have the old "I cut it off twice, and its still too short!" problem that comes from the human condition. My Bosch saw has been a great tool, with my homemade Zero clearance throat plate and Microjig splitters. Portability is a great asset in a small shop.

[@GTWoodshop]

This is true you could, but I usually forget I've altered it. Thanks for watching.

[@fredastaire6156]

Can you exchange out the imperial to metric units (if you bought it second hand)?

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Fred, absolutely. I bought mine way before a metric version was available, as soon as I could I purchased the metric conversion kit. Fabulous. 👍

[@darvaish4552]

thanks a lot for your review. i was wondering would you wish to have owned the combo system ? if not why? will much appreciate your reply.

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Mian, if by the Combo system you mean the router table and Table saw fence combined that's what I originally purchased. I eventually separated them though as I found I would often need to use the table saw after I had everything setup for a router cut. Not just because I'd forgotten to do something but often times you get interrupted in the middle of a project. Now that I have my Router table as a separate item life is so much easier. 👍

[@darvaish4552]

@@GTWoodshop God Bless your heart for replying. thats what i exactly wanted to know. so when you separated the router part of fence, what else did you need to buy from Incra to use the router system separately. i am very much inclined to buy this system, its expensive for my pocket, so am trying to figure out to spend wisely (if possible ). i am new to wood work, hence my questions are uneducated. Thanks again for supporting.

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Mian, as I'm sure you're aware the Incra system consists of two main components. The Incra positioner, sliding rail and housing, and the Fence. In fact it might be easier to say that the only piece you're going to be able to transfer is the wonder fence (and its accessories of course). Check out WoodWorkers Workshop (if in UK), or search for this in your browser 'INCRA LS25 Positioner Standard System 635mm (Metric)' I'm pretty sure that's the package I ended up going with. Hope that helps. Oh, and please consider Subscribing if you haven't already. 😁👍

[@darvaish4552]

@@GTWoodshop many thanks for your time and help. And yes I have subscribed.

[@GTWoodshop]

@@darvaish4552 Thanks Mian. 😁

[@leifdaddow]

On a left tilt tablesaw with your router table on the right you must flip flop everything to use the router fence? Is there an easy fix? Thank you in advance for your reply.

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Leif, not sure I understand your question fully, but my router table was where the large piece of Oak veneered MDF is to the right of my saw blade. I setup four thick washers bolted to the Incra rails so that I could reposition my fence further away from the blade for router table use, then simply slide the carriage back to the first two washers for table saw use again without having to re-align anything. Hope that answers your question. Thanks for watching.

[@leifdaddow]

@@GTWoodshop i was wondering if you could show the setup for your Incra router fence on your tablesaw? if I can visualize it, it makes it much clearer. I also noticed that you have a dedicated Incra router table set up... Has that been more beneficial than the saw/router combo? Thanks for taking the time and I hope I was clear.

[@GTWoodshop]

I have been considering a follow up to this vid to explain a little more, so maybe I'll do just that.

[@oldowl4290]

I'd love to know the total footprint of this in the video (with fence against blade). I want to build a table like this and also incorporate a router.

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Wiseone (great name), that will be goverend by the size of Router table you choose, plus the capacity of the sliding rail. But don't forget the rails each side of the saw, mine are 1800mm / 72inch and I aligned them with the very left side of the table, they projected the furthest. 👍

[@solobassoon]

Could you, please, explain in more detail your 2. 'con' about the system. Does it mean that the micro adjust is for installation purposes only? And that you should never touch it again?

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Hans, no not at all. I simply meant that its only a con when you forget to reset it back after you've adjusted it. Its not the systems fault, its my fault for forgetting to reset it. 😊

[@solobassoon]

@@GTWoodshop Thank you for your answer. Now I understand it! :o)

[@GTWoodshop]

@@solobassoon You're welcome, sorry for the confusion.

[@josephmccoy2129]

What is the black rail on top of the fence?

[@GTWoodshop]

Jessom stock guides

[@josephmccoy2129]

@@GTWoodshop Thank you.

[@jasonm887]

I'm still "on the fence" about this incra system....