While most table saws come ready to use, many allow you to modify parts like the blade, the motor, or the miter gauge (Source). Table saw miter gauges offer you the ability to cut wood to your exact specifications. However, the best table saw miter gauges are durable and precise to ensure the quality of your finished product.
A table saw miter gauge is a table saw accessory that allows you to determine the angle at which your piece of wood is cut. To use a table saw miter gauge, you must first affix it to the miter slot in your table saw. You lock in your desired angle, and place the wooden piece along the fence of the miter gauge. You then slide the miter gauge and wood through the blade (Source).
The best table saw miter gauges allow you to lock in at any angle, sometimes even to a fraction of a degree. They’re made durable and won’t falter during operation, so you can ensure quality and safety. Whether you’re a contractor, a carpenter, or a hobbyist, buying a miter gauge is a worthy investment in your table saw.
Prior to purchasing a table saw miter gauge, you’ll want to ensure that it fits into your table saw’s miter slot. The standard is 3/8” x 3/4”. You’ll also want to consider how many angles it can stop at, and the quality of its construction.
Make sure that your table saw has one of these top-rated tables saw miter gauges.
What Is A Miter Gauge on a Table Saw?
A miter gauge is a tool used to hold workpieces at a specific angle while using table saws. Typically, The miter gauge and workpiece are held together by the user’s hand and then relocated across the table to make the perfect cut.
How Much Do Table Saw Miter Gauges Cost?
Unless you want to get a power miter saw, a typical miter gauge is a relatively simple item for manufacturers to produce. As we mentioned though, you should generally expect to pay anywhere between $25-$200 if you want to get one of the best table saw miter gauges.
Comparing the Top 5 Models
INCRA Miter1000SE Miter Gauge | ||||
POWERTEC 71005 Deluxe Table Saw Miter Gauge | ||||
Kreg KMS7102 Table Saw Precision Miter Gauge | ||||
Big Horn 14600 Standard Track Miter Gauge | ||||
INCRA MiterV120 Miter Gauge |
Best Table Saw Miter Gauge: Our Top 5 Picks
1. INCRA Miter1000SE Miter Gauge – Best Overall
Complete with durable stainless steel construction, and 41 laser-cut V-stops, this miter gauge is both long-lasting and cuts strong at each of the angles. Since many other models tend to have problems holding up well when locked at particular angles, this is a great option for someone willing to invest in quality.
One of the features which stand out the most with this model is that it has a flip-stop lock which helps you to easily make repeat cuts without sacrificing too much time. This feature also helps make this model a lot more efficient than many other competitors.
- Adjusts to fit any miter slot size.
- Ultra-strong stainless steel.
- 41 laser-cut V-stops
- Flip-stop lock for repeat cuts.
- Ultimate adjustability
- A little pricey.
2. POWERTEC 71005 Deluxe Table Saw Miter Gauge – The Most Affordable Option
This model from POWERTEC proves that affordable table saw miter gauges don’t necessarily have to sacrifice much of the quality. Although problems have been noted on affordable models like this one, sometimes budget constraints can override the demand for quality.This miter gauge cuts really well and holds up well at each of the stop points. There are stop points conveniently installed at each of the common angles. Although this option is more affordable than much of its competition, it still holds up well for each of the most popular angle cuts.
One feature on this model which really stands out is the tip-resistant washer. This will help you keep the gauge steady when installing onto your workspace.
- Fits standard 3/8 x 3/4 miter slot.
- Cuts well at common angles.
- Tip-resistant washer keeps gauging steady.
- Very affordable price.
- Alignment can sometimes be difficult.
3. Kreg KMS7102 Table Saw Precision Miter Gauge – Best Angle Adjustment
When it comes to more precise angles, though, getting a miter gauge like this one will prove to be priceless. This miter gauge adjusts down to the 1/100th degree of each angle. It also has near-perfect calibration and strong teeth to hold the stop points in place.
In other words, this miter saw gauge offers some of the best angle adjustment on the market. Although you will need to invest a little more than average, this product has a higher level of quality than a typical table saw miter gauge.
- Fits standard 3/8 x 3/4 miter slot.
- Adjusts down to 1/100th degree of each angle.
- Guaranteed out-of-box calibration.
- Strong construction.
- Limited lifetime warranty
- A little pricey
4. Big Horn 14600 Standard Track Miter Gauge – Best Option for Common Angle Sizes
Many people who want a table saw miter gauge only find themselves needing to cut at common angle sizes. If this describes your needs, you might also be able to save a little bit of money with a model like this one.This model features strong construction and sturdy lock points at each of the common angle sizes. It is also a lot more affordable than many other competitors.
The locking washer holds your angles tighter much sturdier than a typical miter gauge. Although this model can sometimes have calibration problems, this is something that you can easily fix.
- Fits standard 3/8 x 3/4 miter slot.
- Strong locking washer.
- Stops at 0, 22.5, 30, 45, 60, 67.5, and 90 degrees.
- Strong steel and aluminum construction.
- Reasonable price.
- Sometimes arrives partially out of calibration.
5. INCRA MiterV120 Miter Gauge – Best Balance of Price & Product Quality
This is another great table saw miter gauge to take a look at if you want to have a lot of angle adjustability. This model has track stops at each degree, making it more adjustable than most other table saw miter gauges.This model also is a lot more reasonably priced than most of the competition. Since it is also made with strong steel parts, we see this as the best balance of price and quality.
Just keep in mind that you still need to have a proper level of care while you are adjusting the stop point. If you aren’t careful while adjusting the stop point, you can end up breaking the teeth as others have done.
- Fits standard 3/8 x 3/4 miter slot.
- 1-degree stop spacing.
- Special stops at every 22.5 degrees.
- Strong steel construction.
- Reasonable price.
- Teeth can bend with misuse.
Table Saw Miter Gauge Brands
When shopping around for a table saw miter guage or just about any sort of similar product, the brand can often imply certain things about the product. Specifically, the quality, durability, and price of a product can often be predicted by simply taking a look at the brand name.
This is definitely true when we look at the top table saw miter gauge brands. To help you narrow down your search and find the best table saw miter gauge for your needs, let’s go ahead and break down what stands out in each of the best table saw miter gauge manufacturers.
INCRA
INCRA is arguably the best brand right now to look at if you want one of the best table saw miter gauges. Incra tools are known all around the world for their high-quality and durability.
The INCRA Miter1000SE Miter Gauge is a great reason why this brand stands out so much. This miter gauge can easily fit into whatever slot size you need, is extremely durable, and supports many different angles.
POWERTEC
POWERTEC is one of the most widely acclaimed and popular brands for table saw miter gauges. They are perhaps best known for offering affordable and budget-friendly options.
The POWERTEC 71005 Deluxe Table Saw Miter Gauge is a wonderful example of the nice quality this brand offers. This product is also the best option for anybody on a tight budget.
Kreg
Founded back in 1986, Kreg has come a long way after starting from the humblest of beginnings. Today, they have construction tools and products for sale all across the world.
The Kreg KMS7102 Table Saw Precision Miter Gauge offers some insight into the incredible versatility this brand offers. With some of the best angle adjustment and locking capabilities on the market, Kreg miter gauges are definitely worth checking out.
BigHorn Corp.
BigHorn Corp. has been in the industry for over 20 years now. Known for creating a wide variety of quality hand tools and carpentry accessories, they also produce some of the best table saw miter gauges.
The Big Horn 14600 Standard Track Miter Gauge is a great example of the quality this brand offers. This product, in particular, offers some of the strongest locks at common cutting angles.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Table Saw Miter Gauge
Before you decide which table saw miter gauge works best for your needs, you need to spend a little time doing some background research. Otherwise, you can easily end up getting a model that doesn’t match your initial expectations.
To help you out, we have prepared a list of the most important factors to consider before getting a table saw miter gauge. Keep the following factors in mind while deciding which table saw miter gauge to get.
Slot Size Specifications
The typical table saw miter gauge slot has 3/8 x 3/4-inch dimensions, there are sometimes circumstances where this is not the case. Be sure to know what slot size your workspace will require you to use.
The absolute last thing you need is to end up with a table saw miter gauge which doesn’t suit your needs. If you are unsure which slot size you need, you are best getting an option with unlimited adjustability like the INCRA Miter1000SE Miter Gauge.
Angle Stop Points
The number of angle stop points is much more important to certain people than it is to others. Typically, common angles like 45 and 90 degrees will be present on any typical miter gauge.
However, those who need more precise angle cuts will need to shop around for options that can adjust angles a little more than average.
Construction Quality
In most cases, people shopping for a table saw miter gauge will be concerned with the durability of the product. After all, there is no sense in getting any sort of construction-related product without the confidence that it will last for a long time!
Check for strong parts like metal, aluminum, and stainless steel. A miter gauge needs to hold up strong throughout years of abuse and rough jobs. If the material strength doesn’t match up to par, though, this won’t be possible.
Strength of the Stop Points
One of the most common issues people have with table saw miter gauges are the stop points. If they don’t include strong locking mechanisms at each of the stop points, then it will be much easier to end up with a broken miter gauge. Make sure that the stop points are strong enough to hold up for years of hard use.
How to Use a Table Saw Miter Gauge
A table saw miter gauge is really easy to use. Even for first-time users. To start off, make sure that you have your workspace completely clean and ready to go.
Then, gather up all of your tools and materials and keep them within close distance. Once you have your workspace ready, here are the basic steps to get you ready to start.
1. Determine What Kind of Cut you Want
Before you can use the miter gauge, you need to know what you will be doing. Start by getting your wood pieces and ready and plan out where your cuts will be. Figure out what angle you will cut the wood piece at.
2. Position Your Stop Points and Saw
When you have your plan ready to go, you can now start preparing for your cut. Position your wood piece into position, and adjust the angle stop point to the perfect location. Make sure everything is stable in place.
3. Carefully Finish the Cut
If you are confident that your board is aligned and perfectly placed at the right angle, then the final step is to get your table saw turned on. Carefully slide the saw away from your body as you make each cut.
Ready to Start Using a Table Saw Miter Gauge?
In order to get the best table saw miter gauge, you need to know what to expect and look for. Remaining in ignorance is the biggest mistake you make. Instead, spend some time understanding the market and what features to look for in a good miter gauge. You can expand your research beyond miter gauges and look at the top hybrid table saws today as well.
In our opinion, you should start by checking out the INCRA Miter1000SE Miter Gauge. However, we understand that not everyone wants or needs the best of the best, like this Incra miter gauge.
If you are on a tighter budget, your best option might instead be the POWERTEC 71005 Deluxe Table Saw Miter Gauge. In any case, make sure to consider your budget and needs in order to get the best table saw miter gauge possible!
For you, this means that you won’t need to expect to pay that much, especially when you have an existing top-rated table saw under $1000.
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