Looking to upgrade or replace your power tool's miter gauge? We've rounded up this list of great options.
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Top Picks: Table Saw Miter Gauges to Enhance Your Woodworking Precision
For many DIYers, miters saws are the go-to choice for miter cuts. But not every DIY workshop has the space, and not every DIYer has the budget for a dedicated miter saw.
Power tools like table, band and scroll saws use miter gauges to recreate the accurate, angled cuts of a miter saw. Unfortunately, the miter gauges included with most consumer power tools aren’t all that great.
Miter gauges feature a guide rail, called the miter bar, that slips into a groove on the table, along with an adjustable head. Some come with a built-in fence to support the workpiece. Others require users to supply a fence or use the flat side of the head.
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Incra Miter 1000
Incra is a well-respected name in miter gauges, offering a wide variety at different levels of complexity and prices. The Incra Miter 1000 ($128) is one of their most accessible models.
Incra gauges offer precise adjustment and many positive stops. Most miter gauges have five to 10 positive stops. The Miter 1000 offers 41 stops and can be adjusted to one-quarter degree resolution. Its adjustable square-sided miter bar has some leeway (0.740 to 0.765 inches) around the standard 3/4-inch width. It ships with an 18-inch fence.
Well-regarded and precise, it’s popular enough that Incra released a few variations on this basic model, which we’ll see later in this list.
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Kreg Miter Gauge System
Kreg is another highly-respected name in woodworking, best known for its pocket screw jigs. The Kreg Adjustable Miter-Gauge System ($160) features a 24-inch aluminum fence and a head adjustable to one-tenth of a degree, with five positive stops.
One of the Kreg Miter-Gauge System’s key selling points: It’s factory calibrated to be accurate out of the box. Still, as with any precision tool, smart DIYers should always check calibration before using it.
The included fence ships with a large swing stop that can aid repeat cuts or support the workpiece while making a cut. The square miter bar fits standard 3/4-in. by 3/8-in. slots.
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Incra 1000SE Miter Gauge
The Incra 1000SE ($210) is a special edition variation of the Incra 1000.
Like the Incra 1000, this model has 41 positive stops. But this model permits more finessing than the 1000, with a stainless steel cursor that allows for adjustments as fine as one-tenth of a degree.
But the “specialness” is really in the upgraded fence, which telescopes out to 30 inches wide. This offers far greater stability when working with long material. There’s also an improved flip-stop on the fence, with two arms. That may sound like a minor point, but it gives you two preset stops on the fence, cutting your setup time in half.
The Incra miter bar offers multiple adjustment points for custom sizing. The removable tab provides more security on tools with T-shaped miter slots.
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Powertec Precision Miter Gauge System
The Powertec Precision Miter Gauge System ($100) is cheaper than the Incra 1000, but still offers a significant step up from the miter gauge that shipped with your saw.
It comes with a 24-inch aluminum fence and flip stop. It has 27 positive stops, and its 3/4 x 3/8-inch miter bar comes with an adaptor for U-slot and T-slot tools.
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Incra 1000 HD Miter Gauge
Here’s another from the Incra 1000 family of gauges. Woodworkers who love precision will love the Incra 1000 HD Miter Gauge ($220). Besides offering a staggering 180 positive stops, the Vernier cursor can be set with accuracy to one-tenth of a degree.
Notably, the 1000 HD includes all the other features of the 1000 SE, including a telescoping fence, adjustable miter bar and adaptor for T-slots.
Basically, if you’re cutting multi-sided shapes, this gauge is a massive time saver. If you only cut a handful of various angles at a time, then it might be overkill.
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Rockler Precision Miter Gauge
The Rockler Precision Miter Gauge ($160) is well-built and dependable. It comes with six positive stops and a telescoping aluminum fence that expands to 24 inches. The 18-inch miter bar fits standard U-slot and T-slots.
The Rockler design team worked with the end user in mind. Nice design touches include the easy-to-grip rubber over mold on the adjustment knobs and the discrete holes on the miter bar for easy hanging storage.
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Incra 5000 Sled Miter
In the world of miter gauges, the Incra 5000 Miter Sled ($390) reflects pure luxury. It stands out by combining the stability and accuracy of a crosscut sled with a precision miter gauge’s adjustability. It offers 364 positive stops and crosscuts up to 24-inches of material.
Of course, it costs more than some table saws. But if you’re making furniture or cabinets, the time saved is invaluable.
You may be wondering why we’d include a sled in this roundup, even one with an incorporated miter gauge. It’s because it’s packaged with the Incra Miter 3000SE telescoping miter fence, which expands from 36 to 64 inches. Remove the protractor head from the sled, attach the 3000SE fence, and you have a high-quality miter gauge for cutting long material.
How We Selected the Best Miter Gauges
First, I turned to my own home construction and improvement experience. Then, I scoured the web to find a vast array of miter gauges that suit various budgets and uses. I paid special attention to user testimonials, availability, reliability and durability. Finally, I made a final selection of the top options, including considering those I’ve personally tested. I put together this final array of options that best serve DIY afficionados.
Why You Should Trust Us
I am a former residential remodeler, commercial site supervisor and maintenance manager with years of experience in home improvement and carpentry—including project planning and permitting, plumbing, basic electric, drywall, carpentry, tiling, painting and more—so I think it’s fair to say that I am an expert when it comes to DIY tools, like miter gauges. But I also take my recommendations seriously and aim only to provide readers with the top options.
FAQ
Why shouldn’t you use a miter gauge and a fence at the same time?
This is primarily a safety concern. Using a miter gauge and pushing the board toward the saw could bind against the fence, sending the board flying back toward you at high speeds. This is to be avoided at all costs.
What are the most common angle cuts with a miter gauge?
Many miter gauges have “positive stops” at common angles—like 90, 45 and 30 degrees—allowing you to set them quickly and efficiently.
How can you improve your miter gauge?
Many miter gauges can attach an extension fence—usually a scrap of wood that allows you to extend the miter angle beyond the tool itself. It’s relatively simple to attach one of these to your miter gauge (they often have slots through which you can set screws into your extension fence) and can add stability to your tool.
