10 Best Miter Gauges [2019]
A miter gauge is a woodworking tool that enables you to make angled or square cuts using a table saw. It features a calibrated protractor in a half-moon shape with a tightening knob to fasten it at the required angle so that you can cut your wood when stabilized.
The tool is very important if you are working on projects that require high precision cuts, with as little marginal error as possible. However, there quite a variety of these products to choose from in the market but this article covers 10 of the best miter gauges that you should consider buying.
10 Best Miter Gauges – Reviews
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Incra Miter1000/HD (Wide Range Miter Gauge) | ||
 | 2. Incra Miter1000SE (Miter Gauge with a Telescopic Fence) | ||
 | 3. Incra MiterV120 (Miter Gauge with a GlideLock Miter Bar) | ||
 | 4. Kreg KMS7102 (Miter Gauge with a Precision Lens Cursor) | ||
 | 5. Powertec 71005 (Affordable Miter Gauge) | ||
 | 6. Big Horn 14600 (Miter Gauge with Multiple Positive Stops) | ||
 | 7. Fulton 1250 (Miter Gauge with Adjustable Spring-Loaded Plungers) | ||
 | 8. Incra Miter3000SE (Best Precision Meter Gauge) | ||
 | 9. Woodstock D3123 (Miter Gauge for T and Standard Slots) | ||
 | 10. General International Osborne EB-3 (Triangular Miter Gauge) |
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Incra Miter1000/HD – Wide Range Miter Gauge
- Angle Range: 0-180˚
- Miter Bar Size: 3/8 x 3/4 inches
- Positive Stops: +/-22.5˚
- Material: Steel
Starting us off is Incra’s Milter1000/HD, which has a wide 180˚ range that is split into 90˚ on each side. With this range, you get a 1˚ step spacing throughout with 180 indexable locks using their V grooves, as well as special stops at 22.5˚ on either side of 0.
Additionally, this Miter1000 is equipped with a Vernier cursor that can be used to adjust the measurement to a tenth of a degree for high accuracy while the included telescopic fence extends from 18 to 31 inches so that you can work comfortably on longer workpieces.
This fence has a measurement scale fitted at the top for easy measurement and has anchor lock bars that help to lock in the flip shop stop for perfect length control when cutting.
On the downside, this piece is quite expensive and it only has 2 special stops, locking out some other popular cutting angles.
Pros:
Cons:
2. Incra Miter1000SE – Miter Gauge with a Telescopic Fence
- Angle Range: 0-180˚
- Miter Bar Size: 3/8 x 3/4 inches
- Positive Stops: 22.5˚, 67.5˚
- Material: Steel
This Miter1000SE is quite similar to the HD above because it features a telescopic fence that extends from 18 to 31 inches, thereby allowing you to work on longer wood pieces comfortably.
On this fence is a flip shop stop, which helps to position your wood piece along the length of the fence for optimal accuracy when cutting.
Also included is a GlideLock miter bar with 6 expansion points that enable you to fit the gauge perfectly on the table slot without any play.
Other features include a durable engraved stainless steel 180˚ scale and 41 V-slots that are separated 5˚ apart. However, this means you don’t get 1˚ incremental indexable locks and therefore, the level of accuracy might be a bit lower.
On the bright side, you get a Vernier cursor to adjust the angle to a tenth of a degree so as to improve on accuracy and two special stops at 22.5˚ and 67.5˚, though these don’t cover all the popular angles.
Pros:
Cons:
3. Incra MiterV120 – Miter Gauge with a GlideLock Miter Bar
- Angle Range: 0-120˚
- Miter Bar Size: 3/8 x 3/4 inches
- Positive Stops: +/-22.5˚
- Material: Steel
Incra’s MiterV120 also features the brand’s patented GlideLock miter bar, which has several expansion disks along its length for perfect fitting.
This bar and all other components that make up the gauge are steel machined for durability purposes and laser cut to the most accurate detail for precision purposes.
These cuts include the 120 V-slots for every angle on its protractor range, as well as the special stops at 22.5 degrees on either side of the 0˚-60˚ scale.
You also get a removable T-slot retaining clip for fastening the gauge to your table, but a telescopic fence is not included for supporting long wood pieces and its Vernier cursor does not have fractional adjustments for high precision measurements.
Pros:
Cons:
4. Kreg KMS7102 – Miter Gauge with a Precision Lens Cursor
- Angle Range: 0-90˚
- Miter Bar Size: 3/8 x 3/4 inches
- Positive Stops: 0˚, 10˚, 22.5˚, 30˚, 45˚
- Material: Aluminum and Steel
With a precision lens cursor on its fence, Kreg’s KMS7102 is very easy to set because this component is equipped with a high-visibility red line, which allows you to make accurate adjustments with ease.
This cursor is mounted on a swing stop sliding mechanism, which glides effortlessly across the fence and has a knob for locking it into place at the right spot. It also has a curved foot that enables you to get the stop out of your way when not in use.
Other features include a Vernier cursor with 1/10˚ angle adjustments for high accuracy, 5 adjusters on the bar to eliminate play in the table slot and positive stops at 0˚, 10˚, 22.5˚, 30˚ and 45˚.
However, you only get a 90˚ range (45˚ on each side from 0), which limits the cutting angles, and its fence is not telescopic. Its length is fixed.
Pros:
Cons:
5. Powertec 71005 – Affordable Miter Gauge
- Angle Range: 0-120˚
- Miter Bar Size: 3/8 x 3/4 inches
- Positive Stops: 90˚, 15˚, 22.5˚, 30˚, 45˚, 60˚
- Material: Steel
If you are tight on cash, Powertec’s 71005 is an affordable miter gauge that you should consider. That said, you get a 0-120˚ angle range, with 90˚ at the center going to 30˚ on each side.
On this scale are positive stops at all the common angles, which are 90˚, 15˚, 22.5˚, 30˚, 45˚ and 60˚, and these allow you to easily position your wood pieces for cutting if you want a slice at one of these angles.
Other features include a large, comfortable grip and a washer that prevents tipping when the gauge extends over surface edges.
However, the unit does not have a telescopic fence for supporting long workpieces and also lacks a Vernier cursor with fractional increments for precision adjustments.
Pros:
Cons:
6. Big Horn 14600 – Miter Gauge with Multiple Positive Stops
- Angle Range: 0-180˚
- Miter Bar Size: 3/8 x 3/4 inches
- Positive Stops: 0˚, 22.5˚, 30˚, 45˚, 60˚, 67.5˚, 90˚
- Material: Aluminum and Steel
Big Horn’s 14600 is the top-rated miter gauge in this review and this can be attributed to a number of reasons.
For starters, it has multiple pin-stops at 0˚, 22.5˚, 30˚, 45˚, 60˚, 67.5˚ and 90˚ on both sides of its 0-90˚ scale (180˚ in total), which ensures you get an easier time when dealing with these common angles.
The unit also has a sturdy CNC machined aluminum and steel construction, with an anodized finish for protection against rust and corrosion.
Other features include a 3/8 x 3/4-inch slide bar that easily fits into standard slots, and it has a locking washer for snug-fitting into the table slot.
However, a telescopic fence is not built-in and there are no indexable locks on each degree for accurate use.
Pros:
Cons:
7. Fulton 1250 – Miter Gauge with Adjustable Spring-Loaded Plungers
- Angle Range: 0-180˚
- Miter Bar Size: 3/8 x 3/4 inches
- Positive Stops: 0˚, 22.5˚, 30˚, 45˚, 60˚, 67.5˚, 90˚
- Material: Aluminum and Steel
This piece by Fulton is fitted with spring-loaded adjustable plungers, which can be easily adjusted using a hex key for perfect fitting into the table slot.
A removable retaining disk is also fitted into the bar and this helps in preventing it from accidentally lifting as you use the gauge.
Just like Big Horn’s 14600 miter gauge above, this one has 13 special stops (at 0 and 6 on either side of the 0-90˚ scales) for easy use while a spring-loaded indexing pin helps to secure the gauge in your desired angle by slotting into the machined holes.
On the downside, no Vernier cursor is built-in and a fence is not included, but there are slotted holes on the head for fitting in an aftermarket miter fence.
Pros:
Cons:
8. Incra Miter3000SE – Best Precision Meter Gauge
- Angle Range: 0-180˚
- Miter Bar Size: 3/8 x 3/4 inches
- Positive Stops: +/-22.5˚
- Material: Steel
Though very costly, Incra’s Miter3000SE boasts of the highest precision in angle measurement because it has a whopping 364 laser-cut V-stops. These include stops at every 5˚ on the head and a Vernier cursor with 1˚ and 0.5˚ increments over the entire 180˚ range.
You also get special stops at 22.5˚ on both sides of the 0-90˚ scales and a long telescopic miter fence that extends from 27 to 49 inches so as to support long workpieces.
Other features include a GlideLock miter bar with 8 expansion points for snug fitting and a flip shop stop fence positioner for length control when cutting.
Pros:
Cons:
9. Woodstock D3123 – Miter Gauge for T and Standard Slots
- Angle Range: 0-120˚
- Miter Bar Size: 3/8 x 3/4 inches
- Positive Stops: 22.5˚, 67.5˚
- Material: N/A
Woodstock’s D3123 is characterized by a universally fitting 3/8 x 3/4-inch miter bar, which can be used on both T and standard slots on saw tables.
The unit also has a tall 5-inch chrome handle for firm gripping and easy control and a durable heavy-duty design for long-lasting use.
On the downside, this gauge has a relatively short 0-120˚ range and is fitted with only 2 positive stops, which are very few.
Pros:
Cons:
10. General International Osborne EB-3 – Triangular Miter Gauge
- Angle Range: 0-90˚
- Miter Bar Size: 3/8 x 3/4 inches
- Positive Stops: +/-22.5˚
- Material: Steel
Lastly, the EB-3 from Osborne is quite unique because it features a patented triangular design, which provides strong support to the fence and workpiece at any angle so that you can cut accurately without any flexing.
That said, this fence has a telescopic design that extends up to 42 inches with a flip stop to hold your workpiece in place while an extension arm with a 90˚ range makes it very easy to find your required angle and lock it in place. However, this range is quite short.
Other features include indexed stops every 5˚ and special stops every 22.5˚ (from 0-45˚ on either side). However, you don’t get a Vernier cursor or stops every degree for accurate measurements.
Pros:
Cons:
How to Buy the Best Miter Gauge
1. Miter Bar
A miter bar is the long metal piece that slides into the miter slot in your table. Most tables have slots that are about 3/8 x 3/4 inches in size, and this means you should get a gauge with a compatible bar that fits.
The bar should also have expansion slots along its length so that you can adjust it to fit snugly on the table’s slot without any play.
2. Fence
A critical component of any miter gauge is its fence and this part helps in supporting the workpiece so that you can cut it while held firmly in place.
The best table saw miter gauge should have a telescopic fence, which extends outwards to support larger workpieces while remaining compactly folded in when not in use.
3. Positive Stops
There are certain cutting angles that are very popular, for instance, in making squares, octagons and the like. These angles basically form the positive stops in a miter gauge.
Therefore, the more of these that are included in the gauge, the better because it will be easier to use when working on projects that require pieces in such shapes.
4. Precision and Accuracy
Apart from the positive stops at the popular angles, most miter gauges also feature indexable V-slot locks around the scale, and the more they are, the more accurate that your cutting will be.
Consider this, with locks placed 5˚ apart, setting an angle like 34˚ will purely rely on your eyesight and you can be just a fraction off, thereby messing the accuracy.
But with 1˚ locks all-round, the included Vernier cursor will easily lock whichever angle you want easily and accurately.
Another thing to check is the availability of fractional angle adjustments on the Vernier cursor, which adds on a higher level of precision for more accurate cuts.
5. Ease of Use
You should also check the ease-of-use factor and with this, look for a long handle that is easy to grip. A flip shop stop is also an important feature to have because it helps in holding the workpiece firmly so that you can cut accurately and evenly when dealing with multiple pieces.
Conclusion
In conclusion, buying a miter gauge is quite tricky because there are a lot of features that you need to consider, as well as a lot of technical terms that you need to understand.
However, this article simplifies everything for you so that you can easily pick the best miter gauge that suits your project’s needs.