Thread: Problems with Wixey Digital Saw Fence

Glad you have yours working. Mine is a big disappointment, as you move over the join it jumps a mm or two, an absolute PITA.

Had the same problem initially with the contact thingo myself when the contact fell out when I first replaced the battery.

One day I'll solder it.

Sometimes it jumps and I have to reset the thing. I've found 9/10 when the readout goes haywire with numbers left right and centre it's been a new battery that I needed. Writing that it reminds me I need some more.

All that aside it's one of the most worthwhile additions to my machinery. All it lacks is a warning light that beeps with great big red lights warning me to check twice before making a cut.

Groggy - its a shame yours has a problem - they are a great jigger.

I initally had a similar problem with mine. Because I purchased mine from a US supplier I contact Wixey direct via email. Barry Wixey replied and was very helpful - in the end he arranged a replacement unit at no cost to me.

The replacement has been spot on.

Send them an email and see if you can get it sorted.

Cheers,
Geoff

Thanks gimjam. Unfortunately I bought mine new in the box but second-hand from a guy who had not used it. It seems that most of my cuts are just over the join and it really annoys me, in fact I don't use it anymore.

I might try Barry Wixey as you suggest, it would be quite useful for repeat cuts if I could get it to stop jumping.

Originally Posted by Groggy

Glad you have yours working. Mine is a big disappointment, as you move over the join it jumps a mm or two, an absolute PITA.

Greg, there is some info re accuracy issues on the Wixey site

Wixey.com - Saw Fence Digital Readout - Troubleshooting

Must say this is the first time I have had any "issue" with the Wixey, I find it a great bit of kit and like Waldo said, a great addition to my tablesaw.

I just hope the current units have better solder joints on the battery contacts because these were very poor.

I have read reports re very short battery life and have at times thought about adding an external battery compartment to take 2 AA or AAA batteries. Never done anything about it as I seem to get good battery life, also on my Wixey Digital Angle Gauge (another great bit of kit - I have found all sorts of uses for that - even on my metal mill)

Thanks Fred, I had a read through the suggestions but none seem to fit. I might have another go during the week and see if I can get it to work or figure out what the real issue is.

Hi All

We stand by all our products, if you have a problem with Wixey gear let us know, Barry looks after us so we can look after YOU.

Replacement readouts are available.

If the scales are assembled properly the read-out should be seamless, however if not simply move the readout track slightly on the saw to get the join away from the common cut dimension. BTW did you use the little dimpled spacer to make sure that the scales are joined exactly 'in pitch'

Call us!!!!

Regards

Grahame

Grahame, thanks for your input. I mentioned that the unit I bought was second hand, therefore I have not gone back to the retailer for assistance.

I did read the instructions and I also did some online browsing for installation faults before installing the thing. When I installed it I used the spacer as required by the instructions and also filed down the edges as suggested. For some reason it still jumps a few mm when going over the join. As I said earlier, I'll have another go at it this week and see what I can figure out, if it appears to be hardware I'll give you a call. Cheers, Greg.

I have tested the error using a ruler, my fence ruler and the Wixey. The ruler and the fence were the same throughout the test, however the Wixey showed an error that increased as I got further from zero. Here is the data:

Fence Wixey Error
0100 0100.0 0.0
0200 0200.0 0.0
0300 0299.7 0.3
0400 0399.2 0.8 <-- Join in the scale is at 400mm.
0500 0499.3 0.7
0600 0599.1 0.9
0700 0698.7 1.3
0800 0798.5 1.5
0900 0900.0 1.4
1000 1000.0 1.4
1100 1100.0 2 Note: Wixey at this point drops the decimals?
1200 1200.0 2

Even allowing for 0.2mm for parallax error it is still apparent there is a progressive error that began before the join was crossed. 2mm over 1200mm is not even good carpentry.

Any suggestions?

Hi all,

I sent a summary of this thread off to Barry Wixey, his comments are as follows;

The issue with the poor solder connection is very rare and I am surprised to hear several people encountered that one. As always we should replace these no questions asked.

The accuracy one and the problem crossing the gap is tricky but almost always can be corrected. We have recently put up new trouble shooting suggestions:

Wixey.com - Saw Fence Digital Readout - Troubleshooting These are really good and should cover almost everything.

Small accuracy errors like he is describing are always mechanical in nature. It is so important to not trust a tape measure or the scale on the fence. These are never as accurate as our system. Also, you must lock the fence when calibrating or measuring.

Let me know if there is anything we need to do to straighten this up. We have a really good track record of making these work flawlessly for people.

Barry Wixey

I will make sure that I add some replacement readouts to our next order. I'll pass on Groggy's data as well.

Regards

Grahame

Thanks Grahame, given it's a new battery in my readout I'll check that the readout isn't too lose on the track and tighten if needed a little - maybe that's all I need to do.

Thanks for chasing that info up.

Originally Posted by Gwhat

We have recently put up new trouble shooting suggestions:

I looked at those before I did the measurements, they didn't help.

Originally Posted by Gwhat

I'll pass on Groggy's data as well.

Thanks Grahame, please let him know that the fence was locked at each measurement point. The ruler was a 1m aluminium ruler and is not what you would consider 'cheapie'.

I had a problem with batteries in mine going flat in a few weeks when unused.

I solved this by just soldering a '2xAA' battery box from Jaycar to the original contacts, then used double sided tape to stick that box to the back of the Wixey box. It works perfectly, I can turn the batteries off manually with a switch that was built into the battery box, and so far I haven't had to even replace the 'AA' batteries after nearly 2 years.

I had the DRO head replaced under warranty as it had lost the tension on the fence and gave erratic readings. The new head has an auto off feature where the old one did not and this obviously is to conserve the batteries. Mine steps back .1mm from the setting every time the fence is locked but that is a fence issue not a Wixey issue. I have tried many times to resolve this annoying habit but to no avail. The greatest thing since sliced bread I reckon.