DRO for Mitre Saw

**Chris Parks** · 28th April 2020, 11:04 AM

I had a phone discussion with Wixey shortly after they released their first product about the possibility of using their DRO on a mitre saw and we concluded at the time it was not feasible due to not being able to zero off the blade due to the fence of the machine getting in the way and that means the DRO can't be used for measuring between the blade and the end of the saw chassis.

I presently use a mixture of an Incra rail and a zero clearance fence for measurement but I have been thinking that one of those laser measuring devices that builders, carpet layers, kitchen estimators use might work as they are supposed to be very accurate these days. Exactly how accurate are they? The Incra has exactly the same problem as a DRO does, it can't measure from the blade so I use a known length to fill in the space between the Incra and the blade.

**NCArcher** · 28th April 2020, 11:40 AM

They are not that accurate. I have a couple. The stated accuracy is ±(2mm +5x 10(-5)D) (Thats ...10 to the power of minus 5 times the distance) I couldn't get the superscript to work on the forum.

**Chris Parks** · 28th April 2020, 11:44 AM

Thanks Tony, scratch that idea then. A DRO that can be set to a measurement and not to zero is needed and the problem goes away.

**Bohdan** · 28th April 2020, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

Thanks Tony, scratch that idea then. A DRO that can be set to a measurement and not to zero is needed and the problem goes away.

They do exist as I had one on a previous thicknesser. Sold it some time ago so I can't check the brand or model.

In calibrate mode you could either zero it or use two other buttons to scroll the display to whatever was needed.

**Chris Parks** · 28th April 2020, 01:41 PM

I had a search but it is a bit hard to isolate that type of DRO

**Bohdan** · 28th April 2020, 02:02 PM

I agree. Before I learnt of the Wixey model I tried to find one that would adjust the reading but none of the usual brands seamed to think that that was a feature worth mentioning. I bought a cheapy hopeing that it would work but it just annoyed me and then I learnt of the Wixey.

On a mitre saw setup maybe you could make the usually fixed bar adjustable so that you can zero it the same way as the Wixey thickness gauge.

**Bernmc** · 28th April 2020, 02:05 PM

I think the preset function on iGaging DRO's might do what you need: http://go.rockler.com/msds/igaging-d...ions-66943.pdf ?

**riverbuilder** · 28th April 2020, 05:21 PM

I have a Leica laser distance measurer, I’ve found it extremely accurate and very handy. We checked it once over a distance of about 25 metres, and then the surveyor checked with his theodolite, and the Leica was within 1.5mm. Not bad over 25 metres. I use it a lot actually, come to think of it.

**Chris Parks** · 28th April 2020, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by Bernmc

I think the preset function on iGaging DRO's might do what you need: http://go.rockler.com/msds/igaging-d...ions-66943.pdf ?

I've got one of those but never read the instructions because it is going to be used for another purpose without the readout head it comes with.

**RossM** · 29th April 2020, 10:45 AM

Here is a project for you to replicate, Chris. Convenient, accurate and repeatable. Will solve your problems and then some.

**riverbuilder** · 29th April 2020, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by RossM

Here is a project for you to replicate, Chris. Convenient, accurate and repeatable. Will solve your problems and then some.

Got to love that tiled, with feature tiles, dust collection area behind his saw, only the good guys have that.

**barramonday** · 30th April 2020, 10:40 PM

YouTube
This just popped up in my Youtube feed, remains to be seen much it would cost, but seems like it wouldn't need much/any rebuilding/reengineering for those that already have mitre saw stations

**Chris Parks** · 1st May 2020, 12:26 AM

Originally Posted by barramonday

YouTube
This just popped up in my Youtube feed, remains to be seen much it would cost, but seems like it wouldn't need much/any rebuilding/reengineering for those that already have mitre saw stations

A shoddily made video but an interesting tool that I think would be great for site contruction work, thanks for the link.

**NCArcher** · 1st May 2020, 12:45 AM

Except all your cuts would be out by the size of the kerf. You would have to add the kerf on to each cut.

**RossM** · 1st May 2020, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by NCArcher

Except all your cuts would be out by the size of the kerf. You would have to add the kerf on to each cut.

"You can enter your blade width into the device and it will automatically add in an offset to make sure the blade is compensated for"

Manufacturer's response in video comments

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