MasterGage SB-1 SuperBar, Part # 400-01

by MasterGage

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

One of the secrets of successful woodworking is establishing and keeping the table saw aligned and calibrated. The body of the MasterGage SB-1 SuperBar, with its unique patent pending adjustment system, assures glass smooth motion in the full length of table saw miter slot. The SuperBar has an on-board dial Indicator that gives you machine shop accuracy to 1/1000 of an inch. Now you can make dangerous misalignment visible and accurately set the 10 critical table saw adjustments required for maximum saw performance. The package comes with complete instructions, plus free technical support from the manufacturer. For maximum results, use the MasterPlate [MP-1] with the SuperBar.

Product Description

One of the secrets of successful woodworking is establishing and keeping the table saw aligned and calibrated. The body of the MasterGage SB-1 SuperBar, with its unique patent pending adjustment system, assures glass smooth motion in the full length of table saw miter slot. The SuperBar has an on-board dial Indicator that gives you machine shop accuracy to 1/1000 of an inch. Now you can make dangerous misalignment visible and accurately set the 10 critical table saw adjustments required for maximum saw performance. The package comes with complete instructions, plus free technical support from the manufacturer. For maximum results, use the MasterPlate [MP-1] with the SuperBar.Has an on-board precision dial indicator that reads to one thousandths [1/1000] of an inchDial indicator extensions allow the SuperBar to fit most table sawsSuperBar has both coarse and fine adjustments that insure smooth, accurate motion along the full length of the miter slotThe SuperBar 'outrigger rods' ride on the saw table surfaceFits 3/4' x 3/8' miter slots [plus Sears], Shopsmith version also available.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006RGLB
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: SB-1
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,627 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #94 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tool Accessories > Gauges

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Do you need this gauge?, December 19, 2004

By 

Mark Colan "duke-of-url" (Medford, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MasterGage SB-1 SuperBar, Part # 400-01 (Tools & Home Improvement)

Short answer: you need a gauge with resolution like this (and the Master Plate) if you want to resolve heeling error to less than what your eyes can see - for me that was about 1/32" to 1/64" - or if you want to speed up and improve the results of the alignment process. The gauge also has a number of other uses that make it worth considering (see below).

My main reason for getting this gauge was to resolve heeling problems in my Delta Contractor saw. Without the gauge, using a pencil clamped to the miter and the same blade tooth as a reference, I got the front-to-back blade error down to about 1/32" - judging by my eye. I had trouble getting my Contractor saw adjusted to less than that (I had rotated the trunnion as far as it wanted to go).

When I got the MasterPlate and the gauge, first I confirmed that the error was about 1/32" (.03"). Next, I loosened the bolts and moved the trunnion as far as I could get it to go - a wrenching action helped. After a few tries, the gauge told me I was off by about .005", which I decided was good enough for now, and I carefully tightened the bolts, rechecking the alignment as I went, and it stayed there.

How much error can you live with? In Roger W. Cliffe's "Table Saw Techniques - Revised Edition" he suggests that realignment is needed when the front-to-back heel error is more than about .015" (about 1/64"), but the number that depends on various factors. (He also describes techniques to realign.)

With my saw adjusted to about .005" error (about 1/200") I made a crosscut - and saw a very noticeable improvement in the quality of the cut; much smoother. I may try again to improve the accuracy. The gauge has graduated lines representing .001", and with interpolation you may be able to get more accuracy than that.

Aside from aligning the blade (or MasterPlate) parallel to the miter slot, the instructions also illustrate how the gauge can be used with a table saw to check the arbor shaft, face flange and bearing for runout, check the runout of the blade itself, align the fence parallel to miter slot, square the miter gauge to the blade (or MasterPlate). It also shows some uses for checking a drill press and a lathe.

Other reviewers have complained about the plastic base for the SuperBar. While I would prefer metal, it seems sturdy enough to me, and I note that it has a lifetime guarantee.

Mine seems very useful and suits my purposes as an amateur with a Contractor saw. I would have liked a metal and perhaps magnetic base, so I have given the product 4 stars. There are higher quality gauges available if you need better quality than this, but for me this was worth the money I paid.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most accurate device for setting up a table saw, May 16, 2003

By 

C Jon Hebert (Austell, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MasterGage SB-1 SuperBar, Part # 400-01 (Tools & Home Improvement)

I'm a professional and always set up equipment the way my mentors did. I decided to try the super bar when I bought my new cabinet saw, and it set my fence precisely on the money. I eliminated burning, most kick backs, or binding typical when using a saw. Best money I ever spent and highly recommend this tool for anyone looking for precision....

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A clarification of value, February 4, 2007

By 

evenfall007 "evenfall007" (Rancho Cordova, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MasterGage SB-1 SuperBar, Part # 400-01 (Tools & Home Improvement)

This device deserves a better review than it typically gets. I hope to address some of the misconceptions about this instrument.

There are a lot of table saws on the market. There are problems created when trying to set them up and fine tune them all. It presents a big job to any precision tool. This tool is very good for overcoming many of those problems.

Miter slots on Saws are not unilaterally created to exactly 3/4 inch width. There is no standard for the distance from a blade a miter slot is to be placed. Some saw makers slots are a bit narrower, some are exactly 3/4 and some are on older saws worn and a bit wider. This non standard method of manufacture is a known industry problem. Another problem which has been revealed is that in some cases, the miter slots on the saws are not truly parallel. It takes a tool as versatile in any miter slot yet as precise as this one to reveal these problems and overcome them. To properly adjust any saw, made 60 years ago or yesterday, this jig must be able to tune out any slack while riding in the miter slot, and it does exactly that.

Many reviewers are saying that the super bar base for this dial indicator is made of cheap plastic. It is made of plastic, but I do not find it to be of low quality. It is a delicate instrument, and should be treated as such. What the maker of this device did was manufacture a sled that is adjustable to ride in nearly any miter slot without slack, and does so by making it adjustable. The user tunes the slop out by adjusting the screws on the sled until it fits snugly in the miter slot, no matter what the Saw manufacturer's standard or non standard miter slot size. Once properly adjusted, It will reveal what needs to be done to tune any saw.

The supplied dial indicator is no different than any other 1 inch travel dial indicator which is accurate to .001. The dial can be easily zeroed by loosening the set knob and rotating the dial until it zeros with the needle, no matter the needle's position on the dial. As a Kit, it does come with tip extensions to accommodate tuning from further distances. These tip extensions are not inexpensive nor really easy to find when purchased separately, yet nice to have. This dial indicator, will also fit any magnetic base, so adding a magnetic base to augment this indicator will round out this tool's capability to make most any other test or adjustment on most shop machines, If you buy a Magnetic base, you will not need another dial indicator if you have this kit.

When considering the package, this Super Bar, Dial Indicator, and the assortment of tip extensions is priced right.

An absolute necessity to insure Safety, Trunion alignment, blade trueness, fence alignment and cut quality on any saw.