I encountered 7 days of delays due to one reseller who told me the day I was to receive the product that they wouldn’t have it. The second shipped me the product missing 3 bags containing the necessary hardware to assemble.
When I contacted Incra, I was treated with total indifference, and when I asked if the parts could be overnighted I was told “No”. That’s it, just “NO”.
I then took Amazon’s offer to replace the product with 2 day delivery. I have to think the inventory hassle and shipping two heavy boxes far outweighs doing something like sending the nuts and bolts overnight. Heck I would have paid the shipping, but I wasn’t even offered a conversation on the topic. That indifference really concerns me since I look at these things like a partnership. I need vendors that will stand behind their product and support my business.
When I did receive the second shipment there was damage to the box, and it had been opened and resealed. Hopefully just to check that it was complete. No note or message from the sender.
What you receive is two completely separate products shoved into a single larger box that tells the world what’s inside. So if you have concerns about packages being stolen, make sure you have them package it in a discrete box. That option is in the checkout process.
Assembly is straight forward, however many people have commented about the difficulty of the expansion mechanics on the miter track. I ended up having to go to the hardware store to replace the screws also. They aren’t a common screw either. $10.00 later and a new Allen wrench to help I went back to it. What I found to work was to use a punch and mallet on the wedge on the underside of the track and put some oil between the two surfaces. You need to be careful, but taking the work off the screws was important. Even with the extra care, I was close to stripping the new bolts. This as well as the other two track installs required is the weak point of the install process, tooling, and instructions. Having to make a trip to the hardware store just set me back further. The tooling for the drop table side is questionable on how secure that will be over time. This is a sled that will come on and off the table saw often. Wouldn’t it make sense to have the lock down on the drop table as accessible as the main table? Instead you have to remove 4-6 screws just to access the cams. Some type of clamp and lever would work well.
Also when installing the fence, if you need to use the white expansion discs, it tells you to put the slit a few degrees before the opening to the channel of the track. Meaning put it at 12 o’clock when the opening is at 1PM. The goal being that the slit does not end up in the channel rendering it nonfunctional. You are better off putting it at about 9 to avoid the issue of the disc rotating all together.
As you get towards installing the Fence, this is where the two separate products and their separate documentation causes frustration. The sled instructions talk about using third party mitre gauges, but is silent to using Incras. Do I need to use the cam screws with Incra’s gauge? I don’t know. Likewise the fence instructions are silent about the sled to a large extent. How difficult would
It be to have one integrated set of documents or at least insure the two connect? I read about how awesome their instructions are. I think it may come from guys who feel like they should have been better able to figure it out. That’s not the case. The instructions are reasonable but don’t lean your confidence on that. They are with some significant gaps, weak pictures, and failure to provide caution and advice on how to work with the expansion bolts, so as not to break them.
At several points the instructions have you do things without explaining why. For example putting the stop at zero next to the blade. When would I need to use the stop at zero? Then placing it on the extension fence to get the measurements on the ruler done. The ruler is on the fence not the stop. I may be missing something here so please let me know.
Last, regarding the hold down clamp and usage of the sled. In my opinion the clamp is only moderately useful. Any work piece that’s more than an inch tall can be challenging, and the shape of the clamp wants to push your material which ruins your measurements. The bolt is not long enough to raise it up to come down at a better angle. Second, there’s no rule at the back of the sled to allow for matching up your measurements. INCRA goes to great trouble on the Fence, but a sled designed to handle 24 inch deep material needs to have a trued up rule on both ends. Third, to get the sled with a 24 inch piece of material in front of the blade is downright not safe. The sled wants to fall off my DeWalt saw. Maybe it’s my saw but anyone with the same footprint which is every DeWalt job site saw out there is at risk. The t track to the left of the blade happens to fall right at the edge of the table. It would seem like a minor project to create a guide that would prevent the sled from tipping back. But as I’m raising the blade, and turning on the saw, I don’t need to be attempting to balance the sled as it tops back from the table. There has to be a better answer.
Long cuts and thin cuts is the reason I bought the sled, and it’s not capable of getting my work done in a safe way. I’m surprised at the lack of caution statements made by INCRA.
Overall:
1. This is a very high quality piece of hardware.
2. Having done my research, I haven’t found anything that matches it in the market.
3. It still doesn’t meet my needs yet, but I’ll figure something out. 24 inch cuts are out of the question. There is no solid clamping, and removal of the sled requires work.
4. The price is absolutely on par when you compare what you would get on other offerings.
5. The instructions and guidance could be greatly improved with a few small, yet critical improvements.
6. I’m concerned about Incra as a partner. The indifference, and lack of engagement, or willingness to help me solve THEIR problem, is truly alarming! Not how you build loyalty, and quality product never overshadows bad customer support. How about at least an apology for the issue? I received nothing of the sort during my call, or in writing. No follow up to make sure it went well. Nothing. Maybe it was just a bad day. But it’s been several days since.
A simple overnight would have saved them from shopping me 2 units, mow having an open box item to sell for lower margin, and GAINED them a loyal customer!
I guess time will tell!
| Manufacturer | Incra |
|---|---|
| Part Number | ME/1000SE |
| Item Weight | 6.25 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 21.44 x 26.75 x 14.5 inches |
| Item model number | ME/1000SE |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | No |
