Tom Cancelleri Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 I see most people using the left miter slot on their table saw for their miter gauge. I have my Incra 1000SE setup for the right slot and my Incra Miter5000 set up for the right slot as well, with the left slot for the cutoff support. I figure the wing and extension table out to the right make it better for supporting longer pieces. Is this just a preference thing, or is there any sort of advantage to having it on the left that I'm not aware of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 Nope just preference I rarely use the left slot. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 Often this has to do with a length of stock that will hit the fence. If you are careful enough to not need the fence setting anymore it is like Don said. If, however, you worked yourself into a corner... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 Often this has to do with a length of stock that will hit the fence. If you are careful enough to not need the fence setting anymore it is like Don said. If, however, you worked yourself into a corner... If you have a rectangular fence rail and you find yourself in this situation rather than make a unsafe cut or awkward cut just clamp a piece of scrap to your fence rail butted against the fence and lift it off the saw. When you put it back it will be perfect. I just use a kreg clamp no scrap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 Genius. Thanks for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 If you have a rectangular fence rail and you find yourself in this situation rather than make a unsafe cut or awkward cut just clamp a piece of scrap to your fence rail butted against the fence and lift it off the saw. When you put it back it will be perfect. I just use a kreg clamp no scrap. Or use the left slot...just sayin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 I use the right slot about 80% of the time, right handed - sent via Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Only time I use the right slot is with a sled that has two runners. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 If you are cutting a bevel, blade tilt also forces your hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefmagnus@grics.net Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 OK I will state a example of my wierdness. I have a regular sled for the left slot and my dado sled is for the right slot. I use my dado sled for support for cut offs it has a piece that I made to fill the gap so there is only about a 1/8th" gap. that attaches to the upright of the dado sled. I have an aluminum guide on both sleds. I have even thought about making a sled that spans both slots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcarswell Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 I have my 1000hd in my right slot. All my miter gauge have always been in the right slot. Just a habit I've gotten comfortable with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 I'm a righty, miter goes in the left slot 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarrylR Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 I think for right handed people the left slot feels more intuitive, that way you can use your right hand to push the miter gauge and not hae your left hand hanging there by the blade. But mostly a matter of preference. +1 -Darryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 I'm a lefty and use the left slot. Using the right slot feels like wearing my pants backwards. Like those idiot kids in the 90s. Kris Kross? Man I wish I didn't remember them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 Miter in the right slot, left thumb in the blade, I'm sure of it. I couldn't scratch my butt with my left hand if I had to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weithman5 Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 I have used both, but for the most part I use a sled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgeram99 Posted November 27, 2014 Report Share Posted November 27, 2014 It feels natural for me to use the left side. I also use my right hand for the miter saw. Even though it can be used for both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 27, 2014 Report Share Posted November 27, 2014 I use my Osbourne Excalibur miter gauge on both sides although it is a bit of a pain to swap around. Usually keep it set up for the left slot. The triangle brace, longer fence and flip stops work very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Crawford Posted November 28, 2014 Report Share Posted November 28, 2014 I use the left - stated that way and not sure why. Now still use left because the puts my Saw Stop off paddle right at my left knee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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