Incra and JoinTech market similar precision router fence systems.
When I was the WW show in Nov. '99, I watched demonstrations of both
systems and was convinced I wanted one or the other, but not having
the cash to buy either at the time. Taking in all the marketing hype
at the show, regretting I couldn't take one of their juicy show
packages that day, I drooled on the flyers and brochures when I got
home.
After reading all the literature, I decided the JoinTech was the
superior product, but with a much bigger initial cost. The Incra is
marketed as components while the JoinTech is sold as a complete system
(although it is sold on the web both as a system and as
components).
When you get the Incra components equivalent to a JoinTech
Cabinetmaker's System, I believe the price will be very similar.
Although I didn't verify this, you can at the respective websites. I
believe the equivalent Incra components to a JoinTech Cabinetmaker's
System are an Incra Jig Ultra and an Incra Intelli-Fence.
IMHO, the features that make the JoinTech a better system are
the fence inserts
better dust collection
more templates and smarter organization of same
parallax reduction scrib mark on the clear plastic curser
better center finding system
Which system for me?
I bought a used 16" Incra Ultra Jig from someone on the net for about
60% of retail. It was an easy way to grab a tool that I wanted to
play with for far less than buying either system new.
What's New?
There's a recent addition to the Incra product line. It's called the
"WonderFence" and it seems to address the dust collection issue listed
above. As of this writing, details are not available on the
Woodpecker's website. It's just $20. more than the Intelli-Fence it
appears to replace, but it's pricey compared the the JoinTech
SmartFence (a component of the JoinTech system) . Makes me wonder:
Has anyone attempted to attach the JoinTech SmartFence to a Incra
system?
