INCRA Auto Centering Scale - Manual

INCRA Auto Centering Scale
Before installing any of the INCRA joinery templates in preparation for cutting a dovetail or box joint you must
first position your fence so that the router bit is aligned with the center of your board’s width. This can be
done using the manual “centering” method described on pages 3-4 of the INCRA Master Reference Guide &
Template Library. The manual method does require a trial cut on a scrap of wood but it will work on any width of
stock. However, if you are working with a board width that is some multiple of 1⁄16" you’ll find the INCRA Auto
Centering Scale provides a quick and easy way to find the center that requires no trial cuts!
Here’s how:
Positioning the Auto Centering Scale
Install the router bit recommended for the selected joint
pattern and set the depth of cut as described on pages
2-3 of the INCRA Master Reference Guide & Template
Library.
Zero the fence to your cutter with the router bit behind
the fence rather than in front. To do this, slide your
fence to cover the router bit (the bit should be inside
the notch just slightly behind the front face of the fence)
and place your jig in the micro adjust mode. Place a
straight board against the fence and micro adjust the
fence position until you see the router bit just barely
touching the board, Fig 1. Pull the carriage clamp up to
lock your jig.
Slide the INCRA Auto Centering Scale into one of the
scale slots. You’ll notice on the right end of the scale
the words “Router Bit Diameter” and an arrow pointing
to the following numbers:
1 ⁄ 8 , 1 ⁄ 4 , 3 ⁄ 8 , 1 ⁄ 2 , 5 ⁄ 8 , 3 ⁄ 4 , 7 ⁄ 8 , 1.
Slide the scale to position the number that matches your
router bit diameter directly under the hairline cursor.
(Fig. 2)
Using the Auto Centering Scale
Unlock and slide the fence until you see the dimension on the scale that matches your selected stock
width directly under the hairline cursor. Lock the fence in place.
Example: If you are centering on
a 6" wide board, slide your fence until you see the 6" mark on the Auto Centering Scale under the
cursor and lock the jig in place. Now slide your joinery template into one of the scale slots, position
the suggested center cut mark directly under the hairline cursor and you are ready to cut the joint.
Note: Your Auto Centering Scale has marks on the top edge that are closer together than the marks
on the bottom edge. When reading the scale, each mark along the top represents 1 ⁄ 16 " of board
width. Each mark along the bottom edge represents 1 ⁄ 8 " of board width.
1 2 3
1
8 3
8 5
8 7
8
1
4 1
2
1
2 1
2 1
2
3
4
1
2
3
Made in America by:
Taylor Design Group, Inc.
■
P.O. Box 810262
■
Dallas, Texas 75381
■
Web Site: www.incra.com
Printed in the U.S.A. © 1999, Taylor Design Group, Inc. INCRA is a registered trademark of Taylor Design Group, Inc. 04/00
FIG. 1
Zero fence to cutter
FIG. 2
Position Auto Centering Scale
under hairline cursor
Board pressed
against fence
Micro adjust fence
until router bit just
touches piece of wood
Fence
Slide mark that
matches your bit
diameter under cursor