MasterGage SB-1 SuperBar

First, this device actually works, and it works fairly well. It is inexpensive, easy to adjust, and ... it works. I already have a full set of indicators, bases, etc., but setting up a base to slide in my table saw's miter track is a pain, so I figured I'd give this little device a go.The upsides:It really, actually works. For very little money this thing lets you measure a lot of parameters. It'll let you measure everything you can actually reasonably tune (parallelism slot-to-blade and slot-to-fence, total blade face runout).The downsides:1. The SuperBar base doesn't let you measure *everything*. You could conceivably clamp it to the table on its side to measure shaft runout. Measuring arbor face runout or anything more sophisticated will take a proper universal indicator base or some other kit from MasterGage.2. The indicator that comes with it isn't very high quality, but it works well enough. For this kind of money you're not going to be getting Starett-quality build. For woodworking (or even basic machining) setup, it's good enough. The included nose extensions are a nice touch for people who don't already have them (and they're absolutely required for the gauge to reach any good-sized table saw). I wish there were a version without the indicator for those of us who have good ones already. (This one is just going to get donated to a friend.) This isn't a really minor complaint, I suppose.3. The textured plastic body wears, requiring adjustment. Table saw slots are precision-cut but aren't high polish. As you use the thing the sides that run against the miter slot edges will wear down. The textured plastic becomes polished plastic. This is actually a Good Thing as it makes it more stable, but it means you'll have to keep chasing the adjustment setscrews for tightness the first few times you use it.3. The outrigger pins aren't aligned very well. The low accuracy of inexpensive plastic molding processes means they simply won't. They're neither at perfect right angles to the body (in the vertical) nor are their bottoms all co-planar. Given the small width of the force-bearing surface in the miter track, the sideways force from the indicator dial will deflect the gauge in the track, affecting the measurement. (Imagine pressing your finger along the plunger in the product picture up there; the whole thing wants to lever over towards you.) No amount of adjustment of the set screws in the SuperBar will eliminate all of this. Good indicating technique will minimize this error but this leads to my last (and only major) complaint:4. No instructions! Thankfully I come from a family of machinists so I know what to measure, how to reduce measurement error, etc., but this thing comes with merely a page of pictures of what you can measure. It doesn't show anything about the techniques you'll need to actually make the SuperBar useful: how to move the high spot on the blade with the indicator as you measure track-to-blade parallelism, how to lift and set down the indicator point to eliminate force-induced errors, etc. Without those, your average user wouldn't be able to get any decent accuracy from the device, no matter its precision! Example: if you happened to have a saw blade with 40 thou of runout (think: thickness of a thin, cheap piece of paper) you'd be lost at how to get your blade and squarer than that: the measurement would keep changing on you as the blade happened to be in different positions.Summary: it's a smartly-built device and it works. I put a lot of stock in something working so, despite the many problems, I give it an average three stars. Nonetheless, I think I'll be bugging my brother to machine a proper sliding indicator base for me.

I was able to quickly and accurately calibrate my table saw (Grizzly G1023). After fiddling with it for a few minutes it slid snuggly in the miter slot. I understand where the complaints about the plastic parts come from. The plastic gives it the illusion that this isn't a well made tool. Plastic or not it worked as advertised. I did use this in conjunction with the MasterPlate. Also, so far I've only used it once.I looked at several other systems and ultimately purchased the SuperBar because it was cheaper and had good reviews. The other systems I considered were the TS-Aligner Jr. and the Woodpecker Saw Gauge. The TS-Aligner Jr appears to be the Cadillac, and just like a real Cadillac I can't justify the expense. Note, I only researched these systems online, I did not compare them side by side or have an opportunity to try them out.I give it 4 stars because it works as advertised and I would recommend it to a friend.

I found this a little fiddly to get accurately set in my mitre slot without any slop, but taking the time to get it right paid off.Once it was set, it was easy to get the table aligned perfectly with the blade. My table saw top has no fine adjustment, its simply unbolt, adjust, tighten and recheck. 3 goes and it was dead on.Once this was done I checked the fence which was also easy (Just reverse the direction of the MasterGage)It also showed the fence has a minor dip in the middle which I was able to correct.I never bothered with the masterplate option as I found it unnecessary.Not an item you would use often once your saw is setup, but definitely worth using to get your saw tuned.After all this, my saw has nice straight cuts, no pinch and best of all no more burn marks to sand off.

Because both Amazon,s web site and MasterGage web site make no mention of the main body being plastic and MasterGage,s site leaves/gives the impression that its made out stainless steel I can only recommend to READ the reviews IMHO its not worth what they are asking.

I agree with some of the comments that the plastic base is cheesy, but it works. My only complaint is that I had to push down on the bar each time in order to register it in the slot. After learning that technique, I had no problems. I had done the crossed pieces of wood and brass screw method a couple of weeks ago and got .003" accuracy. Last night I used the SuperBar and increased the accuracy to .000" +/- .0005". I would recommend this product. I did not get the Master plate and wonder how much it would have improved the accuracy.

Does the job, but kind of flimsy. When combined with master plate (a great tool) this permits accurate alignment of your saw blade with your t-slots. The "superbar" that fits into your table's t-slot is plastic and uses adjustment screws to distort the plastic to fit the slot. When sliding the bar along the table's t-slot, the plastic bends and distorts.Does the job, but I'm concerned about the longevity of the tool because of the cheap plastic bar. For the price, a metal bar should have been provided. An indicator gage with a magnet attaching to a miter slider would be easier to use. If you have time to experiment find another solution. If not buy mastergage.

The concept is good, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. It took a lot of fiddling around to get almost consistent results. There is way too much flex in the plastic body that fits into the miter slot. Trying to get the dial Zeroed was a pain in the rear. With so much body flex I wasn't confident the measurements were accurate. Maybe others have had better luck, but for me, it's outta here on its way back for a refund.

I was pretty happy to get this, then realized it won't fit in my miter gauge slot. I have an inexpensive Black & Decker saw with a T slot and it's just too wide. The construction and quality are nice though and I think this would be a great addition to a shop.