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The fit and finish is good and the stops were properly set out of the box, no adjustments necessary. I'd much prefer a more robust, easier to see pointer like are found on the Incra and Kreg miter gauges. It installed easily and is a nice accessory for smaller stock. I bought this miter to replace the one that came with my Delta 10" contractors saw. I purchased the Delta 34-568 Miter Gauge Clamp to go with the Deluxe miter gauge.
It's a much nicer made, more adjustable miter, which should be standard issue on all Delta saws. Adjusting the bar for the slop in the miter track was simple and easily done. My only real gripe is that they're still using the same pointer that they've used for decades. The problem with that is that it's relatively easy to bump that pointer and knock it out of proper alignment, plus it can be difficult to see precisely where it's located on the scale.
My older Delta gauge, which wore out after about 16 years of use, had a better pointer and scale so that it was easier to get an accurate reading. Delta makes a fine product. I am mostly happy with it. The pointer was right on the scale. The needle pointing to the degree mark is removed from the scale by about 1/8 to 1/4 inch, so the reading is hard to see precisely.
After milling the saw table tracks so they were true, but slightly oversized is no longer a problem. I always double check my angles with a protractor, no matter what gauge I'm using. It does exactly what it's designed to do. The miter tracks in my old saw were worn to the point where my miter gauge no longer stayed true. This is a good, simple, well-made, easy to set-up and use basic gauge.
The Delta miter gauge uses simple allen adjusters that compensate for the wear. I adjusted the miter gauge screws for a snug fit and I'm back in business. The gauge is beefy and has a "good feel". It's doesn't have laser cut stops or any high-tech features.
The guage has a bigger head than all of my older guages which makes for Excellent support for any cut. I think the small screws that hold the adjustment plate in place under the head are not rated for the 3 foot drop test, putting the guage back to square is simple enough though. This guage dose not like the sudden stop from a dive off the top of my saw but what ones do. Right out of the box mine was set to a perfect 90 and 45. I have been using this gauge for about 4 months and am very happy with it.
If you have or get one that wants to test gravity check the settings before you make a cut that really counts. It is fast to set up with very easy to make adjustments IF needed. The VERY minor things I have had to tweak are the slippery face of the head which was very easy to fix by adding shelf stick sand paper and putting a small amount of thread locker on one of the miter slot adjustment screws to keep it from backing out and allowing the guage to wiggle in the table slot. If Delta made a add-on fence this guage would be right up there with the other Best guages. You can adjust this guage to fit worn table slots to a Perfect no slop slide which we all know makes for the best cut.
This purchase was intended to simply replace a broken unit. Good unit. It is, however, a substantial upgrade from the stock unit that Delta supplied with my saw. Adjustment to all frequently used settings is both very fast and very accurate, and the working gage surface is nicely machined and large enough to provide adequate support (and control) for any of my typical workpieces.
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