Kreg KMS7102 vs. POWERTEC 71142
Shopping for a new miter gauge? Compare the features of the Kreg KMS7102 and POWERTEC 71142 and make an informed purchase!
Let’s take a look at these two miter gauges: the Kreg KMS7102 and the POWERTEC 71142.
Features & Benefits
You can read more in our roundup of the best table saw miter gauges.
Related: The Best Table Saw Miter Gauges
Angle Stops & Precision
Most miter gauges will have positive stops at common angles such as 45° and 90°. This ensures you are making precise cuts. Better miter gauges will have stops at more angles, and provide better precision.
The Kreg has stops at 0°, 10°, 22.5°, 30°, and 45° and can be set to other angles with 0.01° precision. The POWERTEC has stops every 5° between 0° and 60°, plus 22.5°.
Fence
A fence attached to the miter gauge’s head helps steady the workpiece for more precise cuts. It may also have a stop attached to make repeatable cuts of the same length.
The KMS7102 has a 24”-long fence. The 71142 has a 7”-long fence.
Bar Style & Size
You want to choose a miter gauge that fits your table saw’s miter slots, both in size and shape. Most miter slots are 3/4” wide and 3/8” deep, though there are variations. They can be either rectangular slots (with straight sides and bottom) or T-slots (with small indentations along the bottom edge that keep a miter gauge from slipping out). You can use a rectangular miter gauge bar in a T-slot, but not vice versa, since the T-shaped protrusions won’t fit.
The bars on both gauges have a width of 3/4” and a depth of 3/8”. The bar on the KMS7102 has a length of 24”. The bar on the 71142 has a length of 17 3/4”. Both products have a rectangular-shaped bar and come with an adapter for T-slots.
Pros & Cons
Let’s take a look at some of the pluses and minuses of these products.
For the Kreg:
Pros
- Precision-milled 24” fence
- Very solid positive lock at specific angles
- Highly precise micro-adjustment
- Nylon screws will not scratch miter slots
Cons
- Some reports of missing adjustment screws or poorly-fitting pivot pin out of the box
For the POWERTEC:
Pros
- Positive stops every 5° up to 60°
- Nylon adjustment discs won’t scratch your miter slots
- Supports both rectangular and T-slot miter slots
Cons
- No fence included in standard bundle
- Some customers report it can’t be adjusted wide enough for certain table saw miter slots
- Shape of locking mechanism leaves a tiny bit of play
Comparison Chart
Below is a full side-by-side comparison of these products’ specs. You can view comparisons of the Kreg KMS7102 with other products
and comparisons of the POWERTEC 71142 with other products.| Kreg KMS7102 | POWERTEC 71142 | |
|---|---|---|
| | |
| Bar Dimensions | 3/4” W × 24” L × 3/8” D | 3/4” W × 17 3/4” L × 3/8” D |
| Brand | Kreg | POWERTEC |
| Weight | 6 lbs | 2.6 lbs |
| Bar Style | rectangular | rectangular |
| Fence Length | 24” | 7” |
| Fence Stop Precision | n/a | |
| Precision | 0.01° | |
| Stops | 0°, 10°, 22.5°, 30°, and 45° | every 5° between 0° and 60°, plus 22.5° |
| T-slot Adapter | ||
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