Comparison between
TS-Aligner Jr. and Shop Wizard
Introduced in 1995, TS-Aligner Jr. was specifically designed for homeshop woodworking machinery. To this day it remains the premiere alignment tool for the homeshop woodworker.
Pricing
Shop Wizard TS-Aligner Jr. Base Model $159.95 $133.46 Offset Bar Not available Included Angle Attachment Gage Not available Included Instructional Video Not available Included Dial Indicator
Included $13.60 - $169.38 Total: $159.95 $146.66 - $302.84 It appears as if Best Wood Tools is the only place to purchase the Shop Wizard. The above price is listed on their web site as the "regular" price. A "sale" price is also currently listed as $139.99. I believe this is how it was listed a couple of years ago when I first wrote this review. The accessories that I've listed provide functionality that is included as standard with TS-Aligner Jr.
What is included
I do not own the Shop Wizard but you can get a brief description with a photo at the Best Wood Tools web site.
Shop Wizard consists of a large machined piece of red anodized aluminum. The edges of the Base are machined for gaging angles of 90 and 45 degrees.
A standard dial indicator is mounted on a articulating arm. The dial indicator must be tilted significantly to make measurements closer to the table surface.
Miter slot guidance is provided by a bar.
Miter Gauge angles are set by placing pins in various holes. Settings include 0 (90), 15, 22.5, 30, and 45 degrees for both left and right angles.
The dial indicator isn't used in angle measurements.
Comparison of standard features:
This section compares the features and functionality of Shop Wizard with the TS-Aligner Jr.
Miter slot guidance
TS-Aligner Jr. uses a unique three bearing system for miter slot guidance. It can be adjusted to fit any slot from 5/8" to 7/8", providing a play free fit that is extremely accurate and smooth. The Shop Wizard uses a bar. I don't know if the bar has any mechanism for dealing with play.
Cross Bar
The Cross Bar on TS-Aligner Jr. is eight inches long. It can be adjusted horizontally into any position and locked in place securely. This allows you to adjust the position of the dial indicator for a variety of needs. The Shop Wizard uses a short articulating bar to connect the dial indicator to a block. This block rides in the slot on top of the base. It appears to provide only a few inches of horizontal travel.
Height gage functions
Using the Upright Bar, TS-Aligner Jr. can be easily configured as a height gage. The dial indicator can easily positioned anywhere along it's five inch length. This allows the dial indicator to be used to measure objects with a height of more than one inch (full travel of the dial indicator). Shop Wizard allows the dial indicator to be pointed downward but it doesn't appear to be high enough to take advantage of the full travel of the dial indicator.User's Manual
TS-Aligner Jr. comes with an extensive 44 page printed manual full of photos and illustrations. I do not know what sort of manual the Shop Wizard comes with.Features included with TS-Aligner Jr. but not available for Shop Wizard
Offset Bar
This feature allows measurements to be made very close to the table surface (about 1/4"), enhancing the accuracy of blade alignment and making precise adjustments to the miter gauge much easier. The position of the dial indicator on Infinitti is fixed. The stylus is designed to be one inch from the table surface. It cannot be changed. An offset bar is not available.
Angle Attachment Gage
The Angle Attachment Gage utilizes basic one inch trigonometry to measure angles with remarkable accuracy. It's a unique feature only found on TS-Aligner Jr. (both Deluxe and Lite versions).
Angle measurement
TS-Aligner uses the dial indicator in conjunction with the Angle Attachment Gage in two methods for measuring angles. It takes advantage of basic trigonometry to achieve remarkable accuracy. A tangent table is included to translate dial indicator readings to angular measurements. Optional angle blocks and can be used to further increase accuracy and ease of use. This degree of accuracy is necessary for cutting precise, tight fitting miter joints without the need for test cuts. Shop Wizard has no means to measure angles. It can only be used to set certain discrete angles.
Custom Storage Case
An optional plastic storage case with a custom foam insert is available for TS-Aligner Jr. ($40.35). A storage case is not available for Shop Wizard.Video
The video helps to give you a quick understanding of TS-Aligner Jr. and how it is used to align machinery. There is no video included or available for Shop Wizard.Last revised: January 28, 2008.
