I just want to thank the several Qwas fanatics that have pre-ordered their Qwas Rail Fence.  We used it again last night to cross cut some shelving, and man!  It is really slick.  We had a friend in  the shop that is doing an install on some build in's (on site) tomorrow, and he is borrowing it today for the job.

Thanks again to those lucky dude!

Timmy

Brice I saw that.  Congratulations, this thing is going to be very very slick!  I am anxious to have your take on it.  Come on WaterJet.  Let's get these things rolling!!!!

Thanks Brice!

Timmy

 Timmy,

Looking forward to taking delivery also.  I have a big job starting at the end of the month (about 20 site built carcases and a bunch of semi custom cabs to install.  I'd love to give this thing a workout. 

Steve, thanks for taking the ball and running with it.

Dan

Just ordered one.  Spent about a half hour yesterday fussing around cutting cabinet parts trying to get the cuts square (on top of all of the time I waste on other jobs doing the same thing...)  Can't wait to put this to work.

Thanks Qwas.

Peter, the simple answer is no. The 1400 rail is barely long enough to make cuts of that length on its own. It is only 7 inches longer than the plywood, leaving 3.5 on each end.

Good Morning Pete, my prototype is being used.  I used the rail fence on some 34 1/4 wide.  I have deferred this question to Dr. Qwas so we should have an answer for you soon.

Timmy

Actually, that might not be a bad idea Brice.  Providing I charge the appropriate price per inch, I am in line with the Festool Licensing.  Hmmmmmm..............

Timmy 

Corwin, you are right, no space for a clamp. I thought about it but then it would interfere with the fence being a square triangle off of the rail. My thinking is if you are routing chances are you are on the bench where other clamping options are available. You could clamp the Rail Fence to the table, slide the Rail Fence farther on the guide rail and then clamp the rail, etc...

Steve, I'm not clear on that, could you snap a close-up picture of the underside with the square attached?  From the "far away" picture above it looks like there could be a "U" shape notch just wide enough for the clamp -- There also may be a bit of trimming required on the nut you attach the square with.

The FS-Rapid clamp would work on the far end of the rail and qwas speed square would act as the stop.  Or you could use the gecco clamps depending on the material you were using.

Maybe it is just a difference of opinion, but I would think the ability to use your new guide rail accessory with both the saws and the routers would be preferable to retaining any ability for the use as a square 'off' the rail when/if that would also limit routing operations.  Heck, we all have other squares, don't we?  Sure, it would be handy, but I would think your product would be handier if it would allow the rail to be clamped in place.  

I'm not understanding your other clamping options for holding the rail to the workpiece during routing operations.  As I see it, using the Festool clamps in the rail's bottom T-track slot is the only way to clamp the rail to the workpiece in a way that also leaves the top of the rail clear for the router to travel unencumbered.  If you have a way to use your new product that works for those routing operations, please elaborate.

As is, this new Rail Fence looks fine for cutting operations.  But, I think I would be disappointed by this accessory if I could not also use it successfully for routing...

On Edit:  I see 3 new posts since I started this reply...  Wayne's suggestion of the FS-Rapid clamp or even the Gecco clamps might work in some situations, but I would certainly prefer to use the standard clamps instead -- much better grip and would work for all situations.

Here is another method. It requires having a scrap piece the same thickness as the workpiece. The setup is about the same as my last example but instead of a bolt in the table profile, it uses another quick clamp. The clamp at the near end is mounted upside down. Although the router will never need to be at the close end, there is room for its rail guide to fit with the clamp in place.

I have to disagree.  Two short cuts on the band saw will provide the needed clearance for the clamp when routing.  Bless Steve's heart, he's trying to provide a method which avoids any surgery on the square but it ends up defeating the speed & convenience inherent in the new product in the end.  In many (most) cases the square will be just fine out of the box for most peoples purposes.  To make a secure setup for routing, Steve turn your head & don't look...

Update, as of this evening.  The initial 50 that they are rushing is now down to 26 left for delivery the 22nd.  We hope to have a conversation with our fabricators tomorrow to see if we can squeeze 25 - 50 more on that initial run. 

I just want to thank all of you for your support, and the many ideas (spit-balling) that has been going on.  It keeps Dr. Qwas on his toes.


Timmy C

It has some "depth" on the rail to get it's accuracy and strength to keep it from get bumped off afterwards. If you were going to use another square to align with, you would still want some depth for the strength reason.