Hi Everyone

Imagine being in the middle of a field with just your trestles, a drill and a pair of small clamps. On the trestles is a bare board of MDF. Out of the sky the Parf Guide System (PGS) arrives and with it you are able to create a near CNC accurate array of 20 mm holes with the rows and columns at right angles.

It takes about 10 minutes to make a track saw cutting station for use with Veritas Parf Dogs. If you want to cut 77 holes for a custom bench top then it will take just over an hour.

The PGS has been nearly 3 years in development and has had several working prototypes along the way. All the components (bar a 3 mm drill bit) are custom made to amazing accuracy and I can assure you it does produce brilliant results. After my first year of work I approached Axminster Tools and Machinery and we joined forces to develop and refine the system. In the UK the system retails at £99.95.

Here is the Overview video:


I have also made a video in two parts showing the detail of its use.

Part 1:


Part 2:


Axminster have the initial stock but it will take a day or two for it to be on their web site. Their telephone sales staff can take orders right away whilst stocks last.

Peter

Pure genius!

Pure genius!

Hi Cliff,

Many thanks. When I made my mobile work bench I tried a number of ways to get the layout of holes right. I was so frustrated that I knew there had to be a practical solution. I have since replaced the top with a new one made using the final prototype system.

The first prototype of the PGS was a wooden mock-up which I still have. It is made from maple and I remember nervously taking it down to Axminster to show them They have been great.

There seems to be some (non woodworking) press interest in this which could be interesting.

Cheers.

Peter

Peter, I hope you are getting a generous cut of the profits. This looks like a real winner.

I will not be buying a yacht but I hope I may be lucky enough to be able to have a week cycling in the summer.

Cheers.

Peter

When is it in store?

It can be ordered by phone now, hopefully on the website tomorrow but I am not sure how many of the first production run will make it to the stores.

Peter

That is such a great idea. Thank you are all the helpful videos!

Cheers.

Peter

I was just going to post the video on here but I find you lot already know.

Looks good Peter. I've posted it on the UK workshop forum.

Ingenious idea and am sure it will so be on my wish list

My one question is how critical is it that the 3mm pilot holes are as near as vertical as possible. If they are not vertical will it introduce error into the spacing of the 20mm dog holes?

Good on ya Peter!  I love the simplicity of it. Great job keeping everything in line and nice and tidy!  I think you have a winner here... Might have to replace my LR 32 setup to do this now. ;^)

Cheers. Bryan.

Absolutely brilliant Peter. While I have you I'd like to thank you for all your hard work and videos, I thoroughly enjoy them and get a lot out of them.

Really well designed and executed.  Your videos make you realize 'why didn't I think of that'.  You nailed it with simplicity.

Would love to see this available in the US in time.

neil

Ingenious idea and am sure it will so be on my wish list

My one question is how critical is it that the 3mm pilot holes are as near as vertical as possible. If they are not vertical will it introduce error into the spacing of the 20mm dog holes?

The 3 mm holes need to be as near vertical as possible and that is not hard to achieve with the stainless steel guide provided in the kit. It only takes about 4 or 5 goes with it to sense when things are not upright.

Yesterday I had a woodworking novice visit me (at his expense and nothing was offered or promised in return) and I filmed him doing a small bench top for his garage workshop. He has been woodworking for just 3 months since retirement! He had no problems at all, I took no part in the use of the PGS and he produced a perfect piece of work. I will post a video about this when I can get the editing done.

As I said, nothing was offered or promised but I did give him a set of Veritas Parf Dogs and Small Bench Dogs as a thank-you at the end.

Peter

Really well designed and executed.  Your videos make you realize 'why didn't I think of that'.  You nailed it with simplicity.

Would love to see this available in the US in time.

neil

This is the very top of the to-do list and I am sure that Axminster will be looking at the North American options very hard in the next day or two.

Peter

I second what Petey83 said about UJK quality being top notch. I bought one of their mitre gauge/fences and its excellent.

I noticed this on the Axminster website this morning and then discovered this thread!

Great work Peter. I can see many uses for this, jigs setups in particular.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/ujk-technology-parf-guide-system-102278

Hi Peter,
              Thanks for the video demo. I'll be visiting the UK next month and thought this would be a great item to bring back to Australia with me. I spoke with a nice lady at Axminster today and she said these items are proving to be very popular so I'm on backorder. Lets hope the factory in Axminster will be burning some midnight oil and ramping up production. I'm looking forward to receiving this. thanks again.

I volunteered to be the test case in NA, the system accepted the order but note that they have to "quote" shipping.

I recall having this happen on a previous Axminster order, so I expect to receive an email with the shipping quote, from which I have a link to complete the order. Pretty nice system, customer friendly.

RMW

PS - Peter, excellent design. It is no small matter to overcome all the design challenges and end up with a viable product that can be mass produced and marketed for a reasonable price. Kudos to you!

Hi Richard,

That is a brilliant idea to describe the North American ordering process - it will help a lot of people. I am sure that once things settle down there will be a friendly NA stockist or stockists that will make life much easier.

It has been a really interesting and educational process taking the PGS from a germ of an idea with wooden mock-ups to the final product. I have to say that the clever people at Axminster did make sure that finished design was viable in terms of both  manufacturing process and final cost. My final AutoCAD drawing would have taken twice the machining, twice the raw material and hence twice the cost but you could at least have used it as a weapon of mass destruction !

I realise I might be expected to say this but the PGS does truly deliver near CNC accuracy. I have some timings as well - to drill the 3 mm holes at the start of the process takes an average of 20 seconds each and then the boring of the 20 mm holes takes 15 seconds (yes less time) each. I can now do it faster than that but I have been doing it a lot recently. A chap just doing the odd slab from time to time should be able to achieve those figures.

On the subject of timing - someone said to me that he could use the PGS to do a complete new bench top in less time that it would take him to drive to the local CNC workshop.

Cheers.

Peter

Well done Axminster for being on the ball, especially with the export orders.

Good luck with the new workshop.

Peter

Really cool design -  Will the 20 mm bit be offered as a replaceable item by Axminster.  From the video, this bit appears to be custom sized to fix the jig.  I'm assuming after a hundred holes it may need to be replaced.  Thanks

All of the components will eventually be available as individual replacement parts. The only ordinary item is the 3 mm drill bit and you can replace that easily enough without any fuss.

I have used my system (lets call it PGS One) to provide photographs for Axminster (about 140 holes cut in ordinary MDF). I have then made my 3 videos - about another 100 holes. I have not made a video of this (but you may see clips of it in my first 3 videos) where I make a 77 hole custom bench top (11x7). On Tuesday I had a visit from an amateur wood worker and we did about 55 holes whilst he was here. On top of all of that I have had some practice goes to check timings for the production of holes. I estimate that I am now over the 400 mark with PGS One.

The 20 mm cutter is a fine piece of precision engineering and not a cheap import. It is so important to the overall success of the PGS that a lot of thought (not mine - but clever chaps at Axminster) has gone into it. I understand that the grinding angles, lapping and so on (or whatever terms should be used - not my area of expertise) are all designed to make the cutter very efficient at removing waste. It certainly does not get hot and just keeps going.

One thing to watch for when you get your PGS. Like many Forstner style cutters, one often gets a disc of material stuck on the end after doing a cut - I have shown this in one of the videos (probably Part 2 of the detailed work). It is there because of the scoring cutting flanging widgity things that help create the near zero breakout. Just make sure that you pull this off before the start of the next cut otherwise it behaves like a washer and nothing happens when you try to do a cut.

I will be releasing a video soon showing the most recent cuts and they are all perfect. There is no breakout on the underside and the sides are very clean. I have a number of videos up my sleeve and they will all use PGS One. I will say if I need to replace the cutter and I will keep everyone informed of any wear and tear.

Peter

Thanks Peter - Are there any plans to bring PGS One to a US store.   Or is it an exclusive item for Axminster Only?  I'm happy to order it through Axminster although if I can save few dollars in shipping costs then I would prefer to wait until a US store stocks it.  Thanks for the reply.

I am sure that there will be a North American distributor soon. This is not something I am involved with. In the meantime I am advising people to order direct. I have no timings of any changes I am afraid.

Peter

Quote from: DiscoStu on March 15, 2016, 06:39 PM

I was just going to post the video on here but I find you lot already know.

Looks good Peter. I've posted it on the UK workshop forum.

Brilliant - well done. I am not a member of that forum and cannot take on another commitment like that so if there are any questions please get them referred to me either through YouTube or here.

Many thanks for your initiative.

Peter

Peter,

The only questions I'm seeing are "when will it be in stock" I don't know if anyone has been given an idea?

I just ordered my kit. Shipping to the USA. Axminster was really easy to order from. Used Paypal. I'm excited to use it.

This might as well be my first post here. Hi all!

Thanks Peter for this great new product. Perfect timing was about to drill holes in my new bench. So using Axminster's export email I sent them my address here in AU and within a few hours got replay with direct paypal link. This is how online ordering for international buyers should be done! Very easy and very reasonable shipping rates. Unlike some of the postage rates in the US... *cough* Woodpeckers.

Again thank you Peter for the effort that has gone into this. And thank you for your youtube channel! Without which I wouldn't have had the nerve to spend big on Festool!

Cheers, Jon.

Hi Jon

Welcome to the FOG and what an excellent first post - thank you.

I have done most of my work towards the Parf Guide System and now it is in Axminster's hands to make it, market it and sell it. I think all of that seems to be going jolly well and the initial uptake has (happily) taken us all by surprise.

I am glad the overseas ordering is working so smoothly.

Cheers.

Peter

Dare I say "parfect" ?

Nice one Peter.

This might as well be my first post here. Hi all!

Thanks Peter for this great new product. Perfect timing was about to drill holes in my new bench. So using Axminster's export email I sent them my address here in AU and within a few hours got replay with direct paypal link. This is how online ordering for international buyers should be done! Very easy and very reasonable shipping rates. Unlike some of the postage rates in the US... *cough* Woodpeckers.

Again thank you Peter for the effort that has gone into this. And thank you for your youtube channel! Without which I wouldn't have had the nerve to spend big on Festool!

Cheers, Jon.

  Jon

You've gotta love some of those shipping rates .. massively inconsistent. I remember enquiring about a guitar a few years back and the quoted shipping from the US was more expensive than a return flight to pick it up needless to say, I went elsewhere!

Please let us know how you go with the "parfomatic", I may get one too!

Just received Axminster's email as I was reviewing this thread, and placed the order. £109.30 including shipping to the US.

Brilliant!

RMW

Gosh, that is a excellent.

Every time I get anything from the US I have to pay the duty but then, on top of that, our Royal Mail, who handle the tax collection for our revenue service, charge a further £8 per package.

Good luck.

I wonder who in North America will be the first to post a video of their first custom bench top ?

Peter

John did a very good job Peter. You didn't need a pro

As the novice referred to by Peter, i am a member of FOG, and the process was as straightforward as it looks. I have a system on order as well, to make a larger portable top for cutting sheet goods.

It is great to be able to make tailor-made surfaces with holes only where you need them

I may have to get the Festool drill with the detachable chuck  ;-)

Peter I have a question/concern,it appears from the videos that the 3mm drill guide only rides on top of the holey rule rather than positively inserting into the holes and acting like a hardened guide bush,is that the case?,if so I would be concerned that with repeated use the 3mm drill bit will wear and enlarge the holes on the rule thereby throwing off the accuracy of the whole system,perhaps a larger hole in the rule in which a hardened guide bush could locate would avoid this problem

The steel rule is hardened steel and needs a hugely expensive drill to cut it on the CNC. The very slight abrasive action of a relatively soft 3 mm drill is unlikely to cause any problems. Next time you go to your workshop try cutting a hole in one of your steel rules.    Peter

I suppose if one was really concerned about the drill being in contact with the rule, they could use a hinge drill used for centring pilot holes in doors/frames.

Quote from: skinee on March 17, 2016, 04:59 PM

Peter I have a question/concern,it appears from the videos that the 3mm drill guide only rides on top of the holey rule rather than positively inserting into the holes and acting like a hardened guide bush,is that the case?,if so I would be concerned that with repeated use the 3mm drill bit will wear and enlarge the holes on the rule thereby throwing off the accuracy of the whole system,perhaps a larger hole in the rule in which a hardened guide bush could locate would avoid this problem

The steel rule is hardened steel and needs a hugely expensive drill to cut it on the CNC. The very slight abrasive action of a relatively soft 3 mm drill is unlikely to cause any problems. Next time you go to your workshop try cutting a hole in one of your steel rules.    Peter

most of these jobber type drill bits are in fact not "relatively soft" as they are made of high speed steel(HSS),they are intended to drill through steel and therefore will abrade and wear the holes in this rule which will, with repeated use, enlarge them,what degree of hardness(Rockwell) are the rules? this is the only weakness in an otherwise excellent system,i suggest further production runs adopt a positively locating hardened guide bush,it would only require larger hole in the rule and a modification of the drill guide,this in my opinion would make this system bulletproof

As others have said, very nice idea.

But the engineer in me wants to know "how square" you were able to actually achieve, instead of a simple, but unquantifiable "perfect cut". 

Can you follow up with a four-cut measurement of the squareness of the cutting sheet you just created?  I actually thought you were going in this direction when you had "first cut" written on the board.  The quantification I am looking for is along the lines of: "the setup is out of square by Xmm out of Ymm".

And then compare the result to your MFT.

...  use holey sheet goods in the shop.

RMW

All I hear is a Hispanic accent saying this Richard...

Cheers. Bryan.

Quote from: Stoli on March 17, 2016, 09:04 PM

As others have said, very nice idea.

But the engineer in me wants to know "how square" you were able to actually achieve, instead of a simple, but unquantifiable "perfect cut". 

Can you follow up with a four-cut measurement of the squareness of the cutting sheet you just created?  I actually thought you were going in this direction when you had "first cut" written on the board.  The quantification I am looking for is along the lines of: "the setup is out of square by Xmm out of Ymm".

And then compare the result to your MFT.

I have just done this and captured it on video in one take - in order to try and counter an sceptics. I started by marking my piece of board so viewers could see if I was up to mischief. I filmed the cutting in one go. I am keeping the pieces as they are and I am happy for any visitor to examine them.

The results will be up with the video in about 8 hours from now - I have a string of very interesting visitors at the moment !

Peter

Don't think it's about "sceptics". £100 is far too expensive if it doesn't cut the holes absolutely square and an absolute bargain if it does as you'll have MFT tops for life. Don't take people's question as scepticism, just due diligence and curiosity.

Looking forward to the 4 cut video.

Quote from: Richard/RMW on March 17, 2016, 09:15 PM

...  use holey sheet goods in the shop.

RMW

All I hear is a Hispanic accent saying this Richard...

Cheers. Bryan.

Bryan, picture me reading this, puzzled look, re-reading it, still no comprehension, slowly saying it out loud in my best Baba Looey imitation (eh', Queeksdraw...") and finally comprehending...

Yes, I laughed out loud.

RMW

Quote from: bkharman on March 17, 2016, 10:15 PM

Quote from: Richard/RMW on March 17, 2016, 09:15 PM

...  use holey sheet goods in the shop.

RMW

All I hear is a Hispanic accent saying this Richard...

Cheers. Bryan.

Bryan, picture me reading this, puzzled look, re-reading it, still no comprehension, slowly saying it out loud in my best Baba Looey imitation (eh', Queeksdraw...") and finally comprehending...

Yes, I laughed out loud.

RMW

Same genre but I was hearing Speedy Gonzalez!

Man I miss the 70's and 80's!! 

Glad you got a laugh out of it.

Cheers. Bryan.

Hi Everyone

I have made a video that shows the 4 cut test being done in the track saw cutting station that I created using the UJK Parf Guide System. Here is the link:



Peter

Excellent. The MFT3 is probably produced on a CNC so I am pleased with that.

Many thanks.

Peter

Thanks -- I guess I was the one that provided the "challenge", but I hope it did not come across as confrontational.

What those numbers mean is that if you were to do a cut that was 1406mm long, you'd be out of square by 0.3mm, which by all measures should be acceptable. 

Your value of 0.0002 is in radians.  This can easily be converted to 0.2millirad.  To convert to degrees (for angles this small) you multiply by 180/pi which comes out to 0.011 deg, or 0.69 minutes of arc (arc minutes), or 41 seconds of arc (arc seconds).

Those who know my real background will understand that I love a challenge and I must say that I am really grateful to be encouraged to check this out. I did not realise just how accurate the PGS might be other tan putting my engineer's square across a cut.

I think that in all fairness that results may vary by a little up and down depending on so many other factors. Even so, the overall accuracy is such that even with a poor following wind the results are still far better than most woodworking tasks demand.

Thank you.

Peter

Great video Peter, and thank you going above and beyond and doing the test. I also hope that my request wasn't seen as negative, which certainly wasn't the intention. Always good to have a test to back it up.

Looking forward to see it on this side of the pond.

Spot on!

It would still be interesting to compare this value to one from an MFT.  Then you can make quantifiable claims.

BTW, you pointed out the "squishiness" of the MFT as a factor in the measurement.  That is true.  The measurement is also more than just the errors in the layout.  How well the parf dogs fit in the holes, as well as your "process" (e.g. always pushing one one side) are included.

I do have a question, I plan on making an assembly table with holes and would like to double up on the MDF for strength. Due to space constraints the table will also function as router table. Probably with the Incra LS as fence. Will the drill-bit be long enough for drilling 40 millimeter deep allowing me to screw fasten my parf dogs from underneath?

It was silly of me to think that you need to drill the dog holes all the way through. On my own mobile bench the place where the Parf Dogs go is 55 mm thick. I have drilled the 20 mm holes about 25 mm deep and then, by hand with no guide, continued those holes but with an 8mm brad point to allow for the bolt to fix the Parf Dogs in place.

I do not routinely fix the Veritas Small Bench Dogs in place and so those holes can just stop at about 25 mm. In my 4 cut test video the Small Dogs were just loose and not secured at all. The Parf Dogs were screwed from undersneath in the normal way.

Peter

Hi Peter

Looks Like a very well thought out idea. I'm ok for holes at the moment but will definatly get one as the need arises. I could see it become addictive and every horizontal surface becoming peperd with holes

Just a thought. With another guide bush and drill bit and maybe a couple more holes it could it be used as a LR32 system ?

There will be some optional extras in due course to enhance the system as it stands.

Peter

Hi Ollie,

Thank you so much for your post - it has really made my day and has helped me decide to do the rest of the work on the first "PGS Xtras" video.

Cheers.

Peter

Thanks Peter for the 4 cut test. I was on the edge of my seat!! Dont think anyone would think you would cheat! Ive just ordered mine from axminsters on backorder to make myself one for my 8ft x 4ft workbench that ive just made with a completley coplanar surface. Cant wait. Keep up the good work, cheers. (Youtube subscriber, jwardimages)

The only thing to watch on your 8 x 4 work bench is how to clamp the Parf Sticks as you create the core set of 3 mm holes (the first row along the top and the first two columns on the left and right). I can do this with my small collection so if you need help just say.

You will have to post some pictures when you are done.

Peter

Brilliant!  Been waiting for something like this.  I placed an order on their website.  I'm in the US so we'll see what happens.

Tom

Just an update... I have been in contact with Peter's affiliates to get information about importing the UJK. I am waiting for them to provide the necessary information to get the ball rolling. I will keep you posted as soon as I hear something. I suspect they are busy working to take care of domestic sales first. Hopefully, I will have some info soon.

What a great system... I've been looking for a good solution to create accurate benchtop holes.

Could you tell me the shank diameter of the 20 bit? I have an idea to attach a spare  jacobs chuck to the drill bit to use as a quick release...

Thanks for all the great videos.
TIm from Michigan

The shank is 10 mm - it is ground to get it precise for the bearings in the drill guide.

Peter

Hi,

I want one !  I am in Canada, but my partner is going to be stopping in Heathrow for four hours in May enroute to Paris.  Any suggestions on how this could work ?  Are there any Festool dealers near Heathrow ?  Looking at the map of England it seems like a pretty small country (compared to Canada that is, no offence).

Thanks.

Brian

Yes there are festool dealers near Heathrow but it's not a Festool product. Axminster are selling it and the nearest one is about 40 minutes drive from Heathrow in high Wycombe.

Will you're partner be able to leave the airport if they're just transferring ?

Hi,

I want one !  I am in Canada, but my partner is going to be stopping in Heathrow for four hours in May enroute to Paris.  Any suggestions on how this could work ?  Are there any Festool dealers near Heathrow ?  Looking at the map of England it seems like a pretty small country (compared to Canada that is, no offence).

Thanks.

Brian

The UK might be small but Heathrow Airport is massive, there are 5 terminals, so unfortunately the stress you would cause to your partner trying to pull this one off would not be worth it, from what others are saying international delivery isn't too expensive on this product.

given that shane has withdrawn from offering this , could a few not get together and buy in bulk to save shipping

I haven't.
I hate the new website and also haven't needed to send anything to canada

Unexpected knock on the door this afternoon... guess what the Easter bunny left me?



Giggle.

RMW

Hi Richard

Lucky you - they are like hen's teeth due to demand.

Here is a little present for you:



The plans will be available on the Axminster web site soon but I can send them, free of charge, to anyone as long as I have an email address !

Peter

Unexpected knock on the door this afternoon... guess what the Easter bunny left me?

(Attachment Link)

Giggle.

RMW

Great to see someone has got one! I'm still waiting for stock!

I'm planing on building a systainer storage bench with MFT style top and NEED to get my hands on a set! :-)

Couldn't help myself, I had to unbox & fondle. Absolutely first quality set up, fit and finish is perfect.

Congrats Peter, the Parf tools collection continues to expand, proud to say I own the complete lineup so far.

RMW

Richard,

What was your final total price including shipping, any duties, tax, etc.?

Quote from: Richard/RMW on March 28, 2016, 02:15 PM

Couldn't help myself, I had to unbox & fondle. Absolutely first quality set up, fit and finish is perfect.

Congrats Peter, the Parf tools collection continues to expand, proud to say I own the complete lineup so far.

RMW

Richard,

What was your final total price including shipping, any duties, tax, etc.?

@P2P - Total was £109.30 including shipping to the US. $157 in real money. No duties, etc. The invoice shows £83.30 as the item cost and £26.00 for shipping. I'm not sure how they derived the cost as it is listed at £99.96 on their website.

I already tossed the packing slip but I seem to recall the value was posted on it and visible to customs in both countries, so I assume there are no duties collected on imports from GB.

So it appears that I may have the only set in NA.... do I hear any offers? 

RMW

Quote from: Richard/RMW on March 31, 2016, 04:19 PM

The invoice shows £83.30 as the item cost and £26.00 for shipping. I'm not sure how they derived the cost as it is listed at £99.96 on their website.

The £99.96 includes VAT (Value Added Tax) of 20% which as you're not in the UK or EU, you don't have to pay. Hence £83.30.

Thanks Garry - never occurred to me. The 20% "discount" off the listed price covered over 1/2 of the shipping cost. I'll have to keep that in mind in the future when browsing Axminster's website.

Thanks,

RMW

@Richard/RMW You may still get a separate bill in the mail for import duties.  At least I have when buying a watch from China.  I don't remember who actually sent the bill for the import duties.  May have been the post office or shipper?  Can't remember.

I have produced a pdf version of the plans for the PGS box. I assume if I link it here that people can download it at will.

Here goes:

 PGS Box - All.pdf (672.74 kB - downloaded 424 times.)

Peter

Message from Axminster today. 

"Due to the unique design of this product, we were expecting demand during the first few weeks to be strong, but we received far more orders than anticipated and it is now out of stock. We are working on manufacturing new stock and are waiting to receive materials from our supplier. The current estimate for this becoming available for despatch is June."

I guess this has turned out to be a hit. Total price with shipping to Montana is £117.30 GBP; $171.23 USD

The only problem I have is my friends now want me to make their table tops. Today's tip.... Keep a lid on this product or come up with a nice fee like a case of favorite beverage....

JUNE, JUNE?? What an absolute joke!


Only kidding This sort of new, niche product is absolutely impossible to estimate initial demand for, with no similar existing products in the market place to try to gauge interest. Axminster and Peter would have had no way of guessing how popular it would be.

One word of caution though, don't let QC drop as this sort of product lives and dies by how accurate it is. Wouldn't want to see the bean counters at Axminster pressuring manufacturing at the expense of quality when Peter's name is quite literally on the product!

JUNE, JUNE?? What an absolute joke!


Only kidding This sort of new, niche product is absolutely impossible to estimate initial demand for, with no similar existing products in the market place to try to gauge interest. Axminster and Peter would have had no way of guessing how popular it would be.

One word of caution though, don't let QC drop as this sort of product lives and dies by how accurate it is. Wouldn't want to see the bean counters at Axminster pressuring manufacturing at the expense of quality when Peter's name is quite literally on the product!

Hi Bob

Many thanks for this.

Over the last 2 years I have got to know the senior people at Axminster quite well. One thing that I can say, and others that know this chap will back it up, the Axminster MD is absolutely passionate about quality and accuracy. Lets not kid ourselves, they still have to cater for a wide range of the woodworking market and so there will be some cheap and cheerful items for people on a budget but equally there are some amazing industrial machines which most woodworkers can only dream about.

They have a reputation for manufacturing quality and the wood turners will be able to vouch for the quality of their chucks which are made entirely in Axminster. Programming a new product into a broad production schedule is not easy and the Parf Guide System, as the "unknown new tool", had to take its place in that schedule. Now that the market interest is clear the Axminster team are increasing their workshop capacity, including man hours and machinery, in order to meet demand.

For me it has been 3 years in which about a dozen significant design improvements have been made along with 7 quite different prototypes. A couple of extra months now may appear as a disappointment, and I fully understand this, but in the grand scheme of things it is indicative of the care and attention to detail that has been there from the beginning.

Axminster will not let you down and they will certainly not let me down.

Peter

Peter, first off, fantastic job on coming up with this jig.  Second, any chance Lee Valley might try to carry this?  I know they have your Parf dogs.  Just a thought.

Thanks,
Rusty

Thanks Peter.  Just thought might make it a little easier for NA to get hold of one.

Rusty

My set was shipped 05/27/2016 so they beat the June ship date.

The message:

The attached document* provides details of products that have been packed and are ready for despatch.

Looking  forward to using it. Thanks Peter for a splendid invention I will use it with great dispatch or despatch; I will have to decide.

@Peter

Didn't read the whole thread, but I think there's a business case for making the drilling jig available in some form with replaceable bushings so you use use a whole range of Forstner bits to get drill press like vertical accuracy anywhere you want.

Esp if it could mount on a guide rail !

I have just spotted that the PGS is now in stock on the Axminster web site. If it sells out again I will promise to tell my family to stop buying them !

Peter

Quote from: Peter Parfitt on June 09, 2016, 01:48 PM

I have just spotted that the PGS is now in stock on the Axminster web site. If it sells out again I will promise to tell my family to stop buying them !

Peter

Peter,
When you originally posted the news about your Parf Guide, they sold out before I could get one. I placed my name on their notification list to be alerted when they were back in stock. Axminster notified me yesterday, I sent an email requesting a quote immediately. Their export department contacted me bright & early this morning with my quote which I processed payment for and was sent a shipped comfirmation with tracking within an hour thereafter.
Very professional operation, I am duly impressed. Now it is in the hands of the shipper until I get your brilliant device. Cannot wait as I have new benchtops planned.
Bob

Hi Bob

Brilliant. Axminster have been very good helping with the final development aspects of the PGS and I am now, more or less, out of the loop as they run the production, marketing and sales.

I would love to see some of the custom work/bench top creations from PGS owners.

Cheers.

Peter

My Parf Guide System arrived this morning. Took less than 72 hours from shipping confirmation - door to door - fantastic service - all the way from the UK.
Now to build Peter's box to store it in, and then on to new custom bench tops.

Would be great if there was a recommendation for the type of mdf to use for these works tops in general. Some mdf experts out there ?

The local home centers just call it mdf but I'm sure there is quality differences as with plywood. The setup I have in mind would be supported by Stanley sawhorses and 2x4, slides into a slot in the saw horse, with a top on top.

Would be great if there was a recommendation for the type of mdf to use for these works tops in general. Some mdf experts out there ?

The local home centers just call it mdf but I'm sure there is quality differences as with plywood. The setup I have in mind would be supported by Stanley sawhorses and 2x4, slides into a slot in the saw horse, with a top on top.

I too am trying to figure out what material to make my worktable...I have settled on covering with laminate but not sure whether to use MDF or baltic birch as the substrate.

I think that there are some great innovations on the way for the materials for the bench or cutting station tops and also for the layout of holes.

We need pictures guys otherwise, like Schrödinger's cat, it never happened !

Peter

I think the correct analogy is, that it both has and has not happened.

See Steve's original plan and Cad Plan that he has for sale:  http://www.multifunctionslab.com/the-features.html

Mine showed up yesterday here in Chicago.  I ordered it less than a week ago.

Looks like a great and useful addition!

heheh.. don't mean to bring the recent eu split into this, but with the plummeted pound, there's no better time to buy from axminster parallel guide, systainer accessories, etc.

Peter, last night i finished drilling all the 20mm holes on the 3/4 mdf. Looks amazing. The system is unbeatable really, even if you have a router. Got a little scared last night when i didn't take heed to your advice of adding oil to the drill bit EVERY time you use it. It got stuck in the bronze bushing. had to knock the back on the ground couple of times to get it out. It shouldn't have any impact on the precision of the bit..

So at the end, i knocked out all the holes i can do with the guide and dogs. I do have some at the corner of the mdf that i couldn't do. Any idea how to do those?

heheh.. don't mean to bring the recent eu split into this, but with the plummeted pound, there's no better time to buy from axminster parallel guide, systainer accessories, etc.

Peter, last night i finished drilling all the 20mm holes on the 3/4 mdf. Looks amazing. The system is unbeatable really, even if you have a router. Got a little scared last night when i didn't take heed to your advice of adding oil to the drill bit EVERY time you use it. It got stuck in the bronze bushing. had to knock the back on the ground couple of times to get it out. It shouldn't have any impact on the precision of the bit..

So at the end, i knocked out all the holes i can do with the guide and dogs. I do have some at the corner of the mdf that i couldn't do. Any idea how to do those?

Yes, I think Axminster's export department are going to be very busy. I understand that a lot of the PGS stock is going to the US and Canada and the numbers are again more than predicted.

I am guessing that the places where you want holes in the corners already have the 3 mm hole that you would have drilled at the beginning. I also assume that these also lie in a row or column of existing 20 mm holes. If so then use the 20 mm Guide Block with a pair of the Veritas Small Bench Dogs on the long side to position the drilling part of the guide over that corner 3 mm hole. Then drill and you are done. It is covered quite clearly in the videos but one does not realise the significance until you are at the stage that you are at now.

Good luck with the final few holes.

Please do not hesitate to PM or email me if you have any problems.

Peter

Thanks for the info. If I had known/registered that I'd considered ordering earlier, ohh well. Not well advertised imho, but that is not your fault. It just happened to align with the brexit when I went back to the web page.

Just a reminder to people that when pushing the 3 mm pins in to hold either a Parf Stick or the 20 mm Guide Block in place...

The pins only need to go into the MDF (or whatever) by about 6-7 mm. There is no need to insert the pins up to the hilt.

Peter

heheh.. don't mean to bring the recent eu split into this, but with the plummeted pound, there's no better time to buy from axminster parallel guide, systainer accessories, etc.

Peter, last night i finished drilling all the 20mm holes on the 3/4 mdf. Looks amazing. The system is unbeatable really, even if you have a router. Got a little scared last night when i didn't take heed to your advice of adding oil to the drill bit EVERY time you use it. It got stuck in the bronze bushing. had to knock the back on the ground couple of times to get it out. It shouldn't have any impact on the precision of the bit..

So at the end, i knocked out all the holes i can do with the guide and dogs. I do have some at the corner of the mdf that i couldn't do. Any idea how to do those?

Do you mean every hole or what?!

I may have missed this, but I see there are a few who have already received their system in the USA.

Was there any problem or any charges with clearing customs here?

Thanks.

Larry

A quick heads up for anyone about to push the button...

I have just spotted that Axminster's warehouse stocks are now showing as "Low" on their web site. Once the remaining items have gone it will be 2-3 weeks before the next batch will be available.

Peter