Comparison of Parallel Guide Systems?

[KingpenM3]

I'm looking to purchase a system and it seems there are many options out there. Is there a consensus FOG favorite? Better to go with the Festool option? Thanks.

[neilc]

I have the Festool parallel guide system as well as the Seneca system.  Personally I find the Seneca to be easier to transport and use.

Keep an eye out for one coming shortly from TSO Products.  They could have the best setup yet, a combination of a guide rail square with attachments for doing parallel cuts of a specified width.

Search the FOG for details on the TSO option.

Neil

[RKA]

The Festool guides are a little heavy and clunky in comparison to the others.  I use the Seneca guides and I'm happy with them.  But as Neil says, the new guide from TSO looks to be simpler and more compact.  This is what I would look at if I was starting from scratch.  I would recommend you get their guide rail square anyway, so the incremental cost to add the parallel guides actually makes it economical compared to a full parallel guide system from Festool or others. And with the flip stops you can set up several and easily get repeatable results for the different widths you are cutting.  It's usually not necessary for me, unless I forget or miscalculate how much material I need at a given width before I change the guide rail settings. 

https://tsoproducts.com/tso-parallel-guide-system/

[Chinski]

I dunno but the TSO stuff looks a little bulky too (assuming you want the longer guides). The Festool guides seem to slot in square to the rails in my experience.

What I also found about the Festool was that adding the parallel guide extensions really balanced the whole product much better and made it much easier to use - not to mention the functionality of the extenders to cut strips down to 1mm or less is incredible. It is so much easier than doing it on the table saw.

I'll rag on Festool when reason demands - but this tool is all good in my opinion.

[Jiggy Joiner]

I really like the TSO products, so I’m hoping the guides will be available on this side of the pond at some stage. 

[elfick]

Is the TSO stuff finally available? I've been checking but haven't seen it available yet.

[Koamolly]

I really like the TSO products, so I’m hoping the guides will be available on this side of the pond at some stage. 

We’re hoping the same thing.

[rmhinden]

There are a lot of choices:

Festool $300.
Seneca $245.
Precision Dogs  $165.
Woodpeckers $430.

TSO is working on one that uses their guide rail squares.   

Maybe one more I am missing.

I have the Precision Dogs.    Both the Seneca and Precision Dogs use Incra tracks.

All work.   

Bob

[TSO Products]

I really like the TSO products, so I’m hoping the guides will be available on this side of the pond at some stage. 

@Jiggy Joiner - you and our many other friends in the UK won't have to wait much longer. We expect AXMINSTER Tools & Machinery will want to carry the TPG-50 as soon as we can supply initial quantities.

Hans

[pettyconstruction]

I have the woodpecker variation ,but I think the TSO version maybe better.
I just got the square yesterday but haven’t had a chance to use it.
Woodpeckers is nice,but it takes a bit to hook up. Great when set up.
Good luck,Charlie


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[fshanno]

Have you heard of the razor blade method?  It's just a method using a couple of utility knife blades to act as stops for you guide.

It's a technique that's as old the FOG.  You just use your tape and stick a blade in the wood at the right distance on one end of the cut and then do the same at the other end.  Bump the guide up against the blades which are acting as stops.  Remove the blades and cut.  Drop dead easy.  No calibration, nothing attached to the guide and nobody left on base.

Frankly, if you're not doing bulk work, like cutting up big stacks of ply for a whole kitchen in a single day and doing that on a regular basis, you may be fine with the razor blade method.

[Jiggy Joiner]

I really like the TSO products, so I’m hoping the guides will be available on this side of the pond at some stage. 

@Jiggy Joiner - you and our many other friends in the UK won't have to wait much longer. We expect AXMINSTER Tools & Machinery will want to carry the TPG-50 as soon as we can supply initial quantities.

Hans

Hi Hans, that’s nice to read and I would hope Axminster will put an order in when the time comes. I will certainly be looking out for them 

[cmipilot]

I have the Festool Track Saw and guide but am looking for a parallel jig like the TSO system.  Is that the one everyone likes best?  Is there a better option/value than the TSO product?

[leer]

Have you heard of the razor blade method?  It's just a method using a couple of utility knife blades to act as stops for you guide.

Great idea!

Hey, you could store them in one of those itty-bitty Systainers ...
 

[ben_r_]

There are a lot of choices:

Festool $300.
Seneca $245.
Precision Dogs  $165.
Woodpeckers $430.

TSO is working on one that uses their guide rail squares.   

Maybe one more I am missing.

I have the Precision Dogs.    Both the Seneca and Precision Dogs use Incra tracks.

All work.   

Bob

Exactly! I have owned the Woodpeckers, Seneca and Precision Dogs and messed around with the Festool version. My suggestion, they all do the same thing, get the Precision Dogs and save yourself the money.

[rst]

I use the Precision Dogs with 50" and 18" Incra guides.

[Curt]

Does TSO have a video for its parallel guide system?  Being dimensionally challenged, I cannot quite visualize how it works.  I have the square figured out, I think.

Do any of the parallel systems handle this scenario?  You have an offcut from straight-lining a 4/4 chunk of hard maple that is 4' long, 2" wide and which has one irregular edge.  This piece could yield 2 pieces 3/4" thick.  This means registering from the offcut edge on a long piece that is much narrower than the track.

Not trying to be difficult, it's just an issue with which I must deal.  I've sold my tablesaw and now have only my MFT/3+ATF55 and a brand new bandsaw.  Thanks for your help.

[RKA]

@Curt I think they all provide this functionality.  You're looking for the word "narrow" in the description, but they typically work the same.  They provide a thin extension piece that slides under the rail to give you a registration point for narrow rips (narrower than the track width).  Obviously you still need to provide adequate support for the rail so it doesn't tip.

[tjbnwi]

Does TSO have a video for its parallel guide system?  Being dimensionally challenged, I cannot quite visualize how it works.  I have the square figured out, I think.

Do any of the parallel systems handle this scenario?  You have an offcut from straight-lining a 4/4 chunk of hard maple that is 4' long, 2" wide and which has one irregular edge.  This piece could yield 2 pieces 3/4" thick.  This means registering from the offcut edge on a long piece that is much narrower than the track.

Not trying to be difficult, it's just an issue with which I must deal.  I've sold my tablesaw and now have only my MFT/3+ATF55 and a brand new bandsaw.  Thanks for your help.

Yes, the TSO system does this. I highly recommend 2 TPG's to accomplish this. Using 2 allows you to index off each end of your narrow rip.

Tom