A New Rail Square Coming to Market - Teaser for Future Review

[Tinker]

thank you all for the continuing flow of orders. More GRS-16's are continuing to be machined this week.
After we have actual pre-production examples of the -PE  models  in August, we can get serious about the best ways to provide protection in Systainers. Systainer 2 does not leave a lot of cushioning room. Better take a look with the real article and see what makes sense.

We have been looking for indications that enough interest would justify producing molded High-Density EPS filler blocks matching the interior shape of the Systainer. (think Tooling and inventory $)

Some of these issues are more a bit more complex than you might imagine. For example - the current GRS-16 ships in an 18x6x6 box and weighs right at 3 lbs. But UPS (and FedEx, too) look at the combination of weight and/or volume to determine cost. Even though our current package weights only 3 lbs, we are being charged for 4 lbs based on the volume occupied by our shipment in the UPS stream of packages.
So you say just make the box smaller so its "dim weight" comes down. No technical problem - just an economic one. Saving labor cost associated with cutting down the taller box manually means the smaller box would have to be a custom box (tooling cost, inventory and warehouse $). To make that work would require visibility on future demand. But we are already talking about change the pack to possibly include the EPS filler block which will definitely have us shipping based on Dimension rather than weight. Well if that's the case, you say, just pack the GRS-16 and the GRS-16PE together as a set - probably cost the same as only one square in the box. Forgot to mention that a bigger box$ is required.

I am writing all this not to complain or justify anything. Instead I hope some of you will find a look behind the scenes informative. After all, you're clearly are more technically interested and understanding audience than 99% of (power-) tool buyers.

We have opted, above all, to be a nimble developer of specialty products which make our customer's work more productive and more enjoyable. This means not settling for the way things are usually done. Let us know anytime you feel we're slacking.

Klemm

[member=59331]TSO Products[/member]
A great explanation. It is a big problem when it comes to packaging.  I often wonder how a small company can afford "free delivery". 
Tinker

 

[Kev]

On storage .. a padded, zippered option maybe?? I can imagine mine and many others hanging on the wall. If you're mobile, dedicating a systainer is very inefficient.

Additionally, a padded bag becomes primary protection during initial shipping, gives good brand identity options and is compact to roll and ship as a follow on product accessory.

I could also imagine a custom bag for 2x 1400 rails, with two pockets on the front for the GRS squares (yeh, maybe a third pocket for a couple of quick clamps and rail connectors too).

 

[Klemm]

Hi Klemm

New product looks very good and looks to solve the problem of using the guide rails accurately when out on site away from the workshop and MFT.
I may have missed it but can you confirm shipping costs and ETA to Mainland Uk, Central Scotland. FK postcode?
If it's easier send me over a shipping container full of them and I'll easily sell them here for you and send back the proceeds! [big grin]
Thanks and well done on what appears to be a great product.
Scott

Scott:
Until the end of July shipping is free to international as well as US purchasers for their own use to help give this new product market exposure. We do not plan to extend free shipping to orders received after July 31. There are no plans to sell through dealers in the US or overseas in the foreseeable future.
Klemm

 

[Klemm]

On storage .. a padded, zippered option maybe?? I can imagine mine and many others hanging on the wall. If you're mobile, dedicating a systainer is very inefficient.

Additionally, a padded bag becomes primary protection during initial shipping, gives good brand identity options and is compact to roll and ship as a follow on product accessory.

I could also imagine a custom bag for 2x 1400 rails, with two pockets on the front for the GRS squares (yeh, maybe a third pocket for a couple of quick clamps and rail connectors too).

Kev:
you put your finger on a concern we share: the inherent space inefficiency of using a Systainer 2 for the GRS-16 PE.  The padded pouch idea is a possibility when we can get a better idea of the sales volume. The holster idea has been brought up too. We'll keep these ideas in mind as we go forward with the -PE version. - thanks for your input!
Klemm

 

[Klemm]

[member=59331]TSO Products[/member]

Will the pe product ship free when it first comes out? I just bought the current model

Bryan:
thanks for your GRS-16 order. We are working on costing and pricing for the GRS-16 PE version with the idea of providing a benefit to customers who are buying a set of both square tools - either as a purchase at one time after introduction of the PE or as a retroactive special price for customers who bought the standard tool before the -PE version was available. Where shipping fits in is something still to be figured out.
Klemm

 

[skinee]

Klemm, will you consider making a model to work on the mafell/bosch rail system? it should be do'able but the draw catch would have to engage on the bottom of the rail in the clamping t-slot,this would present little or no problem in my view,in fact it would enable the fitting of a 'pressing' handle to the top of the square in much the same way as on the EZsmart square

 

[rmwarren]

Hans,

Gave my PG-16 it's maiden voyage, no fiddling with the setup, grabbed a rail - slide - click - cut... perfect!

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

I checked the first 3-4 cuts, didn't find one with more run-out than perhaps 10-thou over 18" (1/4 MM), which probably came from something other than the guide. This is something we can use with confidence, no need to check the setup or results.

Great addition to the arsenal.

RMW

 

[Klemm]

Richard, thank for your report "from the field". May we quote from it on our website and use your great pictures,too - with public or initials only credits?
Klemm

 

[Klemm]

Klemm, will you consider making a model to work on the mafell/bosch rail system? it should be do'able but the draw catch would have to engage on the bottom of the rail in the clamping t-slot,this would present little or no problem in my view,in fact it would enable the fitting of a 'pressing' handle to the top of the square in much the same way as on the EZsmart square

We would not rule out a model compatible with BOSCH / MAFELL. We will take another look at those guide rails. They obviously require a different approach. Are you a professional? Do you work mobile or from a fixed shop? Perhaps you could send us an email to info@tsoproducts.com and describe what kind of applications you use your track saw for.
Klemm

 

[mike_aa]

Gave my GRS-16 Guide Rail Square a bit of a workout today with super results.  It snapped right on the rail and was dead on square.  I needed to cut a good number of panels to the same size so I paired it with a Woodpecker's rule and rule stop and got consistent results.  Worked great!

[attachimg=1]

Thanks TSO!

Mike A.

 

[tazprime38]

[member=61691]TSO_Products[/member]

Klemm, I have just placed my order for the square and will be getting the PE version when it becomes availble.  Please remember to include some spare screws as others have requested.

tazprime

 

[crampedshop]

Richard/RMW in your recent pic, what is the black piece at about the midpoint of your rail?

 

[Klemm]

Mike,
great picture and glad it works for you as expected. Thanks for the feedback. Would you give us permission to add your picture to our web page and credit Mike A. ?
Klemm

 

[Tinker]

In good weather I sometimes do my breaking down in my most spacious shop area (=wide open spaces) I cut just a little oversize and do my final sizing inside. With this new square, I can see once I have one straight edge, I could probably do all outside cutting to dimensions.
Tinker

 

[rmwarren]

Feel free to use them as you wish.

RMW

Richard, thank for your report "from the field". May we quote from it on our website and use your great pictures,too - with public or initials only credits?
Klemm

 

[rmwarren]

[member=30413]mike_aa[/member] - that setup pretty much obviates the need for parallel guides in many situations. Faster setup and equal results. I'll probably be using it a lot myself.

RMW

Gave my GRS-16 Guide Rail Square a bit of a workout today with super results.  It snapped right on the rail and was dead on square.  I needed to cut a good number of panels to the same size so I paired it with a Woodpecker's rule and rule stop and got consistent results.  Worked great!

[attachimg=1]

Thanks TSO!

Mike A.

 

[SMJoinery]

I'm away on holiday in Cyprus at the moment so not near my workshop but it's just occurred to me that this new rail square might be a great help in setting up the MFT3 hinged guide rail supports.
I have to remove mine regularly as we use it as an assembly table and when I put it all back together always like to check it or usually redo it to make sure it's bang on.
This might help simplify how I do that set up.

 

[Theshipstore]

Ordered, received, used. damn this is awesome as far as I am concerned [thumbs up]

 

[RKA]

Klemm, I couldn't help myself after reading the feedback, so order placed. I too would be interested in a Bosch/Mafell version if you go down that road. Just home use for me.

 

[jimbo51]

I just did my first test cut with this tool using my TS 55. I was cutting 23/32 inch oak faced plywood. The track was hand held without any clamps.

Using a Woodpecker 16-26 square, I was about one Post-it note thickness from dead on at 24 inches. According to Google, that is about 0.003 inches. Some of that 0.003 inches could also be due to variation in the Woodpecker square. I may also become more accurate with practice.

Like everyone commenting so far, I am impressed with the ease of use and accuracy of this tool.