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

[peter halle]

The 45 angle on the original is just to save weight.  Only 90 degrees with the rail.

Peter

 

[tazprime38]

I was just throwing an idea that may or may not work to allow an option for cutting at 45° .

What I meant was have an additional triangular 45° piece that you can screw onto existing square enabling 45 °cuts. My suggestion was to have a lip on this triangle piece that rests on the existing square in the appropriate postion and is screwd in by means of thumb screws so its easily attached and disconnected. I think it should be possible.

 

[tazprime38]

I've just realised it will not be possible as the section of the square that is under the track would not allow you to swing the track to 45° as the workpiece would prevent this unless cutting on the end of workpiece.

 

[Kev]

Regardless of what the required gadget looks like, a rail attachment that gives fuss free 45's would get my money.

I also have the large and small Festool protractors that attach to the rails. I don't like either of them and the large one is simply clumsy ... but they obviously come in handy if you need to cut some other than a right angle!

Having a slot in the material facing edge that allowed you to slide an angled piece into the rail square could be an option .. if the interface edge was centred you could flip and orient the angle piece either way ... just a thought.

 

[squawkin]

This tool is fantastic! Dead on every time. Thank you for making this great tool. [big grin]

 

[Klemm]

Aha, I see the cat is out of the bag!
Well, we're close to starting production shipments of the Parallel Edge  -PE version by August 19.
Working to get -PE ordering info up on the website, etc.
Packaging improvement interim Step 1 is in place and shipping Thursday Aug 4th.  The permanent packaging improvement for both version will likely go into effect around Labor Day Sep 5th week.
You fellows are keeping us busy and we appreciate it !
Hans

 

[clark_fork]

We hope that those who adopted early and benefited from free shipments will be able to take advantage of the discount of purchasing the pair.  Will we have to call in our order to verify our first purchase?

I was motivated by the free shipment offer. Perhaps the same would  be a good idea when the new version is introduced.

My immediate thought is one of astonishment and kudos for the fast track development.

My second observation is that the new version is a quite elegant design. The Z is a nice touch.

 

[icecactus]

I received mine the other day. Is there a way to adjust the clamp? When I unclamp mine, its leaving marks and slightly deforming my rail...

 

[Klemm]

I received mine the other day. Is there a way to adjust the clamp? When I unclamp mine, its leaving marks and slightly deforming my rail...

thank you for sharing your concerns. Some marking or creating impressions of guide rails by associated tools is normal. FESTOOL's Connector Screws leave marks which is normal. Our tool will also leave its imprint. The question, of course, is "how much"
The best way to answer this: bring your particular tool back to us, at our expense, and examine its function. Email us now so we can identify you in our order database, please. most FOG names don't enable us to identify who needs help  [unsure]
It expedites things if a customer will simply email us directly rather than wait until we have chance to check forums.
Hans
We look forward to your email  info@tsoproducts.com
Hans

 

[Klemm]

We hope that those who adopted early and benefited from free shipments will be able to take advantage of the discount of purchasing the pair.  Will we have to call in our order to verify our first purchase?

I was motivated by the free shipment offer. Perhaps the same would  be a good idea when the new version is introduced.

My immediate thought is one of astonishment and kudos for the fast track development.

My second observation is that the new version is a quite elegant design. The Z is a nice touch.

we will have a special discount coupon enabled on our website for early purchase customers so it will be easy to order the -PE version online.
And thank you for the copliments. Yes, we're passionate about what we do and glad it shows  [smile]
Hans

 

[Svar]

I received mine the other day. Is there a way to adjust the clamp? When I unclamp mine, its leaving marks and slightly deforming my rail...

thank you for sharing your concerns. Some marking or creating impressions of guide rails by associated tools is normal. FESTOOL's Connector Screws leave marks which is normal. Our tool will also leave its imprint. The question, of course, is "how much"
The best way to answer this: bring your particular tool back to us, at our expense, and examine its function. Email us now so we can identify you in our order database, please. most FOG names don't enable us to identify who needs help  [unsure]
It expedites things if a customer will simply email us directly rather than wait until we have chance to check forums.
Hans
We look forward to your email  info@tsoproducts.com
Hans

A plastic bumper or coating (just like one on the handle) could be added to the clamp hook. Just a thought.
I think clamping pressure could be reduced if you bend/compress that pin like spring.

 

[Klemm]

Well, the doorbell range a few minutes ago and sorry for the delay in posting this but the UPS guy was very happy to get a cold bottle of water and a COKE.'

In my box was a perfectly received second version of the square all of you are talking about.  Luckily for me I had my camera and a scale handy (I was making pickles).

So below are the images.  The squares are made out of the same size rectangle of aluminum - same thickness.  The weight difference is 92 grams - the rectangular one is heavier. 

In one of the images I stacked one on top of another and it appears that the top web is weird but that is merely due to the tilt of one on top of another another and the clamp below.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

Peter

from Peter's post it may not be obvious why you might want one, the other or both. Please let me try to explain:Reasons for choosing the PE version:
• permits referencing the opposite end AND front edge of the sheet being cut
• Retains all the benefits of the original GRS-16 Square

Reasons for choosing the original GRS-16 version:
• Ideal for conventional front edge referencing of cuts
• Smaller form factor for easier mobility, convenience in shop or job site
• Lowest weight on the tool belt
• Stores in FESTOOL Systainer 1 TL

Reasons for choosing both GRS-16 and GRS-16 PE
• Permits squaring both ends of longer rails for greatest accuracy
• Combination for greatest accuracy on any length workpiece or track
• Keep one in the truck and one in the shop

 

[tazprime38]

Finally got my square today. I had to psy £30.76 customs duty including  an £8 Royal Mail handling charge. This is more than other UK buyers have mentioned here.

To UK buyers, what dod you get charged for customs duty as I cannot understand why the difference.

 

[rmwarren]

[member=30505]crampedshop[/member] - sorry it took so long to reply, I was just re-reading this thread and saw your question. Those are the guide clips from my RipDogs setup.

RMW

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

 

[Cheese]

I received my square today and am very pleased with it.  [thumbs up]  The foamed in-place packaging is a real nice touch.

A couple of quick questions:
1. What is the purpose of the tapped hole near the apex of the triangle?
2. The key on the square that engages the slot of the rail is not the full width of the square but is about 1" shorter than the width. Why is that?
3. At the end of the key (RH side) there is a relieved portion, what is that radiused relief for?

 

[Michael Kellough]

I received my square today and am very pleased with it.  [thumbs up]  The foamed in-place packaging is a real nice touch.

A couple of quick questions:
1. What is the purpose of the tapped hole near the apex of the triangle?
2. The key on the square that engages the slot of the rail is not the full width of the square but is about 1" shorter than the width. Why is that?
3. At the end of the key (RH side) there is a relieved portion, what is that radiused relief for?

1. Add a fender washer (which would rest on top of the work) to keep the rig from tipping to the left.

2&3 seem to be the same question?  The notch leaves space for a clamp.

 

[tazprime38]

[member=61691]TSO_Products[/member],
With regards to Cheeses questions, my square does not have the tapped hole for a washer (which is not an issue as it is easily done),  will the PE square ship with tapped holes top and bottom for washers so to stop track and square flipping at either end?

 

[Michael Kellough]

The tapped hole is a new addition. Easy to add your own to aluminum.

 

[Cheese]

Thanks for the input [member=297]Michael Kellough[/member], all that makes sense.  [smile]

 

[Klemm]

I received my square today and am very pleased with it.  [thumbs up]  The foamed in-place packaging is a real nice touch.

A couple of quick questions:
1. What is the purpose of the tapped hole near the apex of the triangle?
2. The key on the square that engages the slot of the rail is not the full width of the square but is about 1" shorter than the width. Why is that?
3. At the end of the key (RH side) there is a relieved portion, what is that radiused relief for?

Adding to what Michael Kellough said, I'm attaching a picture of our AUxiliary Support set up. THis idea seems to be going nowehere based on feedback, or lack thereof, on a separate thread I started.Th etopic focused on using short(ened) guide rails. With a rail a good bit shorter than 42" / 1080mm the overhaung weight of the GRS-16 can tilt the guide rail when ther is no saw resting on it yet. WE await further feedback from the field on this feature or any need.

Another comment regarding the "T" feature which loosely engages the T-slot in the bottom of the rail. FIst this feature is intended NOT to make a close tolerance engagement so as to let he Square's 90 degree edge and the side of the rail be the driving dimensions. The T-slot clearance is intended to be a driven dimension only. In fact we are considering shortening this feature to something more like a button or knob. Two reasons: 1. the only function for this feature is to keep the Square tool from falling down and tilting thus allowing the Latch to be twisted off the guide rail edge.
2. The the shorter this feature, the easier it is to engage and disengage the tool on the rail. We will try this experimentally and see if its advantageous or not.

A final comment here: the easiest way to install the Square is to look at the 90 degree edge of the tool (the one that runs under the Latch) and place it next to the rail, then slide it forward. That takes care of the T-slot alignment - as opposed to focusing on the T-slot and trying to get everything lined up.
Help yourself with some hard furniture wax or similar low friction material and wipe the T-slot inside as well as the T-feature on the square so they glide more easily. - enjoy
Hans