Cutting multiple identical pieces with the TS 55 EQ

[ccarrolladams]

I guess I should have mentioned that I finished those shelves yesterday by measuring them individually and they came out great.  My continued interest in this thread is in having a more efficient solution for next time.

Hi Sprior, it is good to know you made all the shelves you needed. Now that you measured each individually and obviously cut carefully, you will better appreciate Festool solutions that are as accurate and also more time efficient.

Although a lot of people have found home made solutions, so using expensive purchased components, I encourage everyone needing accurate repeated parallel pieces to seriously consider that set from Festool. Also, do not forget the extensions, because there is a savings buying them included. And, it might turn out the first job after buying the parallel set needs pieces so narrow the extensions are needed.

 

[sprior]

OK, I went and bought the complete parallel extensions set today.  Does anyone have a good suggestion/part number for an english replacement for the metric rules on the guides?  I'm assuming it'll be nicer to either stick english rules over the metric ones or peel the metric ones off and replace them.

 

[Wonderwino]

I have a Fastcap metric/standard tape that makes the conversion from inches to metric to set your parallel guides a no-math no-brainer.  I have actually started to work in metric full time and it is much easier.

http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/FSC-403/FastCap-MetricStandard-Tape-Measures

 

[sancho57]

Ive been learning the metric system since I got my festools. It actually is a lot easier to use then imperial measurements.  For example if ya got something thats 430mm wide and ya need something that 314mm then you would just subj 314 from430..to easy.
Its does some getting used to. I still refer to imperial all the time. I will break myself of it.

I use a metric folding rule I got from amazon and a true 32 tape measure I also got from amazon.

 

[zapdafish]

I use the TS55 to break down the sheets into manageable pieces for the tablesaw so I usually cut everything slightly oversized with the TS55 and then use the tablesaw to get them exact.

 

[RONWEN]

Yeah, I did see that the DVD is for sale there and definitely that's a good thing for the family.  I think Woodcraft could have maintained the site and put the DVD's ad there instead of pigeon-holing it behind a sidebar link.

Once I'm gone, Brice, you can have HalfInchShy!  The rubber chicken on the bench, though, goes to Ken.

Paul, When you go it will no doubt be from a hockey brawl...  [eek]

 

[andvari]

OK, I went and bought the complete parallel extensions set today.  Does anyone have a good suggestion/part number for an english replacement for the metric rules on the guides?  I'm assuming it'll be nicer to either stick english rules over the metric ones or peel the metric ones off and replace them.

Metric is the better system so one might as well learn to use it. 

 

[sprior]

It seems that my latest question was misunderstood - I didn't mean to ask whether or not I should switch to metric, I asked if anyone had converted their guides to imperial and what they had used to do it.  I know how metric works, but I think in imperial and any plans I get are likely to use imperial, so for now the metric is an irritation point for me.  I just got back from the local hardware store and looked for any tape measures with metric on them and they only had one junky looking one.

 

[GreenGA]

You will find 100's on Amazon.

I think you will also find the one from FastCap which has metric in both directions.

 

[sprior]

Thanks GreenCa - it appears you're talking about metric/imperial tape measures.  I'm really after the best self adhesive imperial rules to place over the metric ones on the Festool guides - do you have a recommendation for one of those?

 

[GreenGA]

Oh.... [embarassed]

I know that Kreg sells tape rules that are installed/applied to their CMS fences.  I think they go to either 13' or 13 meters.  About 8-10 bucks apiece.

I also think I saw some in the Woodline or Lee Valley catalog(s) over the weekend at the WW Show in Somerset.

 

[Vindingo]

http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-SM44W-Adhesive-Tape-Measure/dp/B00175RTS8

I too find it difficult to think in metric so I purchased this tape with plans of converting my parallel guides, but never got around to it. 

I have gotten around even looking at the numbers on the parallel guides by measuring and marking the wood, then I line up the guide rail and set the stop.  This way your cut is on the line regardless of what the actual measurement in metric is.  With the stop set you can continue making your repeating cuts.       

 

[sprior]

Thanks Vindingo.  I haven't ordered anything yet, but I'm planning to order 2 L-R and 2 R-L tapes (one pair for the normal guides and one for the narrow cut extensions), that way the numbers would be oriented towards the adjustable stop on each guide.  I like the idea of a white (instead of yellow) background for visibility.  The Kreg tapes only go to 1/16" of an inch and I was looking at the Starret which have 1/32" on one side.  Not sure I can realistically go down to 1/32" anyway.

 

[GPowers]

Paul,

I think that Woodcraft (?)  now owns the site.  Perhaps they purchased the site.

Peter

Peter is correct, per the official  network solution whois, the Registrant to http://woodshopdemos.com is woodcraft Supply LLC

 

[sancho57]

Something to think about.

If you start to use the 32mm euro system, you will need the metric system

If you want to use the imperial system, then just measure your piece put a tic mark on it then put the rail on the tic marks set the paralell guide stops to the tic marks and your good.

It took me longer to write this then to actually do it.

Its what I did before I got the LR32 system/ went to the end user class and decided that festools are best used with the metric system.

But thats a personal preference. Like most things are.

 

[sprior]

Is the 32mm system becoming that popular in the United States?  I'm a hobbyist so my projects are more varied than cabinet making, but so far the cabinets I have made have assumed as 36" counter height and used 1/4" shelf pin holes.

While I ordered 4 Kreg Imperial tapes to go over the Festool metric rules, I did also order that Fastcap english/metric tape measure for those times metric still comes up.

 

[sancho57]

I can only speak for myself on this.

The LR32 kit os based on the 32 mm system. The length of the cab sides have to be divisable by 32mm in order for the system to work.

Also most of the hard ware Ive been buying lately is all based on the 32mm system.

For example closet organizers, that is my current project. Clothes hanging rods holder are made to fit in the 32mm holes set 37 mm back from the front, along with other accessories.

This is just one example of what Ive been running into lately.

So learning/adapting to the 32mm system is beneficial IMO

 

[fshanno]

This is a Shop Fox peel and stick.  I recommend getting something that reads well in noonday sunlight.  The yellow seems to work better for me.

[attachthumb=1]

My guides came with the metric tape about a 16th from the edge.  I didn't like that so I mounted these right at the edge of the aluminum so the notch on the stop is touching the tape.

 

[sprior]

Thanks for the info fshanno, did you pull up the original rules before applying the Shop Fox ones, or did you put them on top?

 

[fshanno]

Thanks for the info fshanno, did you pull up the original rules before applying the Shop Fox ones, or did you put them on top?

I pulled up the original.  Had to if I was going to put the new tape out at the edge.