Dashboard Guid Rail Bracket set

Robphx67

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Joined
Jan 9, 2021
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7
This is my impressions of the Dashboard guid rail bracket set. I thought I would give a little more detail on my set up.
1. My table is 37" X 60"
2. The top material is "3/4" Baltic Brich plywood
3. The dog holes were done using the UJK Parf Mark 2 system.
4. The legs and frame are from Rockler, also am using Rockler casters on the table.
5.I am also using the UJK Parf system fence
6 I also use the Parf repeat stop
7. I also got the Parf reamer, the holes even in Arizona would get super tight. the reamer took care of that issue in a snap.
8. Iam also using the Festool TS55R with the 1400 track and stock blade.

      So with all the particulars out of the way. I just wanted to jump on here and give an update on the Dashboard guid rail bracket set. I am also new to the wood working hobby. I wanted to give my thoughts on using the Dashboard system. I am in the process of building a laundry lower cabinet.
      The Dashboard Guid rail set is a product you can attach to your own table and essentially make your own MFT table. I like the idea of the MFT table but I find it to be on the small side of things for my situation. I think if I were lugging a table around it would be a pretty good option for sure. Once I dialed in the square of the system to the fence. I am able to make square accurate cuts with absolute confidence. I was using the Woodpecker rail square prior to getting my self up off the ground. The Woodpecker rail system is a very nice tool. The thing with it is there is always fussing with it to square your cut up. I think it works great but I wanted more stability in my set up with out the purchase of a table saw. The UJK Parf fence is obviously a simple and maybe priced a bit high. But I will qualify my like for it. I tried making a fence a couple different ways. They were unreliable in the end. If I were to add up the money and time I spent making those fences I would o rather just spent the money the first time on the UJK fence and be done with it. The Fence anchors through the dog holes and it becomes one with the table . This is where the simplicity of its design shines for me.  The fence is just thiner than a half inch plywood. So I run the fence most of the time up under the guid rail so I can get a good positive edge. The UJK Parf repeat stop is a great tool. The build quality on it is very nice and solid and it squares up to your fence/ stock you are cutting . I was making my drawer boxes using this whole setup. I could stack up my pieces once I cut them and they were all spot on the same . My bench is stacked with a couple of drawers , so I am mid project. I also added the extra stop blocks. I dont think you need them I just was fiddling with some scraps and I was thinking incase I bump it when rolling it around i wanted the added stops to keep everything in place and square. [attachimg=1] Well that is my two cents on it I hope this helps anyone looking to make there own MFT work station.
 

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Thanks, I have been looking at doing a similar bench,and have my eye on the Dashboard system.
Charlie

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Just one more point, the dashboard system is a small business, he is the inventor so just be patient and allow the lead time , you will be pleasantly surprised on how robust the package arrives. I think I waited 6-8 weeks I know we are in the era of get it over night on so many things. So I think your patience will be greatly rewarded.
 
Why did you decide to buy the Dashboard hinge instead of just using the dog holes with guide rail clips?  Also, I didn't know Rockler sells a table, what's it called?
 
Bugsysiegals said:
Why did you decide to buy the Dashboard hinge instead of just using the dog holes with guide rail clips?

I'm not answering for Robphx67, but I selected the Dashboard guide rail bracket because it allows me to use the entire width of my table.  If I relied on dogs and clips to hold the guide rail, I would be restricted to material no wider than the dog holes at the edges of my table.  Also, I would be restricted in the thickness of material that I could process with the dogs and clips.  I am not confident that tall dogs and clips would be as stable as the Dashboard guide rail bracket.
 
Bugsysiegals said:
Why did you decide to buy the Dashboard hinge instead of just using the dog holes with guide rail clips?  Also, I didn't know Rockler sells a table, what's it called?

I do use the Parf fence with the Parf guide rail clips, and it does work just fine.  But I don't like the way I have to rotate the rail up, slide board out, put new board in and lay the rail back down.  The rail, at least for me, has to come up in order for there to be enough clearance to move stock in and out.  Plus, sometimes during that process. the rail clip comes off of the Super Parf Dog and its just a little frustrating.

I like the idea of just lifting the rail, change stock and move on.  I haven't decided for sure on the Dashboard system but its highly on my 'thinking' list.
 
I have every squaring option available to me and I ordered the Dashboard bracket. You name it, I have it. Rail dogs and clips. TSO GRS-16 and parallel guide that can bolt to the guide rail bracket hinge. TSO MTR-18 triangle for squaring. Fence dogs for attaching my fence to the MFT.

My reason for getting the Dashboard is the repeatability and robustness. Once my MFT/3 is dialed in it tends to stay there but if I wanted to set it up in the garage (it's in the basement) it's too heavy and a general PITA to move it. When I did my office I effectively had two shops setup. One in the garage for large panel processing with the parallel guides and another in my basement for smaller crosscuts.

I'm slowly gravitating toward a system that will incorporate the Dashboard bracket with Tracktubes, a pair of sawhorses, and a custom MFT top that I need to make. Tracktubes project already has everything figured out they're just finalizing some details.

My end goal is to have something that is actually truly portable that I can throw in my car, setup in under 5min, know that it's reliable and won't go out of square if I bump it the wrong way. Like Rick I don't like the flow of having to lift the rail up and setting it aside between cuts with the dogs.
 
MikeGE said:
Bugsysiegals said:
Why did you decide to buy the Dashboard hinge instead of just using the dog holes with guide rail clips?

I'm not answering for Robphx67, but I selected the Dashboard guide rail bracket because it allows me to use the entire width of my table.  If I relied on dogs and clips to hold the guide rail, I would be restricted to material no wider than the dog holes at the edges of my table.  Also, I would be restricted in the thickness of material that I could process with the dogs and clips.  I am not confident that tall dogs and clips would be as stable as the Dashboard guide rail bracket.

Thanks for sharing.  I really like the Dashboard guide rail bracket but have asked myself if the $250 could be better spent... 

For me, I'm building a 36", or perhaps a little wider, table so panel width limitations shouldn't be an issue unless I wanted to trim a 36" door.  I'm only cutting 3/4" thick material at the moment but can cut up to ~60mm with the Parf Super Dogs and ~120mm with the Parf Long Super Dogs.  As far as tall dogs being stable, there really shouldn't be any side to side lateral pressure being applied to the dogs if you're pushing the saw straight ahead?  That said, the holes could weaken over time if you push forward at to fast a rate of speed for the thickness of cut, wood density, blade sharpness, etc. but Peter Parfitt said his tracksaw cutting station never lost accuracy so I assume paying attention and not forcing cuts will allow the continued accuracy but I agree this could become a week point especially if you're cutting thicker material.
 
Rick Herrick said:
Bugsysiegals said:
Why did you decide to buy the Dashboard hinge instead of just using the dog holes with guide rail clips?  Also, I didn't know Rockler sells a table, what's it called?

I do use the Parf fence with the Parf guide rail clips, and it does work just fine.  But I don't like the way I have to rotate the rail up, slide board out, put new board in and lay the rail back down.  The rail, at least for me, has to come up in order for there to be enough clearance to move stock in and out.  Plus, sometimes during that process. the rail clip comes off of the Super Parf Dog and its just a little frustrating.

I like the idea of just lifting the rail, change stock and move on.  I haven't decided for sure on the Dashboard system but its highly on my 'thinking' list.

This is the main reason which makes me want the Dashboard.  It's not terribly inconvenient for me to manually lift the guide rail but would be easier with the Dashboard.  I've seen some who don't use the clips and just push the guide rail up to the dogs but I don't have that kind of confidence in that approach so I've been using the clips.
 
DynaGlide said:
I have every squaring option available to me and I ordered the Dashboard bracket. You name it, I have it. Rail dogs and clips. TSO GRS-16 and parallel guide that can bolt to the guide rail bracket hinge. TSO MTR-18 triangle for squaring. Fence dogs for attaching my fence to the MFT.

My reason for getting the Dashboard is the repeatability and robustness. Once my MFT/3 is dialed in it tends to stay there but if I wanted to set it up in the garage (it's in the basement) it's too heavy and a general PITA to move it. When I did my office I effectively had two shops setup. One in the garage for large panel processing with the parallel guides and another in my basement for smaller crosscuts.

I'm slowly gravitating toward a system that will incorporate the Dashboard bracket with Tracktubes, a pair of sawhorses, and a custom MFT top that I need to make. Tracktubes project already has everything figured out they're just finalizing some details.

My end goal is to have something that is actually truly portable that I can throw in my car, setup in under 5min, know that it's reliable and won't go out of square if I bump it the wrong way. Like Rick I don't like the flow of having to lift the rail up and setting it aside between cuts with the dogs.

I like that the Track Tubes are substantially cheaper than 8020 as you only need the pair and are far more portable than a 8020 table but dislike that they mount to saw horses which would waste a lot of room at the ends compared to 8020 legs.  I'll have to check IG to see if anybody has a slimmer way to support the ends.

How does Dashboard hinge mount to this without the side t-slot?
 
Bugsysiegals said:
DynaGlide said:
I have every squaring option available to me and I ordered the Dashboard bracket. You name it, I have it. Rail dogs and clips. TSO GRS-16 and parallel guide that can bolt to the guide rail bracket hinge. TSO MTR-18 triangle for squaring. Fence dogs for attaching my fence to the MFT.

My reason for getting the Dashboard is the repeatability and robustness. Once my MFT/3 is dialed in it tends to stay there but if I wanted to set it up in the garage (it's in the basement) it's too heavy and a general PITA to move it. When I did my office I effectively had two shops setup. One in the garage for large panel processing with the parallel guides and another in my basement for smaller crosscuts.

I'm slowly gravitating toward a system that will incorporate the Dashboard bracket with Tracktubes, a pair of sawhorses, and a custom MFT top that I need to make. Tracktubes project already has everything figured out they're just finalizing some details.

My end goal is to have something that is actually truly portable that I can throw in my car, setup in under 5min, know that it's reliable and won't go out of square if I bump it the wrong way. Like Rick I don't like the flow of having to lift the rail up and setting it aside between cuts with the dogs.

I like that the Track Tubes are substantially cheaper than 8020 as you only need the pair and are far more portable than a 8020 table but dislike that they mount to saw horses which would waste a lot of room at the ends compared to 8020 legs.  I'll have to check IG to see if anybody has a slimmer way to support the ends.

How does Dashboard hinge mount to this without the side t-slot?

The MFT top slab they have designed for use with the track tubes will have a spot to attach an extrusion of their making. The dashboard will mount to the extrusion. The extrusion is being designed to store within the track tubes. Some pics are available on their IG feed but the whole setup hasn't been shown.
 
That's the general idea but the production run is probably going to be an extrusion, like T-slot to their spec that can stow inside the tracktubes.
 
DynaGlide said:
That's the general idea but the production run is probably going to be an extrusion, like T-slot to their spec that can stow inside the tracktubes.

Are you referring to this slide out extrusion with t-slots on the sides?

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Sorry  for the delay I had been busy building a laundry room cabinet. I move like a turtle when I am making stuff, wood is so expensive and to make mistakes just pisses away money.
So I was asked why I decided to go this route. Well it allowed to me replicate a Festool MFT table with any size table I choose. I also sow that this system is pretty robust as compared to the flip up on the MFT table. As for the cost at around $250. I am already drinking from the Festool punch bowl. for instance one ratchet hold down clamp is what 42 or is it 46 bucks. So I rationalized it by the cost of some other Festool products I already own. For instance the dust separator is nearly $400 bucks and I have it I love it. Just for the record. Shoot I must of ingested too much dust as I am rambling.
So the short answer is I wanted to support an entrepreneur, I liked his design and after receiving it in person it is a very good system. My joints on my current project are spot on . So with accuracy like this it provides me with confidence to take on more sophisticated projects. Like I said in my first post I started with the Woodpecker rail square it works great but the level of confidence and accuracy I am getting with this system is much more what I envisioned when I got the track saw. I watch a lot of YouTube and the Festool system is very much geared for small European shops. My circumstance isn't much different from there small shops. So I took the plunge into the Green punchbowl and I am glad I did. The pieces I have so far all just work! I dont have any plans for a table saw . So I was left to perfect my cutting station and I find for me this system works.
Someone asked about Rockler tables . They sell what they call workshop stand and you can modify the stretchers with others and make your table what ever size you desire, with in the size s they offer. Is it a solid wood work bench absolutely not but for how I am using it I haven't any issues of racking and moving with the wheels locked. Kreg sells pretty much the same thing but blue.
Oh one last thing the owner of the company he will respond very quick to your inquiries and he also suggest going to Orange for the t track to install your system. I already had t track Rockler had a sale that gave you a bunch of knobs and t bolts. So I had stocked up.
I hope if you are interested in the system, you aren't thrown back by the cost. I suppose if you own Festool products you have already burned up a credit card or two along the way ,

 
Someone asked how the system mounts. Well all you need to do is attach two t tracks on each side of your bench. I found the easiest way to accomplish this was to mount the first rail then put a t bolt in the top and then put a second in the bottom, slide on the t track and that will provide you a good alignment . In my situation I just mounted the t track to "3/4" baltic bich then I drilled and mounted the t track to the plywood then I mounted that to my Rockler table by just clamping it to the side and drilling out holes for the bolts and bolted it down to the metal frame of the table. . The strip I have the T tracks screwed to its butted up to the bottom of my table top and with it mounted like this it doesn't twist or torque the frame of the table. I hope that answers the question on mounting in my situation but it is very easy to mount . I am not a writer so thank you for not crushing my grammar .
 
I like the Dashboard system and it can work with both Festival and Mafell rails...huge p!us on the MFT table or you home built table.
 
Robphx67 said:
Someone asked how the system mounts. Well all you need to do is attach two t tracks on each side of your bench. I found the easiest way to accomplish this was to mount the first rail then put a t bolt in the top and then put a second in the bottom, slide on the t track and that will provide you a good alignment . In my situation I just mounted the t track to "3/4" baltic bich then I drilled and mounted the t track to the plywood then I mounted that to my Rockler table by just clamping it to the side and drilling out holes for the bolts and bolted it down to the metal frame of the table. . The strip I have the T tracks screwed to its butted up to the bottom of my table top and with it mounted like this it doesn't twist or torque the frame of the table. I hope that answers the question on mounting in my situation but it is very easy to mount . I am not a writer so thank you for not crushing my grammar .

Thanks, it’s clear now. :)
 
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