Does this Festool accessory work well (Combination Angle Unit FS)??

[Corwin]

When I first read this thread the other day I started a reply, but then I thought again.  And last night I read more responses on this and it started me thinking about this again.  Some time back I posted something like, "I wish Festool would design an Angle Unit that was more like Incra's V27 miter gauge," so I took a look at the stuff and, well, why don't I just show you what I mean;

Here is the Angle Unit stripped down.  The Incra V27 Miter Gauge is on the left.  In the next shot the V27 has been turned upside down and placed into position for marking some new mounting holes.  

Well, I won't actually drill my stuff, but you might find something like this useful.  Or at least this might give you some ideas...

Corwin

 

[ririmarqueverte]

Hi,

I am in the building trade and i found myself using this angle unit a lot recently when tackling new floor job in an old house where 90? angles are non existent. It saved me a lot of time when laying OSB floors. Just take the angle report it to the rail and saw. It is that simple and that fast. The intention of Festool has been all along to provide builders with a quick and fairly acurate way to report and cut angles.

Yes i love this thing.

riri

 

[Toolpig]

I'm sure it holds an angle better than the Festool guage, but you'd need to add a longer "auxiliary" fence to make it accurate.  My sense is that part of the problem with the Festool angle unit is that the square just isn't big enough.  The bigger the square, the more accurate the angles in sheet stock IMO.

TP

When I first read this thread the other day I started a reply, but then I thought again.  And last night I read more responses on this and it started me thinking about this again.  Some time back I posted something like, "I wish Festool would design an Angle Unit that was more like Incra's V27 miter gauge," so I took a look at the stuff and, well, why don't I just show you what I mean;

Here is the Angle Unit stripped down.  The Incra V27 Miter Gauge is on the left.  In the next shot the V27 has been turned upside down and placed into position for marking some new mounting holes.  

Well, I won't actually drill my stuff, but you might find something like this useful.  Or at least this might give you some ideas...

Corwin

 

[Tinker]

The Incra V27 is a great idea.  I have been reorganizing my shop in my spare time over the summer.  The first step was to move my table saw out to the barn.  My Incra square was left behind in hopes I could put it to use with the Festool system.  there have been other threads here n the FOG where Incra has been mentioned.  The above pics showing the V27 and the Festool angle guide look like there is a good match there.  I had already put the two in the same pile for future rearanging and have had the same thought in my head for several weeks.  Altho i have not tried matching any of the incra products with Festool, i can see where there have to be some great matchups.
Tinker

 

[Tinker]

The thing works a little better if you stick a lock washer in it to help hold the angle under pressure.
Slight pressure, anyway.

I have been more than critical in my replies concerning this angle guide.  you gave me an idea when you suggested a lock washer.  i had tried several thicknesses of sandpaper with no recognizable improvement.  I still need a turning pressure on the lock knob somewhat akin to useing a pipe wrench just to get it shug enough to slide around on my table without losing the angle.  I have just gone down to my shop, removed all of the sand paper and installed a 5/16 flat washer.  By hand tightening about as tight as my carpel tunnel hands could tighten, I was able to get the angle to loch tight enough to use for marking purposes.  I did not feel it to be adequate for holding a guidebar in place, or for sliding a circular saw against it as i used to do with adjustable angles and my old Milwaukees.  I pulled everything apart and installed another "extrat" flat washer and VOILA!!!.  I need only a little more than finger tight, and that angle will not move.  I have a drafting adjustable triangle that I use to set most of my angles against guidebars.  i can now use same with this Festool FS angle.  I do appreciate yur tip.  Before adding these two flat washers, the thing performed so poorly, i could not see fussing.  It did not look like adding anything would improve.
I still don't see as the angles will be repeatable when the tool is used for other projects, but I have other tools to keep those angles honest.  I now know the angle can be set TIGHT and can be bounced around without changing the set.

I appologize to Festool (I'm sure they are lurking) for my previous comments.  My problem was mostly in the loose fit when tool was supposedly locked tight.  If Festool were to add one washer or a couple of thicker ones, I am sure there would be much more favorable reports concerning the tool.  Now I just need to find a way to get the pointer to allign perfectly with those little marks.  And then i will have a smile.  Not quite there yet.
Tinker

 

[Corwin]

I'm sure it holds an angle better than the Festool gauge, but you'd need to add a longer "auxiliary" fence to make it accurate.  My sense is that part of the problem with the Festool angle unit is that the square just isn't big enough.  The bigger the square, the more accurate the angles in sheet stock IMO.

TP

These miter gauges readily accept a longer fence.  I just failed to attach one for these photos -- sorry.  Actually, attaching a length of Incra's Incremental Track with Stop to the miter gauge will not only extend the reference edge but also provide a length stop for your material that can be calibrated to allow for the width of the guide rail -- in other words, you can simply set the stop to the desired measurement and cut.

Now Tinker,

Let me see if I understand you correctly;  are you simply removing the knob, washer, spring and spacer, and leaving the large gray washer in place, then adding two new washers and reassembling the whole shebang?  And this will hold?  Sounds great!  

And don't beat youself up over any comments about not liking Festool's Angle Unit -- they could have addressed this issue, an then again, your (our) continuing purchases, along with the associated praises for those items should put feelings back on track and all can be forgiven.  Hey, after all, you seemed to have just offered THE answer that will bring Angle Units around the world out from the dark confines of their Systainers and into the light of day.  Our hero!

Corwin

 

[Tinker]

I'm sure it holds an angle better than the Festool gauge, but you'd need to add a longer "auxiliary" fence to make it accurate.  My sense is that part of the problem with the Festool angle unit is that the square just isn't big enough.  The bigger the square, the more accurate the angles in sheet stock IMO.

TP

These miter gauges readily accept a longer fence.  I just failed to attach one for these photos -- sorry.  Actually, attaching a length of Incra's Incremental Track with Stop to the miter gauge will not only extend the reference edge but also provide a length stop for your material that can be calibrated to allow for the width of the guide rail -- in other words, you can simply set the stop to the desired measurement and cut.

Now Tinker,

Let me see if I understand you correctly;  are you simply removing the knob, washer, spring and spacer, and leaving the large gray washer in place, then adding two new washers and reassembling the whole shebang?  And this will hold?  Sounds great! 

And don't beat youself up over any comments about not liking Festool's Angle Unit -- they could have addressed this issue, an then again, your (our) continuing purchases, along with the associated praises for those items should put feelings back on track and all can be forgiven.  Hey, after all, you seemed to have just offered THE answer that will bring Angle Units around the world out from the dark confines of their Systainers and into the light of day.  Our hero!

Corwin

It works finger tight.  The other problem I have had, and which really frosted me was That I had to use "Kentucky Windage" to tighten the knob.  As I tightened, the dial would always creep a half a degree or so.  With those two extra washers, there seems to be no creep.  now I have to get used to not allowing for it.  I was beginning to think Festool is not for me.  every piece of equipment I have bought for my daytime business, i have redesigned somehow.  not so wit Festool.  now I am happy with only two little washers ;D
Tinker

 

[Corwin]

Tinker,

Again, many tanks for coming up with a great fix for the Angle Unit!  Spent some time looking around the house for the right size washers.  Almost gave up, but then, there they were.  Unscrewed the knob, removed the washer and spring, placed the two new washers in and reassembled the works.  Wow!  Works like it should now!  Great!!!

I would still like to see Festool offer an updated version that would include at least a single stop at the 0 degree mark, if not stops at the 15, 22-1/2, 30 and 45 locations also.  Having the ability to be set at any angle in addition to having some standard stops is a virtue in my book for any kind of miter gauge.

And Tinker, it might be nice to have a separate thread that simply describes your fix for the Angle Unit, as this great tip might otherwise not get noticed in this thread.  Just a thought.

Thanks again!
Corwin

 

[SteveD]

I thought about stops, but I do not think they will easily work. There is sufficient play, especially with a long rail attached, for them to be inaccurate. Try  'wiggling' the guide rail against the angle guide and you will see the problem. For stops to work the angle guide would need to be rigidly attached to the guide rail and then calibrated (presumably by a screw adjustment). I know that even with my arrangement of bolting the angle guide to the guide rail I have to 'calibrate' (and remember the fudge factor on the scale) each time I set it up.
However for what the angle guide is designed to do I think it works well. There are other options in repeating angle cuts although not all devices work all of the time. Look at it from another, er, 'angle'. The rapidly set current FS is OK. For repeating angle cuts I have occasionally used my hinged guide rails. However all it does in this case is to give me an instant 'wide' MFT. Most of the occasions I might have used them it was not worth the setup time, the angle guide was quicker.
http://www.festoolownersgroup.com/CoppermineMain/thumbnails.php?album=50

SteveD

 

[fcraven]

I regret acquiring this item (got it with the kit).

If Festool apologized to us all and offer an exchange I would take the offer immediately. The item LOOKS good, but it function stinks. Even if it is set to an accurate square, it doesn't hold. It is a surprising piece of cra....aluminum and steel...that our beloved tool company really screwed up on. (the "miter guide" on the MFT is a close second)

By comparison, one of the most overpriced accessory in the Festool line-up has got to be the extra dust shield for the TS55, it should cost 1/4 what they charge. BUT, at least it works.

 

[James Metcalf]

One more Thank You to Tinker. In less time than it is taking me to write this post I just fixed the Angle Unit with the two flat washers as described above.

 

[Tinker]

With the two extra washers, there is still some spring left in that little spring.  I think that it would be wise to release pressure on the knob when the tool is not in use.  Otherwise, the spring will weaken with time.  I can see that when that happens, there is still enough extra play in the spring that a third washer might be needed with time.
Tinker