EXACT Parallel Guides Setting Jig

[Woodwork Wizard]

The idea for this I saw in a YouTube video where Dan Pattison ([member=47215]woodman_412[/member]) made a setting jig very similar to this and a set of parallel guides. Seeing as I already had a set of Festool parallel guides I just made a setting jig for my guides.
I used to use a piece of scrap that I'd cut to the exact dimension I wanted on my MFT, then used this to set each parallel guide by touch - setting it exactly to the splinter-guard on the guide rail, which works very well, but this is a much neater solution. With this new setting jig there's a sliding block that will butt up to the splinter-guard. This sets both guides exactly the same, so no more user error, or the slightest out of calibration rule on just one of your parallel guides to find your pieces aren't exactly parallel. Also I've found the locking stop on the parallel guide can tilt very slightly as you lock it, this eliminates that as well as the jig keeps the stop from tilting as you lock it down.

Every rip exactly where you want it and both ends exactly the same width and perfectly parallel, because the one jig sets both parallel guides exactly the same. Absolutely genius. Thanks Dan.

 

[GarryMartin]

Quite a few of us use the upside down Woodpecker rule and rule stop trick to accomplish the same thing.

[attachimg=1]

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

Quite a few of us use the upside down Woodpecker rule and rule stop trick to accomplish the same thing.

And very nice it looks too, I had no idea such a thing existed, but being a Woodpecker product I expect it cost at least £100? Probably more as the 1812 square I have was about that much. Anyway this was made from scraps and bits I already had. I bet it works equally as well too. Plus if you can make something yourself as good as a manufactured (and therefore expensive) product I'm all for that.

 

[GarryMartin]

Not quite that price (at least for the 900mm one I use) but I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment of making something if you can, especially if you have the "bits" lying around to make use of. Obviously I also use the rule for a number of other things, so it's somewhat multifunctional in that regard.

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

This DIY parallel guides setting jig I can't see being multi functional at all as the scale starts at 200mm and the entire concept of it is focused purely on setting Festool parallel guides to be exactly the same as each other. I'm certain that's all one of these DIY things would be any good for, which makes me think as a multi functional tool the Woodpecker certainly won't have a MM scale that is designed round the Festool guide rail, if it has a scale at all?
This has...

 

[GarryMartin]

Not sure I understand?

The rule has a mm scale on it. You set the rule stop at the size of board you want to rip, then butt the rule stop against the plastic strip of the rail and move the parallel guide edge to the end of the ruler. Job done

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

Sorry, of course it must have a scale, I just can't see it in the photo...

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

Because it's upside down???

 

[GarryMartin]

It's upside down because of how the rule stop fits and because the bottom of the rule is flat. I'll post some more photos tomorrow.

 

[woodman_412]

The idea for this I saw in a YouTube video where Dan Pattison ([member=47215]woodman_412[/member]) made a setting jig very similar to this and a set of parallel guides. Seeing as I already had a set of Festool parallel guides I just made a setting jig for my guides.
I used to use a piece of scrap that I'd cut to the exact dimension I wanted on my MFT, then used this to set each parallel guide by touch - setting it exactly to the splinter-guard on the guide rail, which works very well, but this is a much neater solution. With this new setting jig there's a sliding block that will butt up to the splinter-guard. This sets both guides exactly the same, so no more user error, or the slightest out of calibration rule on just one of your parallel guides to find your pieces aren't exactly parallel. Also I've found the locking stop on the parallel guide can tilt very slightly as you lock it, this eliminates that as well as the jig keeps the stop from tilting as you lock it down.

Every rip exactly where you want it and both ends exactly the same width and perfectly parallel, because the one jig sets both parallel guides exactly the same. Absolutely genius. Thanks Dan.

That looks like a great setup.  I like how your setting jig references the splinter strip.  I'm glad that you found the video helpful, it's a pretty basic setup that I use but it's been very effective.

 

[GarryMartin]

It's upside down because of how the rule stop fits and because the bottom of the rule is flat. I'll post some more photos tomorrow.

 

[sancho57]

Since your both coming to the BBQ why not both of ya bring your doohickeys and let us have a look and compare.

 

[Acrobat]

Great idea Woodman and Wiz. Thanks for posting.
I'm keen to make one and will copy this idea, simple, smart, cheap and if I make it right accurate.
A 3000 rail, mmmmm drooling! [big grin]
cheers

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

Garry - The Woodpecker rule does look very lovely as does all their products. I thought I'd treat myself to just one item of theirs and got the 1812 square.

Dan - The parallel guide setting jig works a treat. I was meaning to do something like this for ages instead of using a cut to size gauge block. I'm very impressed with the whole DIY system you came up with and now I'm thinking of making some parallel guides like yours as well to try out as I can see a few advantages over the Festool parallel guides that I have.
Brilliant video. Thank you again.