Festool 491469 Parallel Guide Question, Saw Rip Guide

[gsdvorak]

I didn't know this existed until today- looks like you connect this to a TS55 and acts as a parallel guide.  Has anyone used this to cut 3/4" x 1/4" hardwood strips for plywood edgebanding?  The description I saw didn't give a minimum setting.

If this works it will be a much better solution than setting up the parallel guides with the long track.

Thanks,
Gerald

 

[Michael Kellough]

Re-adjusting each arm for each cut will be a pain if you need a lot of strips.
The pointer mark is pretty blunt so you'll likely get strips of slightly varying thickness.

 

[grobkuschelig]

I have this thing since two months after I bought the TS55.
I have used it for multiple things. Cutting small strips from different sorts of wood. Also to have an easy way to cut apart constructions I built in a predictable way, to allow further use of the parts.

Leaving it on the saw gave me consistent results over multiple cuts. Re-setting to a previous measure is also easy, because you can measure from below, between blade and guide.

In usage, I only push from the outside against the guide, to keep the contact to the wood consistent. And also keep the saw firmly on the material.
Easy and nice. Total recommend!

I am currently unable to check for minimal distance, since I‘m away from home, but it should allow for very thin rips.

 

[Frank-Jan]

[member=2098]Michael[/member]: Gerald is talking about the parallel edge guide, that mounts to the saw, not the parallel guides that mount to the track.

I like the edge guide for making thin rips of a wide sheet, but I haven't tried 1/4" rips, I think I would prefer a table saw for that. (I could check tomorrow, but I think they can be set pretty close to the blade).

My experience with the edge guide: it works well as long as you place it on the right side of the blade.
(On a regular sidewinder circular saw I sometimes use the parallel guide on the other side for ripping beams to width; this doesn't work well with the parallel guide for the ts55, because of the toe-in, it has a tendency to wander, resulting in a non-parallel cut. I also love how it stores in the systainer, it doesn't get in the way at all when you don't need it.

 

[grobkuschelig]

I‘m also using it to manufacture my own Dominos. If that gives you a better idea...

 

[peter halle]

I have had one for years.  I love it for some things but find it just ok for what you are doing.  I do not like the shortness of the foot that will contact the workpiece ahead of the blade.  You can add longer wooden strips and then it works fine in my experience. It makes a great side support and outrigger for the TS-55.

Peter

 

[drdabrown]

I have the parallel guide and have used it and found it very accurate and helpful to cut multiple pieces with accuracy, but the Parallel Guides have a minimum width of cut of about 7". If you wish to cut strips thinner than that, you need to also purchase the Parallel Guide Extensions or the Parallel Guide Kit which includes the extensions.
The thought of using the table saw for this is a good one, but if you want to use the TS 55 and your guide rails to cut such a small strip,you will need more than just the Parallel guide.

 

[semenza]

OP is talking about the guide that attaches to the saw not the parallel guides that attach to the track. See this link for picture Parallel Guide (Side Fence, Rip Guide)

Seth

 

[Sanderxpander]

Thanks! I've been looking for this too for some simple things that would otherwise require a table saw.