Fumbling with Parallel guides and extensions

[Greg M]

They might be more use for production work but I can think of plenty of other things to spend that money on instead of the parallel guides.  I had a set and returned them within the first 30 days.

 

[Klamp]

Had the parallel guides with extensions and sold them.  I have a very small shop and they took up entirely too much space because I had to hang them off of my MFT (extensions) and then support the dangling end with another table or saw horse.  Way too clumsy and my cuts always seemed to be off, especially when I got to the end of a piece of stock.  And then the guides always tore away at the grippy strip things on the bottom of the rail.  I went whole-hog into the festool PG system without much research because I didn't know about the rip dogs, precision dogs, and seneca systems.

Like others, I eventually opted for one of the third party systems that utilizes the incra t-track plus.  I have yet to use it, but I already like the fact that it's smaller and easier to move/store in my shop and it supports the material being cut unlike festool PG extensions.

 

[JayStPeter]

Anyone just "give up" on the parallel guides and extensions ?  Seemed like a Great idea.  A lot of fumbling when setting them up.  Anyone have a link or tips on set up ?

When they first came out, I was pretty interested in them as I was using some home made rail setting jigs.  My home made jigs were pretty decent, but I figured Festool had come up with something that was probably slicker and easier.  I was pretty disappointed when I finally saw them at a woodworking show.  Even the demonstrator there was fumbling with them a bit.  Years later, I replaced my home made jigs with some rip dog rip guides.  Much slicker.

My favorite skit from a show my kids used to watch:

 

[RDMuller]

Go to my Youtube Festool Channel      Roger Muller Youtube Festool Channel

Look at the 3 videos on this subject.  Video 1 was Cabinetmaker FDM magazines training video of the year a few few years ago.  The 3rd video on the parallel guide extensions has received nearly 167,000 hits.  These will really help you. 

 

[sancho57]

Much like most Festools there is a learning curve. Once you get the feel for the guides you will find them very useful. I use them with sheet goods. Once they are calibrated I'd never go back to using a table saw for ripping sheet goods.

 

[bkharman]

I know some have recommended the Seneca setup (I am sure it is pretty good) but I like my Precision setup. It is really easy to setup, very flexible, and has the right price point.

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[JeromeM]

I brought them about a month ago and I have to say im struggling to find a reason to keep them. I find the clumsy and a pain to move from cut to cut.

Calibration was easy and they were pretty much good to go out the box.

I was planning on buying the extensions for small rips but I don't think I will bother.

The weakest Festool product I have brought and I own a few  [wink]

they have a place in my setup however without the extensions to balance them they are not so easy to use.

I have made quite a few double length systainer sized wood boxes and the extensions were the best way to cut the tops off.

[attachthumb=1]

There is also the "key"  additions I made a few years ago http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-how-to/key-additions-to-the-festool-fs-pa-and-fs-pa-vl/msg97615/#msg97615