Gen 2 TSO Products parallel guides

[Davesbuildtips]

I was lucky enough to get a hold of these parallel guides pre release. Have a look at how easy they are to setup, calibrate and use.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

I have many TSO products including the parallel guide system. I purchased the 20"/30"/50" system when it was first released. I love this system and use it all the time. Couple years ago for little over $100 I purchased replacement 50" arms because my originals were not laser etched like the 20" & 30" and I could never get the 50" stops to align like the other two sets. I just got the email about the Gen2 system and the new rail connector and easy to read stops look attractive. The mail says compatible with Gen1 systems (showing the rail connectors and stops - edit, after looking closer the upgrade is for their narrow stock not rail connectors). Problem I see is today I have small thumb screws to attach the Gen1 rail clamps to the arms but the new clamps fasten with screws from below. This means if you change arm size (which I do quite a bit) you need to unscrew the connectors from one set of arms and screw them on the other. To me this is too much added work. So if I were to upgrade my system, not wanting to mess with tools/screws I would need 6 rail connectors and a right/left stop at $500+. Or if you purchased to 30"/50" system you would need two additional rail connectors for around another $130. Or am I missing something?

(After seeing the video looks like the new rail connectors are NOT compatible with the Gen1 arms. True?)

 

[Davesbuildtips]

I have many TSO products including the parallel guide system. I purchased the 20"/30"/50" system when it was first released. I love this system and use it all the time. Couple years ago for little over $100 I purchased replacement 50" arms because my originals were not laser etched like the 20" & 30" and I could never get the 50" stops to align like the other two sets. I just got the email about the Gen2 system and the new rail connector and easy to read stops look attractive. The mail says compatible with Gen1 systems (showing the rail connectors and stops - edit, after looking closer the upgrade is for their narrow stock not rail connectors). Problem I see is today I have small thumb screws to attach the Gen1 rail clamps to the arms but the new clamps fasten with screws from below. This means if you change arm size (which I do quite a bit) you need to unscrew the connectors from one set of arms and screw them on the other. To me this is too much added work. So if I were to upgrade my system, not wanting to mess with tools/screws I would need 6 rail connectors and a right/left stop at $500+. Or if you purchased to 30"/50" system you would need two additional rail connectors for around another $130. Or am I missing something?

(After seeing the video looks like the new rail connectors are NOT compatible with the Gen1 arms. True?)

Correct the Gen 2 stops are not backward compatible with the first version. I also have the first version and used them extensively and will continue to use the 50 inch for a while. The 20 and 30 inch setup is where I am normally cutting so looking forward, they were the best fit for me.