As you may know the Parallel side fence FS-PA - 495717 and Guide extension FS-PA-VL - 495718 have proved very useful but not perfect for some users.
I do not claim originality in the modifications, just the implementation.
The first modification is to extend the length able to be set and cut from 650mm to about 950mm
from Brice Burrell http://greenanddarkblue.blogspot.com
This was simple and all that was needed for each FS-PA was:
A 5.3mm hole drilled and tapped for a 6mm bolt or socket cap screw.
A socket cap screw about 10mm longer than the standard screw
2 washers
And a 6mm wing nut
This setup can't be set between about 700mm and 743mm as that is the gap in the FS-PA-VL
The second mod was to find a way for the units to be self supporting. The fact that they are not would seem to be a design fault or if not a fault then an oversight.
I have seen a modification to the distance stops http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/festool-tips-techniques/2405-festool-parallel-guide-small-modification.html and a extension to the FS-PA both that add support. But no addition to the FS-PA itself.
So my simple "key" modification was to add movable support to the FS-PA and to the support stops. I drilled and tapped the FS-PA and stops
I needed some short pieces of metal to use as supports all I had were some old keys (thanks RAC for 3 of them) so used them and a couple of wrinkle washers.
Here is an example of both in use.
Although you would not usually need to use both.
A side effect is that it is now easier to set the stops as the keys make the index easier to read. [unless you use flash at the wrong angle
]
An old url is now dead (March 2015)
I do not claim originality in the modifications, just the implementation.
The first modification is to extend the length able to be set and cut from 650mm to about 950mm
from Brice Burrell http://greenanddarkblue.blogspot.com
This was simple and all that was needed for each FS-PA was:
A 5.3mm hole drilled and tapped for a 6mm bolt or socket cap screw.
A socket cap screw about 10mm longer than the standard screw
2 washers
And a 6mm wing nut


This setup can't be set between about 700mm and 743mm as that is the gap in the FS-PA-VL
The second mod was to find a way for the units to be self supporting. The fact that they are not would seem to be a design fault or if not a fault then an oversight.
I have seen a modification to the distance stops http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/festool-tips-techniques/2405-festool-parallel-guide-small-modification.html and a extension to the FS-PA both that add support. But no addition to the FS-PA itself.
So my simple "key" modification was to add movable support to the FS-PA and to the support stops. I drilled and tapped the FS-PA and stops


I needed some short pieces of metal to use as supports all I had were some old keys (thanks RAC for 3 of them) so used them and a couple of wrinkle washers.

Here is an example of both in use.

Although you would not usually need to use both.
A side effect is that it is now easier to set the stops as the keys make the index easier to read. [unless you use flash at the wrong angle


An old url is now dead (March 2015)