Looking for Guide Clamps

[Jeanluc]

Yes, I am just a hobbyist trying to learn off some Woodcraft basic wood classes, videos, YouTube and a lot of self teaching and butchering of wood [big grin].

I am looking for some solid quality built clamping guides that I can use to run my router or jig jaw or circular saw along.  All my tools are Festool and about 2 months old on average.  The guides you see at Woodcraft or Rockler seem to be questionable, a bit flimsy and their reviews are not sparkling.

So, do any of you pros and other hobbyist have a recommendation?  Not looking for the Festool tracks since those fit the tool base for very specific setups and I would prefer less specific setups - at least for now that is.

Thanks for your time.

 

[peter halle]

I went searching for the guide clamp system I had prior to learning about Festool and can't find it anymore.  I gave mine away to a charity so I can't find the brand for you to search for.  I do remember that when I saw the price tag still attached it was not that much less than the Festool guide rails based on it's construction.  I will look because I have either the circular saw or the router base still hanging around.

Peter

 

[Sparktrician]

You can find clamp-on guides at Highland Woodworking as one source.  I used to use them before I bought the Festool guide rails.  Now they gather dust and cobwebs for the most part. 

 

[donwon]

I use to have these guides as we'll. once I bought and used my festool saw, I never used them again  [big grin]

 

[Jeanluc]

Those are the same type and brand clamp guides I see at Woodcraft and Rockler.  I must be missing the obvious but with the Festool tracks aren't you limited to using a Festool track base setup and then how do you secure the track to the work piece?  I now own nothing but Festool hand tools and love their dust collection and quality.  Not sure how the tracks interact though.

 

[dltflt]

Why don't you buy the Festool Guide Stop see it here, this one is for the OF14oo.  They also have one for the Carvex here.  This allows you to run the router or jigsaw along the Festool track.

 

[Jeanluc]

So it looks like you just lay the track across the workpiece and the non-slip bottom strips keep it in place while you run the tool down the track?  No movement?  My OF1400 came with guide bars but I had to purchase the guide rail separately.  I can pick up the the track and guide but want to make sure the track will work.  I guess you can clamp the track as well if cutting vertical work piece?

 

[nclemmons]

I'd suggest the Festool rails to start if you have a Festool router.  They work really well.

If you want to try a third party guide clamp, I have these - http://www.eemersontool.com for clamping and guiding non-Festool items.

neil

 

[copcarcollector]

So it looks like you just lay the track across the workpiece and the non-slip bottom strips keep it in place while you run the tool down the track?  No movement?  

Not sure if I understand your ? correctly, but yes you can clamp the guiderail to the workpiece with the quick clamp, screw clamp or rapid clamp