New and improved Guide Rail Support Unit, RSU2 (lots of pictures)

[Svar]

Are the parts all milled? If so did you do the milling yourself? And if so what mill do you have?

Aluminum cut to shapes with a saw and milled (dadoes, rounded corners, etc.) using a router with end mills aided by some jigs.

 

[ben_r_]

Are the parts all milled? If so did you do the milling yourself? And if so what mill do you have?

Aluminum cut to shapes with a saw and milled (dadoes, rounded corners, etc.) using a router with end mills aided by some jigs.

Oh nice! Well done. Did you 3D model them before you made them? If so what software did you use?

 

[Svar]

Are the parts all milled? If so did you do the milling yourself? And if so what mill do you have?

Aluminum cut to shapes with a saw and milled (dadoes, rounded corners, etc.) using a router with end mills aided by some jigs.

Oh nice! Well done. Did you 3D model them before you made them? If so what software did you use?

I use SketchUp. But this is pretty simple, so no complete model, just some features that were difficult to visualize.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I'm late seeing this fantastic post, way to go Svar.

Great idea with excellent implementation and photos.

I do see a potential problem if others try to copy this idea,
the cut at the top of the posts needs to be dead square
or the rail will shift slightly as the elevation is changed.

Still the potential shift will be much less than is found in
the built-in slack in the standard MFT rail equipment.

 

[Svar]

I do see a potential problem if others try to copy this idea,
the cut at the top of the posts needs to be dead square
or the rail will shift slightly as the elevation is changed.

I made a jig to grind them square after rough cutting. Then placed them vertically on a flat surface and checked with a square.

 

[tdwilli1]

[member=15585]Svar[/member] I would like one also!

 

[duc996]

Viktor,
    I had the chance to install and use the RSU2 you sent and I am thoroughly pleased with it so far. The machining is really well done along with the fit. I too have had issues with having to resquare my MFT and hopefully the RSU2 will help remedy the issue I am having. So far, my MFT has stayed square and I have cut various thickness stock. The adjustments for raising and lowering the guide rail is much smoother and much easier to tighten with the cam lock. I didn't have to shave the splines for them to fit my guide rails and they fit very snug with zero play. If you build more let me know as I would like to order a couple more from you. Thanks.

 

[Rudymejia12]

I slept on this. I also would like to purchase this !! Hopefully you will make more.

 

[HarveyWildes]

I'm really liking what I'm seeing.  Hopefully someone is working with you on productizing this, because I want one too.  I really like the fact that this can be used with a custom-made table that has 80/20 (or other standard track) around the edges.  While the Parf Guide system gives us the ability to create 20mm hole patterns on any size top and use dogs as guides, the ability to cut at angles without extra jigs is still limited.  This really opens up possibilities for custom table configurations and sizes where you can change track angles quickly - I've got a flooring application that I would use this on this month if the RSU2s were still available, and this tool is better suited to the application than any other tool I've got at the moment.

Here are a couple of suggestions:

1.  Play around with the rear hinge placement so that the track can be slid further back without bumping into the mount when upright.

2.  Do something to replace the mount for the MFT fence as well, or just create a new fence.
    That would enable people to still use the MFT fence if they want.
    Or explore ways to use dog holes to replace the rear fence, and use something like the angle-setting TSO triangle to set angles.
    (Any other ideas on this one??)

 

[Michael Kellough]

I do see a potential problem if others try to copy this idea,
the cut at the top of the posts needs to be dead square
or the rail will shift slightly as the elevation is changed.

I made a jig to grind them square after rough cutting. Then placed them vertically on a flat surface and checked with a square.

I'd like to see that!

 

[hamsey]

Please add me to the next production run. Thanks!

Norm

 

[Mgildersleeve]

Very beautiful craftsmanship.

 

[Alec Buscemi]

What is the price for this?  I'm very interested.

 

[macrutt]

Please add me to the list.

Thanks,  George

 

[supimeister]

I would be interested in one as well - this is a great solution for 80/20 workbench owners - hooray!

 

[jonathan-m]

I'm definitely interested in buying one or two as well.

 

[Slartibartfass]

Want one as well.....

 

[NL-mikkla]

Very nice Svar, well done.

It appears difficult to me to reproduce them in large quantities in order to actually making a profit and selling them.
Maybe you could try to sell the design, for instance to UJK, like Peter Parfitt did with his MFT drilling jig and then have a fee per sold item?

 

[RogerP]

Excellent solution to a chronic adjustment problem!

I want one, please make more.

 

[squawkin]

I want one also. [big grin]