Parallel Edge set now or MFT later

[dinkjs]

Next month I will have enough pennies saved up to purchase the Parallel Edge Set....but I am pondering do I go ahead and hold off and buy the MFT with all its goodies in a few months.....right now I do have a cheaply made table to do cutting on with my TS55...but with all the accessories the MFT comes with it seems like a real option...but on the other hand the Parallel Edge Set would be extremely helpful at the same time....just alittle info though....I do not have a tablesaw nor will I own one since I got rid of mine a few months back

So your advice would be helpful

 

[Jeff Hein]

Parallel guides are good for making repetitive cuts, (i.e. 6 rips, all 12" wide)

MFT is awesome for squaring panels/cutting/clamping/gluing/assembling

I would go with a MFT first, but if you find you make a lot of repetitive cuts, then get a parallel guide set.  If you are doing 1-2 cuts at a time, you can just line things up manually to a pencil mark, or you can try making your own parallel guides.

 

[BobKovacs]

It's hard to say without knowing what kind of work you do. The parallel guides are great, but aren't worth the hassle to set up unless you've got 4-6 pieces the same width to cut, IMO. The MFT is a great tool, but again, if the type of work you do doesn't lend itself to what the MFT does well, it's not a good investment.

 

[Kodi Crescent]

I bought a set of parallel guides thinking that it would turn my TS55 into a table saw.  I used them once to test them.  I haven't used them since.

On the other hand, I use the MFT for almost every cut.  Something to consider.

 

[GPowers]

Start with the MFT/3, then buy the Parallel guides.  You can do more with the MFT/3. The Guides are a single purpose tool, used to break down sheet goods.

 

[erock]

I agree with Gpowers. 
If you are going to build a lot of cabinets the set is great.  But if your saving your pennies, get the MFT/3 first. 
Maybe you can post in the classified and see if a member who doesn't use his is willing to sell the parallel set at a good price in the future.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I actually bought the guides first and then added an MFT/3.  I have a table saw so if I were to do it again I would reverse the order.  However, with no table saw, I think that the benefit of being able to cut repetitive widths with the guides is important and you have a table now that you can use for other cuts -- a good square and you can get pretty accurate cross-cuts.  OTOH, the MFT lends itself to much more than just cross-cuts and it is my most used tool aside from my CT22.  Do you work with a lot of sheet goods or primarily solid lumber?  Do you need to make repetive rips in your upcoming projects that need to be exact or would the mark and align the rail method work for the short term?

Scot

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Another option might be to use the parallel edge guide and buy an MFT- there is a great video in the tool review section that demonstrates this accessory and it might allow you to get the rips you need in the short run and the added benefit of the MFT at a smaller investment than the guides and MFT.  Just a thought.

Scot

 

[NuggyBuggy]

I bought a set of parallel guides thinking that it would turn my TS55 into a table saw.  I used them once to test them.  I haven't used them since.

I also bought the parallel guides, hoping that with my TS75 and MFT, they would help eliminate my need for a table saw.  I found it tedious and time-consuming to use and could never get it to where I trusted it.  I posted a thread about it and IIRC  one member said he would figure out how much his guides were off on a given day and then just add that to his measurements.  Compared to setting a table saw fence and then cutting, this seemed impossibly painful. 

I spent a good few hours on this, studied the videos and online guides, and finally gave up.  They've sat in their box ever since - probably the most disappointing Festool purchase for me.

Even if I trusted the device, it's still a PITA to use compared to a table saw, just like making a lot of cuts that would be cake on a table saw.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I also bought the parallel guides, hoping that with my TS75 and MFT, they would help eliminate my need for a table saw.  I found it tedious and time-consuming to use and could never get it to where I trusted it.  I posted a thread about it and IIRC  one member said he would figure out how much his guides were off on a given day and then just add that to his measurements.  Compared to setting a table saw fence and then cutting, this seemed impossibly painful. 
[/quote]

NuggyBuggy,

I am curious how much your guides have been off...once I set the guides to the blade I have found them to be extremely accurate.  There is a chance for error since you have to set both pointers on the scale, but what I do is bring the arms of both guides together, set the pointers to the measurement to ensure that they are lined up and then I slide the arms to the proper width to capture the work piece.  This has worked well for me.  Granted, it is not as easy as setting a fence on the saw, but it has not been any less accurate in my experience either and I would much rather go this route with sheet goods than wrestle with it on a table saw.

Scot 

 

[sancho57]

Number me with the buying the MFT first.

I to have the paralell guides. But use them sparingly due to set up time.

MFT I use daily. I have 2 and use them as my main work tables

 

[sancho57]

NuggyBuddy,

When I do use the guides,I measure and mark the ply then set the guides/ rail to my marks. Saves me a lot of of set up time calibrating the guides. Especially if Im cutting upper cabinets.

 

[erock]

I find it odd that guys say it's PITA to set up the parallel guides and it's time consuming.
I never had a hard time or thought it to be time consuming setting up the set.  And once I converted myself to the metric system I found it be be faster.
The initial set up took a couple extra minutes to dial in the stop to the blade, but other then that....simple set up for me. 
I wounder if you don't like setting up the parallel guide system, why not sell it for more toys?

 

[GPowers]

I find it odd that guys say it's PITA to set up the parallel guides and it's time consuming.
I never had a hard time or thought it to be time consuming setting up the set.  And once I converted myself to the metric system I found it be be faster.
The initial set up took a couple extra minutes to dial in the stop to the blade, but other then that....simple set up for me. 
I wounder if you don't like setting up the parallel guide system, why not sell it for more toys?

For one cut I might agree (to time consuming), as it is easer to use a guide rail and clamps. BUT if you are making several repetitive cuts the parallel guides are fast, easy and accurate. Much safer then using a standard table saw.

 

[erock]

YES, absolutely, IF you are making one cut with the parallel guide it is time consuming.
But  the set is for repeated accurate cuts.  So cabinet makers and guys needing to rip sheets down would find this set up to be great. This is the only way I rip my sheet goods now.  I think the parallel set is not for everyone.  A hobbyist can get by using an MFT/3 and a guide rail and save the $300 plus for another tool.