Parallel guide as a guide rail square

[Brian Livingstone]

Hi,

I have the Festool parallel guides, which I am very happy with.

I was considering buying one of the TSO guide squares.  However, thinking about it wouldn’t using of the parallel guides (without the marker) serve the exact same purpose ?

It fits onto the guide rail securely and at a 90 degree angle, and could be used for squaring the rail.

Let me know if I am missing something.

Thanks.

Brian

 

[bnaboatbuilder]

While parallel guides and a guide square could overlap a small bit in their respective tasks, I'd say they are really intended for very different needs.

I have the Insta-Rail Square and it's simply brilliant to use, always square, clips on easily, no fuss and very accurate cuts up to crosscutting full sheets. But no way I would rely only on a guide square for 8 foot cuts. That's where more error can occur if solely relying on a guide square. Parallel guides would be better.

I have parallel guides from Seneca, they work just fine, but I rarely use them. Pencil marks work for me on full length sheets and I don't need to have long accessories dangling off which unbalances a rail when picking it up to move completely off the work piece.

When cutting everything under 4 ft, I use the Insta-Rail guide square all the time now when not at my custom MFT table.

Everyone has their own method, pick what works for you.

 

[fshanno]

I have the parallel guide.  I've tried it.  Neither of my arms yields a good 90 so I'm out of luck.  I suppose it's hit or miss.  You may have better luck.  You have to tighten the screws.  And you have to keep the guide elevated until you hit the mark because you can't fight the friction tape.  Trying to get it squared up with the guide in contact with the work piece is useless.  You'll rack the whole thing an you probably won't get a 90.

I just use a square.  But instead of pencil marks I use a couple of razor blades which act as stops for the guide.

 

[Gregor]

I have the parallel guide.  I've tried it.  Neither of my arms yields a good 90 so I'm out of luck.

You should be able to adjust the angle of the Lug support (in relation to the arm) after losening the adjusting knob and re-tightening it after setting the arm perpendicular to the rail (using a known-good square).

You would have to redo that every time you release the adjusting knob though, so it's not really practical - unless you plan to keep the FS-PA on the rail and take care to not apply excessive force to the setup as that most likely will ruin the alignment.

It's not made for this kind of task, would be nice though if it would be (and be useable in a repeatable manner).

 

[Michael Kellough]

bna... said "While parallel guides and a guide square could overlap a small bit in their respective tasks, I'd say they are really intended for very different needs."

About the Festool Parallel guide Gregor said, "It's not made for this kind of task, would be nice though if it would be (and be useable in a repeatable manner)."

May be a job for TSO?

 

[sancho57]

There is a utube video by our own Brice Burrel demonstrating how to use a Festool PG to cross cut ply with a guide rail. But to use a GR to square a MFT, think right tool for the job, and the PG are not made for that.

But Hey you are thinking out of the box. One thing I learned using festools is ya gotta think out side the box.

I have both the woodpecker 45 cm OTT and one of the squares sold by anderson ply. I like using the Anderson ply square more then the WP OTT. They both are very accurate , however the square from anderson ply is made for squareing up a MFT and is inexpensive

 

[greg mann]

I have done just what you are asking with very good results. Perhaps I am just lucky but I have not had trouble setting the rail, just push the PG up against the reference edge as I set the rail down for the cut. I usually set it on the line at the near edge and rotate it down. You have the PG so I would suggest trying it out. Nothing to lose. If it does not work for you then you can try something else.

I have also not detected any issue removing and resetting as needed. I do agree that this is not what it was designed to do and heard that directly from Sedge in a workshop. When I told him I got very good results he certainly did not forbid me from doing so and did not challenge my claim that it could work. He was just not going to claim that it would work in every case.

 

[Brian Livingstone]

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback folks.  I ordered the new TSO guide from my friends at Ultimate Tools. 

I am looking forward to receiving it.  I think my idea was sound; however, the TSO guide looks like it would be a more convenient option. 

Brian

 

[tazprime38]

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback folks.  I ordered the new TSO guide from my friends at Ultimate Tools. 

I am looking forward to receiving it.  I think my idea was sound; however, the TSO guide looks like it would be a more convenient option. 

Brian

TSO are bringing out a parallel guide that attaches to the TSO guide rail square in the near future.