Parallel Guide Calibration

[tms0425]

I've finally started working with my parallel guides, watched all the videos on it, gone to training, read a lot of the threads, etc. I tried to calibrate them a few times before and got close enough, but never quite perfect. I gave it another try today to less than 0.5mm before I noticed a little detail on mine. I realize these scales are just stickons, but note that the scale for one of them is 55mm from the end and the other is 60mm. My guide extensions are about 1mm difference between the two of them, well within range of the adjustment screws.

Is this much offset (5mm) normal on the longer guides?

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Thanks much for help.

Tom

 

[fritter63]

Are you sure the rails themselves are the same length?  [cool]

 

[tms0425]

Yes, both cut to 688mm. The adjustment slots on the other end are both the same distance from the end. It seems to be the tapes are stuck on differently and it's just barely outside of the range of the adjustment slot (0.5mm or so). I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be this way for some reason or it is somehow defective.

 

[fritter63]

Yes, both cut to 688mm. The adjustment slots on the other end are both the same distance from the end. It seems to be the tapes are stuck on differently and it's just barely outside of the range of the adjustment slot (0.5mm or so). I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be this way for some reason or it is somehow defective.

Hmmm, it never occurred to me to check for that.... but it may explain why is always just a smidgen off for square when I set them "perfect"....

 

[tms0425]

Yes, both cut to 688mm. The adjustment slots on the other end are both the same distance from the end. It seems to be the tapes are stuck on differently and it's just barely outside of the range of the adjustment slot (0.5mm or so). I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be this way for some reason or it is somehow defective.

Hmmm, it never occurred to me to check for that.... but it may explain why is always just a smidgen off for square when I set them "perfect"....

Normally I just use Brice's tip to snug both guides together and feel across the stops with my finger to make sure the cut is square. That works just fine, but when I want to actually use the dimension on the scale to set the cut width it's just a smidge off.

 

[sancho57]

I had a issue with calibrating mines to. I could come close maybe 1 mm off.

So what I do now, I just measure from the edge,

put a tack mark in plcs on the ply or material and then run the guide rail up to the tack marks adj the stops on the parallel guides and Im good.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I've not had any trouble getting mine calibrated.  I've found getting perfect results is more of an issue of a good setup for each cut.  I think some guys envision the guides allowing you to cut quickly and accurately. Truth is more like you get to pick one or the other. [tongue]  All joking aside, these will speed up accurate cuts, but it's still not a super fast process.  If you want speed it comes at a price.     

Normally I just use Brice's tip to snug both guides together and feel across the stops with my finger to make sure the cut is square. That works just fine, but when I want to actually use the dimension on the scale to set the cut width it's just a smidge off.

I can't take credit for that tip, I got it from another member, might have been Greg Mann? 

 

[tms0425]

I can't take credit for that tip, I got it from another member, might have been Greg Mann? 

Indeed it was Greg that you credited in your guide. Great tip though.

If anyone who has a set real handy could spot check theirs that would be great to know if they are all like that. I don't have a dealer anywhere close other than Lebanon a couple hours away 

Tom

 

[TomGadwa1]

I have a set of the parallel guides and mine are 55 mm and 55 mm from the ends.

 

[tms0425]

I have a set of the parallel guides and mine are 55 mm and 55 mm from the ends.

Thanks so much for checking! So maybe I'm not going crazy. Tom

 

[Ken Nagrod]

On the long guides, mine are off on the tapes by 1/4 of a mm.  I'm sure that amount is within acceptable limits.

 

[tms0425]

On the long guides, mine are off on the tapes by 1/4 of a mm.  I'm sure that amount is within acceptable limits.

Thanks Ken. My short ones are about 0.5mm off which is no problem at all to adjust out. I sent a note to my dealer to see what his thoughts are. I can certainly make it work, but it seems like for that kind of coin they should be right. Tom

 

[Ken Nagrod]

They're obviously annoying you and I think I'd be ticked off for a 5mm difference.  Trying to setup these things as fast and accurately as possible so you can get on to cutting is important and this might just slow down the process.  I'd exchange them for another set and check the others if you're buying them in a store.

 

[tms0425]

They're obviously annoying you and I think I'd be ticked off for a 5mm difference.  Trying to setup these things as fast and accurately as possible so you can get on to cutting is important and this might just slow down the process.  I'd exchange them for another set and check the others if you're buying them in a store.

I've had them for maybe 2 or 3 months. Unfortunately there is no local store here anymore, but I have a great online dealer who I've bought all of my stuff from.

Actually if it was maybe 1mm less it would be no problem at all to adjust as there is a fair amount of range on the slots. Apparently someone just mis-applied the ruler. You're right though, I just don't want to be fiddling with it that much. I watched half a dozen videos and read 3 or 4 reviews/guides that all said it was easy  [laughing]

 

[Alan m]

i think you should shoot shane a PM. he can tell you if it is nomal or not.

 

[tbellemare]

I just checked mine and one was about 56mm and the other was about 55.5mm.

Tom

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I just checked mine and one was about 56mm and the other was about 55.5mm.

Tom

Could be the heat of the day.  Check them again tonight.  [blink]

 

[tms0425]

Just a quick follow up on this. It's probably no surprise that Bob Marino was all over it and took care me as he always does. I called Festool Repair Monday and there was already a new set of guides on my doorstep from Lebanon today, along with a return tag. It took me less than 5 minutes to calibrate them perfectly, so all is well now. Thanks again to all for your help!  Tom

 

[JustinHoffmann]

Just a quick follow up on this. It's probably no surprise that Bob Marino was all over it and took care me as he always does. I called Festool Repair Monday and there was already a new set of guides on my doorstep from Lebanon today, along with a return tag. It took me less than 5 minutes to calibrate them perfectly, so all is well now. Thanks again to all for your help!  Tom

Bob is the man!!  I'm glad it was taken care of for you.