Parallel Guide Improvements

[Wonderwino]

I have tried to address both major complaints about the parallel guides with one simple improvement. I have always found it a little difficult to match the stop to the scale when setting up cuts. Then, if the guide is not supported by a table, it tends to sag and cause slight errors when cutting.

My fix is a rotating 1/4" thick acrylic tab with a line to help set the stop to the scale. This is the first attempt, so it is a little crude. I think the next try, I will simply scratch a line on the bottom of the tab, rather than cutting a shallow grove and filling it with red enamel by Revlon.

I cut the tab 20mm wide and put the line in the center. I then centered the hole for the mounting screw on the projection of the pointer on the guide stop. Keep in mind that the stop is actually beveled, so you will have to shim it on the drill press to get a hole that is verticle to the horozontal axis. I drilled and tapped for a 3/4" long 8-32 stainless steel screw. I drilled the tab on center to accomodate the screw and attached it with the hardwae listed below.

The first picture shows the tab in the gauging position with the too-thick red line over the pointer. The second shows the tab in the supporting position. The third shows the fastener section with a metal washer, followed by a rubber washer, followed by the tab, another metal washer and a wavy washer to create friction.

Copyright 2010, Alex Leslie, Wonderwino Engineering.

       

 

[GPowers]

Simple, nice solution. Way easer to read across the gap.

 

[Neill]

Alex,

Great fix.  Being almost 64 and with a poorly lit shop, sometimes setting the scale can be a crapshoot.  Actually, I am pretty careful and have not made a mistake yet on the limited number of cuts I have made.  I guess that's because I just don't take it for granted.

One of the things I do is to be sure that there is no gap between either of the stops and the material.  At least that tells me that I have set each scale at the same number.  This diminishes the likelihood of setting them both wrong.

Still, I would welcome anything that improves the tools I use and this definitely qualifies.

Neill

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

Would there be any demand for offering these ready made for a few dollars a set?  I could perhaps cut them out on my laser from lexan and would probably put the line on the bottom side, laser etched of course. The hole for the bolt would also be laser too.

Best,
Todd

 

[Tim Morris]

I would be up for a set. Nice job Alex.

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Would there be any demand for offering these ready made for a few dollars a set?  I could perhaps cut them out on my laser from lexan and would probably put the line on the bottom side, laser etched of course. The hole for the bolt would also be laser too.

Best,
Todd

Heck yeah.  Though I think you might have to coordinate with Wonderwino, as his idea and he has officially stated copyright for it (per his post).

 

[RDMuller]

I too would like to have a set.  I always feel a little unsure of myself when reading and setting those.

The Kreg jig people have some sort of mangifying glass in the plastic alignment aid on their accessory that they have for setting lengths on their miter saw extensions.  I wish someone new the source of that piece.  If my memory serves me right, it is not available as a part, but I could be wrong. It is SHARP

This piece is the plastic magnifier above the tape
KregToolMiterFence

 

[Neill]

Would there be any demand for offering these ready made for a few dollars a set?  I could perhaps cut them out on my laser from lexan and would probably put the line on the bottom side, laser etched of course. The hole for the bolt would also be laser too.

Best,
Todd

Todd,

I would also be interested.  Like Wood-Junkie said, I am sure that you would need to coordinate with Alex.

Neill

 

[Wonderwino]

I will be happy to coordinate with Todd and get some of these made!  I suppose a continued show of hands will give us a better idea of feasability.

I'm glad you guys like my idea!  [thumbs up]

Alex

[thanks]

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

Two things that come to mind:

1. I would probably cut the corners with a radius to make it a little more user friendly.

2. Would there be any advantage in making the over all size a little larger to provide more support area?

Best,
Todd

 

[Tom Ryan]

Put me in for a set (assuming they're not too expensive).

Tom in Central PA

 

[RONWEN]

Very nice Wino.  How about if the lexan tab were made wider so it could be used to set the distance and support the guide at the same time?

Todd -- Could I send you a sketch of the lens on my version of the parallel guides for a quotation?

 

[rookie08]

Great idea.  I just got the guides to do a bunch of custom french doors and they worked great except for the issue addressed here.

I'd buy a set of the tabs as well!  [thumbs up]

Thanks

James

 

[windmill man]

Hi Guys

If you will pop a set into the post to the UK I will have a set too .Please.

John

 

[-woodsman-]

Nice job.  My hat is off to you sir.  That being said I would gladly buy a set.

 

[CABMEISTER]

Put me down for a set ,  : Make that 2 sets

 

[-woodsman-]

feasability or Fes-ability!

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Two things that come to mind:

1. I would probably cut the corners with a radius to make it a little more user friendly.

2. Would there be any advantage in making the over all size a little larger to provide more support area?

Best,
Todd

This is a great add-on idea.  That way it doesn't have to be rotated. Just position it, and leave it.

... You know, one thing I really, really admire in this forum is how ideas happen, AND they come to physical fruition, AND folks are able to make them broadly available to other admiring users.
Examples:  these parallel guide tabs, Fogtainers, RonWen's Domino bracket, Dave Ronyak's hose adapter and many, many other things.  I think it makes FOG really special.    [big grin]

 

[marrt]

I'd buy a set.

 

[Corwin]

... You know, one thing I really, really admire in this forum is how ideas happen, AND they come to physical fruition, AND folks are able to make them broadly available to other admiring users.
Examples:  these parallel guide tabs, Fogtainers, RonWen's Domino bracket, Dave Ronyak's hose adapter and many, many other things.  I think it makes FOG really special.    [big grin]

Okay, I know about Dave's hose adaptor, Ron's bracket, the FOGtainers that Peter is getting together and now this.  But, what else is there that you allude to?