Parallel Guide Improvements

[Brice Burrell]

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?  

I know of the Qwas square, Steve's MFT table saw conversion and of course all the things that Festool has done like the end user training.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I like this idea too, count me as interested.

 

[vkumar]

I would be interested in one.  Great idea.

Vijay

 

[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

Probably would also consider:

3. Two mounting bolts for a more secure mounting especially if the size was made larger to overlap without needing to twist.

4. Slightly elongated mounting holes in the plate so that there could be some slight adjustment to get the hairline exactly where you want it even if your drilled hole location is a little off.

Best,
Todd

 

[RONWEN]

The SawStop lens looks like it was almost made to order if you make a little aluminum mounting bracket to go along with it:

 

[Wonderwino]

If you look closely at the parallel guide stops, the pointer is raised above the surface of the extension with the stop surface by about 1/2mm.  Likewise, the extension's top and bottom are not parallel, they taper slightly down from the surface of the bar.  By having the single screw with a wavey washer, the pressure can be adjusted for smooth operation and holding friction.  If support is not necessary, they are out of the way in the gauging position.

I agree on the rounded corners - that was part of my original idea, but in my haste to execute a prototype, I just didn't bother with the extra step. 

I used 1/4" thick scrap from router base material.  with the width I used, there are 2-1/2+ diameters of solid material surrounding the holes.  This exceeds the spec required for rivet holes on airplanes, so I think it should be quite durable in this application.  I wouldn't want to make it too much wider as this might interfere with easy operation of the cam-lock lever.

When you mount the tabs, you will have one left and one right hand guide stop.

 

[BT50]

The part number for the Kreg item is FT4063. I recently bought the precision mitre fence which included the flipstop and in the assembly instructions it included part numbers. Not sure if these are available though.

 

[tazprime38]

Great idea. I would be interested if you would post to the UK.

Tazprime

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Add me to the 'interested list'.

 

[Chris Hughes]

I'm in.  Please leave the Festool logo off though, I bet that'll keep the cost down about 60%. [wink]

 

[Wonderwino]

That would probably keep their lawers happy, too!  [scratch chin]

 

[rnt80]

Count me in for a set.

 

[d8b]

I'm definitely interested if shipping to Belgium is a possibility

greetz,

Philippe

 

[Kevcoleman]

I'll take a pair too

 

[mastercabman]

I also have the parallel guide and i'm not to happy with the way it falls when there is nothing under to hold it up.I'm thinking about doing what you did.
However,i don't have that problem with lining up the arrow/pointer with the lines.

 

[John Stevens]

Todd, please mark me down for a set if you go with Mr. Muller's idea of a magnifying design like the Kreg piece.  I own a couple of Kreg's stops because the line is very thin, lending to extreme accuracy, but very readable because of the magnifying effect.  The links below will take you to stock that is already cut to width with a convex top to give the magnifying effect:

3/4" width (for a 1/8" hole with material on each side of the hole equal to 2 1/2 times the diameter of the hole):

http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Plexiglass_Acrylic_Profiles/ACRHALF-750

1" width (two suppliers for this size):

http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Plexiglass_Acrylic_Profiles/ACRHALF1-000
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=24429&catid=441

5/8" width:

http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Plexiglass_Acrylic_Profiles/ACRHALF-625

1/2" width:

http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Plexiglass_Acrylic_Profiles/ACRHALF-500

I noticed that eplastics fabricates for industry or individual projects:

http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Plastic_Fabrication_Examples/Plastic_Fabrication_Machining_for_Industry
http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Plastic_Fabrication_for_Individuals

And Alex--nice idea!  Thanks for sharing it here.

Regards,

John

 

[iandoug]

Great idea, I'm in, if you will post to Australia

 

[Glenn in Shailer]

Great idea, I'm in, if you will post to Australia

+1 please

 

[Emer Construction]

I'm in

 

[GPowers]

it has been a while, any updates on production?