Parallel guide setup

[Jesus Aleman]

Hi, I just purchased the parallel guide set and are ready to calibrate them.  However, I noticed some peculiar issues right out of the box.  I don't think these are deal breakers, but I would like input from other owners.  I have attached two pictures to illustrate these issues. 

1) The extensions attach to the guides using a thumbscrew (black knob) which is set (there is no play or adjustment).  There is a lip on the extension that I would assume should butt against the end of the guides.  However, as seen on the picture (red ovals) this is not the case.  You can also see that the gap is different in both guides.  Therefore, I will need to adjust the extensions differently (lengthwise) when calibrating to the saw/rail.  No big deal (I think).
2) The second issue that may rest some functionality to the guide is that I don't seem to get the inner surface of the extension and guides coplanar (tape side).  I tried for 5 minutes by adjusting the hex screws on the extension without success.  Perhaps I need to try for longer. 

Again, I don't think these are deal breaker, but wanted to see if anyone has seen these issue.  I THINK these are easily solved.

JGA.

 

[fshanno]

What do you know, I have a gap very similar to yours on both VL castings.  I never noticed it.  

As far as the arms being parallel, I've never checked to see if they are when I have the both on a guide.  I don't tighten the screws when I'm using both arms for ripping.  You've got me thinking about this and the next time I break them out I'm going to check.  Maybe I should be tightening them.

I do tighten the little brass screws when using a single arm on at guide as a T-square for crosscutting.  I have to do this or I won't get a square crosscut.  

I don't think that the screws do anything but tighten the arm down so there's no wiggle.  I don't know how to adjust for parallel.  I know that the left arm is square for crosscutting but I've never tightened the screws on the right arm.  Left when looking at the off cut or VL side of the rig.

I'll get back to you on it.

 

[Jesus Aleman]

Ok, I spent some time calibrating the parallel guides (left side) and extension (right side).  Here is what i got.  I was able to calibrate the scale on the extensions as illustrated in the youtube video.  That was easy.  I got the back parallel guide coplanar with the extension, but not the front one.  there is just not enough play on the two adjustment screws on the extension.   I'm not sure that both sides of the guide need to be coplanar, but I would think that this would improve accuracy and parallelism of the cut. 

Upon further review, I'm not sure that the 'gap' is a significant issue.  The critical dimension is the distance between the hole for the black knob and the zero on the right scale.  These are dead on once the scale is calibrated.  I was successful on getting both parallel guides square with the rail without requiring any adjustments (brass screws). 

I was starting to calibrate the scale on the parallel guides (left), but wife called.  A quick check showed that the scale (left) is off by 1/2 - 5/8".  I hope there is enough play on the two screws to compensate.  I'll find out tomorrow and report back.  I will do some test cuts as well.

JGA.

 

[Jesus Aleman]

I believe is time to call Festool.

I restarted calibration this morning with little to show for.  I started by calibrating the guides to 300 mm (12 inches).  I had to slide the left guides all the way to the left (after loosening the green nob and screw) for the scale to be calibrated.  The back guide is dead on @300 mm with respect to the saw, but the front guide is off by 1.5/32" with no more adjustment to be had.  Test cuts confirm this as well.  I had to recalibrate the right arms (extension) once I adjusted the guides.  Well, there is a problem.  Since I slided the left arms all the way to the left, now there is not enough adjustment on the right arm slots.  Using the youtube video calibration procedure, at the zero mm position the stop sits dead on the middle of the blade kerf while the right arm is as far right as it is going to get.  A 10 mm cut comes out @ 8.4 mm. Time to call festool.

JGA.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I'd guess the scale was placed in the wrong position. Like you said calling Festool (or your dealer) is the answer.

 

[EcoFurniture]

I now had my PGS for a couple of days. Set up was fairly easy and straight forward. So far everything worked out nice. As with other festool pieces, so does this one take a bit of time to get used to. One frustrating part is, that I placed the guides on the wrong/opposite side of the rail... Well, I guess having the stops facing outward and not inward doesn't help much  : As I said, I'm learning...

Let's hope I'm getting used to them quickly.... time is money... ;D

 

[fshanno]

I believe is time to call Festool.

I restarted calibration this morning with little to show for.  I started by calibrating the guides to 300 mm (12 inches).  I had to slide the left guides all the way to the left (after loosening the green nob and screw) for the scale to be calibrated.  The back guide is dead on @300 mm with respect to the saw, but the front guide is off by 1.5/32" with no more adjustment to be had.  Test cuts confirm this as well.  I had to recalibrate the right arms (extension) once I adjusted the guides.  Well, there is a problem.  Since I slided the left arms all the way to the left, now there is not enough adjustment on the right arm slots.  Using the youtube video calibration procedure, at the zero mm position the stop sits dead on the middle of the blade kerf while the right arm is as far right as it is going to get.  A 10 mm cut comes out @ 8.4 mm. Time to call festool.

JGA.

If you are in the US and so inclined this could be a good time to pull off the metric rule and put on an imperial.  You'll gain another benefit as well.  You can align the rule close to where the stop locks down so there won't be that annoying and inexplicable gap between the ticks on the rule and the target on the stop.

 

[Jesus Aleman]

I wanted to provide an update on this issue.  Festool took care of it and replaced the guides.  Special thanks to Rick Bush.  We couldn't pin point the issue with the old guides, but the new ones work like a charm.

JGA.

 

[peter halle]

This forum does get used as an avenue for problem solving.

Thank you for posting your resolution.

Peter