I have calibrated my parallel guide via the Youtube video on the subjest and at the ends of the cut the measurement is exact. However, in the middle of the cut the measurement strays about a 1/16th of an inch or so. The sections of rail don't seem bent in any way and I always store them in a box that I built just for the purpose of keeping them safe. If they cant provide me withh the perfectly parallel cut that I am after, why should i keeep them? What is the fix if any?
Parallel Guide Troubleshooting
- Thread starter jwkilgore
- Start date
First, welcome to the FOG. Sorry to hear about your experience and thus your post. Based on what you wrote I would suggest that if your rails are straight, and if you have adjusted the saw to not have any play on your rail, that you might check to see if you are applying too much sideways pressure on the saw / rail while making a cut. Ease up, concentrate on pushing the saw along the track and see if the cuts improve. I suspect that they will.
Peter
Peter
Gary in Texas
Member
- Joined
- May 16, 2014
- Messages
- 613
First, [welcome] to the FOG!!!
It sounds to me like you have rails connected and they might be out of alignment, or better phrased, not properly set up in a straight alignment.
You cannot simply butt the two rails together and think they are aligned, you need to use a good, long straight edge such as a good level, or anything that has a straight edge. After putting the two rails together and before tightening the screws, put your straight edge against your two rails and make sure they are aligned, then tighten your first set of screws, flip the rails over and tighten the other screws. Check again that the rails stayed in alignment. There is also a third party device, the Betterley connector, that assists in alignment of the rails. There are numerous threads within this forum on the subject of rail alignment, suggest you search and review some of those.
Gary
It sounds to me like you have rails connected and they might be out of alignment, or better phrased, not properly set up in a straight alignment.
You cannot simply butt the two rails together and think they are aligned, you need to use a good, long straight edge such as a good level, or anything that has a straight edge. After putting the two rails together and before tightening the screws, put your straight edge against your two rails and make sure they are aligned, then tighten your first set of screws, flip the rails over and tighten the other screws. Check again that the rails stayed in alignment. There is also a third party device, the Betterley connector, that assists in alignment of the rails. There are numerous threads within this forum on the subject of rail alignment, suggest you search and review some of those.
Gary
How many rails are you using and what type of material are you cutting? If you are joining two rails together Gary is right and you probably don't have them properly connected. They will also move out of alignment over time and need to be check after every 3-4 cuts. Since I switch to the FS 3000 no more problem.
The other problem is that plywood and other woods, they will "move when you cut them because you are relieving some of the internal stress. In my important cuts I will over size my first cut then cut to dimension on the second one and it seem to solve the problem.
Good luck and welcome to the FOG
The other problem is that plywood and other woods, they will "move when you cut them because you are relieving some of the internal stress. In my important cuts I will over size my first cut then cut to dimension on the second one and it seem to solve the problem.
Good luck and welcome to the FOG
JBag09
Member
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2014
- Messages
- 228
I use the Rip Dog and Incra T Track parrallel guides and I had the exact same problem your having. Then I figured out that the guide rails were not straight at the connector. Leave about a 1/32" gap between them when joining them. Use at least a 4 foot level as a straight edge before tightening the connector screws.
I am sure this will solve your problem, just check it every few cuts to make sure it stays in alignment. I haven't had any problems so far. Good luck.
I am sure this will solve your problem, just check it every few cuts to make sure it stays in alignment. I haven't had any problems so far. Good luck.
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