Parallel Guides on YouTube?

[Neill]

I am kind of interested in the parallel guides but don't quite understand how they work.  I know there are some write-ups and pics out there but I seem to understand things best when I see them in action.

I have done a search but can't seem to find any instructional videos.  Does anyone know if there are any out there?

Thanks.

Neill

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I was not successful in locating a video, either, but did note Brice Burrell's PDF tutorial and review on www.FestoolUSA.com, and Jerry Work's PDF review and tutorial at http://www.mcfeelys.com/docs/IS/495717.pdf and elsewhere.  Both are very well done and should address many of your questions.  When I checked Brice's website, I did not see a video on this topic, but did find http://www.festoolcanada.com/media/pdf/review%20of%20the%20festool%20parallel%20guides.pdf.

Dave R.

 

[Neill]

I was not successful in locating a video, either, but did note Brice Burrell's PDF tutorial and review on www.FestoolUSA.com, and Jerry Work's PDF review and tutorial at http://www.mcfeelys.com/docs/IS/495717.pdf and elsewhere.  Both are very well done and should address many of your questions.  When I checked Brice's website, I did not see a video on this topic, but did find http://www.festoolcanada.com/media/pdf/review%20of%20the%20festool%20parallel%20guides.pdf.

Dave R.

Dave,

Thank you for the links.  I had looked at Jerry's and Brice's write-ups briefly before, but this time since I am actually considering the purchase, I looked a bit harder and actually printed them both.

I was not able to open the link to Festool Canada, but I thank you for that one as well.

By the way, just wondered where you were In Ohio.  I am a former Clevelander.

Neill

 

[woodshopdemos]

Eleana and I  reviewed the new parallel guide system and like 1/2 of it. SO much so that we use that setup each and every day.

Here is the story: http://www.woodshopdemos.com/Fes-Parallel-1.htm

 

[Neill]

Eleana and I   reviewed the new parallel guide system and like 1/2 of it. SO much so that we use that setup each and every day.

Here is the story: http://www.woodshopdemos.com/Fes-Parallel-1.htm

John,

Thank you once again for your insight.  I really like your not so serious approach to what you do.

Neill

 

[Christian93117]

Here it is:

 

[Neill]

Christian,

Thanks so much.  I have a much better idea of how they work.  I will probably watch a few more times until the fine points of calibration sink in.

I definitely think this an investment I will make in the near future.  The parallel guides definitely add more precision and functionality to the saw and guide rails.

Neill

 

[EcoFurniture]

Good Video! Thanks.... now I have to get one too

 

[woodshopdemos]

WOW!!!. I just watched the video and 9 minutes and 57 seconds of great explanations. And I have to say that my earlier post isn't wrong but it isn't complete either. There are so many little intricacies brought out in the video. A picture is worth....
  For sure, Elena and I will have to revisit our setup. That said, we still make full use of one half the guide system for every cross cut.

 

[fshanno]

Good video.  I'd like to see one demonstrating the use of a single arm as a t-square.

A note about the metric rule.  I wish I could have stuck with it.  Goodness knows I tried.  But it was killing me so finally I tore it off.  When I stuck the imperial rule on I made sure it was almost touching the indent on the stop when the stop is locked.  I think that represents a small enhancement because the metric rule was stuck on so that a gap of over a millimeter existed between the ticks on the rule and indent on the stop with the stop locked.  Another little advantage is that I went all the way out to 26 inches which is farther than the stock rule.

 

[Wonderwino]

Great video of the parallel guides!  If it was done with two cameras and a lapel mic, the production quality would have been a little better.  Clear audio and one camera to cut to closeups.  I ordered the parallel guides after Brian demonstrated them to me when I stopped in on my way through Indiana.

 

[Mike B]

Yep, good video. 
I do have a question though. How much of the combined saw/track/guide weight sits beyond the edge of the bench when using the parallel guide extensions? I only ask as if I was cutting to retain the piece on the right of the blade, I would want to take the weight of it or somehow catch it as the cut was completed to avoid it falling or tearing off with 10mm left to go. I know I can clamp the work to the bench, but if too much weight is over the edge I'd feel less comfortable running the saw with my left hand so as to hold the cut piece with my right.

 

[Jimhart]

I can't remember the gentlemans name in the video, but if he's part of the faculty at the upcoming sessions you're in for a treat.
He did a lot of the demo's at Timmy C's Festool Fest in Lincoln last year. I happened to be in town for the football game and got a chance to see a few of his sessions. Very entertaining and a wealth of knowledge.

PS- I'm glad I didn't get picked for the sessions. My mon called and there's a 4 generation family reunion in Chicago that overlaps. I would have missed seeing all those relatives I haven't seen in years. 

 

[Brice Burrell]

I can't remember the gentlemans name in the video, but if he's part of the faculty at the upcoming sessions you're in for a treat.
He did a lot of the demo's at Timmy C's Festool Fest in Lincoln last year. I happened to be in town for the football game and got a chance to see a few of his sessions. Very entertaining and a wealth of knowledge...............

That's Brian Sedgeley, he's based in Lebanon so I bet he'll be there. Great guy and fun to be around.

 

[fshanno]

Yep, good video. 
I do have a question though. How much of the combined saw/track/guide weight sits beyond the edge of the bench when using the parallel guide extensions? I only ask as if I was cutting to retain the piece on the right of the blade, I would want to take the weight of it or somehow catch it as the cut was completed to avoid it falling or tearing off with 10mm left to go. I know I can clamp the work to the bench, but if too much weight is over the edge I'd feel less comfortable running the saw with my left hand so as to hold the cut piece with my right.

You'd want to support that work piece with horses.  He's probably using an MFT probably because that's what he has at hand or because he wants to keep the whole setup Festool.  Here's the setup that you'd use.

[attachimg=#1]

As you can see the whole work piece is supported by the horses.  The arms of the parallel guide are floating.  They sag in the back but it's inconsequential.  The weight of the saw forces the guide down flat on the surface so the desired bevel of the cut is correct.

You're going to need 4 tall horses that are at least 48" long.  I have never made a cut with my parallel guide that involved my MFT.  Cutting platforms don't work well either.  You need variable width support.  You can see that I have the horses' legs overlapped so they can be close enough so they support but don't interfere.  Good old fashion horses, that's the ticket with the FS-PA/VL

 

[fshanno]

I forgot to mention one thing in my recent post.  Another thing you gain when you let the parallel guide arms cantilever past the sides of work piece is that you can cut any thickness material.  And that highlights the need to have 4 horses the same height available to handle the unique demands of cutting with the parallel guides. 

 

[Mike B]

You'd want to support that work piece with horses. 

Nice, thanks for the information and the picture! The variable width aspect is indeed something to be considered, though in some of the places I've worked finding ground flat enough for 4 sawhorses to be level is a challenge!

The sag might be inconsequential but I'm still surprised Festool didn't build small flanges into the stops (as I recall you did with your extension rails) so they could hang up on top of the  timber to stop the sag. I can't see how that would effect their operation.

 

[fshanno]

You'd want to support that work piece with horses. 

Nice, thanks for the information and the picture! The variable width aspect is indeed something to be considered, though in some of the places I've worked finding ground flat enough for 4 sawhorses to be level is a challenge!

The sag might be inconsequential but I'm still surprised Festool didn't build small flanges into the stops (as I recall you did with your extension rails) so they could hang up on top of the  timber to stop the sag. I can't see how that would effect their operation.

I drilled holes thru the stops for mounting a flange for that purpose.  I had little metal plates as the flanges but that's not a good idea, they need to be something the saw can cut.

Maybe Festool could make some fancy aluminum horses just for this setup.  I wonder what they would cost?

 

[BMH]

Very good video. Brian said that the rails do not guaranty squareness, just equal cuts. Is there a way to guaranty squareness ?

Bruce

 

[Jimhart]

Very good video. Brian said that the rails do not guaranty squareness, just equal cuts. Is there a way to guaranty squareness ?

Bruce

Since the equal cuts should be parallel to one another, i'm assuming he's talking about the cuts not necessarily being 90 degrees to the ends of the piece. There has been discussion here that you can use one guide butted to the piece you're cutting to make a 90 degree cut. Otherwise, any technique you use to make your crosscuts 90 degrees.

Is this what you were asking?

Jim