Parallel Guides - Seneca, Precision, or DIY?

[Cochese]

Have a project that I was just informed of last night, and it needs to be done in very short order. 14 five-sided cubes, made out of 7/16" OSB. The tops are 18" square, and the sides are cut to overlap and end up making the cube 18" in every dimension. Obviously, my first thought would be to invest in a parallel guide system of some sort to get this accomplished. Crosscut at 18" many times, then clean up with crosscuts in the perpendicular plane either with parallel guides again or the table saw. Unfortunately I don't have the workshop clearance to crosscut in that capability with my table saw.

I really have no interest in the Festool guides, and never have. The aftermarket products look much better, and don't see a lot of difference between the Seneca and Precision solutions. Except for about $50. Then add the Incra tracks. Or I can see about using those same tracks to come up with my own solution.

Thing is I need my solution in hand and operational by this weekend at the latest.

 

[GarryMartin]

Once your pieces are ripped, crosscut them with a jig that captures the piece and the Festool rail at the repeatable dimensions, then cross cut to size with the tracksaw.

I have the Seneca guides and they are great, but if this is a one-off, I wouldn't invest in them *just* for this.

 

[ben_r_]

Either of them sold on Amazon and offer Prime shipping? That might be your deciding factor.

 

[eddomak]

...and don't see a lot of difference between the Seneca and Precision solutions. Except for about $50.

In short, you're right. If you need more detail this has been discussed a couple of times before so a quick search should be able to fill you in on any finer details.

With Precision, it comes with both thumbscrews AND low profile allen screws to attach to the Festool rail. Thumbscrews are useful for quick on/off, but will interfere with a full depth plunge. For those you need to use the included allen screws. The Incra tracks themselves attach onto the guide using allen screws.

With Seneca, it attaches to the rail using allen screws, but the Incra tracks are attached using thumbscrews.

So:
If you intend on keeping the Incra track on the guide attachment, and removing it entirely from your rail - go Precision
If you intend on keeping the part that clamps on the Festool rail on semi-permanently - then go Seneca.
If you intend on changing the length of Incra track frequently - then go Seneca
If you are doing full depth plunges frequently - the Precision thumbscrew advantage is negligible

 

[Wooden Skye]

Here is a homemade version.  I have the Seneca set and like them.

 

[pixelated]

Here is another home brew guide that you might be able to build with materials you already have;

 

[Cochese]

I had seen Alain's version some time ago, but didn't see the other one. There is a third version that is posted here with broken images, that I followed back to the source. Unfortunately I don't have that user's name in front of me to give credit, but I'm going to attempt to duplicate their system in some respects. I picked up a couple Incra T-track plus, an Incra knob kit, and a Festool rail connector to see what I can come up with.

I'd also like to thank Hans publicly for offering to let me borrow his Seneca system. If I hadn't settled on this route I think I would have taken him up on the offer.

I'm in for just over $60 on this, and if it doesn't work I'll only be out the price of the track connector towards the Precision or Seneca units.

 

[Z48LT1]

Perhaps the FOGgers homemade system Cochese refers to is here:http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/simple-scrap-wood-parallel-guides/

Alas, posting is old enough that clicking pix leads to internet limbo.

User's name is none other than Richard/RMW.  Perhaps he could post fresh images?  Design seems genius, to me.

There's an embedded youtube vid that may provide enough clues to the design.

Cheers - Gary

 

[Cochese]

Actually it is this one:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/yet-another-homemade-parallel-guides/

 

[Z48LT1]

Hah.  An embarrassment of riches.

Best - Gary

 

[eddomak]

It sounds like it is too late now, but there was always the alternate version from the Ron Paulk Jig competition.

The reason I put this forward is because you may not have a use for the parallel guides in the future, but you might possibly have a Carvex and find a use for this:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/new-twist-on-parellel-guides!/

 

[Cochese]

I ended up making my own out of 1/2" MDF, Incra T-track, M6 screws, a 482107 guide rail connector, and an Incra Build-It knob kit.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPk-PBgDEKX/

 

[ben_r_]

I ended up making my own out of 1/2" MDF, Incra T-track, M6 screws, a 482107 guide rail connector, and an Incra Build-It knob kit.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPk-PBgDEKX/

Nice! Well done!

 

[Humph010]

I have the Percision. I don't really care for them. Suffice it to say they are not very precise. In fact I have gone back to measuring and marking wish I had spent the extra for the Festool.

 

[jetset95]

Have a project that I was just informed of last night, and it needs to be done in very short order. 14 five-sided cubes...

Is it just me or would any jig have a problem making a cube with only 5 sides / faces? Isn't that a square pyramid? [tongue]

Too late to help I suspect but Peter Millard has just posted an easy way to build one off parallel guides on his You Tube channel

 

[ben_r_]

Looks like the Woodpeckers OTT version of parallel guides are available again. (LINK) Would love to pick up their setup, but the price is too much IMO.