Parallel Guides -- Two Right Shoes

[Hiersekorn]

So, I got a great deal on a used set of parallel guides. Unfortunately, it turns out that they're both for the right side of the rail.

I'm hoping someone can give me a suggestion on how to salvage this situation. In a perfect world, Festool would just replace the rail with the opposite side. But, because this was a used tool in a private transaction, I'm not sure that's an option.

So, now what? Should I buy the correct side from the spare parts catalog? Should I drill holes to mount the bracket on the opposite side of the guide? Or, heck, maybe I can just use the rail connector and build my own system using t-track.

The set was only $50. I can return it, but at that price, it might be better to McGyver something than go back to zero. Any thoughts?

 

[Packard]

It would help if we knew what brand of equipment you are referring to.

 

[Hiersekorn]

Sorry. It's the Festool parallel guides.

 

[Frank-Jan]

Have you contacted the seller? Maybe he had multiple sets, and send the mismatched guides by accident.

If you want to replace the rail, I just looked it up on ekat, the left rail (it's called "strip" in the diagram) is  part number 496157 and costs $78.22.

 

[Hiersekorn]

Thanks for the catalog number. I couldn't find it.

I contacted the seller. It's actually the guy who owns my local Woodcraft store. (Boise.) And, well, he was amazing -- so helpful and generous that I actually feel guilty. He's gonna replace it with a new set, but without charging me. So, I'm getting a brand new set for less than you'd expect to pay for a used one.

I told him I felt bad and that I didn't want to take advantage of him. He insisted on making it right. I'm blown away.

 

[Frank-Jan]

Congratulations, (I read over the price the first time I read your post)
I got the parallel guides as soon as they came out, they would have been a great help on a big job right before they came out.
I never got  the part for small rips (I use the parallel guide that mounts to the saw for those) but I did modify them a bit (I tapped  a few holes in the sliding indicator part to attach a small aluminum lip so they don't tilt)