Parallel guides with Incra Stop Shop

[amt]

This is my version of a parallel guide.  I use the Incra track with metric "teeth" and the Incra Stop Shop.  I can now get consistent cuts and always able to re-create a specific width.  Right now I use some wood blocks to attach the tracks to the rail, but that is only for a test run.  I plan on making some similar blocks out of aluminum.

There is a limit of cutting depth since the tracks could interfere with the motor of the TS75, but that limit is around 50mm, easily beyond what I need for cutting panels.

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Also, I have my impromptu rail connector in those pics.  I connected a 188" and 55" rail, so I could cut a 10' sheet of MDF.  I dado'd a channel in the board in order for the tracks to align.  So far it has worked out well; I just don't try to pick the whole combined track up, as that would probably be a disaster.

 

[sonicfedora]

Great idea!  I always think the problem with so many parallel guides is that it'd be so easy to set the two sides inaccurately.

Looks like a 36 inch rail is $72 each.  You're still in for less than most of the commercial solutions.

 

[Jerry68]

Hi amt, I was wondering about the incra track and the stop you are using for your parallel guides. What are the part numbers, and where did you purchase them. Was it easy enough to do?

Thanks, Jerry

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/parallel-rip-guides-for-festool-track-saws-using-incra-and-woodpecker-tools/?action=dlattach;attach=94865

Another one of many on this thread.

 

[amt]

Jerry, I purchased a TRACKSYS52 plus one SHOP STOP.  The tracksys52 comes with the 52" track and a stop shop.  I just cut the 52" track in 2.  All of the Incra stuff should be about $115.  If you want metric, you will also need M-RACKSET10 (about $18).  These are available at several places like Amazon, or you can just get the from Incra directly (incrementaltools.com).

The mount I made out of wood just needed a dado sized to fit over the Festool track.  I actually would like to make some out of aluminum, but I have not had the chance.  I was actually hoping I could draw one up in sketchup and "order" it somewhere online.  Anyone know of a sketchup to CNC service for very small quantity runs?

NYC, I think the main difference here is the Incra tracks I use have the sawtooth interlock, allowing an exact 1mm or 1/32" (depending on which you order) increments, so both tracks can always be set exactly the same, provided both tracks are calibrated to be the same.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Yes, very cool...the saw tooth from the miter gauge, right? Yes, I just discovered those. Nice!

 

[Slappy]

I use the Incra plus trac with my Seneca guides I find if I use a story stix it's dead on each side with out the need  to calibrate , just a faster way to work IMO & less expense

 

[amt]

Slappy, yes, that i true if you have the story sticks.  The sawtooth tracks are more for repeating a specific measurement at any [future] time without story sticks by referencing a known length (like exactly 324.0mm).  I suppose if you kept a library of story sticks then you could have that same repeatability, should you want to reproduce an earlier cut.

NYC, there are two types of sawtooth tracks, one for the miter gauges (flip fence) and their "Incra Tracks" (not to be confused with the " T tracks")..  I used the "Incra Tracks".  IMO, at first glance the Incra product range can be confusing and overwhelming.  It took me a while to really understand what all of their products do.

 

[Slappy]

I make a simple story stix at my miter saw each time I need repeatability
  I measure ,
cut stix ,
then use the stix to set each side of the guide with no thought to if the guide is still needing to be re-calibrated or not 
toss stix unless it's a cut that I regularly do often
I've yet to have a measurement mistake by using this method
not saying the you way use is not good just that what I do is a cheaper & faster ,more accurate way for me
I like my jigs simple , the simpler the less mistakes 
I'm a believer of the  KISS rule

 

[Corwin]

I started using these incremental tracks for jigs many years ago.  My parallel jig consists of a U-shaped plywood base with the Incra tracks on either side and a piano hinge that accepted the guide rail.  I feel that the one-piece base works better than two-piece designs for these somewhat heavy tracks as you handle the jig with the rail attached rather than the rail with some tracks attached, if you follow my drift -- kind of the dog wagging his tail instead of the tail wagging the dog.  Just something to consider...

 

[Jerry68]

amt, thanks for the reply. Did you order 2 shop stops? Are the racks easy enough to change from imperial to metric? Regarding cnc machining, that is what I used to do before I retired. I have access to the shop where I use to work, also one of my sons works in a machine shop, and his boss gave him a key, so he can go in and work on whatever he wants. Regarding the shop stops did you get metric or imperial?

Thanks,Jerry

 

[stphnlwlsh]

Jerry, I got a 52" fence with the shop stop.  If you get the 10 piece metric conversion (M-RACKSET10) kit that amt mentioned, you'll have to get the metric shop stop for this work.  The metric conversion kit will only work with the metric shop stops and vice versa for the imperial.

I got the fence to go on my MFT/3, but I'm not so sure that l like a good 2 feet hanging off the end of my table  [unsure]  Installing the metric conversion kit is really easy, though.  The Incra saw-tooth devices are not installed in the fence to begin with, so putting your red metric ones in there is simple enough with a phillips head screwdriver.

HTH