Parallel guides

[Jak147]

Ok, after the success in finding a new set of quality screw drivers in a previous thread I'm going for broke and am going to ask again for some advice.

I'm in the market for some parallel guides
The best price I can find for the Festool set + the narrow rip extension is £240
I guess my question is, Is this the best solution to the problem?
The obvious downside I can see from the pictures is that the guides need to be set to the ends of the work piece.
I may be wrong but if I wanted a 1200mm rip at 450mm and then say had an 800 off cut to rip at 450mm, i would need to adjust the parallel guides to the 800mm piece.
I've seen the woodpeckers system and that seems a lot more practable thou it was a oneTime tool so may or may not be available and is a little strong on the money for general site use

 

[SS Teach]

Jak147, Seneca Woodworking here in the states makes a parallel guide system for use with Festool Guide Rails. It is at a lower price point and uses Incra T Track Plus tracks. The T Tracks are a separate purchase and are available in metric. Ron Paulk added a 1 by 1 and 1/4 piece of aluminum to the Festool system so it would not hang down the sides of the piece you are cutting. Rip Dog also makes a parallel guide system that works with Festool, don't know if these guides are available in your neck of the woods. Good luck with your decision. 

 

[GarryMartin]

I have the Seneca guides and am very happy with them.

Shipping from the US to the UK was uneventful, quick and cost effective. The quality really is impressive.

You'll need Incra T-Track to go with them. It's readily available to us in the UK either from Woodworker's Workshop (UK) or from Dieter Schmid's Fine Tools (DE). Shipping from the latter is no problem; use them frequently.
http://www.senecawoodworking.com/products/parallel-guide-system-for-incra-t-track-plushttp://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/INCRA-3-T-Track-Plus-Metric-Scale (one example size)http://www.fine-tools.com/t-track.html

 

[Jak147]

Thank you guys
That Seneca guide looks the business. Exactly what i was looking for.
Having never laid eyes on the Incra t track plus, how does one calibrate the scale as I would assume it would need to start around the 220mm mark (width of the rail plus the Seneca bracket) can it be peeled off and reattached? But then it would not reach the end.....  [blink]

 

[nclemmons]

Jak147 -

Ask your local supplier about getting the Incra Lexan Scales for you.  They come in various lengths and slide along on the track.  They do not use adhesive!

Great product when paired with the Seneca guides -
http://www.incrementaltools.com/PARTS_INCRA_Imperial_Scales_p/pc-scales.htm

 

[AndyUK]

I have the Seneca guides and agree with everything Garry has said above.
Just beware that you might get stung for VAT duty on receipt of your parcel.
I was and had to pay Royal Mail an additional £25 or thereabouts.

 

[GarryMartin]

Having never laid eyes on the Incra t track plus, how does one calibrate the scale as I would assume it would need to start around the 220mm mark (width of the rail plus the Seneca bracket) can it be peeled off and reattached? But then it would not reach the end.....  [blink]

The ruler slips slide in grooves but you can pop a bit of glue on one end if you like. You can also buy the different sizes (and with different starts, so 0-500mm for example and then 500mm-1000mm (not the correct numbers but you get the idea).

I do something a little different with a Woodpecker rule and rule stop. Check out my post in the following thread...
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...odworking-parallel-guide/msg446400/#msg446400

 

[Jak147]

Seneca definately seem the way to go. Thanks everyone. Garry I also really like the idea of the woodpeckers rule and stop, thou the main reason I want to purchase some guides is that my rails are getting pretty beat up after 3 years on site? Laying the rail up to a pencil mark no longer delivers the desired results. I know I can replace the splinter strips and will order soon but this is a good excuse to buy some guides

 

[GarryMartin]

I've not checked, but logically from their design I'd say they should remain accurate if the guides and removed and then replaced on the same rail. If you were swapping between rails then you'd need to ensure the "outer" track that the guides attach to and the "inner" rail that the saw rides on were identical in sizing between tracks; not saying they won't be, just that the saw and the guide rails are referencing off a different edge (hope that makes sense!)

 

[bigfella]

What is the benefit of the Seneca system ($189) over the Precision Dog ($140) or RIP DOG ($140)?

I am in the market for a set of guides and trying to figure out if it is worth spending the extra $ on the Senecas.

 

[rst]

I've been using Precision dogs and recently bought their parallel guide set to use with the 49" Incra guides I bought some time ago...they work GREAT.  I cut a lot of plastics on a regular basis and this saves me a lot of setup time.

 

[bigfella]

Thanks.

Will place an order for the Precisions.