Parf Guide mark 2 issues and questions

[Bernmc]

I finally got to play with my replacement parf stick yesterday

View attachment 1

It's not that obvious in the photo, but the original stick on the far left is a distinctly different colour to the other three, and it's this stick that is inaccurate. It's more tarnished than the others.
All three other sticks - the two replacements and one of my originals - appear to be accurate. At least all the holes line up, and can be anchored together by the various pins and locking wotsits in the kit.

Milled half of my bench (it does take a long time to do something like a full-size Paulk worktop), and did a few bench dog/track saw square cuts, and they are perfect. Made me pretty happy  [big grin]

View attachment 2

 

[Mike Goetzke]

[member=69245]Bernmc[/member] - Looking at your first picture, maybe it's just the camera/angle, but, some of the holes seem to be deformed (not crisp/sharp)?

Where did you get that small dust collection hood?

I was ready to buy one of these for making three 32" x 48" tops but after reading through this thread I'm worried about the quality of the components, time to bore all my holes, and it's not in stock (likely due to the quality issues).

 

[sancho57]

[member=11196]Peter Parfitt[/member]

Anyone with rulers which are faulty should contact Axminster Customer Services. But do make a top with the system and check that it works as a very minor variation between a pair of rulers may not be an issue.

Always contact Axminster Customer Services first if you have any problems. They manufacture and distribute the kit and I am unable to help other than provide the guidance that I have given above.

Peter

Peter,

I think you need a hotdog with lots of mustard

 

[Bernmc]

[member=69245]Bernmc[/member] - Looking at your first picture, maybe it's just the camera/angle, but, some of the holes seem to be deformed (not crisp/sharp)?

Where did you get that small dust collection hood?

I was ready to buy one of these for making three 32" x 48" tops but after reading through this thread I'm worried about the quality of the components, time to bore all my holes, and it's not in stock (likely due to the quality issues).

Mike, it's the camera angle. They are all sharper than a sharp thing on a sharp day.

I 3D-printed the dust collection hood - it works really well (PETG on a Prusa i3 Mk3):https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2952709 - 'dust' collection is essential for this process as the special forstner bit peels the MDF apart in a paper-like ribbon which quickly clogs the jig if not removed.

I believe the quality issues have been resolved and you can buy with confidence - the new parf sticks have addressed the issue I originally had. The rest of the system is fantastically well-machined. In fact, tolerances are so tight that I occasionally need to go back and introduce a bit of wobbly in the guide holes because the pins are so tight. Similarly , the dogs are a very secure fit in the finished product. And when I did have the issue originally, Axminster sorted it out without fuss.

It definitely takes time, but I think that aside from a CNC'd top, it's the most accurate way to mill something like this. I did have a pop at using a 20mm router bit, and while you might get everything square with a considerable amount of care, the holes are just too sloppy for standard bench dogs.

 

[Mario Turcot]

[member=4518]Mike Goetzke[/member]

I got mine from YellowBoxshed, price is low and shipping was good. But the best is it fit like a glove on the Parf guide. i'll post a photo of mine later tonight. I also ordered a few goodies to work with MFT tops and I'm very impressed by the quality.

[attachimg=1]

 

[jasen]

If you have a 3D Printerhttps://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2952709

Works well

 

[Klemm]

[member=66597]Mario Turcot[/member] @ Mike Goetzke [member=61072]jasen[/member] and All:
Not to discourage the Makers and their 3D Printers, but the rest of us may want to consider what $34.95 from  TSO’s Minnesota warehouse buys you.

Peter Parfitt explains it best:
                  https://tsoproducts.com/tools-equipment/ujk-technology-parf-dust-port/
   
This seriously tooled, injection molded, snaps-on and stays-put Parf Dust Port from Axminster is part of the largest selection of AXMINSTER and UJK Brand products stocked in the US at TSOproducts.com
Hans and Eric

 

[jasen]

Another good option from TSO for the U.S.

Its all about options. Down under with US dollar and postage costs someone like Yellowbox shed is great for Aussies/Kiwis and another great option if you 3D Print.

OT. I want to buy $35 worth of Robertson bits (square) from Canada at a postage cost of $120CA!!

 

[Mario Turcot]

[member=66597]Mario Turcot[/member] @ Mike Goetzke [member=61072]jasen[/member] and All:
Not to discourage the Makers and their 3D Printers, but the rest of us may want to consider what $34.95 from  TSO’s Minnesota warehouse buys you.

Peter Parfitt explains it best:
                  https://tsoproducts.com/tools-equipment/ujk-technology-parf-dust-port/
   
This seriously tooled, injection molded, snaps-on and stays-put Parf Dust Port from Axminster is part of the largest selection of AXMINSTER and UJK Brand products stocked in the US at TSOproducts.com
Hans and Eric

Unfortunately the Axminster dust hood was not available at the time I ordered the Parf Guide from TSO Products.  [crying]

 

[Mario Turcot]

Another good option from TSO for the U.S.

Its all about options. Down under with US dollar and postage costs someone like Yellowbox shed is great for Aussies/Kiwis and another great option if you 3D Print.

OT. I want to buy $35 worth of Robertson bits (square) from Canada at a postage cost of $120CA!!

I hear you about postage fees. The order I did with Yellowboxshed came at a total of 96$ and the postage was 14.50$ I call this extremely fair. Personally I tried several times to order from Woodpecker Tools. Just last week they had a router bit I just received from Toolstoday, Toolstoday charged me 26$ for shipping, there was 2 bits. Woodpecker was charging me 37$ for a single bit and the bit was 35$  [eek]

 

[ChuckM]

Cross shipping costs have prevented me from buying more tools or things from the US. Recently, I bought some magazines on eBay and had them shipped to a US address free; to a Canadian location? The shipping cost would be five times the total cost of the magazines!

Another reason why I shop mostly at Lee Valley for woodworking tools, and any vendor whose products are not carried by Lee Valley, or any local tool vendors in Canada seldom gets my business.

 

[Klemm]

Another good option from TSO for the U.S.

Its all about options. Down under with US dollar and postage costs someone like Yellowbox shed is great for Aussies/Kiwis and another great option if you 3D Print.

OT. I want to buy $35 worth of Robertson bits (square) from Canada at a postage cost of $120CA!!

Non-US woodworkers:
TSO hears you. Until we developed capable Dealers in key geographic areas we subsidized international shipping so we know from our own pocketbook how expensive that is [sad].

Since then we have established  capable stocking dealers in Australia and New Zealand CARBATEC, in Europe AXMINSTER and GereedschapPro plus South Africa's BPM TOOLCRAFT and HARDWARE CENTRE with ULTIMATE TOOLS in Canada our very first International Dealer.

We thank them all for offering our customers a choice.

Hans and Eric

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

After reading this thread I checked my Parf sticks and they seem spot on, mine is a Mk 2 system. Whenever I make a top of any type with the system, I always check for square cutting etc, and from the many I’ve made so far, all seems fine and on par with my MFT/3.
Hopefully any faulty versions of the systems are few and far between.

I also just want to reassure anybody thinking of buying these systems, or anything else from Axminster Tools. Apart from a possible inconvenience if something is damaged, not up to standard, or any other cause for disappointment, rest assured Axminster will sort it out and make sure you are happy.
Without going into detail, I use many suppliers and buy tools from many companies, and without doubt, Axminster have the best customer service, that I have personally ever experienced. That alone means a lot too me.

 

[Stone Message]

After reading this thread I checked my Parf sticks and they seem spot on, mine is a Mk 2 system. Whenever I make a top of any type with the system, I always check for square cutting etc, and from the many I’ve made so far, all seems fine and on par with my MFT/3.
Hopefully any faulty versions of the systems are few and far between.

I also just want to reassure anybody thinking of buying these systems, or anything else from Axminster Tools. Apart from a possible inconvenience if something is damaged, not up to standard, or any other cause for disappointment, rest assured Axminster will sort it out and make sure you are happy.
Without going into detail, I use many suppliers and buy tools from many companies, and without doubt, Axminster have the best customer service, that I have personally ever experienced. That alone means a lot too me.

I absolutely agree and it was one of the major factors that convinced me that they should take on my Parf (R) products.

Peter

 

[Euclid]

Whilst we are on the subject of Axminster (rather than specifically the ‘PGS’)...

Although I’d bought from Axminster by mail order (online) a number of times in the past (with considerable satisfaction - well, total satisfaction to be honest), I’d never visited one of their stores.
Having now done that (my “local” one, in Kent - not the easiest of journeys) I’ve been back several times because it is just a nice place to go... calm and spacious, loads of kit to look at and accessories to browse, and good relaxed atmosphere. The staff seem to be endlessly patient and helpful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic, with no pressure to buy and leave you alone until you want help. Odd items that have been out-of-stock, they have sent on to me free of delivery charges.

My only real “complaint” is that on each visit I’ve bought (and spent) much more than I intended when I left home...!

Sorry if all of that sounds like a “shill” or covert marketing for them, but it isn’t... I just feel they deserve a  public “thumbs up”. Yes, some of the stuff (eg. Some Festool items, but not all) can be found a little bit cheaper elsewhere, but overall ther prices seem very fair and sometimes very good; I’m happy to support, when I can, a business that provides both good service online and an extremely good “bricks-and-mortar” presence.

I’ve been buying quite a bit of “UJK” stuff lately and am very pleased with the quality and the finish; though I don’t (yet) have a Parf Guide System...

 

[Bill Fleming]

I am in need of a new top for my MFT/1080 and the cost of a new top is about equal to the MK2 and of course with the MK2 I can do many things.

So is all this issue of MK2 quality sorted such that getting a properly machined and packaged version more likely than not?

Thx Bill

 

[Klemm]

I am in need of a new top for my MFT/1080 and the cost of a new top is about equal to the MK2 and of course with the MK2 I can do many things.

So is all this issue of MK2 quality sorted such that getting a properly machined and packaged version more likely than not?

Thx Bill

[member=554]Bill Fleming[/member] - based on the answer I received earlier this week from a senior technical manager at AXMINSTER the answer is an unqualified YES.

TSO's stock replenishment order from AXMINSTER with PGS Mark 2 was ready to ship to us by airfreight. Sign up here to be notified when PGS Mark 2 is back in stock here in the US:

           https://tsoproducts.com/workholding-accessories/ujk-technology-parf-guide-system/

Hans

 

[Bill Fleming]

Great news, signed up to be notified on your site!

Thx Bill

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Talked to Axminster this morning and they say don’t expect availability until mid-March! I need to look for CNC supplier for my three new tops.

 

[Klemm]

Talked to Axminster this morning and they say don’t expect availability until mid-March! I need to look for CNC supplier for my three new tops.

Mike, - we just received confirmation that our AXMINSTER shipment has shipped airfreight to TSO's Minnesota warehouse. Should be available to ship out to our customers some time next week. automatic notifications will go out to all who have signed up on our website:

        https://tsoproducts.com/workholding-accessories/ujk-technology-parf-guide-system/

Hans