Parf Guide mark 2 issues and questions

[solyxius]

Looks like the Mark II is back in stock at TSO - but alas not shipping to Australia ;-(

Still showing as backorder at Axminster ...

Anyone know of another way to get one in Oz?

 

[Stone Message]

Looks like the Mark II is back in stock at TSO - but alas not shipping to Australia ;-(

Still showing as backorder at Axminster ...

Anyone know of another way to get one in Oz?

I spoke to them a couple of days ago to check what is happening. When the Mark 2 PGS was launched they had estimated the demand for the first quarter. That initial stock sold out in a matter of days. They were then going flat out to try to keep up but it was an impossible task. Things were not helped by a hiccup in the raw material supply chain and with so many back orders they had to stop taking new orders. I understand that they are working some extra shifts and new stock will be available very soon. I know that they are a commercial organisation but I feel sorry for them as everything was going so well and they were overwhelmed by demand. It sounds like a nice state to be in but I can assure you that it is not quite what they were expecting. They have tried to balance the flow of stock to dealers outside the UK and to direct customers. Things should be back to normal within 7 days.

Peter

 

[solyxius]

Great thanks for the update Peter, much appreciated  [thumbs up]

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Really interested in this product. With the quality spill on the Parf II are the ones at TSO fully corrected? Just wondering why TSO would have them before Axminster.

Mike

 

[Klemm]

Really interested in this product. With the quality spill on the Parf II are the ones at TSO fully corrected? Just wondering why TSO would have them before Axminster.

Mike

TSO has the widest selection of AXMINSTER  UJK brand products in North America. No wonder that they see to it our customer base is supported.
If you didn't get in on our latest shipments today with your order, you may want to sign up to be notified and act promptly when you see availability.

One difference with the Parf Guide sold by TSO: we add a Stainless 10mm Clamping Collar for customer use in lieu of the standard Aluminum stop collar. This $ 10.00 item is quickly appreciated once you start to use the PGS.

Hans

 

[solyxius]

Really interested in this product. With the quality spill on the Parf II are the ones at TSO fully corrected? Just wondering why TSO would have them before Axminster.

Mike

Very pertinent question Mike, especially in the context of Peter's notes above - I hope burning the candle at both ends to meet demand isn't resulting in repeat manufacturing / quality control concerns ... hopefully Peter and/or Hans can put our minds to rest.

Solly

 

[Klemm]

to all: the concern with the Parf Stick irregularities were traced to a supplier. Axminster told us they have brought this operation in house to have control over the operations. That is the reason they are behind on deliveries - replacing non-conforming product in the field plus starting up and ramping production of the involved parts in house./

In the end you can rest assured that this issue has top managements attention. Probably never going to be an issue again.

The result is worth the wait.

Hans

 

[jayshahu]

I have been lurking on this forum for a bit now. I am interested in the PARF Guide mark II system.

I had a question about compatible bench dogs.

I am aware that lee valley has a couple of bench dogs which have a lip and no chamfer. The UJK has a guide pup and a guide dog with a chamfer.

If I go make a table top with 20 mm holes which dont have a chamfer would I still be able to the UJK guide pup and guide dogs? Will my track saw register properly or am I better off using the less valley dogs.?

 

[Klemm]

[member=59113]jayshahu[/member] – you need not let the Chamfer issue concern you. Here’s why:
If your Dogs don’t have a Chamfer – nothing to worry about.
If your UJK Dogs have a Chamfer: nothing to worry about either because you can buy AXMINSTER / UJK’s Chamfer Tool – modest cost and very effective and easy to use.
Whether your benchtop has chamfered 20mm holes or non-chamfered has no other effect. Think of the Chamfer as an option which does not preclude using any style of Dog
ULTIMATE Tool in Burnaby BC carry our line of Dogs in two tolerance versions: Standard and CF-Dogs = Close Fit Dogs which are the identical diameter and tolerance as the UJK Parf Dogs. You can tell our Dogs apart because they have a set of Double Grooves to make it easier to extract them

Enjoy the Mark 2 – worth the wait
Hans

 

[jayshahu]

Thanks. I will check out ultimate tools

[member=59113]jayshahu[/member] – you need not let the Chamfer issue concern you. Here’s why:
If your Dogs don’t have a Chamfer – nothing to worry about.
If your UJK Dogs have a Chamfer: nothing to worry about either because you can buy AXMINSTER / UJK’s Chamfer Tool – modest cost and very effective and easy to use.
Whether your benchtop has chamfered 20mm holes or non-chamfered has no other effect. Think of the Chamfer as an option which does not preclude using any style of Dog
ULTIMATE Tool in Burnaby BC carry our line of Dogs in two tolerance versions: Standard and CF-Dogs = Close Fit Dogs which are the identical diameter and tolerance as the UJK Parf Dogs. You can tell our Dogs apart because they have a set of Double Grooves to make it easier to extract them

Enjoy the Mark 2 – worth the wait
Hans

 

[Bernmc]

I have the UJK chamfer tool, but with 300 holes in my worktop to do, I found whizzing around with a trim router and a rounding bit much quicker and easier, with a similar result to the chamfer tool.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I chamfer all the dog holes in all my tops, as I like the chamfered dogs but, also it seems to keep edge damage to the holes at a minimum.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

I have the UJK chamfer tool, but with 300 holes in my worktop to do, I found whizzing around with a trim router and a rounding bit much quicker and easier, with a similar result to the chamfer tool.

Couple weekends ago I did the same thing - rounded over 60 slots and chamfered about 250 holes (top & bottom). Used a dust mask and did this outside even though it was pretty cold out. I used a small cordless handheld router for the chamfers.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I have the UJK chamfer tool, but with 300 holes in my worktop to do, I found whizzing around with a trim router and a rounding bit much quicker and easier, with a similar result to the chamfer tool.

Couple weekends ago I did the same thing - rounded over 60 slots and chamfered about 250 holes (top & bottom). Used a dust mask and did this outside even though it was pretty cold out. I used a small cordless handheld router for the chamfers.

Yes same here, I use a 1/4” palm router and chamfer/bevel cutter.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

I had my original work table CNC'd because I had a few projects and got tired waiting on the MK2 to be back in stock. This is my first use of an MFT type table and I already have other ideas for special purpose tops requiring dog holes. So when I found the MK2 back in stock I ordered one at Axminister on Monday and received it Thursday (I'm in the Chicago area). I was somewhat skeptical of the cost but once you have one in your hand you will think it's a bargain. The rules are perfect twins. I would recommend this jig to anyone.

 

[rmwarren]

FWIW I'd grabbed the Mk2 guide a while back directly from Axminster before TSO had them available. Only got around to looking at the sticks this past weekend and sure enough, they had the misalignment issue that started this thread. Went to Axminster's site yesterday late, entered the info into their issues form, received notice this AM that replacement sticks are shipping.

It also blows me away that anything I've ever ordered from them ships @ a very reasonable cost and arrives in 4-5 days to the US east coast.

[member=63423]AxminsterTools[/member] - Kudos for fabulous customer service.

RMW

 

[Stone Message]

FWIW I'd grabbed the Mk2 guide a while back directly from Axminster before TSO had them available. Only got around to looking at the sticks this past weekend and sure enough, they had the misalignment issue that started this thread. Went to Axminster's site yesterday late, entered the info into their issues form, received notice this AM that replacement sticks are shipping.

It also blows me away that anything I've ever ordered from them ships @ a very reasonable cost and arrives in 4-5 days to the US east coast.

[member=63423]AxminsterTools[/member] - Kudos for fabulous customer service.

RMW

Hi Richard,

I am not sure if Axminster monitor the FOG so I will pass this on to them.

I am sorry that your original Parf Sticks were faulty - a problem that they have narrowed down to one batch of I think 20, probably when someone was finishing up for the weekend !

Peter

 

[rmwarren]

FWIW I'd grabbed the Mk2 guide a while back directly from Axminster before TSO had them available. Only got around to looking at the sticks this past weekend and sure enough, they had the misalignment issue that started this thread. Went to Axminster's site yesterday late, entered the info into their issues form, received notice this AM that replacement sticks are shipping.

It also blows me away that anything I've ever ordered from them ships @ a very reasonable cost and arrives in 4-5 days to the US east coast.

[member=63423]AxminsterTools[/member] - Kudos for fabulous customer service.

RMW

Hi Richard,

I am not sure if Axminster monitor the FOG so I will pass this on to them.

I am sorry that your original Parf Sticks were faulty - a problem that they have narrowed down to one batch of I think 20, probably when someone was finishing up for the weekend !

Peter

Thanks Peter, appreciate you passing it along. I'm just glad that [member=69430]wch[/member] noticed the problem originally and posted it here. I don't know what the end result would have been (i.e. how much deviation would have actually been introduced) but more accuracy is always better.

As a side note, it's been interesting to watch as companies like Axminster, Woodpeckers & TSO have gone thru the growing pains ramping up production of precision tools. During my limited foray into it with the Rip Dogs I ran into a couple of issues that required rework, it can be very time consuming especially for a dabbler like myself.  All 3 of the companies mentioned above are to me the gold-standard for how to deal with those challenges.

Cheers!

RMW

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Another somewhat disappointed customer.

When I received my MK2 everything looked good after a quick visual inspection. I had time to check the rules a little closer and think I too have an issue  [mad] even though I waited for rule issues to be flushed out.

Got somewhat specious when I took the plastic sleeves off the rules. Rules had many fingerprints and grease/goop marks on them. The UJK markings don't look the same so I'm wondering if I have a mix new/old rules (photos below).

My 96mm spaced holes if pinned at the zero hole will accept the long shoulder drill guide easily on most and with a twist of the guide on the others. The 32mm holes are similar to the 96mm. My issue is with the 48mm spaced holes. I couldn't even get the pin on the drill guide to go in. Upon further inspection the 48mm spacing holes in one of my rules are undersized!

Rule on bottom is the one with the issue - does it look like old stock? (look at last image - looks like I received two old stock)

Have emailed Axminister.

What bothers me is if they did indeed invest in expensive measuring devices why do they fail somewhat simple functional test performer by customers.

 

[solyxius]

Definitely looks like you have two "old" ones there Mike going by wch's post above in this thread.

I was just about to order as the Mark II's have just come back into stock today, but if you just received those, then I will be asking for them to be checked before they go out!