Parf Guide System Mark 2 - Video Series

[Stone Message]

Hi Everyone

The original Parf Guide System continues to sell well and now a Mark 2 version has been released and the two systems will be sold alongside each other.

The new system is just as accurate as the original but is easier to use. However, several quite expensive components have been added which means that it costs more than its predecessor. It is being released at an introductory price in the UK of £164.95.

I have been using the original system (which was the first off the production line) since its launch and have made 7 or 8 custom tracksaw cutting stations and about 30 MFT3 size tops. The Parf Sticks do have some wear at the 3 mm holes but the most recent top that I produced was still jolly accurate. The new system overcomes the problem of wear by having a completely new 3 mm drilling concept and now no moving parts come into contact with the Parf Sticks.

The new Parf Sticks also have some additional holes that make it easy to create offset holes at 32 mm or 48 mm spacing. I have already used one of the new Parf Sticks to create a pattern of holes at 32 mm spacing for shelf supports. I initially used the new Parf Stick to produce two rows of 3 mm holes at 32 mm spacing and then I enlarged them free hand to 5 mm in order to take shelf supports.

Potential PGS buyers should decide for themselves which system suits their needs. If the user only plans making the odd replacement MFT3 top or custom bench top then the original system will be perfectly suitable. If the user wants more capability (32 mm and 48 mm spacing) and longer tool life then the Mark 2 system would be the answer.

Today, 31st October 2018, Axminster are about 10 days away from shipping the new units. I am writing the new instruction manual now !!

Here are the videos. They are in the order that they should be viewed:

PGS Mark 2 - Overview:

PGS Mark 2 - Part 1:

PGS Mark 2 - Offset Holes:

PGS Mark 2 - Part 2:

PGS Mark 2 - 4 Cut Test:

Peter

 

[Farming_Sawyer]

I was excited to receive mine today, but alas, only the dust port arrived. It was too late to contact the carrier to find out where the second package is. Both have been marked delivered. I hope it was forgotten in the delivery van and not nicked from my front door.... Although why take only the Parf guide and not the dust port and pair of new boots sitting there as well as walk past a van of festool gear.... I'm hoping it shows up Monday!! Can't wait to use it.

 

[Stone Message]

I hope the delivery guy sorts this out for you. In the UK it is unusual for a delivery person to leave stuff outside a property unless they have been given instructions to do so - good luck.

I was at the Harrogate show last weekend and the PGS Mark 2 sold out at the start of the second day. We were unable to get any resupplied from the nearest Axminster stores as they too had sold out. I checked yesterday and production is in full swing and it is being shown as "in stock".

Peter

 

[Farming_Sawyer]

Here in rural maine deliveries happen, often without signatures. Rarely does stuff get taken and as we are far enough from the main road it's never been an issue. We have packages arrive at the farm and cheese shop all the time without incident when we're not here.  I left permission for this delivery to be left in a certain place, only if the packages were undamaged...i think therein lays the mystery...  All I know is I want my Parf guide!!

"Good to hear it's such a smash success. Certainly seems to be an excellent piece of kit. Can't wait to churn out a few mft tops once I get this sorted.

 

[skinee]

disappointingly the mk 2 is still shipping with the old style 'conventional' collar on the 20mm drill bit,i had hoped axminster would have switched to the new split stop collar,saying all that I'm pleased with my new mk 2 version.is there a possibility of a 5mm drill bit/guide(for shelf holes) in the future [member=11196]Peter Parfitt[/member]?i realise it would be a tight squeeze given the 6mm hole in the parf rule.

 

[Stone Message]

disappointingly the mk 2 is still shipping with the old style 'conventional' collar on the 20mm drill bit,i had hoped axminster would have switched to the new split stop collar,saying all that I'm pleased with my new mk 2 version.is there a possibility of a 5mm drill bit/guide(for shelf holes) in the future [member=11196]Peter Parfitt[/member]?i realise it would be a tight squeeze given the 6mm hole in the parf rule.

Axminster have several thousand of the split collars due for delivery soon. They do not make them and so they are in the hands of their supplier (who may have been overwhelmed by the size of the order).

The current drill guide cannot be expanded to take a 5 mm bit - it was tried. However, until a full solution is available I have just enlarged the 3 mm holes with a 5 mm bit. I agree that it is then a two stage process but for just the odd job it is not so bad.

Many thanks for this very useful feedback - it was feedback like this that took us from the original to the Mark 2.

Peter

 

[Farming_Sawyer]

The Parf mark 2 finally arrived. My wife notified me of its surprise arrival while I was tearing down a 50s hack job ceiling retrofit to expose the 19th and 18th century bones... Covered in the detritus of history and mice gone by I was jumping for joy.

When I got home later, I  immediately made a small 5x10 grid mft out of some scrap mdf. Over all I love the simplicity and ease of use. However, are the 3mm guide pins supposed to be so tight in the guide block? I couldn't get them in, and when I did they got stuck. I had to find a small nail to drive them out again. They were so tight, both in the guide and the 3mm holes drilled in the top that several times I had to tap them out from beneath. I gave up using them in the guide block and used two tight, but not loose nails to complete that part of the 20mm drilling. Even a light sanding  the guide pins didn't help them fit. Is this normal? I'd like to sort it out before I try making a couple of larger worktops this weekend.

 

[dltflt]

This was on my list of stuff to get. Now it will be the Mk II.

 

[Stone Message]

The Parf mark 2 finally arrived. My wife notified me of its surprise arrival while I was tearing down a 50s hack job ceiling retrofit to expose the 19th and 18th century bones... Covered in the detritus of history and mice gone by I was jumping for joy.

When I got home later, I  immediately made a small 5x10 grid mft out of some scrap mdf. Over all I love the simplicity and ease of use. However, are the 3mm guide pins supposed to be so tight in the guide block? I couldn't get them in, and when I did they got stuck. I had to find a small nail to drive them out again. They were so tight, both in the guide and the 3mm holes drilled in the top that several times I had to tap them out from beneath. I gave up using them in the guide block and used two tight, but not loose nails to complete that part of the 20mm drilling. Even a light sanding  the guide pins didn't help them fit. Is this normal? I'd like to sort it out before I try making a couple of larger worktops this weekend.

The anodising of the 20 mm guide block can cause the 3 mm holes to get tight. I have spoken to the head of Product Development at Axminster. The solution for an individual is simple - use the 3 mm drill guide with the shorter protrusion to drill out the 3 holes in the guide block.

In order to stop this happening again Axminster will go from checking 1 in 50 (or 20 in each batch of 1000) to checking every single 20 mm Guide Block until they consistently get a zero error count.

Thank you for raising this - did you let Axminster know?

Peter

 

[Farming_Sawyer]

I hadn't yet, but will via the kind email they sent. Thanks, Peter.

 

[Farming_Sawyer]

Thanks to @peterparfitt and Axminster Tools for helping me resolve the sticky pin issue. The Mark 2 is now an mft machine.