Problem with consistent cuts with parallel guides

[Woodsgood]

Having a tough time getting consistent repetitive  cuts. Ive been cutting 3/4 ply for a bookcase. Ripping 8' lengths I'm off by 1-2mm on some pieces. I've read the adjustment threads and watched all the youtubes. Am I missing something? Is it just the learning curve?

I have a t55, 2 1400 rails, parallel guides and a benchmark work table. I set the guide stops and check along the length of the pieces before I cut. Everything seems to be good except the consistency of the cuts. I think it would help if the guides were better supported, I've seen the tabs that some people have installed. I find it ridiculous that these things  need modification for such an obvious condition. Frustrating.

Any suggestions welcomed.

 

[ScotF]

Hi Woodsgood,

Just a couple of thoughts and questions -- are the cuts off the same for each cut -- meaning you rip the piece and it is a little wider on one end over the other?  If this is the case, then the PGs might not be calibrated or the pointer is slightly off -- I use the edge of a razor blade to help me align each pointer.  If they are the same width and each piece varies then it sounds like you have some slight movement.  I find that I get the best results by clamping the guide rail to the material once set.  If I don't clamp, then I have experienced some slight creeping and this could account for 1mm or so.  I am able to get accurate results with my set-up, but there was a little bit of a learning curve.

Scot  

 

[tiralie]

I find that I get the best results by clamping the guide rail to the material once set.  If I don't clamp, then I have experienced some slight creeping and this could account for 1mm or so.

Agreed.
Tim

 

[sancho57]

I had a simular problem.

After watching the videos etc I still couldnt figure out what was going on.

Then when I went to the end user class, I figured out what I was doing.

I never took off the factory edge.

You cut a small piece off the factory edge say 5mm and use that edge to register the PGs on.

But honestly 1-2 mm off over 8' isnt to bad.

In fact its better than a table saw.

 

[Woodsgood]

I had a simular problem.

After watching the videos etc I still couldnt figure out what was going on.

Then when I went to the end user class, I figured out what I was doing.

I never took off the factory edge.

You cut a small piece off the factory edge say 5mm and use that edge to register the PGs on.

But honestly 1-2 mm off over 8' isnt to bad.

In fact its better than a table saw.

Thanks for the feedback.  I guess 1-2mm isn't bad (still need to tighten that up), I used to have a Martin with a 12' slider which was dead on perfect every time.

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[sancho57]

Im in a one man garage shop. I do have a nice table saw, but I use it less and less since I started using festools
If you think about it 1-2 mmis less then a thin curfed blade, over 8 ft, its pretty darned close, even when compared to most table saws.

 

[galwaydude18@gmail.com]

Any sliding panel saw should be able to cut dead on the entire length of the sheet. I have used plenty of 8' and 10' panel saw and was never that off in the length of a panel

 

[sancho57]

can you bring your sliding table saw to the job site and build a set of cabinets on site?

 

[duburban]

i had my PG's out last weekend. It was frustrating how they would fall off the table and take the track with them. Obviously the support tabs are a must for anyone interested in them. Perhaps this weekend I will install them. without a panel saw here would you get a perfect (x)mm strip to calibrate with?

 

[sancho57]

Do you have the extensions? Do you use them when your making your cuts? Though I havent tried it myself. Steve at the end user class ( if I remember correctly) said that the extensions will balance the PGs.

They can be frustrating at times till ya get used working with them. I know I cursed them 3 ways to Sunday until if figured out a way to get them to work for me.

 

[richard.selwyn]

i had my PG's out last weekend. It was frustrating how they would fall off the table and take the track with them. Obviously the support tabs are a must for anyone interested in them. Perhaps this weekend I will install them. without a panel saw here would you get a perfect (x)mm strip to calibrate with?

Forgive my ignorance, but what are the 'support tabs'.