Qwas Square Review

[Qwas]

Yes, I am aware many people use the 1400 rail to cut plywood regularly. Many people also use their table saws without the proper guards in place. Does that make it right or safer because others are doing the same? I wonder how many damaged rails were from people using the 1400 trying to crosscut plywood. Should I add an extra bolt hole that could promote the unsafe use of a guide rail?

I've looked through some Festool catalogs to see if they recommend how much extra rail is needed for either saw. It's not there.  It's not in the manual either.

I believe Festool Germany gave us a clue at how much longer the rail should be than the workpiece. When you look at all the rail lengths, one stands out as being oddball, the 1080. It appears the 1080 was made specifically for the MFT-1080 table. Festool's old catalog states the max workpiece width for the MFT 1080 is 28" or 725 mm. So that would leave 14" or 355 mm for overhang, very close to Mishle statement of 13". I also worked the numbers for the MFT-800 and it comes to 11.4" or 290 mm. This MFT uses a standard length rail rather than an oddball length. Perhaps they recognized this was not enough overhang and went with the oddball length on the MFT 1080. No matter how you want to look at it, it appears the Festool factory believes you need 11.5 to 14 inches of overhang.  So to safely crosscut plywood you need a guide rail at least 60-62" long. I would recommend Festool offer a 1600 mm guide rail to give some wiggle room.

 

[Brice Burrell]

....So to safely crosscut plywood you need a guide rail at least 60-62" long. I would recommend Festool offer a 1600 mm guide rail to give some wiggle room.

Sounds like a "wish list" item to me.  I know I'd buy one if they offer it.

 

[Julian Tracy]

Why wish?  Buy a 75" and cut it down.

Julian

 

[Brice Burrell]

Why wish?  Buy a 75" and cut it down.

Julian

I hear you, I already have a 75" rail, I use it all the time.  I'd miss the extra foot if I cut it down.  I was hoping to save a few bucks if Festool made a 1600. 

 

[Toy Sun]

Hi,
I'm trying, (really) to cut through the chatter on this one: I've got the Qwas square, added some Incra track, a rule and an adjustable stop, and I've got what I wanted: I can basically "dial in" a dimension, butt my workpiece up and cut an accurate, square piece. Wonderful!

But I'm running into the same issue of needing more track. I've to the TS55 and the 55" track that came with it. I'm amenable to using the connectors. What would be the smallest size track to purchase to give me the ability to do the 8' rip? (55" + X" = sufficient for the 8' rip)?

Just so I'm not asking without giving: Here is my tip for squaring up the Qwas square - mount it loosely, then "hang" it off the track. (Pick up the track and hold it on it's edge, let the square hang down, it will butt the correct side of the grooves in the bottom of the rail. Tighten the screws.

Thanks,
John

 

[jonny round boy]

What would be the smallest size track to purchase to give me the ability to do the 8' rip? (55" + X" = sufficient for the 8' rip)?

2x 55" rails will do it, that's the best combination if you're going to join rails.

 

[Toy Sun]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply. So the 2x 55" is also considered the best combo for use with the Qwas Square? That gives a total rail length of 110". Qwas Square eats up about 10" at the beginning of the cut. I'm thinking that won't be enough. Looking at the Festool site, they spec a cut length of: Track length - 6" = Cut Max Cut Length.

Steve, hoping you'll chime in (and let me know what you think about my squaring set up trick)

Thanks,
John

 

[peter halle]

I don't have the Qwas Square, but I almost always recommend that if a user already has a 55" rail they don't duplicate it unless they want a rail for future LR-32 work.  The 75" rail really helps bridge the gap between the 1400 mm rail and the 2700 mm rail.

Just a thought.

Peter

 

[Qwas]

Hi,
I'm trying, (really) to cut through the chatter on this one: I've got the Qwas square, added some Incra track, a rule and an adjustable stop, and I've got what I wanted: I can basically "dial in" a dimension, butt my workpiece up and cut an accurate, square piece. Wonderful!

But I'm running into the same issue of needing more track. I've to the TS55 and the 55" track that came with it. I'm amenable to using the connectors. What would be the smallest size track to purchase to give me the ability to do the 8' rip? (55" + X" = sufficient for the 8' rip)?

Just so I'm not asking without giving: Here is my tip for squaring up the Qwas square - mount it loosely, then "hang" it off the track. (Pick up the track and hold it on it's edge, let the square hang down, it will butt the correct side of the grooves in the bottom of the rail. Tighten the screws.

Thanks,
John

Thanks for the interest in my products. Yes, your trick should work fine just be sure the mating surfaces are clean of any sawdust or debris. 

[dead horse] Like Johnny I often join 2 55" rails for cutting plywood on the long side. Whenever possible I make my rip cuts first so I don't need to join rails or fight with a long guide rail (it always seems to find something new to smack into). If I was to buy  a long guide rail for this purpose, I would get the 3000 mm rail.

 

[Toy Sun]

So Steve, you are saying that 2x 55" rails + Qwas Square works for 8' sheets?

Thanks,
John

 

[Qwas]

Yes, that combination will work.