This morning I made my first cut with my angle unit and realized it is rediculously out of square. If I put a combo square up to it, it is 1/8 out over the 8in length of it. I can't find any way to re-calibrate the dang thing. I have taken it apart and can't find any way to adjust it. Any feedback will be appreciated. Blake
squaring up FS-KS angle unit.
- Thread starter blake
- Start date
In a previous discussion on the FS-KS, we discussed the problem of inadequacy with the adjustment process of the unit. i figured out that a 5/16 flat washer served the purpose of tightening enough that once set, the angle could be transferred over and over without changing the angle. I did not address the inadequacy of setting the right angle in the first place. I don't even try to read the dial for accuracy.
I have an adjustable architect angle guide. i set the FS-KS to what looks right according to the mards and that little arrow thingy. it is never right. The setting depends on the angle you are looking at it from, I think. Once i have set it to what I think is correct, i check it with my own angle guide and make the fine tuning adjustment. I then lock the FS tight and then it can be used.
Only problem now is, when I figured all of this out, I did not have the MFS. i now have the MFS. I lay that out quickly using the FS and losely set my clamps. i then get out the old reliable arcitect adjustable, set the MFS exactly where I want it, clamp it tight and make all of my cuts with confidenc, and of course the ATF 55 to do the work :
Tinker
I have an adjustable architect angle guide. i set the FS-KS to what looks right according to the mards and that little arrow thingy. it is never right. The setting depends on the angle you are looking at it from, I think. Once i have set it to what I think is correct, i check it with my own angle guide and make the fine tuning adjustment. I then lock the FS tight and then it can be used.
Only problem now is, when I figured all of this out, I did not have the MFS. i now have the MFS. I lay that out quickly using the FS and losely set my clamps. i then get out the old reliable arcitect adjustable, set the MFS exactly where I want it, clamp it tight and make all of my cuts with confidenc, and of course the ATF 55 to do the work :
Tinker
Blake,
Most people use other mechanisms for cutting square. First I used a 12" Swanson's Speed Square:http://www.swansontoolco.com/products/speed_squares.html laid against a guide rail. The rough finish made it difficult to get precision. Now I use either this 12" carpenter's triangle:http://www.woodpeck.com/speedsquare.html or my 7: Incra Guaranteed Square:http://www.woodpeck.com/incrasquares.html#775 (whichever happens to be handy).
Regards,
Dan.
Most people use other mechanisms for cutting square. First I used a 12" Swanson's Speed Square:http://www.swansontoolco.com/products/speed_squares.html laid against a guide rail. The rough finish made it difficult to get precision. Now I use either this 12" carpenter's triangle:http://www.woodpeck.com/speedsquare.html or my 7: Incra Guaranteed Square:http://www.woodpeck.com/incrasquares.html#775 (whichever happens to be handy).
Regards,
Dan.
Thanks for replying.
The angle unit is a little bit disappointing. I like the concept,set your angle, slide it in the guide rail and go for it. I simply assumed, from all the festool praise I have heard and given, accuracy would be guaranteed. Not the case. Zero degrees needs to read zero degrees if I am going to pay $70 odd dollars for a measuring tool. Maybe I just have a defective one. I will check out some others with the local Festool dealer here. Now where is that receipt.
Blake
The angle unit is a little bit disappointing. I like the concept,set your angle, slide it in the guide rail and go for it. I simply assumed, from all the festool praise I have heard and given, accuracy would be guaranteed. Not the case. Zero degrees needs to read zero degrees if I am going to pay $70 odd dollars for a measuring tool. Maybe I just have a defective one. I will check out some others with the local Festool dealer here. Now where is that receipt.
Blake
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2007
- Messages
- 759
Blake,
It may be an old subject here, but one that is very important to you and your Festool success. There are two sections on my website on square and one on parallel. They go hand in hand in my book.
Try here:http://www.woodshopdemos.com/men-fes.htm
They are down on the furst page.
It may be an old subject here, but one that is very important to you and your Festool success. There are two sections on my website on square and one on parallel. They go hand in hand in my book.
Try here:http://www.woodshopdemos.com/men-fes.htm
They are down on the furst page.
In my reply above, I was actually describing how i set up for angles other than square. When setting my fence bar square to the guide plate, I use a 12" speed square as Dan has said. The back edge of the square fits tightly into the groove on the top of the fence.
Tinker
Tinker
Lancashire Fusilier
Member
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2007
- Messages
- 106
So does this mean that there are potential innaccuracies in the use of the angle guide? I understand the requirement to initially set up the squareness of right angle cuts etc and that you would need to tweak this upon initial set up and periodically as well (how often?) but the concern over when you trun this to 45 degrees is it actually at 45 degrees or not. Any help there before investing again! Cheers.
Similar threads
