TS55 Edgeguide vs Parallel Guide Set for ripping 6" wide pieces of ply

[Martin Johnson]

I was considering buying the parallel guides for cutting down sheet material into 6" wide strips, but then thought...why wouldn't I just use the edge guide that I already have?  If I set it to 6", I don't even need to you the rail...thoughts on pros and cons of this approach?

 

[semenza]

My first thought is that you should just try it to see if it works out for you.

From my own experience with the rip guide ( 491469 ) ........................................  it is more likely to have the cut vary a little since the saw can move to the right.  And the plunge return at the end of the cut is no fun.  You could set up a jig to provide continued support for the saw base to help alleviate that.

As far as the Festool parallel guide set (495717) goes (the big, long, clunky, awkward ones that attach to the rail, hang off the end of the cut table, get in the way,  etc) , I don't like them. I'd rather have to mark every piece. I do like and use the style available from other makers such as Seneca and Woodpeckers (sorry if I left anyone out).

If I were you I would get a set of guides that rest on the surface.  Or get a Woodpeckers T-Square (maybe available in other brands too, I don't know) with marking holes and a .9mm mechanical pencil. It is surprising how fast you can mark for repeat cuts that way.

Seth

 

[Roachmill]

If 6" rips is all you're after you can easily knock up a pair of offset guides that butt up against the sheet  edge (clamp them to make life easier) and protrude 6" + the kerf width over the sheet. You then position the splinter strip up against them, clamp the rail if you like and then remove to setup blocks before making the cut. Easy and repeatable rips for the price of a few scraps.

I've never been a fan of edge guides as you really want to have them extending beyond both ends of the saw to give you some lead in and out. This involves attaching a longer length of something straight to the fence... hence not a fan!

 

[Michael Kellough]

Using the little edge guide might be okay for a couple of cuts. The guiding edge must be pristine for good results. A splinter sticking out of the guide edge will spoil two new edges, unless rough stuff is all you need.