TSO GRS-16PE + MFT

[simonh]

I bought a TSO GRS16-PE for cutting large sheets square.

Then I had a thought. Can this be used on the MFT instead of the stock fence (with repeatability issues) or parf/rail dogs (often reducing the cut width of the MFT and relying on the CNC hole pattern). I took a look and it had the perfect size thread to go onto the MFT flip rail bracket (unfortunately only 1 screw location will fit instead of 2).

It makes a quick setup with guaranteed squareness between the fence (GRS) and rail. I checked with a Woodpeckers 1280 it's good.

The idea of having it mounted is that it can be quickly flipped up and down when cutting lots of smaller pieces and saves cutting through all over the table which would occur if I used it manually for each cut.

[attachimg=1]

 

[peter halle]

Great Discovery!  [member=59331]TSO Products[/member]

Peter

 

[Klemm]

[member=15129]Simon H[/member]  - leave it to customers to find new uses or special needs!
We will look into this and try it ourselves to see where to take this idea.

Stay tuned and thanks for sharing
Hans

 

[SoonerFan]

Good idea.  Always seem to find clever things like this on FOG.  Thanks for sharing.

 

[Klemm]

any FOG member interested in this feature on a production GRS-16 PE, please email us  (not PM via FOG) us  with the subject line of this thread:
                  TSO GRS-16 + MFT

email to: info@tsoproducts.com

You will hear from us individually off-line

Hans

 

[John Stevens]

Hmmm, years ago my experience with the MFT led me to abandon it as a cuttting table.  The TSO GRS is an awesome product for using the FEstool track saw without the MFT.  But your idea is intriguing.  Thanks for sharing, Iill give it a try.

—John

 

[Bigdaddy65]

How were you able to raise the rail and keep it square with only 1 screw?

 

[tjbnwi]

How were you able to raise the rail and keep it square with only 1 screw?

Looking at the arrangement I believe the 2 pieces work together. Even if the square rotates a little the rail moves with it, keeping them square.

Tom

 

[simonh]

The TSO connects square to the rail automatically when you lock the clamp on the TSO. That's the great thing, it doesn't matter if the rail is kept square to the table or slops around, just make sure you push the wood tight up against the TSO square and you're guaranteed a square cut.

 

[Bigdaddy65]

The TSO connects square to the rail automatically when you lock the clamp on the TSO. That's the great thing, it doesn't matter if the rail is kept square to the table or slops around, just make sure you push the wood tight up against the TSO square and you're guaranteed a square cut.

Right, I’ll try to clarify. When raising the rail with only the one screw holding the GRS on the bracket what keeps the rail and square from rotating right or left?

 

[Jmacpherson]

[member=66875]simonh[/member] or anyone else on this thread, correct me if I'm not understanding this correctly...

You are only using the rear clamp on the MFT and not using the front the clamp at all?
Based on how the TSO square attaches to the rail, you are guaranteed a square cut (as long the wood is flush to the TSO square) thereby negating the need for the front clamp?

 

[simonh]

[member=61559]Jmacpherson[/member] I still use the front clamp as it helps support the rail and ensures you are cutting in the same kerf on the table.  It doesn't matter if you do or don't use it, or what angle the track is to the table. As the TSO and rail form a perfect 90 degree so long as you push the wood up against the TSO you will get a square cut.

I cut some expensive phenolic on it the other day and it came out perfect!  I found a couple of advantages over the usual fence/rail setup:

1) The TSO references off the top edge of the wood so is much less likely to get affected by sawdust or other bits getting stuck between the workpiece and fence rail on the standard MFT setup.

2) As you lift the rail higher the TSO is still referencing off the top edge of your wood. Whereas with the standard rail/fence setup is usually squared flat on the table I'm sure it all becomes slightly out of square when you raise the rail higher as I have repeatability issues even though I've triple checked the setup. No such issue with the TSO.

 

[Jmacpherson]

Thanks for the detailed explanation [member=66875]simonh[/member]
Now I'm tempted to get the GRS-16PE and give it a try

 

[John Stevens]

[member=61559]Jmacpherson[/member]I found a couple of advantages over the usual fence/rail setup:

3)  If you want to move the fence closer or farther away to accommodate stock of different sizes, the TSO fence will make that fast and easy, with no need to re-square. I think that’ll make a big difference for me.

—John

 

[heidtwd]

I tried this and it's great!
I really like that you can quickly remove the track when you want it out of the way and just as quickly put it back on in perfect square.
Beats having the track sticking straight up in the air!
Good for you, [member=66875]simonh[/member]!

 

[Jmacpherson]

I just opened up my new GRS-16 PE and looks like TSO have made some adjustments.

There are 2x holes in-line with "bump" that slides into the slot on the bottom side of the rail.
I did a dry alignment and those 2x holes line up perfectly with the 2x holes/screws on the rear bracket of the MFT/3.

Looking at the original images of the PE those holes were not there.

Thanks you [member=59331]TSO Products[/member]

 

[Bigdaddy65]

Is it possible to have the new hole added an older version?

 

[TSO_Products]

I just opened up my new GRS-16 PE and looks like TSO have made some adjustments.

There are 2x holes in-line with "bump" that slides into the slot on the bottom side of the rail.
I did a dry alignment and those 2x holes line up perfectly with the 2x holes/screws on the rear bracket of the MFT/3.

Looking at the original images of the PE those holes were not there.

Thanks you [member=59331]TSO Products[/member]

John, - you're welcome!  Glad that you are now able to purchase TSO Products from local dealers in South Africa.

Hans

 

[rljatl]

Is it possible to have the new hole added an older version?

Yes, I would like to have the holes added to mine, too.

 

[TSO_Products]

YES, the 2-hole upgrade can be added to ealier versions of GRS-16 PE.

Option Nr.1: TSO creates a machining drawing showing dimensions and placement of the 2-hole pattern and makes it available for free download on our website.

Option Nr. 2: TSO offers a precision machined drill jig for sale which can be clamped to an existing GRS-16 PE for drilling accurately placed holes with a Tap Drill followed by tapping with an M6 Tap. We will develop a cost for one fixed number of units production run and publish it in the TSO INSIDER.

Option Nr. 3: purchase a new , current production GRS-16 PE  [smile]

We look forward to feedback, as always.
Hans and Eric