TSO Guide Rail Adapter with Star Knobs?

[Bugsysiegals]

Since I'm going to buy the TSO GRS, I figured I might as well switch to their PG's also.  That said, I see they've a new quick release adapter but it still requires a tool and the screws are on the front; however, the original has screws on top, and it seems the original might be able to be modified to use star knobs / thumb screws like the Seneca/Incra ... has anybody done this with the TSO?

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[Roachmill]

Anything protruding above the accessory slot (like the knobs pictured) will foul all but the shallowest of cuts as the motor housing will hit them.

 

[Bugsysiegals]

I can cut at almost 1 1/4" or 31.75mm without issue which is perfect for my needs as I'm only cutting 3/4" plywood.  The TSO appears to have a smaller offset above the track and with lower profile knobs I bet you could squeeze out even more cutting capacity if you needed to but if you're cutting counter tops then it's not going to work for you.

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[Julie]

I just bought a TSO GRS and it came with star knobs, both to connect the rail to my TSO rail square and for the connector used to connect a guide rail directly to the Festool rail.

 

[Bugsysiegals]

I just bought a TSO GRS and it came with star knobs, both to connect the rail to my TSO rail square and for the connector used to connect a guide rail directly to the Festool rail.

Interesting, could you post a pic as I did to show if they interfere with the depth of the saw and if so what the max depth is?

 

[Julie]

The parallel guide connector attaches to the Festool rail similarly to the GRS-16 with an insert into the track channel and with a clamp. The locking is done by tightening screws as opposed to the GRS which has a hand clamp.

Nothing is in the way of the saw.

 

[Bugsysiegals]

The screws are what I’m referring to replacing with star knobs as done on the Seneca PG’s which had screws originally. In this way you don’t need a tool.

 

[Julie]

I get it. Those screws are a pain. I have some knobs on the way. I'll post my thoughts when they arrive.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

I get it. Those screws are a pain. I have some knobs on the way. I'll post my thoughts when they arrive.

[member=40122]Julie[/member] Ha - I just posted a thread in this section pinging Hans/Eric that with the Makita cordless there is plenty of clearance for knobs on the universal adapter.

You said you have some on order? I do not see a knob with such a small thread in the TSO site. Can you provide a link please?

Thanks

 

[Bugsysiegals]

[member=61691]TSO_Products[/member] could the newer adapters be enhanced to use a smaller thumbscrew for the soft tip set screws?  It seems there's enough room but I'm not sure and it would seem these may not get tightened to hard which perhaps the thumbscrew could work?

For reference, I'm referring to something like this and could be even smaller depending the size and how tight the screw needs to be ...

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[Julie]

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you on this. I've been waiting for the knobs to arrive.

I tried star knobs from a variety pack I got. They were just a little too large and the tip of the star hit the saw base.

I found some knurled knobs that seem to work. I've haven't used the parallel guide with them yet, but they seem to tighten well.
At 30 cents a piece I figure they will be useful for other projects too.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WZWK3PV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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[Bugsysiegals]

Thanks Julie!  Do the knurled knobs interfere with the saw and if so how much depth of cut do you lose?

 

[Julie]

Thanks Julie!  Do the knurled knobs interfere with the saw and if so how much depth of cut do you lose?

The knurled knobs don't interfere in any way.

 

[Bugsysiegals]

Sweet, sounds like a better solution assuming they tighten enough and don’t come loose. They even make anodized Blue ones for those whom are picky.

I wanted the TSO PG’s but haven’t figured out any advantages they’d have over my modified Seneca/Incra PG’s.

 

[Claimdude]

I like those anodized knobs. You happen to have a link for them?

Thanks
Jack

[member=61691]TSO_Products[/member] could the newer adapters be enhanced to use a smaller thumbscrew for the soft tip set screws?  It seems there's enough room but I'm not sure and it would seem these may not get tightened to hard which perhaps the thumbscrew could work?

For reference, I'm referring to something like this and could be even smaller depending the size and how tight the screw needs to be ...

View attachment 1

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you on this. I've been waiting for the knobs to arrive.

I tried star knobs from a variety pack I got. They were just a little too large and the tip of the star hit the saw base.

I found some knurled knobs that seem to work. I've haven't used the parallel guide with them yet, but they seem to tighten well.
At 30 cents a piece I figure they will be useful for other projects too.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WZWK3PV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[attachimg=1]

[member=40122]Julie[/member] The screws you linked on Amazon are 3mm thread. I just bought them but guess what - I believe the thread in the adapter are 5mm. Can you please measure yours? I'm confused.

 

[Julie]

They were M5 when I bought them. They changed the product at the link I posted. Very strange as I see the M5 in my order history but the link is to the M3.
M5 8mm long is what you need. I have been using my parallel guide a lot lately for LR32 work. The knobs work great. It didn't take long for me to realize that I needed two of the guide connectors as having one of the guides connected to the rail square doesn't work - I can't clamp the rail down.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

They were M5 when I bought them. They changed the product at the link I posted. Very strange as I see the M5 in my order history but the link is to the M3.
M5 8mm long is what you need. I have been using my parallel guide a lot lately for LR32 work. The knobs work great. It didn't take long for me to realize that I needed two of the guide connectors as having one of the guides connected to the rail square doesn't work - I can't clamp the rail down.

Thanks - after looking for the M5 I actually found some star knobs that look like the TSO ones at Zoro.

 

[DynaGlide]

They were M5 when I bought them. They changed the product at the link I posted. Very strange as I see the M5 in my order history but the link is to the M3.
M5 8mm long is what you need. I have been using my parallel guide a lot lately for LR32 work. The knobs work great. It didn't take long for me to realize that I needed two of the guide connectors as having one of the guides connected to the rail square doesn't work - I can't clamp the rail down.

Thanks - after looking for the M5 I actually found some star knobs that look like the TSO ones at Zoro.

C'mon [member=4518]Mike Goetzke[/member] don't be shy with the Zoro link 

 

[Bugsysiegals]

If you're not against supporting China, here's a nice anodized Blue to match the TSO.

M5 Thumb Screw