UEG ( UNIVERSAL EDGE GUIDE ) replacement for FESTOOL?

[jgowrie]

Hi all,

I took the plunge today and bought the HK 55 Carpentry Saw.  I have been using the EZSmart system for years but I have always been frustrated by the poor dust collection and some accuracy issues.  The one item I really do think the EZ guys got right was the UEG (

).  It is hands-down the best edge guide I have ever used.  It made repetitive rips incredibly fast.  The dust collection though.. ewww..

SO, I see Festool has a Parallel Guide but it falls a bit short on capacity and the leading edge looks like it starts about where the blade enters the material.  Are there any modifications out there which would match the UEG when paired to a Festool saw?

The cost of Festool items is prohibitive for me so I really can't afford to go pick up a section of track long enough and honestly, using a track is not as fast for repetitive rips as using an edge guide is.  An edge guide is much easier to transport also.  I was thinking if there is nothing available that maybe I can find rods that fit the saws guide slots and make my own. 

Thanks!  Hopefully someone has an idea

John

 

[blaszcsj]

Here you go:
http://www.senecawoodworking.com/products/parallel-guide-system-for-incra-t-track-plus

 

[jgowrie]

Thanks for the link.. I am looking for an option that doesnt require a section of track though.  Something like the Festool 500464 parallel guide but with the extra capacity to break a sheet down the middle if needed.  Using a parallel guide like this is much faster that repositioning a track for every cut and you dont need multiple sections of track since the guide can handle any length you need. 

Festool 500464

 

[Michael Kellough]

Using a short guide that follows a factory edge will result in a less than perfect cut unless the factory edge is in pristine MDF. Plywood always has stuff sticking out that will spoil the cut unless close is good enough.

If you use a tracksaw to make an initial perfect cut then you could use the EZ Smart type jig to get good cuts. If you put a Festool tracksaw on that EZ Smart jig and closed up the gaps in the underside you'd get much better dust collection but you still loose the benefits of the splinter guard.

 

[semenza]

Hi John,

  Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

  I have that Festool edge guide that you linked. I have only used it a few times but it dose work pretty well. But I don't know if it fits the HK saws.

Seth