Using the TSO GRS 16 PE attached to the MFT and MW 1000

[Ivan T]

I have had the TSO Guide Rail Square for a week so of course I am trying to figure out ways to use it. I am very impressed that it is so easy to make square cuts so quickly. While watching Eric at The Poplar Shop video (I do not know how to list a mention or I would) he made a comment about attaching the Rail Square to an MFT. I saw that mentioned somewhere else but did not find any information on how to attach the Rail Square to the MFT. Well it is not that hard to do. If you have the Festool Swivel that holds the Guide Rail to the MFT and a TSO Rail Square you have all the parts.

The short version is.
Remove the key that the guide rail slides over from the Festool swivel.
Use those 2 screws to attach the TSO Rail Square where the key was removed. Slid the swivel onto the MFT Rail.
Now there is some adjusting to do to get the swivel tight enough so it does not move up and down while in use. It is just like you do when setting up to make cross cuts on the MFT. I found that the stop that holds the other end of the guide rail is not needed.

Slide a Guide Rail on the Rail Square and secure the Guide Rail with the clip.

I chose to put mine on my MW 1000. I found that the MW 1000 has plastic corners on the rails and the swivel does not easily slid over those corners. I sanded the corners a little and was able to get the swivel with the Rail Square to slid onto the rail. I chose to put the swivel and Rail Square in a position where my cut line is just off the end of the table. I am not cutting into the table top.

When you get the swivel snugged up on the rail and put some timber down to be cut you will notice that it feels more firm than the swivel and guide rail did alone on the MFT.

Now the big thing to remember is that “YOU HOLD THE TIMBER AGAINST THE RAIL SQUARE FOR ALIGNMENT” In this configuration the MFT Holes are not 90 degrees to the Guide Rails. The guide Rail is 90 degrees to the Rail Square.

 

[TSO_Products]

[member=7784]Ivan T[/member] - glad you posted the application of the GRS-16 PE to the MW-1000. Your pictures add to the imges we  show on our website:https://tsoproducts.com/tso-guide-rail-squares/grs-16-pe-parallel-edge-guide-rail-square/

Since introducing this feature a year ago, an growing number of customers are taking advantage of this easy attachment - which is quickly removable if needed.
.
Anyone reading this thread who owns an earlier GRS-16 PE should note that the full scale template for adding this feature to older tools is available as a free download on our website. WE continue our efforts to make improvements backwards compatible whenever possible.

Hans

 

[broseiden]

As Hans says, adding holes to the older PE squares is quick and easy. Think I spent $15 on a tap and bit, as I didnt have those sizes, and it was a nice upgrade. I haven't utilized the MFT mounted square combination for any jobs yet, but from initial testing, it looked like I'd like it more than the stock MFT setup (with Slop Stop)

 

[pixelated]

I have a question regarding using the GRS 16PE as just a square for squaring the MFT guide rail and fence.
I'm shopping for a reliable square for doing that, and I'm considering the GRS 16PE because it could theoretically do double duty for squaring the MFT as well as using it for knocking down sheet goods. But I'm not sure I want to leave it on the MFT all the time.
It looks like I could just slide the GRS 16 onto the rail, butt it up to the MFT fence and make any needed adjustments, then remove it. Is that a reasonable method of working with it, or would other types of squares, for example, the TSO triangle be better?
Is anyone else using it in this way? If one were to constrain the choices to just one, what is the preferred solution?

TIA.

 

[TSO_Products]

@pixellated - multiple ways to make square cuts with guide rails on an MFT:

1.) If you are going to use the 1080 rail on the MFT as designed by FESTOOL, squaring the rail to the 20mm hole pattern requires the  help of a precision square.  TSO stocks a family of 18 inch Precision Triangles ideally suited for this purpose with extra benefits not available elsewhere.

These Triangles  now include a set of threaded Stainless Alignment Pins that extend 30mm above the MFT surface. This lets you align the PTR-18 or MTR-18 Triangle with the MFT's 20mm hole pattern AND at the same time square the 1080 Guide Rail against the alignment Pins WHILE the RAIL IS ELEVATED or flat on the table.

2.) Now if you are using a GRS-16 PE Guide Rail Square connected to the MFT hinge bracket, that takes care of a means for squaring cuts on an MFT WITHOUT having to "square the guide rail" - because the GRS-16 PE provides the square edge to reference against.

3.) if you simply need to make a square cut on a piece of sheet goods, you don't need anything besides the Track Saw and guide rail except one GRS-16.
No MFT needed at all.
Shop floor with a piece of insulation board will do [smile]

Hope this helps!
Hans

 

[mike_aa]

@pixellated - multiple ways to make square cuts with guide rails on an MFT:

1.) If you are going to use the 1080 rail on the MFT as designed by FESTOOL, squaring the rail to the 20mm hole pattern requires the  help of a precision square.  TSO stocks a family of 18 inch Precision Triangles ideally suited for this purpose with extra benefits not available elsewhere.

These Triangles  now include a set of threaded Stainless Alignment Pins that extend 30mm above the MFT surface. This lets you align the PTR-18 or MTR-18 Triangle with the MFT's 20mm hole pattern AND at the same time square the 1080 Guide Rail against the alignment Pins WHILE the RAIL IS ELEVATED or flat on the table.

2.) Now if you are using a GRS-16 PE Guide Rail Square connected to the MFT hinge bracket, that takes care of a means for squaring cuts on an MFT WITHOUT having to "square the guide rail" - because the GRS-16 PE provides the square edge to reference against.

3.) if you simply need to make a square cut on a piece of sheet goods, you don't need anything besides the Track Saw and guide rail except one GRS-16.
No MFT needed at all.
Shop floor with a piece of insulation board will do [smile]

Hope this helps!
Hans

[member=61230]pixelated[/member]  [member=59331]TSO Products[/member]  Hans, you forgot to mention that when working with the GRS-16 on sheet goods, it's best to first take a small edge cut to straighten out any inaccuracies in the factory edge.  That way the GRS-16 will have an accurate edge to work from.

Hope you and Eric are doing well and staying safe these days!

Mike A.