Which Guide Rail Square Should I Buy?

[JFelchlin]

I’ve been looking at two Guide Rail Squares -
Both appearing to be excellent, quality products.

Insta-RailSquare Track Saw Square - FOR Festool -
Currently on sale at ToolNut
and
TSO’s GRS-16 Guide Rail Square

Ergo... Currently, the  price is the same for either -
Sans the Insta-Rail product - Which currently comes with a set of dogs -
Which I have a multitude of already.

At first glance, it looks like an “either/or” choice.
So... Am I missing something?
Which one should I buy?
Why?

Thx ahead for your input and expertise.

 

[peter halle]

Just for clarity, the first square you mentioned is not a Festool product.

Peter

 

[lwoirhaye]

The Insta-rail is not a Festool product.

TSO was first to market with this general pattern and clamp design.

 

[JFelchlin]

Thx Peter and Guys. Good “catch”. I stand corrected.
ToolNut’s nomenclature reads:
Insta-RailSquare Track Saw Square + Dog Set For Festool
Ergo... As you clarified - NOT a Festool product.

Nonetheless - Same questions:
Which one should I buy?
Why?

 

[rj_mccall]

Buy the TSO.

I’ve had nothing but success with it.

If for some reason you did, it’s nice knowing the company owners are members of the FOG and easily accessible.

 

[Corwin]

Buy the TSO.

I’ve had nothing but success with it.

If for some reason you did, it’s nice knowing the company owners are members of the FOG and easily accessible.

+1 for the TSO.

TSO has worked hard to design and develop their product. They have worked closely with several of the members here who have tested and provided input to their product. The TSO team has, and continues to make upgrades based on what they've learned from their customers.

The other company has copied the TSO product. Then they elected to differentiate their product with their second version, but version 2's new feature looks to me to be pointless and not well thought out.

 

[RDMuller]

I have had the TSO for close to a year. I have never had to readjust it. Very pleased

 

[Neal W]

Another endorsement for the TSO product.  They are a good company and are active here on the FOG forums.  They are continually looking for ways to improve and innovate as well. 

 

[JFelchlin]

Gentlemen:
Thanks for your input and expertise.
You’ve all unanimously affirmed the conclusion/choice -
That I decided on, as well.
TSO’s GRS-16 Guide Rail Sqare it is.
Thx again for your help.

 

[Mario Turcot]

Good choice on the TSO  8)

Just to clarify and avoid distortion, none of those two guides claim to be from Festool. They both are very similar and works as intended. I am not advocating for the insta-rail guide. I bought the insta-rail version because it was 55$ cheaper and the shipping was free. At the end I saved some money. If I knew at the time what kind of implication Hans (TSO) have on the FOG, I would have opted for the TSO guide. Expecially seeing that there is no one from insta-rail guide beside vendors that ever show on the FOG.

P.S. The dogs provided with the insta-rail (at extra $) are specifically for that guide. They fit into a slot under the guide to help align stock.

I hope I do NOT create any confusion here, happy Friday.

Mario

 

[Billedis]

Just got my TSO guide rail square and I am simply amazed at how exact it is.  I highly recommend TSO.  Bill

 

[Sanderxpander]

I only know the TSO too and it's quite pricey over here, but I love it.
Because of the antislip strip on the Festool rails, make sure you push the square to the workpiece edge before laying the rail flat. And especially on long cuts, clamp the rail on the opposite side after squaring up to ensure it stays perfectly square. That's assuming you down always use clamps (which I don't).

 

[rmhinden]

I have the TSO GRS-16.  Works as advertised, stores in the sustainer.  I also like that it makes it easy to tilt the guide rail to position it where I want.

 

[Cheese]

TSO...I’ve had 2 of them since they were first introduced. Excellent product, excellent service, besides the TSO is the real deal the other is just a clone.

 

[Koamolly]

When joining two rails together would these allow the two rails to be aligned parallel with connectors in place quickly.  It seems they are really close to doing that, maybe with some tweaking.  Nice if they did double duty. Just a thought.

 

[Klemm]

When joining two rails together would these allow the two rails to be aligned parallel with connectors in place quickly.  It seems they are really close to doing that, maybe with some tweaking.  Nice if they did double duty. Just a thought.

[member=66704]Koamolly[/member]  - we sure like to promote our GRS-16, but it would be a disservice not to caution you against this approach. If you can't use a 1900 rail for crosscutting full sheets then get yourself the best rail alignment tool out there as of today: BETTERLEY's. One less aggravation in your shop will repay the $ 99.00 cost. Tell'em TSO sent you [smile]

Hans

 

[Klemm]

TSO...I’ve had 2 of them since they were first introduced. Excellent product, excellent service, besides the TSO is the real deal the other is just a clone.

We just came across this barely two day old thread and am amazed at the many efforts made by our customers to support our brand by taking the time to report their experience with us:
it means a very great deal to us personally and economically as well - so Thank you everyone!

We treat your recognition of our work as an obligation on our part to continue to earn your confidence every day - and we truly enjoy doing that!

Eric, Hans and rest of the growing TSO Team

 

[sancho57]

Hey Hans,

That drill guide looks pretty cool and not to bad on the price. There is a thread here about drill guides. Is it durable?

 

[Jmacpherson]

Used my GRS-16 for the first time in earnest this weekend. Fantastic product and a joy to use.

Squared up a piece of iroko on all 4 sides - 100% square first time.

Used the fs1080/grs-16 to straight edge some oak pieces and once all glued up, made 4 cuts and all sides and corners were the same measurement.

Only downside to the TSO square is it means I'm going to have buy a fs800 rail now  ;D

 

[tallgrass]

I love the squares. I have one issue. When using the square with long rail I find it a little fiddly. I find there is a little "sping" in the rail, not the square. Is there a technique that I am missing?