Which parallel guide's to get?

[Nanod]

I was wondering which of the 2 system I should buy the Festool parallel guide set or seneca parallel guides? I've read review's here on the FOG about both and it's mixed reviews. Any advice would be appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[jroth33139]

Don't forget to consider the RipDog ones as well.  I just ordered a set today at 10 am and it was shipped this afternoon at 3 pm.  I read good reviews of them here on the FOG.

 

[Brian Livingstone]

Hi,

I use the Festool parallel guides.  I highly recommend them.  They produce perfectly parallel pieces.  They do have a bit of a learning curve, and require calibration.  I have them dialed in and figured out, and I enjoy using them a great deal, with excellent results.

I have no regrets in purchasing them, and use them regularly.  I purchased a 3000 mm guide rail, specifically for ripping sheets of plywood.

Brian

 

[leer]

I bought the Seneca guides and the narrow stock adapters.  They work great.  I built a plywood box and made all the cuts using them.  Box was within 1mm of desired size in all dimensions (roughly 8'X16"x12" overall). I bought the 24" Incra T-Track Plus for them, and may get the 18" for smaller rips/crosscuts.  I also use the Woodpeckers rulers with sliding ruler stop to set the size of the cut, rather than use the rulers incorporated into the T-Track Plus.

They are extremely well made.  But so are the others, I am sure.  The Festool were too pricey for me, and I'd seen Ron Paulk comment about needing to add a small piece of metal for tabs to keep them sitting on the panel to be cut, since they tend to sag.  I was unaware of any other parallel guides at the time I bought mine last month.

Here is a picture of the finished box (plywood box is covered with thin cherry MDF and cherry trim pieces).  I am not sure I would have had such results using table saw (rips) and my radial arm saw (crosscuts).

[attachthumb=#]

 

[bkharman]

I will throw my hat in here as well. I bought the Precision Parallel Guides and really like them. They were the right price and have treated me very well. Like the other poster said, I bought 48" and 24" Incra tracks so I have some flexibility.

These things are simple to use and very accurate and flexible! I have ripped down to ¾" strips.

Best of luck!

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I have the Festool version and find that they work really well.  I have not had issues with accuracy and the sagging has not really impacted my cutting.  I think that they all get high marks and do what they are intended to do.  If you get the Festool version you will want the full set to allow for longer and narrower rips.

Scot

 

[sheeschen]

I had the Festool guides for a while, then bought the Seneca when they first came out.  I later sold the Festool guides.  I had the narrow stock adapter for both.

Both are well-made and work great, but I preferred the Seneca for a few reasons -

flexibility - can position the stops anywhere, not just at the edges.  Great if you're ripping pieces that are different lengths.  Also nice to be able to use longer t-track for wider rips, or shorter to keep things easier to move
cost - I think I came out about $100 ahead after selling my Festool guides
convenience  - the Seneca are smaller, lighter, and disassemble more easily

There was one time after I sold the Festool guides that I missed them.  I think it was due to the fact that the Festool were always calibrated, while I would break down the Seneca and have to recalibrate each time.  Not a problem if I left the Seneca assembled.

Granted, some of these differences are pretty minor, but that's how it fell out for me.  I'm a hobbyist and used both during my kitchen cabinet project.  Probably have done a few dozen rips with both.

    Scott

 

[Wuffles]

I'm in the market for some parallel guides but am based in the UK. Am guessing my options are limited?

 

[peter halle]

I've had the Festool version for quite some time.Once I learned to keep the extensions installed as much as possible the balance improved.  When that is not possible I just use two small scraps of wood or shims and tiny clamps to prevent any tipping.  I do like the need to primarily calibrate once.

Peter

 

[rljatl]

Precision Parallel Guides are the best, imo.

 

[copcarcollector]

These are on my list to buy soon too -

Two replies here have said "Precision Parallel Guides", can someone please clarify for me, are these the Festool product or one of the aftermarket brands?

THANKS! 

 

[bkharman]

These are on my list to buy soon too -

Two replies here have said "Precision Parallel Guides", can someone please clarify for me, are these the Festool product or one of the aftermarket brands?

THANKS!

Look in the supported aftermarket section or on their site athttp://precisiondogs.us

I have some of their dogs as well, they have a great fit and are a bit different in that they are hole bored all the way through instead of solid or M8 threaded.

Can't recommend them enough!!

By the way, I had plans on doing a review of them, but ran out of time. Perhaps shortly after the new year.