Which TSO Parallel Guide setup?

Mr_Stop

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Jan 2, 2019
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I'm getting ready to bite the bullet and pull the trigger on the [member=59331]TSO Products[/member]  parallel guides and squares.  I have long struggled to get consistent//repeatable dimensioned cuts with my tracks and this seams like a great (albeit expensive) solution.  I'm on the fence about going with the full TPG-50 setup, or just start with the TPG 20/30 complete setup (both hands).  I'll probably go with the 50 since the incremental cost is much less than adding on later.

My big question is on the squares/connectors.  I know I need at least one GRS-16 PE.  However, should I go with a regular GRS-16 for the other hand, or should I just get the guide rail adapter?  Does the adapter remove/move/install as fast as the square?  What do you suggest?

My uses will be cutting down plywood sheets as well as ripping down boards to width (no table saw).
 
A cheaper and equally reliable option would be the Seneca (or similar) offerings where sheet goods come in to play. The TSO stuff is a wonder to behold but you are paying for it where other cheaper options do just as well.
 
Roachmill said:
A cheaper and equally reliable option would be the Seneca (or similar) offerings where sheet goods come in to play. The TSO stuff is a wonder to behold but you are paying for it where other cheaper options do just as well.

I have been struggling with the TSO system cost for awhile now.  $650+ all in for the TPG-50 and two squares is a pretty steep investment.
 
I’ve had the TPG-50 complete set since it came out. I already had the GRS-16 PE so added the GRS-16 since the guide rail adapter wasn’t available at the time. I did pick up the adapter later with plans to sell the GRS-16.

I’m a weekend warrior but have used the system quite a bit. Probably like most I use the square with a RHS bar the most for ply and hardwood work. At first I thought maybe I only needed the 30” bar but find myself using all of them.

For the long rips where you need the RHS and LHS bars I have found so far I like using two GRS’s better than one with the adapter because no tools are required to clamp a square to the rail - will need more experience to see if the adapter is adequate. I’m almost thinking since I don’t use both guides very often one might be able to get away with only the 50 LHS track if you wanted to save some bucks.

I built some MFT slab type tables and several dogs thinking this is they way I would work but have grown attached to the TSO square and parallel guid system exclusively.

Mike
 
Mr_Stop said:
I'm getting ready to bite the bullet and pull the trigger on the [member=59331]TSO Products[/member]  parallel guides and squares.  I have long struggled to get consistent//repeatable dimensioned cuts with my tracks and this seams like a great (albeit expensive) solution.  I'm on the fence about going with the full TPG-50 setup, or just start with the TPG 20/30 complete setup (both hands).  I'll probably go with the 50 since the incremental cost is much less than adding on later.

My big question is on the squares/connectors.  I know I need at least one GRS-16 PE.  However, should I go with a regular GRS-16 for the other hand, or should I just get the guide rail adapter?  Does the adapter remove/move/install as fast as the square?  What do you suggest?

My uses will be cutting down plywood sheets as well as ripping down boards to width (no table saw).

[member=69544]Mr_Stop[/member]  - welcome to the FOG!
With an eye on your budget I would suggest you consider the TPG-Adapter. It comes with a ball-tipped 3mm Hex Driver which makes adding and removing it pretty quick.
Don't forget that the GRS-16 let's you also make quick cross-cuts! In one step you make a cut that is square and it only requires the one RH T-track. Talk about quick work. No other Parallel Guide has that capability.

Hans
 
Mike Goetzke said:
I’ve had the TPG-50 complete set since it came out. I already had the GRS-16 PE so added the GRS-16 since the guide rail adapter wasn’t available at the time. I did pick up the adapter later with plans to sell the GRS-16.

I’m a weekend warrior but have used the system quite a bit. Probably like most I use the square with a RHS bar the most for ply and hardwood work. At first I thought maybe I only needed the 30” bar but find myself using all of them.

For the long rips where you need the RHS and LHS bars I have found so far I like using two GRS’s better than one with the adapter because no tools are required to clamp a square to the rail - will need more experience to see if the adapter is adequate. I’m almost thinking since I don’t use both guides very often one might be able to get away with only the 50” LHS track if you wanted to save some bucks.

I built some MFT slab type tables and several dogs thinking this is they way I would work but have grown attached to the TSO square and parallel guid system exclusively.

Mike

Thanks for the experience and feedback Mike.  I have looked into the MFT table and, like you, think the square and parallel guide will be more useful for me.  I remodel homes for a living and often find myself having to do one off, or just a few cuts where I need some degree of precision and repeatability.  The guide rail rubber gets me close, but it seems to get chewed up pretty quick.  I think the MFT would be a bit cumbersome to setup for just a few cuts and wouldn't allow for the lengths I need unless I have a huge top.

I will probably play with the MFT design.  I have an EZ-one that I may re-purpose.

 
TSO_Products said:
[member=69544]Mr_Stop[/member]  - welcome to the FOG!
With an eye on your budget I would suggest you consider the TPG-Adapter. It comes with a ball-tipped 3mm Hex Driver which makes adding and removing it pretty quick.
Don't forget that the GRS-16 let's you also make quick cross-cuts! In one step you make a cut that is square and it only requires the one RH T-track. Talk about quick work. No other Parallel Guide has that capability.

Hans

I don't know if it is more about my budget or cognitive dissonance  [unsure].  The setup will cost more than I have in my Makita tracksaw setup including batteries or a tablesaw.  I guess that is how my clients feel when I tell them their bathroom is going to cost more than a new car...

Are you going to be back in-stock on the squares soon?
 
Mr_Stop said:
Mike Goetzke said:
I’ve had the TPG-50 complete set since it came out. I already had the GRS-16 PE so added the GRS-16 since the guide rail adapter wasn’t available at the time. I did pick up the adapter later with plans to sell the GRS-16.

I’m a weekend warrior but have used the system quite a bit. Probably like most I use the square with a RHS bar the most for ply and hardwood work. At first I thought maybe I only needed the 30” bar but find myself using all of them.

For the long rips where you need the RHS and LHS bars I have found so far I like using two GRS’s better than one with the adapter because no tools are required to clamp a square to the rail - will need more experience to see if the adapter is adequate. I’m almost thinking since I don’t use both guides very often one might be able to get away with only the 50” LHS track if you wanted to save some bucks.

I built some MFT slab type tables and several dogs thinking this is they way I would work but have grown attached to the TSO square and parallel guid system exclusively.

Mike

Thanks for the experience and feedback Mike.  I have looked into the MFT table and, like you, think the square and parallel guide will be more useful for me.  I remodel homes for a living and often find myself having to do one off, or just a few cuts where I need some degree of precision and repeatability.  The guide rail rubber gets me close, but it seems to get chewed up pretty quick.  I think the MFT would be a bit cumbersome to setup for just a few cuts and wouldn't allow for the lengths I need unless I have a huge top.

I will probably play with the MFT design.  I have an EZ-one that I may re-purpose.

[member=69544]Mr_Stop[/member]  Hey - we came here from a similar path. I used Eurekazone systems for probably around 20 years. I sold or gave away all my EZ except for the Universal Edge Guide and Super Smart Router Guide Kit. I started with the Makita cordless and that is what convinced me to get rid of my EZ. I previously had four Festool sanders, dust extractor, Domino XL, and now added a TS75. I have three MFT slab tops that mount to saw horses and make up a 4' x 8' work top that I can assemble or tear down in less than 5 minutes. I love this setup. I put 20mm dog holes and slots in the tops. Even though I don't use dogs much (yet) the tops are great for cutting, clamping, assembly, etc.

Might suggest you start with one of the TSO squares first (dead nuts always square to the rail - unlike the EZ-square) to get confidence in the system and then determine if you want to commit to the parallel guide system.

Mike
 
I've got the TSO GRS-16PE and the TPG-50 set.  I've also had two other systems, one I sent back, the other I sold on to get the TSO.

IME the TSO is the best. It is very quick to setup and very flexible. I've never got along with the Incra tape measures, it just seems such a hassle to get them all aligned correctly and stay so. The TSO has engraved or fixed full length ruler so that's a good deal, and they are super easy to attach and detach. The calibration with the flip stops is a doddle.

My setup also includes two of the TPG adaptors that I use fixed to my long 2.7m rail. To this I normally just screw on the 30inch rulers and use this for long rip cuts of sheet goods.  I have a flip stop on each arm and so can make quick repeatable width cuts. I then have a GRS-16PE on my shorter rail for cross cuts. Sometimes I use my 1.9m rail with the GRS mounted to the front of the cut when cutting large sheets to form a square edge.  Other times I use the 1.08m rail on the MFT with the GRS mounted to the hinge when I'm just cutting down small pieces. On the MFT I use the 50inch ruler and have 2 of the flip-stops on this rail so I can easily flip between sizes say for cabinet sides vs shelves etc. (it's just easier when I inevitably forget to cut a piece I usually still have the flip stop setup without adjusting back and forth). I don't know any of the other parallel guide system that double up on the crosscut square like this.

My smaller 20in rails I keep in the box with the saw, they are only used if I'm trimming down a bit of infill panel when I tend to use the narrow stock guides.  I know when TSO announced the product I thought they should have done a clip together type extendable ruler. I was wrong! The combination of 3 length accounts for everything and lets you keep multiple systems setup with a couple of additional TPG adaptors and stops.

I recently did a job for my brother in Edinburgh. He ordered all the wood to be delivered pre-cut and finished and we just used Lamello's. All the panels had been cut by a beam saw and edged. Looking at them and throwing up the TSO triangle to check squareness I know I can get as good results with the TSO, a track saw, and a Conturo. And, it's alot less stressful than all the double-triple checking he did of sizes before ordering the panels and how careful we had to be not to mess anything up as there were no spares!

I know it seems expensive but what's the saying feel the pain once, not every time you use it :D
 
simonh said:
I know it seems expensive but what's the saying feel the pain once, not every time you use it :D

Thanks for the tips.  As I get older and now use tools professionally, I can't agree with that statement more.
 
One of the great things to keep in mind about some of the "top-end" tool brands is that the resale value is very good if you get out of the game or change direction of the work you are doing. I've regularly resold tools on e-bay for 70% of purchase price after a year or two if my workshop changes direction.  I know Peter Millard in the UK (and a great YouTuber) has a 10 year old Festool Domino that he says he could sell now for pretty much what he paid 10 years ago (given the prices increases over the years). I bought the Lamello on the basis that if I ever finish making cabinets and furniture for our house I'll recover most of the cost... far more than with a new car after 3 years!
 
Pulled the trigger on the TPG-50 set with GRS-16 PE and and guide rail adapter.  Thanks for your help!
 
you will like it. I have both the TSO products and the Seneca. The Seneca is good and has some advantages, however I think the TSO is the better choice. The quality is top drawer, you will not regret it.
 
thank you for your posting your experience with parallel guides.
Your comment is not only helpful to the O.P.: Mr_Stop in this case, but equally so to our business.

We see comments like yours as the encouragement to continue to develop, produce and sell uncompromising tools.

thank you!

Hans and Eric
 
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