Woodnet discussion about cutting sheetgoods

I just posted this reply in Woodnet

Look at these 3 videos --
Large sheets and sacrificial table
Video_1_Festool TS 55 Plunge Saw with Parallel Guides for Cutting Plywood
Parallel guides
Video 2 Festool Parallel Guides For Repetitive Cutting
Parallel guide extensions
Video_3_Festool Parallel Guide Extensions for cutting narrow pieces

These accessories are completely different from any other woodworking tool. Just figuring out how to put it together and use it is a challenge. Once you get there, you will not want to part with them.

I just posted these to YouTube  a few days ago and we are over 100 hits with no publicity.  If there is someplace else these should be listed in the FOG, please feel free to copy the URL's over there.
     
 
Roger,

Those videos are really clear - thanks!

I don't know if you've seen this post about the review competition, to win a Rotex 150 sander. You could certainly enter these videos. You just need to re-post them in the Review section with the appropriate header, and add the videos to the FOG channel on YouTube.

Just a couple of minor points on the third video when you're zero-ing out the extensions - you set the blade down using the fast-fix lever. The way you did it on the video is the hard way, and you really need three hands. The easiest way is to lift the fast-fix lever before you plunge the blade. Then when you plunge it will lock down automatically. Secondly, you mentioned turning the blade & found it hard. That's because the fast-fix mechanism locks the spindle, meaning the blade cannot be turned with the fast-fix engaged.
 
Congratulations Roger, you are to be commended for the quality and value of your three videos.  I have a set of parallel guides and have used them and identify with all the points that you make.  Essentially you need to think about what you are doing in order to get the best out of the parallel guides.  I continue to be amazed at the quality of festool product and the substantial resources that people like you offer in support of festool 
 
Timely post, I just ordered the parallel guides yesterday.  I cut ply (not that often) by using a sheet of styrofoam (2"x4"x8') I bought at lowes.  It's the real thick stuff and I can easily walk on it and it will support my weight (200lbs) and not budge.  I carry the ply with a gorilla gripper which is great and simply plop the sheet down flat lay the guide across it and use a speed square to get is aligned and simply cut.  I keep the foam up against the wall (concrete) and lean my ply against it for support and keep moisture away from my ply while storing my left-overs.  By keeping it down on the ground it minimizes my lifting (let gravity work for me) and I'm a one man shop so I don't have extra hands since my son joined the army.   
 
Johnny Round Boy is right on the Fastfix and rotation.  I thought about reshooting that small segment, but was getting to the point that "Done is good" which is a term frequently used in the news media.  Thanks for pointing most of those issues out.  Things like Fast-Fix are what differentiate Festool products.  It is a very slick feature for changing blades.  Features like this cost money to design and to manufacture.
 
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