Woodpeckers PGS vs Status Quo

[JimmyB1775]

I fell in love with the Woodpeckers track saw parallel guide system long ago, after using Festool's guides, and before having actually seen the Woodpecker PGS in real life. It was a retired One Time Tool. It had been retired 4 months before seeing it for the first time online, probably through a post here. Knowing their One Time Tool setup, it wouldn't be offered ever again for all practical purposes. So I researched and got Seneca's system. A little less than half the price. It was super easy to use, it uses Incra tracks and I trust Incra... so I got it. It's great. I built a walnut hanging rack for them. Oiled it, hanged it. Great. Now the Woodpecker people decided to make it a permanent tool. I use them far less than I thought I would but still....

What to do? I'm using FOG as a support group right now. Tell me the Seneca system is great. Tell me the Woodpecker system is overpriced. Anything. I want to buy the same tool twice (something I constantly vow not to do) and I don't even feel bad about it.

 

[PeterJJames13]

The Seneca version is great. What I do like about the Woodpeckers, is how they can break down and store in a systainer. That being said, you already have a storage solution for the Seneca ones. I own both. I use my Seneca more.

 

[nclemmons]

I own the Festool and Seneca guides. I like the Seneca guides better.  I have two sets of Incra T-track for mine and that gives me all the adjustability I need in a home shop.  Fast to setup and break down.

I'd save the money for something you don't have a  solution for today.

 

[Sanderxpander]

Maybe I'm overlooking something but doesn't the Festool version offer an optional attachment for narrow stock? Does that fit with these systems too?

 

[nclemmons]

Yes - Festool has a narrow stock attachment that fits to the right of the saw cut.

Seneca has an attachment for narrow stock that keeps the narrow stock under the guide rail.  You might need to provide an extra piece of lumber under the rail similar to cutting narrow stock without the guide. 

To me, narrow stock is where the table saw cannot be beat vs the track saw.

 

[JimmyB1775]

Yes - Festool has a narrow stock attachment that fits to the right of the saw cut.

Seneca has an attachment for narrow stock that keeps the narrow stock under the guide rail.  You might need to provide an extra piece of lumber under the rail similar to cutting narrow stock without the guide. 

To me, narrow stock is where the table saw cannot be beat vs the track saw.

Agreed. They all do narrow stock.  The woodpeckers system looks the easiest to use but I just use my table saw for anything bigger than 24”-48”

 

[Klemm]

- if you are not already subscribed to the TSO INSIDER newsletter, you may want to sign up now athttps://tsoproducts.com
so you receive the preview issue  featuring TSO's TPG-30 R Parallel Guide preparing to ship in a few short weeks.

You know TSO: Fast, accurate and easy - again [smile]
Hans and Eric

 

[pettyconstruction]

I have the Woodpeckers version and like it ,
But I think it’s real advantage is it’s portability.
Breaks down in a systainer for travel , if you are out of a shop ,other kinds maybe better suited.
Seneca, while using the Incra  track ,has a lot of appeal to be able to use the track in other applications .
Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Roachmill]

Using the Incra track makes for a very versatile setup. But the one hiccup with it is the track thickness/height as it raises the rail by as much. This means cutting stock thinner than the track involves "creativity" (or faffing around as some may call it) shimming things to get the rail perpendicular to the cut. The woodpeckers looks to alleviate some of that and I hope the TSO version does too. I was contemplating the Woodpecker kit but I'm now holding off to see TSOs take on it is.

I have the RipDogs version and it's one of the most used things in my arsenal since I don't have a table saw. But the Incra track makes working with anything below about ~13mm thickness take longer than I'd like.

Subscribed to the TSO newsletter and eagerly awaiting the next one!

 

[Mike Goetzke]

- if you are not already subscribed to the TSO INSIDER newsletter, you may want to sign up now athttps://tsoproducts.com
so you receive the preview issue  featuring TSO's TPG-30 R Parallel Guide preparing to ship in a few short weeks.

You know TSO: Fast, accurate and easy - again [smile]
Hans and Eric

Hans/Eric - I received your email on this product. I have your GRS-16 PE and really like it. Would love to buy an edge guide from you but your edge guide needs to reference a perpendicular surface. Even though your GRS is very accurate over an 8' rip cut even being off by 1/10 of a degree would be unacceptable for most applications.

 

[Klemm]

- if you are not already subscribed to the TSO INSIDER newsletter, you may want to sign up now athttps://tsoproducts.com
so you receive the preview issue  featuring TSO's TPG-30 R Parallel Guide preparing to ship in a few short weeks.

You know TSO: Fast, accurate and easy - again [smile]
Hans and Eric

Hans/Eric - I received your email on this product. I have your GRS-16 PE and really like it. Would love to buy an edge guide from you but your edge guide needs to reference a perpendicular surface. Even though your GRS is very accurate over an 8' rip cut even being off by 1/10 of a degree would be unacceptable for most applications.

Mike - we agree with your requirement for accuracy. The operation you describe has been successfully performed in use in a commercial operation for high-end home interior cabinetry. That said, for the every-day user ripping repeated 8 ft long cuts, we will also offer the TPG-30 L for use with the GRS-16 PE at the far end of very long cuts. In that arrangement you are not dependent on starting with a square edge at all.
For the most common shorter rip cuts, the use of just one TPG-30 (or the future TPG-20) will do the job reliably and without unnecessary attachments.
Yes, with the product launch we will announce the whole System line-up, including an upgrade program for early generation GRS-16 series which do not have the accessory mounting holes of the 2018 and newer production GRS-16 series.

thank you for giving us the opportunity to add this to the PREVIEW.

Hans

 

[simonh]

It would be good if the parallel guide measuring rails were engraved on the back side with markings that could be used with their story stick accessories.  A 2in1 product would justify the cost more for the hobbyiest.

 

[jeh]

Yes - Festool has a narrow stock attachment that fits to the right of the saw cut.

Seneca has an attachment for narrow stock that keeps the narrow stock under the guide rail.  You might need to provide an extra piece of lumber under the rail similar to cutting narrow stock without the guide. 

To me, narrow stock is where the table saw cannot be beat vs the track saw.

No question about that.

 

[Df1k1]

Personally I love the woodpeckers system.  However it’s much easier, and more accurate, that once the main brackets are attached to the first length of track is to leave them that way (but not attached to the guide rail).  Unfortunately this does affect the portability

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Personally I love the woodpeckers system.  However it’s much easier, and more accurate, that once the main brackets are attached to the first length of track is to leave them that way (but not attached to the guide rail).  Unfortunately this does affect the portability

[member=23333]Df1k1[/member]

I recently got my hands on this set and found there is room in the systainer it comes in to do what you describe. The internal foam isn't cut just right so you need to push down on the lid a bit but they do fit. (Don't know if you saw the TSO parallel guide post but I found the WP PGS will fit on a GRS-16PE square with couple of t-nuts and bolts, plus for long cuts you can attach the other WP arm at the far end of the board.)

 

[Df1k1]

Wow. Who knew?  Thanks for the info

 

[worldburger]

Personally I love the woodpeckers system.  However it’s much easier, and more accurate, that once the main brackets are attached to the first length of track is to leave them that way (but not attached to the guide rail).  Unfortunately this does affect the portability

[member=23333]Df1k1[/member]

I recently got my hands on this set and found there is room in the systainer it comes in to do what you describe. The internal foam isn't cut just right so you need to push down on the lid a bit but they do fit. (Don't know if you saw the TSO parallel guide post but I found the WP PGS will fit on a GRS-16PE square with couple of t-nuts and bolts, plus for long cuts you can attach the other WP arm at the far end of the board.)

As far as attaching the Woodpeckers PGS onto a GRS-16PE square is this just to have a square edge or is there another reason to do this?

 

[wpz]

[member=66447]JimmyB1775[/member]

I have the seneca guides and a TSO square and made a cheap selfmade version of the TSO parallel guides:https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...-guide-rail-square-video/msg545630/#msg545630

Of course, if money is no objection you could always go for the full TSO package (2x GRS + full PGS set = about $660 I believe)

wpz

 

[worldburger]

[member=66447]JimmyB1775[/member]

I have the seneca guides and a TSO square and made a cheap selfmade version of the TSO parallel guides:https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...-guide-rail-square-video/msg545630/#msg545630

Of course, if money is no objection you could always go for the full TSO package (2x GRS + full PGS set = about $660 I believe)

wpz

[member=66126]wpz[/member] wow, that's great! Do you remember the distance between centers for the screws you had to tap for on that? Anyone have a part number for these (M6 threaded?) Festool Grip knobs?

Looking at the Woodpeckers vs TSO, I like the TSO for the square and the parallax-free viewing cursor, but the Woodpeckers is great in that it fits in a Systainer.

 

[dhandler]

I have both the WP and the TSO. I originally was excited about the WP because, well, the red, but got quickly frustrated by the taking it apart and putting it away so i opted for the TSO as an early adopter. On the current kitchen remodel I'm doing, i found the tso to be so much easier to use. To be truthful, i actually ended up using both systems since i was breaking down so much ply including a several 7' panels they worked great. My only complaint is contacting [member=61691]TSO_Products[/member] support. They are not responsive at all (at least for me). I was trying to figure out how to get the guides to be 7' long since i had to cut six panels. I figured out that using their self-aligning guide rail connectors i can get the length i needed.