Yet another parallel guide question

[BillG]

I just recently made a huge change in my shop.  I sold my Mini Max combo machine, and have replaced it with a Powermatic 66 and a Hammer over/under jointer planer.  Breaking down sheet goods, which is fairly rare, is being handled by my ATF 55 and guide rails, as well as an MFT.  I am looking at adding the parallel guides for a little more speed and accuracy, and that brings me to my question. 

If I am using a table saw for ripping narrower pieces, there really isn't any need for the extension set is there?  I virtually never do onsite work, and 99.9% of that is just delivering something I built in the shop. 

Second, how narrow does the basic parallel guide go?  I figure most pieces will be broken down fairly far before they have to go on the TS, but I am curious.  The TS is configured for a max of 24" rip capacity.  Crosscuts are handled on the Kapex or the MFT. 

Thanks. 

 

[sancho57]

About the PG extensions, It all depends, if you are going to be using the PGs so that they are hanging off the side of your work bench then yes, the extensions balance the PGs so they arent flopping around on ya (if that makes sense).

 

[BillG]

About the PG extensions, It all depends, if you are going to be using the PGs so that they are hanging off the side of your work bench then yes, the extensions balance the PGs so they arent flopping around on ya (if that makes sense).

That does make sense.  I will have to give that some thought.  Thanks. 

 

[gkaiseril]

Some users add a tab to the top of the movable stops to prevent the parallel guides from dropping down when on material to be cut.

 

[BMH]

I bought the complete PG kit and used them without the extender initially and was a little frustrated as they where not balanced. After a user class I realize you should always have the extender on. I use them a lot for breaking down large sheets and I have been using the extender a lot for ripping smaller pieces off the sheets.

There is a learning curve with them, and my set time has become very quick. It is a production tool for multiple repeat cut. I design my cut list to take advantage of it speed and this means sacrificing some of the material as it is not always the most economical way to cut down sheet goods.

Bruce

 

[BillG]

Thanks guys.  I am going to spend some more time thinking about this.  I am not at all surprised that the people at the user class tell people they need the complete set.    And I don't mind spending the money if I am going to use it.  I just have to figure if I am going to use it that much.  Maybe I'll wait and do a few jobs without it and see what my frustration level is.  8)

 

[Slappy]

Thanks guys.  I am going to spend some more time thinking about this.  I am not at all surprised that the people at the user class tell people they need the complete set.     And I don't mind spending the money if I am going to use it.  I just have to figure if I am going to use it that much.  Maybe I'll wait and do a few jobs without it and see what my frustration level is.   8)

check-out the aftermarket Seneca Parallel Guides as well they are super easy to use & cheaper Too! you can get the Incra rails out to 36"

TIP; always buy the Incra rails at Incrementaltools.com , the IncraTrac-plus rails ,

they are 1/2 the price Any  of the retailers ->that's the company store for all things Incra

both Senca & Incra are Black Friday discounts
Senca just NOW till Cyber Monday Dec 2ND  20% code ' blackfriday20 '
Incremetaltools 10% till Dec31st  code ' HDAY1 '

 

[rljatl]

This company makes the best parallel guides, bar none.

Precision Parallel Guides

Here are a couple of reasons that make a real world difference:

1. Seneca uses hex screws to hold the bracket on the guide rail.  This makes it less convenient when you want to remove the parallel guides because you either have to use a hex wrench to remove the bracket and Incra T-track together in one piece or use the knob to remove just the Incra T-track and leave the bracket on the rail.  With the Precision Parallel Guides you just twist the knob to remove the both the bracket and the Incra T-tracks in one piece.

2. The Precision Parallel Guides use chamfered edges on Length Adapters.  This reduces parallax distortion when viewing the length adapters on the Incra measuring scale.

3. The method used to cut narrow stock is simple and easy to use.

 

[jacko9]

Bill,

I have the Powermatic 66 and while this might not directly answer your question, I purchased my saw with the Excaliber Sliding Table that mounts on the left side of the Powermatic saw and have found it very helpful and finish sizing panels.  You should be able to find a used one pretty cheap.

Jack

 

[lawhoo]

I wasn't familiar with the Precision parallel guide system.  Have others used it and the Seneca system?  How do they compare?  I'd especially like feed back in the next day or so, before Seneca's sale ends.  Thanks.

 

[BillG]

Wow, both of those systems look pretty good compared to the OEM.    I did some reading up on both of them.

Bill,

I have the Powermatic 66 and while this might not directly answer your question, I purchased my saw with the Excaliber Sliding Table that mounts on the left side of the Powermatic saw and have found it very helpful and finish sizing panels.  You should be able to find a used one pretty cheap.

Jack

Thanks Jack.  I actually had an early Excalibur on a Delta unisaw that preceded my Mini Max, so I am familiar with them.  It was a very nice piece of equipment.