jacko
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by jacko on Jun 2, 2015 10:24:05 GMT -5
Hey guys, I just got a response back from Seneca Engineering about a parallel guide for the Mafell track system. While it might be a while, it is encouraging that they have it on their list of products to be released. A quote from Ryan at Seneca; "We do plan on releasing our parallel guide system for a number of other track saw. We have a Makita version that will be available this month, and Mafell is definitely on our list, but I don't have an exact timeframe at this point (we haven't started development of the Mafell version yet) We announce all new products via our email list... if you'd like to stay up to date you can sign up here: www.senecawoodworking.com/pages/email-updates" I would encourage anybody interested to let Seneca know of your interest to see if we can get them into production a little faster. Jack
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Jun 2, 2015 14:23:09 GMT -5
Thanks - that is the exact same email I got when I had inquired last year. The stop rule has solved my problems, though.
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jimh
Junior Member
Posts: 75
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Post by jimh on Jun 3, 2015 22:13:10 GMT -5
Have you thought of trying with Woopeckers? They just made a Festool one.
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jacko
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by jacko on Jun 4, 2015 12:55:27 GMT -5
Have you thought of trying with Woopeckers? They just made a Festool one. Not yet, I'm still trying to figure out if there is a need for me to have a parallel guide since I have a large cabinet table saw with sliding table.
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jimh
Junior Member
Posts: 75
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Post by jimh on Jun 4, 2015 16:15:07 GMT -5
Have you thought of trying with Woopeckers? They just made a Festool one. Not yet, I'm still trying to figure out if there is a need for me to have a parallel guide since I have a large cabinet table saw with sliding table. I too have a cabinet saw, but have used (borrowed) the Festool parallel guides before and while they do work well the rig is awkward. I can see if you don't have a cabinet saw or need to break down sheet goods on site they would useful. I have gotten proficient enough with squaring up the rail I can get to within a tolerable limit between cuts. The quickest way for me is to cut two scrap pieces that are the width I need to replicate and use the for each cut. The reason I mentioned the Woodpecker model is that it looks more robust and better built.
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jacko
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by jacko on Jun 5, 2015 10:04:46 GMT -5
Not yet, I'm still trying to figure out if there is a need for me to have a parallel guide since I have a large cabinet table saw with sliding table. I too have a cabinet saw, but have used (borrowed) the Festool parallel guides before and while they do work well the rig is awkward. I can see if you don't have a cabinet saw or need to break down sheet goods on site they would useful. I have gotten proficient enough with squaring up the rail I can get to within a tolerable limit between cuts. The quickest way for me is to cut two scrap pieces that are the width I need to replicate and use the for each cut. The reason I mentioned the Woodpecker model is that it looks more robust and better built. I do all of my work in the shop so after using the MT55 to break down the full sheets of plywood, my cabinet saw is much easier to cut panels to exact size. I'm always looking for better ways of doing work so I continue to look at new tools and fixtures. Jack
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shan
New Member
Posts: 9
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Post by shan on May 1, 2016 19:03:28 GMT -5
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Post by GhostFist on May 1, 2016 19:10:41 GMT -5
Nice work. these cannot be in place when you're making a cut, correct? not a big deal as you just use them to set up the rail
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shan
New Member
Posts: 9
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Post by shan on May 1, 2016 21:32:20 GMT -5
Indeed, the guides have to be taken off the guide rail. Unlike the Festool rails that have the width to accommodate not only the total width of the saw base, but have the extra space for the guides to be kept attached while making the cut, the MT55cc base on the Mafell rails hogs up the whole width of the rail, and some. Obviously, it is due to the fact that the Mafell rails are not as wide as the Festool rails. In spite of all this, the shop made parallel guides work quite well for the Mafell rails because it is very easy to simply lift them off the rail. You can clamp the rail before removing the guides in those instances that may require clamping.
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Post by jonathan on May 1, 2016 23:52:26 GMT -5
Great to see someone else make parallel guides for these rails. If you want a locking mechanism for these, it's dead easy to do. Simply use one of the Mafell/Bosch rail connectors themselves instead of the beveled aluminium block you use now. Cut it into pieces of the desired lenght or width of your connector piece. I think you can get 4 out of a single rail connector. Bolt or screw the rest of your wooden connector piece to the top. To access the cam screw drill a hole in the top with a forstner bit. 1,2,3 done. Dead simple and very secure. This is a personal preference, but I find the fact these are not securely connected to the rail an advantage over all the Festool systems with T-Track. When I used the original Festool ones a few years ago, I found them really annoying and cumbersome to attach and maneuvre. This works quicker and easier for me. Also another great idea if you prefer something more compact and portable is to use the Carvex or Bosch KS3000 jigsaw circle guides as the measurement instead of a solid track.
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