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Thread: Now here is a LONG guide rail

  1. #1
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    Now here is a LONG guide rail

    Last week, I declared my 30+ year old Craftsman table saw dead. I wasted about four hours trying to repair it and finally gave up.

    But, I am not ready to purchase a new saw and I still need to rip a lot of 12' boards for my workshop construction.

    What to do?

    I decided to purchase a third 1400 mm Festool Guide rail and a ripping blade (Panther - $26.25) for my Festool circular saw and rip that way. The rail and blade came yesterday and I set things up this morning. It turns out the ripping this way is a lot easier than it was on my table saw (even though I have a good out-feed roller for use with the table saw).

    I am enclosing one picture. It shows a board clamped beside the one that I am currently cutting in order to provide a base to rest the rail on. That set up takes very little time and works well.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by Frank Pellow; 10-14-2004 at 8:57 PM.

  2. #2
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    Hmm, is the DC hose on the saw long enough to follow you along or do you need to yank on it a bit to get the vacuum moving along?
    Wood: a fickle medium....

    Did you know SMC is user supported? Please help.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Padilla
    Hmm, is the DC hose on the saw long enough to follow you along or do you need to yank on it a bit to get the vacuum moving along?
    The hose is not long enough, so I positioned the vacuum cleaner about a third of the way along the board. That worked fine.

  4. #4
    Frank, I have no interest in one of those guided saws. They are just another in a long line of newest, greatest, latest gotta have widget that will just collect dust in my shop. I can't wait for you guys to stop talking about how wonderful they are so I can stick to my original assessment ! But it does look like an easier way to cut long boads. Hmmmmmmm........
    Dennis

  5. #5
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    Been there, done that, albeit I still have a good TS and my GRS is a different flavor. No way I could do some of the stuff on my TS and it also gives me a great starting point for squaring up rough lumber! Sorry Dennis, but I don't think this concept will just "go away" anytime in the near future! Fact is, I think we can look forward to improvements! Wait 'till you get your own "widget" and you'll see what we're all talkin' about!
    Cheers,
    John K. Miliunas

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  6. #6
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    If it weren't for Wigets we would be doing all this by hand---no thanks
    ---I may be broke---but we have plenty of wood---

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by John Miliunas
    Been there, done that, albeit I still have a good TS and my GRS is a different flavor. No way I could do some of the stuff on my TS and it also gives me a great starting point for squaring up rough lumber! Sorry Dennis, but I don't think this concept will just "go away" anytime in the near future! Fact is, I think we can look forward to improvements! Wait 'till you get your own "widget" and you'll see what we're all talkin' about!
    I understand John.....but I'm at least going to compare this Festool system to my cabinet TS and make a note of the differences. I'll get to see and tinker with the Ezone setup while in Dallas. BUT.....I still like having big iron in the shop to work on.!!!
    Thanks & Happy Wood Chips,
    Dennis -
    Get the Benefits of Being an SMC Contributor..!
    ....DEBT is nothing more than yesterday's spending taken from tomorrow's income.

  8. #8
    Yup, that sure be one long rail, fer sure eh?

    I have one of the Panther blades as well, but I normally cut on top of a styrofoam bed to minimize tear outs on the bottom of the material. How did it work in your setup?
    Be seeing you,

    Jerry [Road Warrior] /smc

  9. #9
    Nice setup Frank! That's a long rail!!

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dennis McDonaugh
    Frank, I have no interest in one of those guided saws. They are just another in a long line of newest, greatest, latest gotta have widget that will just collect dust in my shop. I can't wait for you guys to stop talking about how wonderful they are so I can stick to my original assessment ! But it does look like an easier way to cut long boads. Hmmmmmmm........
    No interest at the start of the note but I have you thinking at the end. Thats progress.

    Thats a lot like waht has happened to me as regards battery-powerdd drills over the last year.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Golick
    ...
    I have one of the Panther blades as well, but I normally cut on top of a styrofoam bed to minimize tear outs on the bottom of the material. How did it work in your setup?
    I was not concerned about the back of the boards because they are rough sawn pine to be used as battens so no one will ever see the back. Having said that, I just looked at the boards again and it is impossible to tell from the cut to which side was the front and which was the back.

  12. #12
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    May 2004
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    N Illinois
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    Frank

    Frank that looks soooo long, you may need to add another extension to your workshop to handle it!! Looks good!
    Jerry

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