Now here is a LONG guide rail

[Frank Pellow]

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.

[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?

[Frank Pellow]

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.

[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........

[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! :D Wait 'till you get your own "widget" and you'll see what we're all talkin' about! :p :cool:

[Gary Max]

If it weren't for Wigets we would be doing all this by hand---no thanks

[Dennis Peacock]

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! :D Wait 'till you get your own "widget" and you'll see what we're all talkin' about! :p :cool:

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.!!! :D

[Jerry Golick]

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?

[Kelly C. Hanna]

Nice setup Frank! That's a long rail!!

[Frank Pellow]

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.

[Frank Pellow]

...
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.

[Jerry Olexa]

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