Are parallel guides worth buying?

[Rich Engelhardt]

I have a set of Woodpecker parallel guides on order.
They are on backorder (gee - there's a surprise) & I'm wondering if they are worth it or not.

I don't mind paying the outrageous price for the Woodpecker ones since I'm more than happy with the other stuff I got from them.

The Seneca guides are also sold out with no date for being back in production.

I do have a project coming up that I need to make about 30 2'X2' panels out of 1/4" plywood where the guides would come in handy.

[Jamie Buxton]

To answer the question in your headline, I have a pair and never use them. It seems that when I get to a spot where parallel cuts are necessary, the workpiece is small enough to go on the table saw.

[Derek Arita]

Well, I have a set of Seneca guides that I never use, as other ways have been more convenient and accurate. A table saw, a stop on your MFT rail are just a couple of solutions.

[Peter Kelly]

I have a set of Woodpecker parallel guides on order.
They are on backorder (gee - there's a surprise) & I'm wondering if they are worth it or not.

I don't mind paying the outrageous price for the Woodpecker ones since I'm more than happy with the other stuff I got from them.

The Seneca guides are also sold out with no date for being back in production.

I do have a project coming up that I need to make about 30 2'X2' panels out of 1/4" plywood where the guides would come in handy.The Woodpecker ones I've got seem fiddly, just too many parts to make them convenient to use unless I've got lots of cuts to make that are all the same width. These seem less cumbersome https://tsoproducts.com/tso-parallel-guide-system/

[ChrisA Edwards]

I have the TSO Guides to use with my Festool track.

I've used them a couple of times, but most times, if I'm ripping a 4x 8 sheet down the 8' length, I measure about a half inch wider than I need, line up the track with the pencil marks, get a clean straight cut with the track saw and then do the opposite edge, to required width, on the table saw.

Not the best $400 spent when I bought all the adaptors.

[Jamie Buxton]

In contrast to parallel guides, which I never use, I have a big shop-built speed square for my track saw which I use all the time. In my use, the square is very useful, and the parallel guides are not.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Looks like they aren't all that popular so far.

[Jim Dwight]

I also have parallel guides for my track saw and do not use them. I had to make them, my track saw is a DeWalt, but that isn't the issue, they work. But I also made what I call track positioning guides which are simpler and easier to use. Due to my shop configuration, I could not directly cut 30 inch squares on my table saw so I would cut to final size with my track saw using the positioning guides. All they are is a jig with a movable stop and hairline pointer that has a dado which is a tight fit over the rib of my track. You set the stop to the dimension you need and then use the jig to get the track where it needs to be. You can do it easily and quickly as many times as you want. I do one end of the rail, then the other, then check the first again. So there is a little back and forth but it works. I made two types, one works when the piece you want is under the track and the other works when the piece you want is ahead of the track.

The reason I do not use my parallel guides is attaching them to the track turns it into something ungainly - fragile and not fun to move from piece to piece. I don't think the design matters, they all seem to be that way.

[Peter Kelly]

If you're looking for an inexpensive and readily available alternative to the Seneca system, these are only $60 plus the cost of two Incra rails: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1003206115/toolcurve-parallel-guides-for-festool

https://i.etsystatic.com/24604162/r/il/2553c0/3070081607/il_1588xN.3070081607_bfwr.jpg

[Jim Dwight]

Those are effectively the same as my track positioning guides except I only use one and do not attach it to the rail other than very briefly to position the rail. Attaching them turns into a situation I would say is flimsy. With two it is also a little challenging to get them zero'd out versus each other. But if you just use one of these and move it from end to end of the rail to position it, that is what I am doing. Using two would eliminate the back and forth, however, and you wouldn't need to leave them attached to the track if you don't want to.

I do recommend something like this as an alternative to cutting to a mark on the wood. I got a Inca t-rule and 0.5mm pencil so I could put more accurate marks on the wood because I found it was limiting my accuracy with my track saw. But it is even better to use the equivalent of movable stops for the CMS or the scale on the rip fence of a good table saw. That is how I view my positioning guides.

[Gabriel Marusic]

I have the woodpecker parallel guides and I have only used them once. I keep them around in case I'm going to do some work away from home or where it's not practical to transport stuff, but otherwise the collect dust.

[Tony Shea]

I didn't expect so many negative posts about parallel guides. I personally love my TSO parallel guides. I much prefer to rip my full sheets of plywood when they're full 8' sheets. This is where the parallel guides really shine. I first cut the factory edge to get a nice square straight edge then set my parallel guides to width that I'm after. They work amazingly well for this and I prefer doing this over using my table saw. I would highly recommend looking at TSO's parallel guides over the Woodpeckers. I personally think the Woodpeckers are over priced and look much more fiddly compared to TSO's. I also am a TSO fan.

[Harold Patterson]

I have the Seneca guides and I use them mainly for repeat cuts. I also use the TSO square and it is great to make one mark and cut. If you have a table saw I don’t think you need them. For narrow rips the table saw is definitely easier. I don’t have a table saw hence my need.

[Andrew Seemann]

I confess I opened this thread thinking it was about parallel bars used in setting up work on machine tools. I'd actually never seen or heard of these parallel guides before. Now having seen them I don't feel I have been missing anything. I've got 52" rip capability on my Unisaw and just put pencil marks on the wood when I break down plywood with the track saw.

[mreza Salav]

When I was doing the cabinets for our house I made my own using wood and readily available parts. It worked very well. Since then haven't used them.

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[Julie Moriarty]

When I'm making cuts with the track saw (Dewalt) I either measure from the edge of the wood to some point on the track and clamp or use an adjustable square to the edge of the track. Probably not any more time than setting up a parallel guide.

[Rich Engelhardt]

When I was doing the cabinets for our house I made my own using wood and readily available parts. It worked very well. Since then haven't used them.I decided on this idea as being my best course of action & cancelled my Woodpecker's order.
Ironically, when I called to cancel the backorder, I was told my order was ready for pickup!
Oh well - someone else will get them instead. They do have a real backlog.


When I'm making cuts with the track saw (Dewalt) I either measure from the edge of the wood to some point on the track and clamp or use an adjustable square to the edge of the track. Probably not any more time than setting up a parallel guide.That's how I do it also. The parallel guides really shine when you are using the track saw to make multiple pieces of the same size.
I have 30 or so 20" x 30" panels I need to cut out of 1/4" Oak plywood. That's the main reason I wanted the guides.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

What am I missing here, that's only 5 cuts in a stack of 4 sheets of 1/4" ply, I don't see how a new tool would benefit. I'd think most competent cabinet makers could have this done in less time than it took me to type this.

[johnny means]

What am I missing here, that's only 5 cuts in a stack of 4 sheets of 1/4" ply, I don't see how a new tool would benefit. I'd think most competent cabinet makers could have this done in less time than it took me to type this.

I was looking for a softer way to say this.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

I was looking for a softer way to say this.

Lol, I do need to work on my subtlety, didn't intend to offend anyone. I was wrong too, it's 6 cuts.

[Rich Engelhardt]

LOL! Well, as they say - any excuse for a new tool is a good enough reason...right?

[Steve Rozmiarek]

LOL! Well, as they say - any excuse for a new tool is a good enough reason...right?

Lol, that's right!!

[Andrew Seemann]

What am I missing here, that's only 5 cuts in a stack of 4 sheets of 1/4" ply, I don't see how a new tool would benefit. I'd think most competent cabinet makers could have this done in less time than it took me to type this.

My Makita track saw was purchased with even less justification than that (3 cuts), but I was at the point where I had told myself on the previous project "the next time I need to make this kind of cut I am finally going to get a track saw!" And I did. And I quickly realized should have gotten one years ago:)

[Kyle Iwamoto]

I confess I opened this thread thinking it was about parallel bars used in setting up work on machine tools. I'd actually never seen or heard of these parallel guides before. Now having seen them I don't feel I have been missing anything. I've got 52" rip capability on my Unisaw and just put pencil marks on the wood when I break down plywood with the track saw.


Same here. Although I'm old and thought they were the parallel guide to draft. Does anyone remember drafting before Autocad? Anyways, the benefits of a 52" saw does come in handy. I have my fence set at 0 degrees,vice slightly open so I can use the fence to the left of the blade and cut those small widths from a full sheet if I so choose.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Two years have come and gone since I first posted this.
I cancelled the original order, but, about 6 months ago I found myself with a "spare $600".
(ok - about the spare $500....I give myself a $200 a month allowance. Most of the time, I blow it at the casino. For some reason, I saved my allowance for 3 months by not gambling - so - spare money..)

I've used them a few months now and:
1.) Yes - they look "fiddley" but - using them and more importantly - setting them up - is very simple and easy. They are a tad akward if using all of the extensions and working with two 55" lengths of track for ripping, but, overall they are just fine.
The small Festool screw type F clamps are a bigger pain than the Woodpeckers guide. BTW, I replaced those with a cheap set of Wen ratchet clamps that work like a champ!

2.) Yeah - they cost a bundle. So what? I'm 71 years old - scrimped and scraped my whole life - I've made sure my wife is able to live very comfortably if I croak off - what else am I going to do with my money?

3.) Portable - maybe not so much. Setup is straight and simple - but - it still takes time. I usually break down sheet goods at the store out in the parking lot. I have to rethink that whole thing.
My grandson does have a new Maverick pick up now though and I think I can bribe him with food. He works for a beverage distributor so I can't bribe him with beer...rats..I told him he should never drink alone - especially if I'm around so - - his bribe is my imbibe.. :D

Anyhow bottom line is - expensive and, unless a person has a very specific need for the Woodpeckers - I can't see them being a good deal.
I don't regret buying them though since like so many other top end things, they are a pure pleasure to use.

[Patty Hann]

When I was [much] younger and working, I followed the financial advice "pay yourself first" , meaning pay into your savings account/IRA/Roth/401(k) first (assuming you've already paid the necessary bills to keep the lights on and the water running), and the discretionary spending comes after that .

Now that I'm retired "pay yourself first" has an entirely different (and much more pleasant :)) meaning.
Woodpeckers! Lee Valley! Incra! Jess-em! and (as they say) "others too numerous too mention", all beneficiaries of the new meaning. :D

[Kent A Bathurst]

Looks like they aren't all that popular so far.

Rich - take the positive spin here - looks like there are several sets waiting for a low-ball offer!

[Rich Engelhardt]

Kent - only a little tiny problem here...

I already bought a set & dropped over $500 for it - including the $20 something shipping charges.

Oh well it's only money as they say.

[Kent A Bathurst]

Kent - only a little tiny problem here...

I already bought a set & dropped over $500 for it - including the $20 something shipping charges.

Oh well it's only money as they say.

I was aiming that at the OP.

But - If yours is Official Green, then you've got more than that invested in Systainers. I'll look in the tool closet for some unused sympathy :)

[Eric Arnsdorff]

I see this thread is a bit older but FWIW - I really like my TSO parallel guides. I ended up buying all of the length options they offer (3). I did see some DIY versions that others had made that appeared to work well but I'm glad I purchased the TSO version. They are light and easy to move when attached to the track as well as easy to install and set on the track.

[Michael Rutman]

I have posted two reviews of them to this forum, once when I got them and once when I got them to work. I use them each time I order 15 sheet of plywood and need to break them down.

In a nutshell, ignore the instructions, they are terrible. Realize they have no set points, no hairline markings, no real way to use the scale, plus the stops will slide on occasion. Have a template of the exact size and double check after locking down the track and before cutting. You’ll have to readjust every 5-10 cuts.

What I do is cut a lot of 34 1/2” x 48 from the new plywood before moving it into my shop. Much easier to carry and I go through a lot of 34 1/2” plywood. The parallel guides make that setup very quick, even with the need to double check. I could just use a 27 1/4” template and it would be almost as fast (The track is almost exactly 7 1/4”). It is faster and easier to use the guides than a template eve with the need to double check and recalibrate so often.

Would I buy it again, not really. Would I return it, not really. It’s very meh, just good enough to not regret but not good enough to recommend.

[Alan Lightstone]

I have the TSO version which I never use. I usually get close on the panel saw, and fine tune on the table saw.