Are parallel guides worth buying?

[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..

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.

[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.