My Slider Parallel Guides

[Lisa Starr]

Well, I've completed the Parallel Guides for my new Sliding Table Saw. The ones from Lamb Tool Works are beautiful, but out of my price point. Other than the screws, which I already had, everything came from McMaster-Carr and cost me less than $200 for the pair.

The first photo is just an overview of them mounted up to the saw.

Overview.jpg

The housing portion, shown below is made of Aluminum Bar with UHMW pads for the tube to slide on. There is a pocket milled behind the knob which holds a brass key so the tube isn't marked by the clamp screw.
Housing.jpg

The entire assembly is mounted to the saw with two knobs and have tabs extending into the slot on the saw for repeatable alignment. Tge whiteish alignment tabs where made on my 3D printer.
Mounting.jpg

Finally half round noses slide into the tubing and ar4e held in with a single screw. The screw allows for quick replacement of the nose should I damage one. These noses and a flat cap that closes the rear of the tube where both printed on my 3D printer.
End Cap.jpg

Overall, I'm happy with the outcome of this project.

If anyone would like more details, I'm happy to share the info.

[Jim Becker]

Really nice setup, Lisa! You'll enjoy having those for sure.

[Jacques Gagnon]

Very well thought and crafted Lisa. Congratulations.

Regards,

Jacques

[Steve Jenkins]

Those look really nice and well made. My question which is in no way a criticism is why use two of them rather than one and the stop on your crosscut fence?

[David Zaret]

excellent work. you should be proud of that solution.

[Lisa Starr]

Steve,

In most situations I think one would work just fine. I especially want to use mine to cut tapered legs and the stop on my crosscut fence won't go close enough to the blade for that operation.

Lisa

[Steve Jenkins]

Steve,

In most situations I think one would work just fine. I especially want to use mine to cut tapered legs and the stop on my crosscut fence won't go close enough to the blade for that operation.

Lisa

That makes a lot of sense. I have only one and use a spacer o the fence stop. Two would be easier. Once again nice job.

[Tom Bain]

Those are nice - well done. I find I use my fritz and Franz a lot more than the parallel guide, but it does come in handy for long and/or wide rips.

[Eduard Nemirovsky]

Very nice. Is it possible to share the parts catalog numbers from McMaster-Carr?
Thank you, Ed.

[Ned Otter]

Great work!

[Lisa Starr]

Ed, I'd be happy to share the part numbers. Let me put the list together later and I'll post it.

[Mick Simon]

Really nice work, Lisa. I'd love to see that list, too.

[Lisa Starr]

As requested, here are the items I purchased from McMaster-Carr to manufacture the Parallel Guides.

2 pcs Tape Measures 1909A52
1 pkg Set Screws 91375A537
2 pcs Aluminum Tube 6546K54 (2 foot)
2 pcs Aluminum 1/2 x 2 9246K491 (4 foot)
1 pc UHMW 1/4 x 1-1/2 8671K21 (4 foot)
2 pcs Knob w/ stud 57715K43
4 pcs Knob w/ thru hole 57715K24
1 pc Steel Bar 3/16 x 1 8910K264 (2 foot)
1 pc Threaded Rod, 1/4"-20 99086A305 (1 foot)

I used 1/4"-20 x 1 FH Machine Screws, #10-32 x 3/4" Flat Head Machine Screws and 1/4"-20 x 3/4" SH Cap Screws I already owned to assemble the unit. I only purchased the 1/2" x 2" Aluminum Bar and milled it to the other sizes required. You may be able to purchase the other sizes needed.

I also have a rough set of drawings available. If you'd like them, PM me with an email address and I'll send them to you.

[Erik Loza]

Lisa, this is just fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

Erik

[Jeff Bartley]

Those look really nice Lisa! Great job!