Are Guide Rail Squares Square? The Accuracy Test You Need!

[@milandjordjevic5949]

I Love Tso Products , I have the Guide rail support from Tso and i am impressed . Very Good Quality . Greetings from a Austrian Woodworker .👍

[@leanwoodworks]

I’ve been down this road.. I bought TSO Initially I was not getting good results I found out of square was being caused by me .. The list Ron talked about in the video is something to be aware of and yes I have a rail that’s goofy and had to get a new one.

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

Now that so many companies produce guide rails, I see that only a few are concerned with precision and quality control.

[@leanwoodworks]

@@TheSmartWoodshop Ok yes this would be true because they would not or care about some of the advanced work methods. That can be used with a parf guide and a rail. Nor would they be concerned about add ins like TSO GUIDES AND SQUARES

[@bdm1000]

Great tips. As far as the TSO sale is concerned, they are such high quality that I'm starting to run out of things I need to buy.

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

Totally agree!

[@terrychristian672]

I use TSO guide rail with my Festool track. I’ve sometimes had problems when making the 8’ or just long cuts. It’s harder to feel the square. I’ve gone to the opposite end to wobble the track to see if I can feel the square better. When there’s a long track section laying down, it’s just harder to feel the square. The friction from the bottom of the rails can be a bit overpowering when trying to square at the guide rail end. I do push against the rail square, but again long cuts can be off. Do you have any suggestions?

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

The Guide Rail Square isn't the right tool for a long rip cut; the Parallel Guides are my go-to.

[@terrychristian672]

@@TheSmartWoodshop thanks.

[@crashkg]

One potential pitfall with the Festool track is that the ends are not always square to the rail. This becomes a problem when you join 2 tracks together. When they touch and you tighten them down they can create a bend. I have started leaving a 1 mm gap between tracks and use a straight edge to make sure tracks are aligned when tightening down the track connectors.

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

I haven't notice the rail ends being off 90, but I haven't tried joining rails yet.

[@crashkg]

@@TheSmartWoodshop Yeah I noticed when I made some long cuts that I had a slight arc in my cuts when I put the short rail before the long rail but not the other way. One of the track ends was slightly off and created a banana cut. Slight, but when trying to line up square pieces it made a difference.

[@williamsmith9026]

I have never encountered that and have joined up to 3

[@crashkg]

@@williamsmith9026 could be mine was just off, but I have heard of other people having the same issue of joining tracks and getting a bend. Keeping a small gap resolves the issue.

[@robertpearce8394]

The new Festool rail connectors are supposed to take care of the problem. Also, I believe Festool states that a gap should be left between the rails, as 90 degree.accuracy of the rail ends is not specified.

[@bdm1000]

By the way, any word on the quality of Milwaukee rails?

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

I have no personal experience with any rail other than Festool and Dewalt. I personally did not like the Dewalt Rail and sold it.

[@philbrownred6500]

I have a question for you I have sent a message and called the number on your website with a question about the Smart Workbench package but no response. My question is, if I order your Smart workbench how is it delivered? UPS?

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

The PSB physical bench is handled by Repairadise in Salt Lake. The link on our site takes you there to place an order. They are closed on Fridays and might be closed on Monday due to the holiday. You can place your order anytime. The method of shipping has been UPS, but depending on your location, that may vary. Mahalo, Ron

[@FallLineJP]

Does anyone know if someone makes a rail square for the Milescraft circ saw tracks?

[@HondoTrailside]

Those are some good tips. I have a milling machine so I may add some of those features to my cheapo. One thing I was also thinking of is one can get cheap tracks and rail squares, and just get them perfect, then bond the part in place. Like I have a 60", and it would make a nice shorter one, due to a bend it got, then just epoxy the cheap one, perfectly in place. Someone should probably be making an integral unit already, and if they did everyone would want the latest thing.

[@mikeking7470]

Why didn't you measure the "fifth cut" with the calipers you had on the bench in the video. That would be a better indication of accuracy of the rail square.

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

@@mikeking7470 I did, but cut it as the video was too long and that level of accuracy has zero relevance in woodworking. I have demonstrated the use of calipers and the 5 cut method before with building a crosscut sled, but it confused the issue and was more a flex on my part that has no practical use in the real world of woodworking. If my tape measure can’t see the 4x error, then it is perfect.😎🤙 p.s. Personally, I use the 2 cut method for GRS, miter saw, and table saw in my work and never check with calipers.

[@mrfirestop415]

​@@TheSmartWoodshop"That level of accuracy has zero relevance in woodworking" Sir, then why are you bothering with a 5 cut test if you think that? Do you think the lines on your tape measure are accurate enough? Not a "smart woodshop" if you do.

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

@@mrfirestop415 Yes, I believe my tape measure is accurate enough, as proven by over 30 years of home building. I did use calipers and calculated the per-inch error, getting the same results as with my tape. However, I cut that part from the video because I don’t typically do that in the real world of woodworking. I don’t need to defend my work-it speaks for itself.😎

[@mrfirestop415]

@@TheSmartWoodshop Ok, so you are conflating woodworking with homebuilding. Got it. Construction tolerances aren't in the same universe as woodworking tolerances. Should clarify you are using construction tolerances. Good luck with your construction tolerances in cabinetmaking, millwork, heck luthiers would take your tape measure and throw it in the garbage. Why do you think real woodworkers use a marking knife?

[@AyresHaxton]

@@mrfirestop415what is your goal here?