Benchdogs.co.uk Parallel Guide - review and use

[@Benchdogtools]

Hey Andy. Great review and thank you for taking the time to make the video. A bit of an update for you and everyone interested. I will put an option on the site for the rail to have in one piece or segmented. With the thumbscrews these will be supplied with metal thumbscrews from now on and anyone who has the nylon one with be given the free upgrade and will just need to contact us for the set. As for the narrow cut attachment we added this in as when we released this originally this wasn’t included and through feedback we added it into the system but do have a dedicated product coming out for this in the next few months. Thank you for everyone’s feedback and comments of which we will be keeping a eye on to help improve our products. Stay safe everyone. Ralph.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Ralph, Excellent news and thank you for the update. Both of these are a positive step. I will pin your comment so folks see it, and will also update the comment. Cheers Andy

[@stodgeboy]

Excellent news, Ralph. Does the length option apply for orders already placed?

[@Benchdogtools]

@@stodgeboy if it is one on a pre-order then that is not a problem, just send me an email with your order number and let me know what option you would like.

[@julianniemeyer1655]

Wow! Someone who listens. Deserves to go far. 10/10

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Julian That's why I Iike Benchdogs, you have summed it up in one simple statement. Cheers Andy

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi All, welcome to this weeks video. Back to a good old fashioned tool review. As always look forward to your thoughts.

[@Benchdogtools]

Hi All, for those how have had the first version of the Parallel Guide System with the nylon thumbscrews we do have the metal ones in stock now, so please contact us for free replacements

[@markpope6162]

Hi Andy, thanks for such a comprehensive review. I've pre-ordered a set on the strength of it. Cheers Mark

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Mark, Thank you for the feedback. Andy

[@robertpearce802]

Earlier today (19 Jan. 2021) I used my guides for the first time and was very pleased with the results. I cut a sheet of 1200 x 820 MDF (from B&Q) down to 1100 x 600. There may be an error of 0.5 mm depending on which ruler I use but, as very much a hobby woodworker with limited space, I have never achieved that type of accuracy and with very little fuss. I have the pre production non segmented guides and although they may be somewhat cumbersome having to join a number of pieces can also be fiddly. (I have the segmented fence system.) It was good to see you using the extra pieces for narrow cuts, as I could not find any instructions on the Benchdog website. An extra set of the 3D rail attachments would be useful to avoid having to detach them from the long rulers buy you also demonstrated a way round that.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Robert, Glad to hear you are having success, using my calibrated rulers I am getting bang on repeatable accuracy. May be worth measuring your rulers :-) As you say for breaking down the big sheets, it is awesome (actually better accuracy than the B&Q man with the big panel saw). It took me some time to work out the under rail system - and it works. Ralph from Benchdogs has just posted that there is a new solution coming soon for the under rail attachments. I will look forward to that. Cheers Andy

[@robertpearce802]

I am not sure if you monitor your old videos for comments but I wanted to thank you. I purchased an extra set of parallel guide connector blocks and set up the narrow cut guides by making reference to this video, without which I would have lost. I had to swap the new connector blocks with the regular system as, to me, they do not appear to be compatible with the narrow guide cuts as the screws connecting the guide to the block are too short. The new connector blocks are an improvement on the original system as the nylon screws have been replaced by metal screws and the two nuts replaced by a single bar.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Robert, Thank you for the comments, I try and monitor the older videos. It can be hit and miss as KZbin does not have the best system for comments. However, I caught this one. Yes, Benchdogs have updated the brackets and the thumbscrews. Benchdogs have told me they will send over the updated product, then I can update the video. I wouldn't (and don’t) use the under rail solution for the smaller cuts - I use the trick I showed in this video. I don’t want to recalibrate during my workflow. I actually dropped one of my rails the other day, and the nylon nut snapped - so my concern over that was well founded. Benchdogs have agrees to replace them if folks have purchased the older set. Anyway, glad the video helped. Andy

[@georgelavelle2097]

Thanks for the review Andy, but you are using the guides basically for cross cuts in your demo. The main purpose for these are for long rips. If you do a long rip, you will soon find out how cumbersome it is to walk around the guides while cutting the rip. I am speaking from experience. I own a set from Seneca woodworking (USA). Love you videos. Keep making sawdust!

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi George, Now sawdust I have in abundance - I can ship some over if you are short :-) Yes bit limited on space for the demo - the lens on the camera will only cover so much. I wouldn’t see an issue with the precision on the long cuts, not sure why you would be walking round the guides. I will give that a go next time I need to break down a large board. 🤔🤔 Andy

[@adhafer4542]

Rather one piece than loads of pieces. If you can carry a rail, you can carry these. Thanks for the review.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi, Thank you for the comment. Cheers Andy

[@Benchdogtools]

We have now added 3 options to the site, 1 x 1000mm, 2 x 445mm or 3 x 330mm

[@TheWoodgrafter]

@@Benchdogtools I think I need to record a follow on video to let the world know of these changes. Will try and get it out over the weekend. Cheers Andy

[@Phenrica]

Thanks Andy for a great review and access to a discount code - just ordered so when the wife finds out it’s down to you 😉

[@TheWoodgrafter]

What could possibly go wrong,

[@whomadethatsaltysoup]

As above, thank you for taking the time to test, film and post this excellent and informative review of the BD parallel guide. I had already placed the pre-order and was pleased to see the item in use. Why, you might ask, did I place the order before seeing any reviews? Well, I've seen plenty of shop made versions, varying from super simple to incredibly complex, but figured at the very reasonable offer price of £100 (plus vat, of course) it would be silly to faff around knocking up my own.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi, God's to hear, have you clocked the updates from Benchdigs as a result if the feedback from our community ? The rails are now available as single section (as per my review) or two sections or three section. If you need to change your order, send Benchdogs your order number and ask them to update your order. Cheers Andy

[@whomadethatsaltysoup]

@@TheWoodgrafter Andy, thanks for the heads up regarding the new configurations. I just wonder, the original 330mm sections; does that mean 330mm plus the width of the track? I only ask because a 1000mm section would absolutely be in the way for narrower rips and cobbling sections together introduces inaccuracies.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Yes it would, So assume the track is nominally 200mm then the single piece would give you a capacity of 330 plus 200 Cheers A

[@whomadethatsaltysoup]

@@TheWoodgrafter thanks Andy, based on that I'll go with the two section option. 👍

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi, Makes sense. I think you will be happy with that. Andy

[@stodgeboy]

Already pre-ordered a set as it fills a gap in my workflow for sheet goods and I couldn’t justify the cost of the TSO products parallel guide system (and they never seem to have everything in stock which means multiple orders and multiple shipping costs from US to Aus). Not sure how the nylon screws will last, and the 3D printed parts, but time will tell. Thanks for the detailed review, as always. Very useful.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Ian, I trust you will be happy with your purchase. I don’t forsee and issue with the printed parts to be honest. They are similar in quality to the flag stops on the Benchdogs fence. And boy have I abused those with no real issues. I would be tempted to swap out the nylon nuts for steel ones. Just to give it some longevity. Cheers Andy

[@fififinance7469]

Thanks for sharing!👍🏽

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi, Thank you for the comment. Andy

[@RobKernahan]

Are the rail brackets are a little narrow allowing some racking that will become a wear point?

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Rob, I think I may upgrade the nylon nuts for some sort of M6 a stainless steel ones so you can put more tightening torque on the clamps. I don’t think it will become a wear point as it will be positioned at different point a on the track. Cheers Andy

[@richardclarke9966]

Was just about to pull the trigger on the TSO pgs, then you posted this! Funny how fate saves you a few hundred quid sometimes. Cheers Andy 👍

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Serendipity shines on the righteous Richard. Glad I could help. Andy

[@neilwhiteside949]

What material is the black/ dark coloured inset in your worktop

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Neil, It’s and MDF material that has colour all the way through. The brand I use is Valchromat. It is thicker, denser and stronger than MDF. But also about four times the price. www.atlantictimber.co.uk/valchromat-coloured-throughout-mdf.html Andy

[@anthonybowyer1874]

Great review Andy, I will be ordering this product based on your very comprehensive review. Can we have more videos like this please. I would be very interested to see you review the new 18v track saws from Metabo and Bosch.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Anthony, Always happy to review things so long as I have them to hand. I tend to review things that I buy for my shop or partners (like Benchdogs) send to me for review. I can drop Bosch and Metabo a note and see if they want to provide some demo products. Regards Andy

[@ryanbailey112]

Thanks for the videos they are always very helpful. Tuff question time. I have the Festool version in the box brand new...should I return for the Bench Dogs version. Would I gain anything either way?

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Wow, now that is a tough question. The Festool are much more sturdy than the Benchdogs. But are more cumbersome to set up. The Benchdogs are super simple and quick to use. I have both in my shop, the ones I reach for are.... The Benchdogs, purely due to the fact they are super quick to use, and super accurate. in fact I will be selling the Festool in the near future. At the end of the day, they both do the job. Decisions, decisions. Andy

[@valis6761]

So , does that mean you have to calibrate every time you change from wide cuts to narrow and back to wide again?

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi, sadly yes on the current design. I believe there is a new design on the way for the under rail attachment that will remove that issue. That is why I also showed the simpler method. Cheers Andy

[@grahammacrae6940]

Having tested the festool version and the bench dogs version which one would you say was better? Thanks

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Graham, Both do a good job, but for simplicity and value for money. The Benchdogs take it for me. Since they have arrived in the shop, I haven’t used the Festool. Cheers Andy

[@andycossie6759]

Hi Andy Great honest review. Looking a bit flimsy for me , not sure about the 3D printed parts 🤔 easily broken . I use the festool guides and in my opinion will take some beating on strength and accuracy. Benchdogs rail square on the other hand is awesome.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Andy, The 3D print is the same quality as the stops on the fence. I have never had a problem with those, so I don’t expect these to be a problem. I will carry out a comparison to the Festool at some point, I don’t think anything will be as robust as the Festool ones - but that comes at a cost - and I do find the Festool cumbersome to set up and use. And yes, the rails square is awesome. Thank you for the comment, Andy

[@philiplesueur5133]

Hi Andy Looks like another good piece of kit from Ralph although as I already have the complete set of Festool parallel guides which are a bit clunky in use they are accurate and don’t think I will be changing them out any time soon but these are probably a more affordable setup if you haven’t already made an investment. Philip

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Philip, Yes it's a good kit - I will be comparing the Festool and Benchdog system at some point soon. Cheers Andy

[@thomasedgar3553]

Nice review good English company all products are really nice

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Thomas, Agree it's good to support local. Cheers Andy

[@thomasedgar3553]

@@TheWoodgrafter I will be buying the parallel guide system well worth it

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Thomas, Yes its a good system, just as an update. Ralph (from Benchdogs) has just posted a comment stating he will be offering two options - the single rail (as per the review) and the kit I discussed. The nylon screw will also become metal so even more value. Cheers Andy

[@bigmonkey999888]

Hi Andy the Festool blades are 2.2mm wide just saying! Steve

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Yes, What’s a few mm between friends :-)

[@stefanracz3461]

Hi Andy, thanks for the video. I was just using the guides today and I needed to cut 4 long 22cm wide pieces and I noticed that the guides have limitations around the 22cm mark. Or am I just using the guides incorrectly?

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Stefan, What are the limitations you have found ? Andy

[@mdbradley]

Hi Andy, thanks for the review and the updates. Looks like you've experienced the same thing as I did with the under rail short cutting. Not only do you lose your accurate setup, they are also extremely fiddly to keep swapping over. Glad there will be a solution - hopefully if it comes with any new kit, those of us that bought in early will get the replacement parts FOC. Now, onto a question - you mention use of a known accurate ruler to setup the guides - what is it, and where did you get it from? May well come in handy having a long reference rule.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

H Mark, I can't see me using that under rails solution very often, but interested to see what Ralph comes up with next. Cheers Andy

[@DavePawson]

2.5mm Alan wrench? Not exactly a convenient size?

[@TheWoodgrafter]

They are readily available and come as standard in most metric sets. However, if you have an imperial set - then it could be an issue :-) Cheers Andy

[@julianniemeyer1655]

Am I alone in not liking rails and fences to be split into lots of short pieces? I think it is just another place for a small amount of error and inconsistency to creep in. But thanks for the review.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Julian, I guess it depends on your application. In my shop I want to use single construction pieces. If I need portability then the ‘split’ fence option works best. Cheers Andy

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Julian, Just as an update - Ralph from Benchdogs has posted on this channel, he will now also be offering the system with a single rail as well the kit. Cheers Andy

[@paultay23]

Thanks Andy... So with your discount code is would be £95 for a pre- order. Not bad for those interested.. I don't have a track saw so not for me... Cheers Paul

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Paul, That's about the size of it, but an expensive ruler if you don’t have a track saw. Cheers Andu

[@alland1241]

Plus postage @£8.95 and VAT @ 20%

[@boyrope1]

no it works out at £130 for the pre-order. I thought it would be £95 plus P&P

[@julianniemeyer1655]

@@boyrope1 It seems many companies are now showing the price "+VAT" - something to do with Brexit and ensuring people don't end up paying two loads of VAT.