Festool Angle Stop / Cross Cutting Guide Rail Review
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2022
- I've been searching for the perfect Track Saw Right Angled Clamp for years, looking eagerly at each one that comes out on the market but not feeling truly happy with any until I came across this beauty.
I've now had a chance to use in on a job, find out what I think in this video.
Thanks for watching.
If you enjoyed this video then please consider giving up one of your likes. 😊
If you 'really' enjoyed this video then why not Subscribe. 😁
If you would like to help support this channel then please consider becoming a Patreon. 😁😁👍
www.patreon.com/user?u=448032... 
Хобби
Well thought out review. I bought this set about 6 weeks ago based on similar reviews. One thing that I discovered is that this square is not as self calibrating as one would hope. There is some degree of play in the ball bearing detents. I drew a perpendicular line from a reference edge with a Woodpeckers precision T square and then put this rail square with rail against the same edge to see if the splinter guard lined up with the pencil line of 60 cm length. It did not.
I also notice that in pretty much all reviews on this product, there is plenty of attention spent on all the features and how to use it, BUT... I see no one actually doing a test that proves the accuracy of the detents (they are not precise enough to be reliable for cabinet or furniture building, of for ripping sheet goods over a length of more than a couple feet.
I have calibrated mine to exactly 90 degrees and have resolved myself to the fact that if I have to leave that position for another angle, I will have to recalibrate to 90° with a precision triangle or square.
Bit of a shame, really, by the way everyone was talking I had expected more. Go ahead and test for yourself!
Thanks! You convinced me to buy this instead of a fixed 90-degree square!
Nice review! This seems like a nice product. Thanks!
Very good review! Bought the kit myself a while back, and the way you show how to use it is very well described. It’s a very versatile tool.
As you mentioned, it’s probably best uses are on the bespoke projects you are using it such as the cabinets under the staircase. Being able to set pre-set angles and any angle in between is just invaluable.
Hi Sol, couldn't agree more, bsolutely delighted with it. 👍
The bench dogs are also good for the holes in the Festool mft/3 table
Thanks for the nice video. Greetz from Germany.
Hi Erik, thank you. 😁👍
Looks quite useful. I have never needed to cut at an odd angle, and would probably just mark it out and lay the track on it... But it will not be that hard to include if I decide to make one (as a maker, I will make one rather than buy it). I will endeavor to make it fit in the standard case (not Festool!) - a separate box just for a jig seems over the top.
Thanks for the review Graham! I have been waiting for my local dealer to get this kit in stock for quite a while. I’m loyal to them so I haven’t sought out online yet as I haven’t had a project that it was absolutely required yet. Looks like I will be happy once I can get my hands on it!
If you're half as happy as I am then you're going to be delighted, I thik its perfect for the job. 👍👍
@@GTWoodshop got it in this week, love it!
@@bowerscustomwoodworkingllc Worth the wait, enjoy. 😁
I totally agree - this is a magnificent addition for the rails, and it's absolute precise! On top, with the extension kit you have a parallel guide to make quick repeatable cuts as well. And it is not expensive! The price is about the same as for the TSO/Festool or similar items (which can do only a fraction of what this is capable of), and the kit in the Systainer is even way cheaper (in fact the price for the entire kit is the same as for the add-ons plus Systainer, so it's a great deal). One little error: the extension kit comes with it's own pair of joiner bars, so you can use these for joining two rails
Should of mentioned that, thanks for the heads up.
Nice review. I really enjoy reviews that take into account the “field use” of such tools. Not everyone works solely inside a fixed shop. By the way, what was the rectangular item that was “blurred” out in the left side (stage right) of the video? A self portrait?
Hi Dan, thank you. Eagle eyed as always. Suffice to say a something that shouldn't be seen in 'this' video.......😉
Enjoyed that very informative ,when is your next video out .
Hi Norman, thank you. Today😁🙌
Thank you for your detailed review. While I don't necessarily doubt that the Festool 90 degree setting is accurate, I believe that the test you demonstrated does not prove it. Please try this: Perform the test as you did here but with the device angle set to any angle other than 90. I believe you will find that the resultant two test lines will be identical, regardless of angle. To test if the 90 setting is accurate, you would actually need to emulate the traditional method you site, i.e., flipping the assembly over and referencing from the same edge of the workpiece. Since the device is not flat, you could not make the second test line on the same face of the board, as you noted. Instead you would need to square the first end of the first line down the near work piece edge, then flip the board over, and then make your second test line on the bottom face of the board, starting from the edge marking you just made. To perform the test this way, you would need to reference the starting point of each test marking from a line squared down the same edge of the board. To compare the angles of the lines so drawn, you would then square the far end of the lines you drew on both faces onto the far edge of the board. If the 90 setting is true, the lines on the far edge will be identical. Please let me know if you find what I suggest to be true. Thanks again for featuring this bit of kit. I specialize in installations, so am in the market for a reliable, robust version of such an angle setting device.
Hi Michael, good points youo raise, how do you feel about a version of the 5 cut test which would be rather simple to trial with this piece of kit?
@@GTWoodshop Yes, 5 cuts method would work. That said, still not as quick or convenient as simply checking the Festool against a known accurate square. (e.g., Starrett, Woodpecker, TSO guide rail square, or engineer's square)
Is the 90 deg. zero setting of the Festool adjustable? And if so, do the adjustments hold reliably once made? If so, one could check the Festool against the known reference square periodically at the shop, even daily if required, then work with the Festool with confidence until the next checkup. (Decades ago, when I bought my first Stabila level, I was so protective of it, I wouldn't take it on site. Instead, I would use my Stabila every morning only to see if my jobsite levels were still any good. After not too long, I realized the value of dispensing with the unreliable levels altogether and relying strictly on the Stabilas. They live up to their motto: "Trust. Never adjust.") In my experience, Festool cannot say the same.
My own tactical jobsite track saw solution is to rely on the bulletproof TSO GRS-16PE for 90, and an adjustable angle rail device for all other angles. As most my cuts on site are custom and one-off, I'm not sure the Festool detents would be of much use in my specific work flow. I normally survey and lay out angles using quality digital protractors, then simply adjust my not so special rail angle device to match the layout line. So the most important attribute, so far as I am concerned, is that an rail angle guide hold its setting securely. But each of us must calibrate our weapons to the targets we face the most... Cheers!
Michael, indeed again true. The 'adjust locking knob' appears to hold true as I set it once at the beginning of the job and it was still true 3 days later. The '0' / '90' setting is also adjustable (which I failed to mention on the video) using the supplied Allen key. I feel it would serve you well but as you have alluded to each of must indeed chose and calibrate our weapons of choice. I wish you good hunting. 👍
@@GTWoodshop Thanks for info. I was thinking of buying Woodpeckers version of the same tool before seeing your review. Did you check that one out before deciding on Festool? WP looked pretty good (despite the typical WP price point...) For now, I've been having acceptable results, given my minimal requirements, with an ultra simple Triton rail angle guide that I picked up for next to nothing when a local woodworking supply store went under. It's not made for my Festool rails, but because of its fortuitous wedged fit with the Festool rail's T-slot, the connection is super secure. But it does not proffer any usable angular markings, much less detents, whatsoever. But given my method of work, it's really only its lack of elegance (and my insatiable lust for tools) that causes me to be looking elsewhere. Like you, I had been dismayed at Festool's original attempt at a rail angle guide. Worthless (at half the asking price...)
Hi Michael, yes, I looked at the WoodPecker, TSO, Bench Dogs, as well as some cheaper ones, Titan I think.... dismissed due to either too expensive, too short a reference face or simply too much plastic so not robust enough / didn't attach firmly. As mentioned in the video, I'm now having to 'set up' again for site work (which is exciting as will undoubtedly involve acquisition again) so re-exploring all the options. Forgot to mention that I too went Stabilia a long time ago and have never looked back as you. You definitely get what you pay for, but some costs are passed eye watering. 👍
Firstly, thanks for your review. Secondly, I have 2 questions:
1. Was this guide rail square out of the box, or did you calibrate it?
2. Have you used the TSO rail square in comparison to this?
Hi Jonathan, yes mine was all but perfect out of the box. I was on site without a sq when I used it for the first time so I used the same method as you would with a sq to check it by mounting it in the middle of the rail if you follow. 2. No I haven't used the TSO. I did consider it before choosing the Festool but the Festool won out due to the possibility of extending the registration face. 👍
@@GTWoodshop Understood. Thank you!
I have this on order but bought the Head and Extension instead of the box set.
What are your thoughts on the extension piece?
£220 as of today so yes anything that was bought years ago its steal
Hi Graham. Thanks for a great video. Will you be producing a video of this in "real world" use any time soon?
Thanks
Hi Michael, no plans at the moment. Was there something in particular you wanted to know?
@@GTWoodshop thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I guess I just wanted to see it being used with the tracksaw and rail. Cutting different angles and whether it "gets in the way", etc. And any other thoughts you had on using it (pros or cons)? Thank you
Where did you buy this from? Thanks
Hi Amanda, Axminster Tools.
@@GTWoodshop thanks!!
people who don't like Festool usually don't use them or just don't make money from their tools because they are hobbyists
have the guide not the kit. The kits not worth it since i have quick release clamps .For the price festool should have giving it to you instead of those shit clamps in comes with