Author Topic: TSO Guide Rail Adapter with Star Knobs? (Read 3727 times)

Bugsysiegals · « **on:** December 04, 2020, 02:50 PM »

Since I'm going to buy the TSO GRS, I figured I might as well switch to their PG's also. That said, I see they've a new quick release adapter but it still requires a tool and the screws are on the front; however, the original has screws on top, and it seems the original might be able to be modified to use star knobs / thumb screws like the Seneca/Incra ... has anybody done this with the TSO?

Roachmill · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2020, 03:10 PM »

Anything protruding above the accessory slot (like the knobs pictured) will foul all but the shallowest of cuts as the motor housing will hit them.

Bugsysiegals · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2020, 03:53 PM »

I can cut at almost 1 1/4" or 31.75mm without issue which is perfect for my needs as I'm only cutting 3/4" plywood. The TSO appears to have a smaller offset above the track and with lower profile knobs I bet you could squeeze out even more cutting capacity if you needed to but if you're cutting counter tops then it's not going to work for you.

Julie · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2020, 05:19 PM »

I just bought a TSO GRS and it came with star knobs, both to connect the rail to my TSO rail square and for the connector used to connect a guide rail directly to the Festool rail.

Bugsysiegals · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2020, 08:03 PM »

Quote from: Julie on December 04, 2020, 05:19 PM

I just bought a TSO GRS and it came with star knobs, both to connect the rail to my TSO rail square and for the connector used to connect a guide rail directly to the Festool rail.

Interesting, could you post a pic as I did to show if they interfere with the depth of the saw and if so what the max depth is?

Julie · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2020, 10:16 PM »

The parallel guide connector attaches to the Festool rail similarly to the GRS-16 with an insert into the track channel and with a clamp. The locking is done by tightening screws as opposed to the GRS which has a hand clamp.

Nothing is in the way of the saw.

Bugsysiegals · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2020, 10:27 PM »

The screws are what I’m referring to replacing with star knobs as done on the Seneca PG’s which had screws originally. In this way you don’t need a tool.

Julie · « **Reply #7 on:** December 06, 2020, 01:21 AM »

I get it. Those screws are a pain. I have some knobs on the way. I'll post my thoughts when they arrive.

Mike Goetzke · « **Reply #8 on:** December 06, 2020, 11:39 AM »

Quote from: Julie on December 06, 2020, 01:21 AM

I get it. Those screws are a pain. I have some knobs on the way. I'll post my thoughts when they arrive.

@Julie Ha - I just posted a thread in this section pinging Hans/Eric that with the Makita cordless there is plenty of clearance for knobs on the universal adapter.

You said you have some on order? I do not see a knob with such a small thread in the TSO site. Can you provide a link please?

Thanks

Bugsysiegals · « **Reply #9 on:** December 07, 2020, 12:18 PM »

@TSO_Products could the newer adapters be enhanced to use a smaller thumbscrew for the soft tip set screws? It seems there's enough room but I'm not sure and it would seem these may not get tightened to hard which perhaps the thumbscrew could work?

For reference, I'm referring to something like this and could be even smaller depending the size and how tight the screw needs to be ...

Julie · « **Reply #10 on:** December 28, 2020, 03:21 PM »

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you on this. I've been waiting for the knobs to arrive.

I tried star knobs from a variety pack I got. They were just a little too large and the tip of the star hit the saw base.

I found some knurled knobs that seem to work. I've haven't used the parallel guide with them yet, but they seem to tighten well.
At 30 cents a piece I figure they will be useful for other projects too.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WZWK3PV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bugsysiegals · « **Reply #11 on:** December 28, 2020, 03:23 PM »

Thanks Julie! Do the knurled knobs interfere with the saw and if so how much depth of cut do you lose?

Julie · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2020, 03:49 PM »

Quote from: Bugsysiegals on December 28, 2020, 03:23 PM

Thanks Julie! Do the knurled knobs interfere with the saw and if so how much depth of cut do you lose?

The knurled knobs don't interfere in any way.

Bugsysiegals · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2020, 03:52 PM »

Sweet, sounds like a better solution assuming they tighten enough and don’t come loose. They even make anodized Blue ones for those whom are picky.

I wanted the TSO PG’s but haven’t figured out any advantages they’d have over my modified Seneca/Incra PG’s.

Claimdude · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2020, 06:48 PM »

I like those anodized knobs. You happen to have a link for them?

Thanks
Jack

Quote from: Bugsysiegals on December 07, 2020, 12:18 PM

@TSO_Products could the newer adapters be enhanced to use a smaller thumbscrew for the soft tip set screws? It seems there's enough room but I'm not sure and it would seem these may not get tightened to hard which perhaps the thumbscrew could work?

For reference, I'm referring to something like this and could be even smaller depending the size and how tight the screw needs to be ...

(Attachment Link)

Mike Goetzke · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2021, 01:13 PM »

Quote from: Julie on December 28, 2020, 03:21 PM

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you on this. I've been waiting for the knobs to arrive.

I tried star knobs from a variety pack I got. They were just a little too large and the tip of the star hit the saw base.

I found some knurled knobs that seem to work. I've haven't used the parallel guide with them yet, but they seem to tighten well.
At 30 cents a piece I figure they will be useful for other projects too.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WZWK3PV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

(Attachment Link)

@Julie The screws you linked on Amazon are 3mm thread. I just bought them but guess what - I believe the thread in the adapter are 5mm. Can you please measure yours? I'm confused.

Julie · « **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2021, 11:52 PM »

They were M5 when I bought them. They changed the product at the link I posted. Very strange as I see the M5 in my order history but the link is to the M3.
M5 8mm long is what you need. I have been using my parallel guide a lot lately for LR32 work. The knobs work great. It didn't take long for me to realize that I needed two of the guide connectors as having one of the guides connected to the rail square doesn't work - I can't clamp the rail down.

Mike Goetzke · « **Reply #17 on:** January 26, 2021, 08:23 AM »

Quote from: Julie on January 25, 2021, 11:52 PM

They were M5 when I bought them. They changed the product at the link I posted. Very strange as I see the M5 in my order history but the link is to the M3.
M5 8mm long is what you need. I have been using my parallel guide a lot lately for LR32 work. The knobs work great. It didn't take long for me to realize that I needed two of the guide connectors as having one of the guides connected to the rail square doesn't work - I can't clamp the rail down.

Thanks - after looking for the M5 I actually found some star knobs that look like the TSO ones at Zoro.

DynaGlide · « **Reply #18 on:** January 26, 2021, 11:16 AM »

Quote from: Mike Goetzke on January 26, 2021, 08:23 AM

Quote from: Julie on January 25, 2021, 11:52 PM
They were M5 when I bought them. They changed the product at the link I posted. Very strange as I see the M5 in my order history but the link is to the M3.
M5 8mm long is what you need. I have been using my parallel guide a lot lately for LR32 work. The knobs work great. It didn't take long for me to realize that I needed two of the guide connectors as having one of the guides connected to the rail square doesn't work - I can't clamp the rail down.

Thanks - after looking for the M5 I actually found some star knobs that look like the TSO ones at Zoro.

C'mon @Mike Goetzke don't be shy with the Zoro link

Bugsysiegals · « **Reply #19 on:** January 26, 2021, 12:03 PM »

If you're not against supporting China, here's a nice anodized Blue to match the TSO.

M5 Thumb Screw

Mike Goetzke · « **Reply #20 on:** January 26, 2021, 12:28 PM »

Quote from: DynaGlide on January 26, 2021, 11:16 AM

C'mon @Mike Goetzke don't be shy with the Zoro link

Sorry - their site was having issues earlier:

https://www.zoro.com/kipp-star-grip-m5-x-10-mm-25-mm-od-red-k01554056x10/i/G3616996/

Noticed these knobs look a little taller than the fully machined ones. I have a Makita cordless and think I have more clearance than Festool but I need to check. Looks like the knobs are 16mm tall:

https://www.kipp.com/gb/en/Products/Operating-parts-standard-elements/Grips-and-knobs/K0155-Star-grips/K0155-L-Star-grips-with-external-thread-Form-L.html

I also found these nice SS ones at Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0748BR5XZ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A5E984U90G1AK&psc=1

Bugsysiegals · « **Reply #21 on:** January 26, 2021, 01:32 PM »

Alternatively, I'd recommend the newer quick adapters. They slip on/off the guide rail t-track easily while still being secure and don't require any screws.

In fact, they attach and detach so easily I'm going to replace my Incra fence with TSO close fit dogs, it should be more stable & I have one underneath the guide rail for more material support, and use a TSO PG for setting crosscut widths. I'm not sure if it will be better or not but sure is nice to have options and knowing I could do it this way if I was ever mobile without needing to bring the Incra fence with me.

Josh2 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 26, 2021, 01:42 PM »

Quote from: Bugsysiegals on January 26, 2021, 01:32 PM

Alternatively, I'd recommend the newer quick adapters. They slip on/off the guide rail t-track easily while still being secure and don't require any screws.

Can you explain how this works? I am going to get the quick adapter but the pictures on the TSO website do show screws and a part that rides in the track similar to their guide rail connector. Your pics don't show any screws. Thanks!

Bugsysiegals · « **Reply #23 on:** January 26, 2021, 02:02 PM »

Yeah I didn't get it at first either until they shared the video with me... gotta love the ingenuity of these guys @TSO_Products!!

DynaGlide · « **Reply #24 on:** January 26, 2021, 02:14 PM »

@Bugsysiegals My mobile setup is a spare MFT/3 fence with some fence dogs from benchdogs.co.uk. Works great.

Bugsysiegals · « **Reply #25 on:** January 26, 2021, 02:46 PM »

Quote from: DynaGlide on January 26, 2021, 02:14 PM

@Bugsysiegals My mobile setup is a spare MFT/3 fence with some fence dogs from benchdogs.co.uk. Works great.

@08G8V8 mentioned in this thread that his fence with the fence dogs moves justy enough that he has to constantly re-calibrate the fence whenever he removes it ... that would drive me nuts so hopefully is not the case for you.

That said, that's one reason I'm excited to try the TSO PG for crosscutting ... I can move it back and forth between parallel and crosscutting guide and it will always remain calibrated.

Mike Goetzke · « **Reply #26 on:** January 26, 2021, 05:38 PM »

Quote from: Bugsysiegals on January 26, 2021, 01:32 PM

Alternatively, I'd recommend the newer quick adapters. They slip on/off the guide rail t-track easily while still being secure and don't require any screws.

In fact, they attach and detach so easily I'm going to replace my Incra fence with TSO close fit dogs, it should be more stable & I have one underneath the guide rail for more material support, and use a TSO PG for setting crosscut widths. I'm not sure if it will be better or not but sure is nice to have options and knowing I could do it this way if I was ever mobile without needing to bring the Incra fence with me.

(Attachment Link)

I haven't spent the time to determine why but this easy on/off is for Festool rails only - I have Makita rails.

08G8V8 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 26, 2021, 06:05 PM »

Quote from: Mike Goetzke on January 26, 2021, 05:38 PM

Quote from: Bugsysiegals on January 26, 2021, 01:32 PM
Alternatively, I'd recommend the newer quick adapters. They slip on/off the guide rail t-track easily while still being secure and don't require any screws.

In fact, they attach and detach so easily I'm going to replace my Incra fence with TSO close fit dogs, it should be more stable & I have one underneath the guide rail for more material support, and use a TSO PG for setting crosscut widths. I'm not sure if it will be better or not but sure is nice to have options and knowing I could do it this way if I was ever mobile without needing to bring the Incra fence with me.

(Attachment Link)

I haven't spent the time to determine why but this easy on/off is for Festool rails only - I have Makita rails.

Yeah, I’m a Makita track guy myself. He anti-tip lip on the Makita track keeps the new TSO adapter from slipping on the track like the Festool rail.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Bugsysiegals · « **Reply #28 on:** January 26, 2021, 06:34 PM »

Sorry to hear that ... it's very nice to avoid the sliding it into the track and tightening the knobs ... it's almost like a post-it note now!!

Mike Goetzke · « **Reply #29 on:** January 29, 2021, 03:40 PM »

Received the Kipp star knobs from Zoro today. Perfect match for the TSO knobs.

As expected, with my Makita cordless I can not go to maximum depth of cut. I can get to 45mm on the saw scale that equals a cut on the rail to a little over 1-5/8". So easily enough to cut through a 2x lumber.

In the pictures below it looks like you could reduce the plastic shoulder if you really wanted to maximize your cut depth. Maybe someone has a solution to doing this??? I do have a wood lathe but not much to grab on this tiny knob.