Thread: Parallel Guide for slider

It was while I was ripping to 40x40mm for stool legs before turning, that it occurred to me that a parallel guide would make life easier.

I was too tired to focus on shaping and installing the stretchers today ...



... and decided instead to build the fixture I had in mind. This was to be a cross between a parallel guide and a Fritz and Franz. It is so simple in concept, that I am sure others have built something similar. But I wanted to share it because I think that this is going to be so useful.

It's not large, about 1m long, and not too wide, just 300mm. I could have made it longer and wider, but it is intended for breaking down chair and table legs, and it needs to get plonked on the slider wagon without having to move anything. The base is a 18mm thick Merbau hardwood panel from the local Bunnings. Cheap and very stable.








There is aluminium angle for a fence, which sides back-and-forth on T-track. The fence has non-slip, and there are two hold downs.

The far side is clamped down ....



There is a touch of wiggle room to set the side of the table against an outside-facing tooth of the blade ...



The near end is aligned with the zero clearance on the crosscut fence ...





... and is secured by a hold down clamp.

Here is a full shot ...



The potential for this is huge. Not only can the fixture hold thin or wide boards for ripping or jointing - producing an edge ready for glueing - but also tapering legs.



Regards from Perth

Derek