Thread: Looking to buy Parf Guide System

Even by Festool standards I reckon it's ludicrously expensive for what it is!

I wonder how they've been selling for Carbatec at that price?

I bought. Yes, it's super expensive but I was mollified when I started using.

There are a lot of small parts that are expertly machined to exacting quality and they are what ensure the accuracy, and anything less just wouldn't do the magic. It's really quite genius when you get the hang of it and realise exactly how each part works.

It's not really *that much* if you compare to what you'd pay for two long precision rules, a precision jig for the drill guide, two precision locators and the pins, a high quality TCT boring bit, and two precision dogs included.

I tried using a regular Irwin 20mm bit to finish some holes in a 90mm deep bench and they noticeably widened the cut - the guided boring bit is very high quality and precise.

You can use it on a lot more than you'd initially assume. I've recently used it to make a dog hole shooting board. You can also do things like make a guide to lock a track to and cut your own huge, precision square out of MDF.

Seems like there would be a demand for rental of these.
I've thought they look good but what do you do with it after you've built that assembly table/ giant MFT or what ever?

I won’t be parting with mine, but if you need to buy it new, I do recommend buying from axminster if you want a better price than carbatec.

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I won’t be parting with mine, but if you need to buy it new, I do recommend buying from axminster if you want a better price than carbatec.

Originally Posted by barramonday

Seems like there would be a demand for rental of these.
I've thought they look good but what do you do with it after you've built that assembly table/ giant MFT or what ever?

You set it aside for the next replacement top. If you use an MFT top for all the things it's designed for, one of them is guaranteed 90 degree cuts, and over time, that damages the top as you cut into it time after time.

So on a rainy weekend, you pop the top out, cut a new sheet to size, and get to have the fun of making a new top all over again

At least, that's why I've set mine aside, and am not keen on selling.

As a side note, in answer to Austin Turner, the kit at Carbatec is $399, at Axminster is $330 (assuming we're talking about a Mk II system) - by the time it's shipped (to NSW at least) you can add $35 to that price to arrive at $365 - now add the GST on $365 which will apply when the package arrives here, and you come to $401.00 - I'd say just roll down the road, buy it local, keep the coin in Australia, and get the product right now instead of waiting for it?

Hi Barra

Yes I suspect the value would be there if you had some mates and could use at theirs. Once you know what you're doing it only takes 20-30 minutes to do a large table without interruptions. But another reason it is good value is.. what is the alternative for a system of precision dogs across a whole table? And what happens when you want to add to your next table or an outfeed table?

But again, once you have the system you start seeing uses everywhere. See attached a progress photo of a Parf table shooting board I made which uses dogs (you can add a piece of wood as a fence if you like) to have a fence anywhere you like that is comfortable.

I have stashed mine - a nice thing about them is they come in a big tube that is easy to store out of the way without chewing up space.

IMG_20200417_153609.jpg

Thanks all for your responses...

Carbatec they go for like $400

After I make mine I guess I can just keep using the jig to make more and give them away for Xmas presents.. lol. I guess it'll be good to keep around in case I need to make another replacement.

Might have to go thru Axminster. They sell it for $100 cheaper than carbatec. I'll let this thread ride for abit and see if anyone does have one for sale. If not brand new one it is.

Thnks once again.

Just notice the last two post before mine only after I posted.. Think I will go that way. Cheers all.

Originally Posted by slickmick77

Might have to go thru Axminster. They sell it for $100 cheaper than carbatec.

Side note mathematics for you (in case this got buried): The kit at Carbatec is $399, at Axminster is $330 (assuming we're talking about a Mk II system) - by the time it's shipped (to NSW at least) you can add $35 to that price to arrive at $365 - now add the GST on $365 which will apply when the package arrives here, and you come to $401.00 - I'd say just roll down the road, buy it local, keep the coin in Australia, and get the product right now instead of waiting for it?

Wow. Inflation is really kicking in hard.

I bought mine (Version 1) for the equivalent of $189 delivered. This was July '17 (GBP was 0.5707)

I love my Parf. They are precision tools. Mine was Kit #2 off the production line... but they weren't numbered or anything. I saw it when there was initial talk on the FOG and jumped at being a bit of a Beta tester.


Just checked out Ver 2. It absolutely fixes all the "bugs".

Must say that I’ve not heard of parf guides before. Having just watched the exceptional instructional video, at carbatec, I want one. They look to be worth every penny. How many times have I made a dog top and discovered it was so out of square ☹️. Countless. Great piece of kit. Got my $2 jar set for savings. 😁

Seems I was looking at the wrong version at axminster. Thanks for the clarification. thanks guys for the info... Time to visit my mate Matt from Carbatec.

Originally Posted by Midnight Man

Side note mathematics for you (in case this got buried): The kit at Carbatec is $399, at Axminster is $330 (assuming we're talking about a Mk II system) - by the time it's shipped (to NSW at least) you can add $35 to that price to arrive at $365 - now add the GST on $365 which will apply when the package arrives here, and you come to $401.00 - I'd say just roll down the road, buy it local, keep the coin in Australia, and get the product right now instead of waiting for it?

Prices quoted from Axminster already include GST, so a bit cheaper than the numbers you quoted.

I bought the Mk1 version from Carbatec last year and don’t recall paying anywhere near the current price, I thought I paid under $200.

Cheers Andrew

Hmm it seems there would be a lot of utility in people, particularly in tough times, being able to find other kind souls who might be able to borrow or drop into a garage from forum members.

AJ: don't know whether I should be saying this but the Mk 2 version has considerable improvements you can see on Peter Parfitts videos showing them off. Particularly for small size jobs. If you can afford it but have the option to buy the mk1 cheaper I'd watch those videos carefully to decide.

https://www.woodpeck.com/routing/hole-boring-jig-2019.htm



another alternative perhaps?