Are these CHEAP rail guide SQUARES any good?
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- čas přidán 14. 05. 2024
- In-Depth reviews of woodworking products from China.
In this episode: Four rail guide Squares!
If you want to see a ranking among all the products, I tested over the last three years, visit my site: hookedonwood.online/China-Too...
Here are all the direct links to the products in this video.
Reviewed products:
Fonson Tools Mini Square
www.banggood.com/custlink/Kmm...
Fonson Tools Big Square
www.banggood.com/custlink/KKm...
Extension Kit Fonson Square
www.banggood.com/custlink/KmK...
Silver Mini Square
www.banggood.com/custlink/DD3...
Silver big Square
www.banggood.com/custlink/vGm...
Upgraded Parallel Guide system Episode 30
www.banggood.com/custlink/DDv...
Information about the UJK products I used to make my doghouse and the orange bench dog lifters:
www.tagserve.com/clickServlet...{TAG.AID}&tagrid={TAG.RID}&queryID=7f92c2a5592cd5c04b76611f895ef9d3
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My Personal Banggood favorites all time!
1. Hongdui Edge Trimmer
www.banggood.com/custlink/GGK...
2. Doweling Jig / Multi-row puncher
www.banggood.com/custlink/KDv...
3. Kerfmaker
www.banggood.com/custlink/vDD...
4. Drill guide cabinet jig
www.banggood.com/custlink/KDD...
5. T-ruler
www.banggood.com/custlink/3GG...
6. Precision square
www.banggood.com/custlink/DKv...
7. Miter square
www.banggood.com/custlink/GmG...
8. Miter square brass
www.banggood.com/custlink/vmG...
9. Height gauge
www.banggood.com/custlink/KGG...
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The material used for my workbench and this platform is Black MDF:
Black MDF, something similar to Valchromat. I get it from here: (Netherlands)
www.af.nl/voorraad/plaat/mdf-...
Black MDF.
Here is a list of viewers' suggestions where you can buy Black MDF or Valchromat or Forescolor.
USA
www.plywoodcompany.com/MainSi...
trinityinnovations.net
packardforestproducts.com
plywoodcompany.com
UK
www.idsurfaces.co.uk/decorati...
www.atlantictimber.co.uk/valc...
Germany
www.hornbach.de/shop/MDF-Plat...
Belgie
www.houtshop.be/nl/plaatmater...
Australia
timberwood.com.au/
NSW Australia, Laminex has the black MFD
A few products from this review were sent to me by Banggood for testing.
This does not mean that I do get all my products. I also review a lot of products I bought myself.
I started these reviews because, from my experience, not every tool from China was worth buying. So I wanted to do in-depth reviews to show you which products you should consider and which products you better leave alone. The fact that Banggood sent me products occasionally does not change the way I do my reviews. I still give in-depth reviews and give you my honest opinion!
On this, you can count on!
I have a good experience with Banggood.com, and they have a lot of woodworking tools nicely organized on their site.
My name is Dennis, and I am from Hooked on Wood.
Subscribe to my channel!
czcams.com/channels/uvj.html...
My CZcams channel is a hobby. This means I try to upload 1 a 2 video's a month. But this is not on a specific schedule. So If you do not want to miss my videos. Subscribe and click the notification.
Products I use in my workshop.
Table saw with dust system:
Harvey HW110GL Europe edition with sliding table
Harvey / Axminster trade S-12 overhead blade guard
Dust extraction: HBM 200
Oneida Super dust deputy 6.”
Workbench:
Incra master-R-router lift
AEG 1400w router
Incra 25" SL positioner with Wonder Fence
Drill press: Jet JDP 15B
Miter saw: Festool Kapex 60
Different links to products I use
Clamps:
Axminster trade hold down clamps
Piher Rail guide clamps
Micro Jig dovetail clamps
Bessey parallel clamps
Axminster trade parallel clamps
Push blocks
Micro Jig Gripper
Incra Push block
Thank you for viewing.
Best regards,
Dennis - Jak na to + styl
![Parallel Guides or Rail Square? [Video 473][**Gifted/Ad]](/img/n.gif)
Thanks for your praise. The Fonson square is my design，inspire by benchdogs not TSO. I always watch your review. It's my honour to see my design get your 5 star coin card. By the way, I'm not the fonson manufacturer, just give the design drawing to fonson.
Oh, nice to meet you. I was referring to TSO because that is the same as the Festool.
Hey rock ho. Wouldn’t it be better to come up with your own design then copy / make very similar to someone else’s products.
@@BenchdogsUK As I said, I'm not a manufacturer, just a hobbyist woodworker. I drew this drawing just for use in my workshop. FONSON happened to know that I drew this drawing and was willing to customize a set for me. It wasn't my intention to sell it, also not my business.
Good for you to reply. I get your not the supplier my point is there are 1 million ways to design a product and a rail square for example is a rectangle but taking the design element of the product to look pretty much the same as someone else product is pretty much why China has such a bad reputation for cheap knockoff products. China like other countries have some great capabilities but just don’t understand why they have to copy others.
@@BenchdogsUKAll big companies copy each other's design. Just look at the litigation between Apple, Microsoft, Google etc. How many small peoples design ( in our woodworking field) ideas were stolen by big names and sold as their own products. Dissing China is not going to help.
Western model is based on Western costs and minimum requirements of earning in a sale of one item.
That doesn't work for rest of the world. That is where 85% of the population of the earth lives.
Ultimately somebody will start catering to those economic systems.
That you are happy to cater to your manicured garden and ignore the jungle as so eloquently put by Joshep Borell should not be a the fault of others.
Thank you for the effort you put in reviewing affordable wood working tools. I really enjoy your videos.
Denis, I love your insight on these tools. I have purchased several of your recommendations and I am happy I did. I would like to see some more of your project videos. I guessing you have made some while building you new shop. I look forward to those as well as more of your China Tools review. Great work.
Great to see you back and hope your enjoying your new work shop. I’m so glad to see china tools back and as always great honest review they look to be of great quality and priced well. Thanks for sharing
Dennis, I've missed you! So to see yet another excellent video review! Thank you, love your videos!
Thank you for the review. I've been looking at rail guide so he timing of this is perfect.
Great video Dennis! I have already purchased to of the China Tool products you reviewed today and love them. Keep up the good work.
Hi Dennis, thank you for the review provided in your relaxed manner. I must say as a pupil of your videos you teach very clearly and accurately about the products. I look forward to your next video. How is your new shop coming along?
Great to see videos from your new shop Dennis. Can’t wait for some more China Tools and woodworking videos from you.
Great video, thank you for showing us all of these lower cost options. I absolutely Love your workshop, it is perfect! You do so great work sir, I hope to have your skill someday.
Hi Dennis, thanks for the review of the Fonson, I bought one, and also the parallel measure.
As you said a fantastic piece of kit, I was amazed how accurate it is, I would not have looked at these items without your video, so thanks once again.
Hi Dennis! Always nice when you upload 🙂
I am happy that I have finally discovered a channel like this. I learned through a difficult experience that not all tools are created equally. What I appreciate the most about this channel is that you don't come across as snobby. Woodworking is an expensive hobby/career, and it can be challenging to get started. Thanks again!
I really like and appreciate your videos and reviews.Really got me thinking about the Fonson units.
I'm waiting for my TSC 55 to arrive. might just be enough time to put in an order for the rail guides! thanks for all these awesome informative videos!
Ordered the small Fonson model - arrivd today - superb! Thanks for the review.
Fantastic review, Dennis! Thanks!!! 😃
I don't have a track saw yet, but I already bookmarked those!
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Hi Dennis,
many thanks for another great China Tools video. I'm a Banggood customer for almost 10 years now and already discovered some of the tools myself ... but with your videos, it's much easier to decide if such tool really helps me ...I'm planning to buy a track saw soon and your video just arrived in time. I think I'll probably go for the bigger Fonson square and extension kit. As I'm 3D-printing for almost 3 years now, i think i have an idea how to stabilize it at the end ... a little bracket is very easy to design & print, also to attach some adjustment screw(s).
Hi Dennis. I ordered the large Fonson and have used it to trim a bunch of 18mm ply for a lego cabinet for my mini me. I found it exactly as you described and well worth the money. Square straight out of the box but easily adjustable if needed. Works on both Makita and Titan (a budget end supplier sold through a well known UK hardware chain). Makes it so much easier to get square edges without a fuss. And small enough to leave attached to the rail without getting in the way. Thanks again for a great review. You completely derisked it for me.
Great advice thank you. It’s good to know what products have your recommendations. I have bought products due to this and really happy.
Hey Dennis. As always, this was an excellent review. I have just received my combo of the large squad and extension. Re-watching your video, I realised why you found the connection of the two extension rail pieces a bit wobbly. Although it seems counterintuitive, you had the tightening grub screws in the wrong way. The large flat edge should be on the underside of the connecting piece. I have found that this overcomes any wobble in the system. Best wishes, Julian
Thanks Dennis, marvelous vid and already ordered the large black one.
Thanks again for all your honest efforts, they are most sincerely appreciated.
Thanks, you will 😊
After having some time to work with the large Fonson square over the last week, I found there is a little bit of play in the guide rail attachment on my Makita track. Over a 4-foot (1220mm) length, the play can get as much as 1mm out of square. Once I realized it, I made sure I checked it against my large Veiko framing square and adjust appropriately. The square tightened down firmly and did not move after that. But it was something I found in my sample. Thanks again for the review!
Thank you for the review, very helpful and informative. I have on of the silver squares and have to say it’s really good although I’m thinking of adding an anti-tip bar
Thanks Dennis, brilliant info as always
Great video and thanks for bringing the more budget friendly products to test. Just ordered a rail guide after watching this. 👍
Took a while to arrive but I think following your review the demand has been high, £43 sterling delivered, the quality is amazing!!
Excellent review. Just ordered the large Fonson.
Really enjoy these reviews. Thank you Dennis.
Great to see another episode of China tools missed ya buddy
Thanks, Denis. I'm interesting for other reviews of accessories for MFT-style workbenches.
Thank you very much for your work! I always enjoy your videos. I would like to see a video with track saw accesories. As it is the method tha I most use in my workshop!
Nice one Dennis, you just save me and nodoubt other's a small fortune !
I'm definitely going to be buying both the Fonson products from Bangood today. As always buddy 💯% 👍 🇬🇧.
Dennis, I just received my Fonson Tools Big Square today. The issue you had with the stabilizer bending a bit has been fixed. The slot is shorter, so it now overhangs about 12mm. You are right, it is a quality piece.
I recently picked up the Makita track saw and I’m obsessed. Going to have to pick up a set of these for sure 🙌🏻
Thanks for making this video!
Love the Makita tracksaw as well. I use the Festool because it is a bit more robust. But I like the sound of the Makita. It runs so smooth. Fine choice
Thank you for putting these videos together. I have been wrestling with the idea of buying Chinese tools verses Woodpecker originals. Huge price difference! Thanks again
Thank you once again, looking forward to the next vid.
Thanks
I’ve ordered ! great reviews
Brilliant video. Thank you Dennis.
Your video just in right time! Thanks!
Just picked up the large Fonson and the track extension kit, got both for $127.45 US shipped, so it was well worth the cost. Would never had tried it without watching your video's, Thanks.
Hi Denis I bought the smaller of the silver rail squares, to make it more stable I used 10 mm neodymium magnets in the two holes at the end away from the track then used a 6mm thick plate which works from both ends of the track to stop tipping. This was before your review
Hi Denis , I've just ordered the small fonson rail square after watching your review, now just the wait until July for delivery 😀
I have Ben watching since the first show am saving to buy a lot of these tools thank you for doing these videos
Thank you Denis for another quality job, I will havev to get one on order . How's the new machines in the workshop preforming or project video next ?. Happy woodworking.
You are going to save me a lot of money. I try to watch all your episodes
A new video from Dennis and I'm straight off to banggood 😂 I actually have the small aluminium colored one already but it's not spot on for me so I hope the undermount variety will be better. Glad to see a new video from you!
Thank you Dennis!! I go for the smaller Tonson
Thanks for the info Dennis
I have two of the Fonson squares and love them so far! Seem to be quite accurate
Thanks, Dennis. Awesome video.
Hey Dennis,
Super toffe aflevering!
Ik twijfelde heel erg i.v.m de prijs om die van festool te kopen. Maar door deze aflevering heb ik zojuist de Fonson besteld ;-) Al veel aankopen gedaan op basis van jou beoordeling, waarvan ik geen enkele spijt heb!
Got my large Fonson rail square today. It also fits my Parkside (Lidl) rail.
Absolutely Great Videos, really like your China Tool reviews; I've purchased many of the tools you've recommended.
Your videos are not only informing reviews, but video instruction sheet since most of these arrive with no documentation.
Quick comment for the Rail Extension; maybe hast to assemble for video, video @ 11:30 you attach the 2 rails and comment on a little movement. You've installed the 2 screws on top side vs bottom side of track coupling piece... if you install screws from bottom side allowing wide shoulder to press against rail channel it's a lot more stable. Using Allen Wrench, tighten screws through the top of the hollow screws.
Not sure if new, they now supply both the larger brass screws and very low profile allen screws allowing rail square to be used with Thinner Material to cut.
Excellent review, thank you.
Well done Dennis. But then, you are always a genius. To which we love and please keep on sharing your talents, with us. NONE Finer to be sure!
Yes another great video, I was a little bit excited when it popped up.
That was a great review. I am glad I had not already bought a square for my track saw.
For $26 dollars, I said why not and got the mini.
Good reviews! Just subscribed, again well done. Now I will explore your other videos
Excellent review. Thank you
Great video, i was looking at these squares to potentially fit my dewalt track saw. I do not love the system dewalt uses but this video was very helpful in letting me understand how they work.
Did you find a good fitting square for the r dewalt track. Which one did you purchase thanks
Such a useful guide - Thanks
Thank you for your timing! I am in the market for one of these.
Regards,
Etna,
Useful and thorough review as usual, Dennis! I have been considering a rail square since buying a Makita track saw last year, so have just ordered the larger Fonson square and extension kit - looking forward to trying them out when they arrive in the UK!
I think you will 😊
Tim: Plase report back when you try it with the Makita rail, thanks.
@Tim Rastall have you tried the square with the extension on the Makita rail yet? Thx
@@lazz3446 hi, sorry for not following up on this. Yes, it all arrived just in time for me to fit our new kitchen, so got quite a lot of use! As Dennis says, the quality of both is excellent, it fits my Makita rails perfectly with no free play and is as square as I could want or need! The square does not quite fit my Evolution rails, though, which is a little disappointing - the block is just slightly too large to slide into the slot.
The extension piece is quite easy to set up and calibrate to your rails, and once done saves so much time without the need to measure and mark each cut. I measured the first cuts to double check, but found the scales to be very accurate. With both extension pieces connected, it does make the assembly a little unwieldy and mine did fall on the floor. The only damage was to the extension bar’s joining piece, but it was easily returned to its original shape and recalibrated to be safe!
So far I’m incredibly happy with the purchase of both!
I also purchased the larger Fonson square. It's built very well! Like you, I found the tab a little floppy, but it looks like there is enough depth in the slot to increase the thickness of the tab a little bit without affecting the guide attachment you described. I wondered what those other holes were for!
Or drill and tap a second hole for another screw on the opposite side
Hi Dennis,
I hope this message finds you well. I recently watched your video on the Fonson Big Square and noticed a small discrepancy in the assembly process. I thought it might be helpful to share a bit of insight.
Regarding the white, semi-transparent plastic washers you used, they aren't meant to be placed directly under the brass-colored screw caps (as you did in your video). Instead, these washers are designed to fit between the Fonson Square and the T-slot bar.
This arrangement allows for a slightly increased gap between the Fonson Square and the T-slot bar, facilitating easier threading of the guide rail. Additionally, these washers play a critical role in reducing slack in the guide rail and are essential for ensuring a perfect right angle.
As demonstrated in the initial images of your video, the current setup of the Fonson Square appears to have excessive play, making the right angle somewhat reliant on chance. I hope this information proves useful to you and potentially to other buyers who might not be aware of this detail.
Keep up the great work with your content!
Hi, thanks. I discovered this a bit later and corrected it in one of my next videos as well. But thanks for letting us know.
The absence of the stabilizer with the silver one can be quickly mended with a bolt (or a threaded knob) and and some flat piece of metal.
Hi Dennis, love your content. Just starting on woodworking and taking up your tips and advice. I you have a suggestion for a square guide for a DeWalt rail?
Connecting to the bottom rail has also the advantage of working with tracks that don't have the top facing rail (Metabo, Evolution, Scheppach).
Great review. I did notice that you made the same mistake I made with joining the two extension kit parts at 11:32 in the video. Through trial and error I found that the screws are supposed to go on the inside of the slot. It would have been nice for the instructions to mention that and the Bangood photos do not show it either. I found that trying to get the screws tight on the outside and get them to align only resulted in having to the tighten the screws so hard that it damaged the softer aluminium. Putting the screws on the other side aligned them perfectly without any damage.
Ahh, you are probably right. I check as soon as possible! When this makes it more stable I will come back to this point next video. Thanks for the tip!
The moment I heard you talking I knew you were from the Netherlands! Dank u wel voor de video, van de Verenigde Staten!
Interesting review, I use the Benchdogs rail square which uses cams to fix the square to the rail, much better than either a clip or under rail screws.
And it has other features missing from these - such as the ability to fix dogs to the underside when working on a curved edge. If Denis gives these 5 then Benchdogs are worth a 10 on the same scale.
Agreed - I was very impressed with the production quality and thought put into the design of the Bench Dogs square. Wish I had more reason to buy their other stuff.
I am sure it is faster with the cams to attach it, but as long as any rail square is square to the track It does not matter in the long run. Besides the BD is nearly 4 times the price. And not all of us have a MFT table so being able to attach dogs to it would be no use. It would be my choice though if I had to choose between the rest of the over priced units out there.
Awesome video, thank you!
Great video! Cheers from France =)
I bought the larger silver one and often grab it over my TSO one
I bought the Fonson Large Square to use with OZITO tracks (sold by Bunnings in Australia). They have a different profile to Makita, Festool, etc, so are too narrow to register on the machined step on the Fonson square. I fixed this by fitting a 148mm length of 1/4" square key steel (6mm was too loose) between the step and the track. This is only $6.60 (Australian) for a 300mm length. It is now perfectly, easily and consistently square.
I'm interested in those small bench dogs you have. Been using Eureka for many years but they've shut down operations yesterday. I'm keeping what I have but will need to be creative for the future. Thanks.
It would have saved me some money if I had not already bought my rail squares. :^) That rail extension so you can do repeat cut offs is inspired. Wish my guides would do that.
Hi Dennis,
Do any of these guide squares fit the Dewalt track system? Thanks for all your hard work putting out these videos.
Thank you for this comparison. Very helpful. Will the extension you demo with the large Fuston square work with the small Funston Square as well?.
Was super excited to see this episode in my feed, as I had just finished cutting down 10 sheets of OSB and was thinking that there should be a faster way. Bit disappointing they don't have any options for Bosch though :-(
It is a shame. Maybe they come up with one🤷♂️
Benchdogs UK may help you
Hi, Great video, very helpful, thanks. Have you found a Guide Rail Square suitable for the DeWalt Guide Rail?
Hi Dennis,
After seeing your review, I invested in the large Fonson square. It arrived today, and you did not lie about the quality. They also listened to your comments about the large knobs on the bottom of the square, and inserted small countersunk imbus HEX screws in the package to resolve this issue. The only disadvantage of this system is that you have to keep your imbus driver by hand to release the square from the guide.
Thanks for your comment!
Hey, there is a hole in your saw to change the blade. There re (3d printed) covers for that, improves dust collection. I printed one for myself, works like a charm
This is a great series Dennis. I have purchased any of the items you have looked at. An observation I would make about Chinese manufactured tools. Many argue that the quality is poor. However, China makes high quality tools but often we want cheap tools and are not prepared to pay for quality. As a result China produces what we want. I have purchased many items from China, not just woodworking tools, and found that they often exceed what I could find made in my own country and generally for a cheaper price.
Would be nice if you could mention if the squares can be adjusted if they are out of square!
Great review on some surprisingly good products. It is so good to see great products with a fair price.
Hi Dennis, do any of these products work with the Mafell tracks? Thanks for your videos they're great
Great video, I was very curious about the rail squares from Banggood, you answered my questions, thank you! Some track saw rail squares use cams on top to lock the square in e.g. BenchDogsUK. What are the shipping and handling costs for Banggood?
Hello... good video, thankyou for posting.
Hey what's your black work top made of?
Hi Dennis my fonson mini rail square just arrived - and it has 2 extra screws which I can't work out go where! Please can you tell me what they are for (if you know)? There are no instructions included in the box so thought I would ask. Thank you very much! Great review video :)
Another fantastic well presented presentation
I am wavering between a multifunctional table and track saw or a table saw.
Could you do a comparison between both options
Thanks
A
I made a video with peter Millard about this. I do not think you can make wrong choice. Depends on room size, budget and how far you will go to optimize it for the tracksaw. For me, i like the table saw. I do not have to clean up my workbench too much in between projects
Great video ! Tjank you
Parallel Guide System Support: Dennis showed the assembly to be a bit unstable when the two guide extensions are attached to the Fonson square and track. This is because there is only the one (sliding) support on the Fonson Square that is now too close to the track. I fixed this by creating another support: a 70mm x 47mm x 1.6mm aluminium plate secured under the second extension with two M5 screws in holes 10mm from each end and 10mm from one edge of that plate. These went into two rectangular nuts (12mm x 18mm x 4.5mm) slid into the slot under the extension.
Does the Fonson mini square fit on the Parktool rails? I believe it’s the same size as the Festool rails.
A reason the clamp fastening is slightly better is that the it pulls the guide to an edge on the rail square making sure the squareness is perfect every time. The gap making it possible to slide the rail square on will create a possibility for the square to wiggle a small small bit. It might be small enough not to matter for most wood working but worth considering.
That said, I really hope some of the Chinese manufacturers will start making rail squares for the Bosch/Mafell rail guides.
As he mentions at 8:30, "because of the shape, the bar centers itself". Hint: it's not as simple as it looks. Pause the video at 8:30 and look closely. The gap you speak of is only present when the screws are loose, allowing you to slide the connecting bar into the channel under the rail guide. As you tighten the screws, it pulls itself into square even if you try to hold it out of square while tightening. This is because the mounting bar is not a simple rectangular. The mating surface is slightly tapered so that it wedges the connecting bar into the guide rail channels as you tighten the screws, eliminating any gap and ensuring consistent alignment.
Hi Dennis, Thanks for keeping us in the loop with affordable China Tools, saving us from wasting money without prior Knowledge before purchasing. I have an MFT style bench Inspired by your bench. I have bought Clamps, Hold downs Squares etc. All after watching your reviews and using your links. My latest purchase arrived yesterday, The Large Fonson Rail guide square, Good solid quality as you said. Mine has an issue which I'm hoping Banggood will rectify. One of the screws holding the Aluminium strip to fasten the rail to the square is cross threaded. The unit was shipped with small allen screws holding it together and when I removed the screws to fit the brass knobs I noticed one screw needed the allen key to remove completely, once loose the other one was removed without the tool but the damaged one was super tight. When attempting to put the brass know in at started damaging the thread so i stopped immediately ( The first two threads are now missing) I'm hoping there is a solution and wonder if you or any of your other viewers have had this issue and how they fixed it. Many thanks, Deon
Where are you from? Let me know how things will work out. I did not have problems with mine
@@HookedonWood I’m from Australia, I haven’t had any problems until now, it’s a minor problem but it occurred in assembly not transport. I logged a ticket on Banggood’s site and they asked for pictures which I sent. They then passed my query to Fonson who are sending me replacement parts.
The whole experience has been a pleasure, Banggood and Fonson tools have been great to deal with.
Just for your interest I paid 75 AUD for the large Fonson Guide and 75 AUD for the rail.
Thanks again for a great channel.
@@HookedonWood Hi Dennis, I received my replacement parts from Banggood, very happy
The large Fonson square stabilizer would have been great if it used either a t-slot or dovetail slot. That would have eliminated the stabilizer lifting.
Hello Dennis! Thanks for the informative video.
I recently purchased the Makita Track Saw system.
My question: I'm trying to decide which size parallel guide system to purchase. In my spare time, I enjoy building small furniture for family and friends (book cases, shelves, tables, etc. in my side-of-the-garage shop. In your opinion, which rail size would you recommend? Thanks again!
Please do make a video on all the accessories for your table. Looks like you have some interesting ones.
I will do this
Love you big man.