Are these CHEAP rail guide SQUARES any good?

In-Depth reviews of woodworking products from China.
In this episode: Four rail guide Squares!

Here are all the direct links to the products in this video.

Reviewed products:

Fonson Tools Mini Square

Fonson Tools Big Square

Extension Kit Fonson Square

Silver Mini Square

Silver big Square

Upgraded Parallel Guide system Episode 30

Information about the UJK products I used to make my doghouse and the orange bench dog lifters:

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My Personal Banggood favorites all time!

1. Hongdui Edge Trimmer

2. Doweling Jig / Multi-row puncher

3. Kerfmaker

4. Drill guide cabinet jig

5. T-ruler

6. Precision square

7. Miter square

8. Miter square brass

9. Height gauge

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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)
Black MDF.

Here is a list of viewers' suggestions where you can buy Black MDF or Valchromat or Forescolor.

USA

UK

Germany

Belgie

Australia
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!

My name is Dennis, and I am from Hooked on Wood.
Subscribe to my channel!

My Youtube 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

[rockho]

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.

[stuarthiggins]

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.

[dougcjohn]

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.

[chris-C]

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!

[francisrichards]

I genuinely appreciate your clear and approachable commentary and scoring. Thank you very much

[juliangreaves]

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

[CelDez]

Thank you for your excellent reviews. I ordered the large Fonson square but received the Enjoywood instead. It is exactly the same as the Fonson with a slightly different look. It required some assembly but had no assembly instructions. The main issue I have with Banggood is they have a totally unnecessary long drawn-out return process.

[ChrisInMarshfield]

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!

[billgale]

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

[GroundZerAMR]

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.

[mikearning]

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.

[Stevesbe]

I bought one like the last one you showed but it has 2 clips. It was a tiny bit outta square but I adjusted with a machinist square and it's been perfect

[marknasia]

Thank you for the effort you put in reviewing affordable wood working tools. I really enjoy your videos.

[neilfraser]

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

[malcolmcoward]

Thanks Dennis, marvelous vid and already ordered the large black one.
Thanks again for all your honest efforts, they are most sincerely appreciated.

[cromakey]

Hi Dennis! Always nice when you upload 🙂

[thomashode]

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.

[arvidbjorkstrom]

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.

[JayJay-sgzl]

You are going to save me a lot of money. I try to watch all your episodes

[Catty_Forever]

Watching this in 2024. You’re an amazing reviewer and I appreciate your videos! Excellent work; really helps noobs like me.