If you can, buy your cutter from the LHS and have them plug it in so you can check it. I hated mine and it was more work then it was worth. Then one day I happened to notice it only had one blade going back and forth??? I would have sent it back to tower but by then several years had gone by so I was stuck with it. When they are working correctly they are great!! And yes, get the guide, it really helps A lot. And check it instead of swearing at it!!