Anyone own the Festool 493507 Gecko Suction Clamping Set?

[justinmcf]

I am curious if anyone has tried the Gecko Clamping Set with their guide rails?
I have not heard many people discussing these clamps in the past.
Though I have seen them being used onsite by several glazing contractors.

I assume these are used instead of the Lever/Screw clamps.

Is this a faster way of clamping the rails to the work piece?
At the moment I am quite happy using the Lever clamps.

If this is a more efficient way of working, then it may be a good option for me to purchase when doing lots of repetitive cuts.

Cheers, Justin.

 

[JimRay]

The Gecko clamps work very well on non-porous surfaces. That pretty much eliminates everything I work on, so I sold a set that I had. They interface nicely with the guide rails, so I should think that they would be ideal for cutting solid surface counter top materials, as an example.

Jim Ray

 

[RONWEN]

I understand the geckos are great for holding rails on plastics & solid surfaces (I never cut those).  For plys, MDF & solid woods I never clamp any length rail and I never have a problem with the rail moving during the cut.

 

[fifo28]

I had them and sold them.  As other have said they work on non-porous surfaces.  So if you cut glass then go for it.  Just about everything else does not work.  Technically laminated ply should work, but mine did not hold well at all.

 

[tbellemare]

I have a happy customer that uses them handling glass.

Tom

 

[Sam Murdoch]

For plys, MDF & solid woods I never clamp any length rail and I never have a problem with the rail moving during the cut.

Really? Wow, I guess I never work on anything that the element of chance doesn't warrant a minute or two to use the clamps. Unlike youRonWen, I clamp the rails 99.8% of the time.
No experience with the Geckos though so sorry to get off thread.

 

[justinmcf]

I always assume that the rail will move on the work piece.
Therefor I always use a clamping element.

I have been lazy in the past, and not bothered clamping the rail.
This has always turned out bad so I have changed my work practice and always clamp the rail to the work piece.

I cut solid timber, MDF, and melamine so I guess the gecko clamp is not for me, based on what I have read here.
Thank you for everyone's replies, I appreciate you taking the time to answer.

Regards, Justin.

 

[RONWEN]

For plys, MDF & solid woods I never clamp any length rail and I never have a problem with the rail moving during the cut.

Really? Wow, I guess I never work on anything that the element of chance doesn't warrant a minute or two to use the clamps. Unlike youRonWen, I clamp the rails 99.8% of the time.
No experience with the Geckos though so sorry to get off thread.

I used clamps a few times when I started but discovered even with a normal amount of saw dust the rails hug the surface -- try it you may like it.  [wink]  
As an aside, I always use the CT boom arm so the hoses & cords aren't interfering as they might from below.

Festool Tracksaw Guide Rail Benefits Video

 

[semenza]

I always assume that the rail will move on the work piece.
Therefor I always use a clamping element.

I have been lazy in the past, and not bothered clamping the rail.
This has always turned out bad so I have changed my work practice and always clamp the rail to the work piece.

I cut solid timber, MDF, and melamine so I guess the gecko clamp is not for me, based on what I have read here.
Thank you for everyone's replies, I appreciate you taking the time to answer.

Regards, Justin.

My understanding is that the geckos will work on melamine.

Seth

 

[JohnPatrickTobin]

I bought a Gecko set specifically to use on melamine with the parallel guides and it works very well; slide the next piece up to the stops and lock down the Gecko. This was much quicker than using screw or cam clamps and useful when you're cutting on or close to the floor and don't have room below to clamp the rail down.

Probably worth pointing out that I haven't been using the rails, etc. for long so I haven't reached the same level of confidence that most here have with regard to the grip strips holding the rails in place so this worked well for me.

 

[JSands]

> My understanding is that the geckos will work on melamine.

This is an understatement     
I cut down 20 sheets with Gecko's, and their grip was beyond incredible.... you can use the Gecko to actually pick up the sheets, the suction is that great, better than any I have ever used... for a full 8 ft rip, I use two, as its not worth the rail slipping on the melamine and ruining a cut, one slip, will pay for the Gecko. 
As others have pointed out, it does not adhere to ply well at all..... I have used it on finished veneered mdf, works good enough.....

 

[ccarrolladams]

The Gecko have worked well for me on non-porous surfaces, such as laminate, to clamp guide rails.

The Gecko are not designed or advertised to work with plywood, nor to lift anything.

There are suction cups made and approved for the safe handling of glass.

 

[Jonhilgen]

Actually used them on a prefinished oak ply job for manhandling large boards for a limited time.    Came in quite handy.  Have used them since for glass installations and found them once again to be great to have on hand.

Jon

 

[score0matic]

I use them to cut melamine they work great there. I also use them to set LARGE format tile 24"x24" and larger they work well there as well.  I would buy another set if i lost mine