Best guides for TS 55 REQ and MFT/3 setup

[jstad]

I just placed an order for a TS 55 REQ from Tool Nut, but I am torn on what guide rail to get with the saw. I currently own a MFT/3 which has the 42" rail attached to it.

My question would give me the most flexibility? Keep in mind my TS 55 replaces a table saw in my shop and I am a hobbiest woodworker mostly building things like built-in cabinets, bookshelves, and tables.

The options I'm exploring:
1. 42" rail on the MFT/3 and upgrade to a 75" rail
2. 42" rail on the MFT/3; keep the standard 55" rail; purchase additional 75" rail (for cross cut 4x8 plywood; connect 75 + 55 for ripping)
3. 42" rail on the MFT/3; upgrade to 75" rail; purchase to something even larger (avoiding having to use the 42" rail off the MFT/3)? -- It seems less likely I would use a 106" rail often enough and would probably need something in between anyway.

Seing as I am a hobbiest in a small shop; I am trying to keep the cost reasonable but given there is no table saw for finish cuts, I want to make sure any workflow can ensure an accurate cut without much hassle.

 

[mouppe]

I would get a rail with holes in it as the first criteria, whatever the length.

 

[Sparktrician]

I would get a rail with holes in it as the first criteria, whatever the length.

+1!!!  The price differential is minimal compared with the same length rail without holes, and it's far more versatile if you intend to make anything using the 32mm system. 

 

[jstad]

I would get a rail with holes in it as the first criteria, whatever the length.

+1!!!  The price differential is minimal compared with the same length rail without holes, and it's far more versatile if you intend to make anything using the 32mm system. 

I do not own a Festool Router (I have a Bosch 1617) so the 32mm system does not seem applicable? -- Back to the original question of lengths, what combo would you recommend?

 

[peter halle]

My advice to keep costs down and maximize usage now and in the future - option 2.  Don't forget to buy 2 connectors (they are sold separately) and think about buying a couple of extra screws (easy to lose).

Peter

 

[penaddict]

If you cut baltic birch plywood, you will want the 75" rail.  Too bad it does not come with holes.

Mike

 

[rljatl]

My advice to keep costs down and maximize usage now and in the future - option 2.  Don't forget to buy 2 connectors (they are sold separately) and think about buying a couple of extra screws (easy to lose).

Peter

Option 2, but get the 55" rail with the holes.  Even if you never get the 32mm system the extra cost is only $5.

 

[erock]

Options 2.

With the options you gave yourself, that one seems best.

You don't want to remove and install the 42" rail on the MFT/3.  That seems like a hassle, and you're looking for something hassle free.

The 55" connected with the 75" will give you plenty of cutting length for a sheet of plywood.  Plus if you ever add the Parallel guides, the combo will have plenty of room for the guides to be added. 

I connected two 55" rails for a long time.  I broke down and bought the 118" rail and it helped with my work flow, and for me connecting two rails became a hassle. 

If you're up to it.....and want less hassle, the 118" and 75" rail combined with the MFT/3 and parallel guides makes for a sweet set up.  [wink]

Lets face it.....you're gonna be busting out the credit card more then you know it. So keeping the price reasonable will be a challenge.

I thing we all tried doing that at one time.    [tongue]

Eric

 

[Sparktrician]

I would get a rail with holes in it as the first criteria, whatever the length.

+1!!!  The price differential is minimal compared with the same length rail without holes, and it's far more versatile if you intend to make anything using the 32mm system. 

I do not own a Festool Router (I have a Bosch 1617) so the 32mm system does not seem applicable? -- Back to the original question of lengths, what combo would you recommend?

That's what I thought at first, and now have two extra non-holy 55" rails that I will eventually sell.  For me, the two 55" holy rails with connectors (plus the 42" rail on the MFT/2) do everything I need to do, whether it's cross-cutting or ripping AND have the advantage of being usable with the LR 32 that I never guessed I'd ever use.  My Bosch 1617 and P-C 8529 now sit idle waiting for my son to come and get them.  Now, if Festool would offer a 118" holy rail, I might consider selling one of my 55" holy rails, too, but in my small shop, there's little room to store the longer rail. 

 

[jstad]

Yeah it sounds like having the 55 and 75 is the way to start. I will upgrade the 55 to the LR32 as it doesnt hurt to have (if i do start using it someday with a Festool router).

Really appreciate all the feedback on this! Definitely puts my mind at ease that I am getting a good setup from the start.

 

[Sparktrician]

You might also like to check out the Betterley StraightLine Connector to help align your two rails. 

 

[BMH]

The connector is nice but I use woodpecker framing square to line up the two rails or as a guide for the rail for crosscuts on plywood

http://www.woodpeck.com/2616squarewp.html

 

[ShawnRussell]

I just ordered the LR32 and was looking to keep the number of rails I need to order to a minimum. I am considering order the the 118 and drill it out myself. It just doesn't make sense to order a 95 holy rail and a 118 just to rip plywood down.

 

[Sparktrician]

I just ordered the LR32 and was looking to keep the number of rails I need to order to a minimum. I am considering order the the 118 and drill it out myself. It just doesn't make sense to order a 95 holy rail and a 118 just to rip plywood down.

Just be aware that the holes in the LR 32 "holy" rains are not perfectly round; more like oval.  Can you duplicate that? 

 

[mouppe]

I just ordered the LR32 and was looking to keep the number of rails I need to order to a minimum. I am considering order the the 118 and drill it out myself. It just doesn't make sense to order a 95 holy rail and a 118 just to rip plywood down.

I think you'd be better off with two 55" holed rails and a pair of connectors.

 

[ccarrolladams]

I just ordered the LR32 and was looking to keep the number of rails I need to order to a minimum. I am considering order the the 118 and drill it out myself. It just doesn't make sense to order a 95 holy rail and a 118 just to rip plywood down.

As others have shared, the holes are not just round. The end mill used to form the holes moves slightly across the blank guide rail.

Writing instructions for a CNC machining center to make such slots every 32mm on center is not difficult. The practical difficulty is finding an available machining center with 3000mm capacity.

Then there is the problem of anodizing the modified rail. Obviously Festool machines the Holy rails before anodizing. The machined slots need to be de-burred, probably with blasting with an appropriate media. To do this on an existing rail, you will need to remove all the various strips glued to the rail.

Generally it is not satisfactory to anodize a part already anodized, and you would need a tank long enough.

Way back when I considered milling a 2700mm rail because I needed a different spacing than multiples of 32mm for a production wood product. As it happens I own a separate metal fabrication business with several very large CNC machining centers. Then realty spoiled my dream.

That was before Festool sold 55" 1400mm Holy rails. It was also before Festool furnished the reference bars to ensure connecting with exactly 32mm spacing of the holes. What I did was machine such a reference bar and I connected 3 or the then available 42" rails. I also purchased a 2424mm 95" Holy rail for making pantry cabinets. Oh, the production parts with the unique hole spacing? We make those on an ordinary CNC router.

 

[ShawnRussell]

Thanks for the heads up. I did not realize the holes were oval.