Betterley Connector

[Birdhunter]

I received my Betterley rail connector yesterday. It seems to be extremely well made.

What I didn't know, my fault, was that the unit didn't include the actual connectors. The Betterley unit is strictly an alignment tool.

I called Betterley and they are sending me a set of the connectors.

 

[semenza]

That is nice of them. Do you know if they are sending Festool connectors or some others?

I purchased the Betterley a few months ago to use with my site work tools. I have shorter rails for transport even though I use the long single piece rails for the shop.

The Betterley does what it is supposed to do , very well. It is accurate, quick, and easy. It just plain works.

Seth

 

[Cheese]

Do you know if they are sending Festool connectors or some others?

I'll bet they'll be Festool items. I was at Betterley about a month ago to purchase the HKC and they had a ton of the connectors hanging on the "Festool wall".  [smile]

 

[Birdhunter]

They are sending Festool connectors. And, I am paying for them. No freebies.

 

[McNally Family]

I received my Betterley rail connector yesterday. It seems to be extremely well made.

What I didn't know, my fault, was that the unit didn't include the actual connectors. The Betterley unit is strictly an alignment tool.

I called Betterley and they are sending me a set of the connectors.

[member=15289]Birdhunter[/member]
I did not realize the Betterley did not include connectors (I may not have a clear picture of what a Betterley connector is).  From the Tool Nut website, in the description, it just say's "Easy Use - Simply place over joint in tracks and turn locking knobs to secure and align tracks rather than purchasing dedicated long tracks". 

Are the "locking knobs", not the connector?

 

[tjbnwi]

I received my Betterley rail connector yesterday. It seems to be extremely well made.

What I didn't know, my fault, was that the unit didn't include the actual connectors. The Betterley unit is strictly an alignment tool.

I called Betterley and they are sending me a set of the connectors.

[member=15289]Birdhunter[/member]
I did not realize the Betterley did not include connectors (I may not have a clear picture of what a Betterley connector is).  From the Tool Nut website, in the description, it just say's "Easy Use - Simply place over joint in tracks and turn locking knobs to secure and align tracks rather than purchasing dedicated long tracks". 

Are the "locking knobs", not the connector?

I consider it an alignment tool, more than a connector. If I remember correctly (only used it once) you cannot run the saw with the Betterly in place.

Tom

Edit--fixed response location in quotes.

 

[semenza]

Right, it should be called track alignment tool. Once the actual connectors are tightened you remove the Betterley.

Seth

 

[Birdhunter]

I think that Betterley would be smart to include the two Festool connectors in the package with the total price increased according.

I'm not out anything ordering them separately except time and frustration at myself for not delving more deeply at first.

 

[antss]

I guess I'm not following along.

Why would you have two rails that you wanted to join together , and necessitate a need for the Betterley in the first place, and not have two rail connectors already ?

I have lots of rails, and sometimes join them together.  If I bought the Betterley , I wouldn't want to pay xtra for parts I already had. Same reason connectors don't come with a guide rail.

I'd never buy an rail alignment tool, but that's a separate discussion.

 

[semenza]

I think that Betterley would be smart to include the two Festool connectors in the package with the total price increased according.

I'm not out anything ordering them separately except time and frustration at myself for not delving more deeply at first.

    It would need to be available with or without. For those who already have connectors and those who don't.  Also the price would need to be the same as separate, at least in the USA, I don't about the rest of the world.  If a package price was lower I think it would be in violation of Festools non-discounting price policies.

Seth

 

[Cheese]

I think the situation manifests itself in this manner, you purchase rails in different lengths, you then need to assemble the rails with the Festool connectors which you've already purchased and when you attempt to join the rails, you realize that it's difficult to join the rails so that they are truly coplaner.

That's where the Betterley jig/fixture comes in. It's a jig/fixture only to allow you to easily align the Festool rails. It doesn't connect, it doesn't attach...it simply aligns the Festool rails so that you can insert the Festool rail connectors and then snug them down and achieve a longer straight rail. It's simple but effective.

FWIW...I talked with the owners and they have available, several rail aligners that are considered seconds only because of cosmetic issues, anodization, lettering, witness lines from using suspension wires...just email them and ask them about possible discounts on their 2nd tier materials.

 

[Xoncention]

That's where the Betterley jig/fixture comes in. It's a jig/fixture only to allow you to easily align the Festool rails.

I have a 1 metre rectangular box section aluminum that I use to align my tracks when i join them.  It does not go out of alignment, loose knobs or get concerned if I forget to put it in a safe place.  I am not saying that these jigs don't have their place.  It is just we may need to have a separate shed to store all these fixtures so that we can practice our craft.  How many times have we made a long straight cut in some solid natural piece of wood and returned a few hours later to discover that our natural product has done a runner and decided to not be as straight because we have relieved some stress that naturally existed in the wood and our activities have released it.  [big grin]

 

[McNally Family]

I received my Betterley rail connector yesterday. It seems to be extremely well made.

What I didn't know, my fault, was that the unit didn't include the actual connectors. The Betterley unit is strictly an alignment tool.

I called Betterley and they are sending me a set of the connectors.

[member=15289]Birdhunter[/member]
I did not realize the Betterley did not include connectors (I may not have a clear picture of what a Betterley connector is).  From the Tool Nut website, in the description, it just say's "Easy Use - Simply place over joint in tracks and turn locking knobs to secure and align tracks rather than purchasing dedicated long tracks". 

Are the "locking knobs", not the connector?

I understand the source of my confusion now. While I was just waking up from my unintentional "trying to watch a movie nap", I started to think about my previous post and realized the "connectors", were in fact the Festool Connectors.

Another reason for my confusion is the fact I had just ordered my second Mafell rail yesterday, and of course needed to include the Mafell connector with the order (which by the way, the Betterley alignment tool closely resembles the design of a Mafell connector, except the Mafell connector also serves to both align and connect the rails, and when not in use, stores within the first guide rail's form).

At the time of my order, I was complaining to myself about paying $78.80 for the Mafell connector, but now I realize the Festool solution (in combination with the Betterley alignment tool), is even more expensive.

 

 

[Cheese]

I have a 1 metre rectangular box section aluminum that I use to align my tracks when i join them.  It does not go out of alignment, loose knobs or get concerned if I forget to put it in a safe place.  I am not saying that these jigs don't have their place.

Ya I here ya...I usually use my 6' level to act as a straight edge, but every now and then when I haven't included that 6' level in the rest of my gear, ...that 18" Betterley rail straightener comes in mighty handy.

 

[antss]

Cheese, I understand how some might like or need the Betterley. I don't follow how you'd have two rails that needed "aligning" and not have the rail connectors already.

If you hadn't joined the rails already and experienced the misalignment , why would you be looking for a solution like the Betterley in the first place?  Meaning, you'd need the connectors to see the rails out of plane in the first place.

 

[Cheese]

Cheese, I understand how some might like or need the Betterley. I don't follow how you'd have two rails that needed "aligning" and not have the rail connectors already.

I do have the rail connectors already...I keep them installed in the guide rails so that they don't get lost. I wish I could say the same for those short little setscrews. [mad] [mad]

 

[antss]

I meant you in the broader sense.    [wink]

You gotta snug up all the screws of the connector when storing inside the rail, or you will lose them.  I tacked on half a dozen last time I got something off EKAT for spares. 

 

[Birdhunter]

I didn't have the actual rail connectors because I've never needed to connect the two rails. I now need to break down a 4X8 sheet of walnut veneer plywood and need the extra length rail.

 

[antss]

Ok, I see now.

I guess it never occurred to me that someone would have a second rail and not have the intention of connecting it with a mate ?  Ain't America great ?  Choices abound, and there are so many different perspectives and experiences from which to learn from.

 

[bkharman]

I didn't have the actual rail connectors because I've never needed to connect the two rails. I now need to break down a 4X8 sheet of walnut veneer plywood and need the extra length rail.

Might be a bit to late, but I really like my Makita rail connectors. Much nicer and somewhat cheaper.

Makita P-45777 Guide Rail Connector Kithttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B004OJKZK8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ihxdybH1CFZ4K

Cheers. Bryan.

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