Betterley Straight Line Connectors for joining rails

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vkumar

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Jan 22, 2007
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Betterley Straight Line Connector look like a very nice product capable of producing near perfect edges.  How well does this compare anything else on the market.
Interested in your opinions.
 
I have the Betterley rail connector. It works extremely well.  I can’t comment on any other products. It does pay to read the instructions.
 
There are no other competitors that I'm aware of.

That said, I find this jig totally necessary.  Especially with TSO's connectors.  A quality six+ ft. level as a double check is all we need.  We're cutting european kitchen panels that cost thousands of dollars each for demanding clients. 

Of course , you mileage may vary. 
 
[member=163]vkumar[/member] - like Birdhunter, we have had a Betterley Connector in our shop for several years. Like their other products, it is a very well made tool which accomplishes what it promises.

It's limitations are what led us to develop TSO's very popular GRC-12 Guide Rail Connector discussed at length in an earlier FOG thread.

Hans
 
Hans  [member=59331]TSO Products[/member] what are the limitations of the Betterley product?
 
Tried the Festool connectors but they need checking, adjusting and can dent your rails if you're over-keen on tightening.
Makita connectors are not much cheaper, a bit more fiddly to insert and require checking but give a good tight fit with no danger of denting the rails.
Bought the TSO ones which are easy to fit, don't dent rails and I still check them... although they've never been anything but straight every single time.
All of the above share the ability to store the connectors in the rails themselves which stops you from losing them :D
 
I'm a big fan of the Betterley StraightLine Connector.  I've used it to join rails for years with excellent results.  I am very demanding when it comes to precision (straight & square) and this accessory has never let me down.  I used to double check with a Stabila level every time I joined two rails (and sometimes three rails) but don't even bother anymore.
 
vkumar said:
Hans what are the limitations of the Betterley product?
Click to expand...

[member=163]vkumar[/member] – while the BETTERLEY does a good job of aligning a pair of guide rails until you get both connectors installed – it’s concept can contribute nothing to helping the guide rails STAY ALIGNED.

We know the major OEM brand’s connectors are susceptible to being moved out of alignment, especially when the connected rails need to be moved about.

That is why TSO designed a “Keystone” connector profile combined with custom engineered large face screws to apply jack-screw vertical pressure resisting unintentional displacement of the “Keystone” feature profile. This results in much greater capacity to withstand misalignment in use. The GRC-12 large face screws also do not put divets into your guide rail extrusion t-slots.

If we have the slightest concern after manhandling a set of connected rails, we do what [member=67935]xedos[/member] does: we verify continued alignment with one of our longer STABILA levels.

If, as [member=67935]xedos[/member] wrote, “your mileage varies” then simply return what doesn’t work for you and get a refund.

Vijay, glad you asked!
Hans
 
Hans thanks for your response.  The trouble is that I do not own a very long level. The  4 foot level that I own is an unknown brand. Thus I have no good way to verify the straightness of the joint.
I do get your point about divots caused by overtightening the connectors. The Makita connectors do not do that and I see your design is one step further than the Makita. But still the problem remains on verifying the straightness.
 
[member=163]vkumar[/member] - you point to a common problem we hear about. Woodworkers are becoming more knowledgeable and more demanding of their results. This leads to the realization that there is value in buying higher quality tools.

Top of that list: Quality layout tools. They are costly but last a long time with the care you will give them as result of the price you paid. You won't throw a STARRETT precision machinists' combination square around as you might with a stamped BIG BOX store version.

If you want to try a BETTERLEY Connector tool, we'll be happy to loan you ours. It's still packed up after a customer returned the loaned tool and decided to buy the GRC-12. Maybe we can make this a regular "try-before-you-buy" feature  [smile].

Don't obsess over this.
If you're just more comfortable with the idea of a BETTERLEY tool, just go with it. It's made well enough that you'll be able to get a good price for it when it's no longer used regularly.

Hans

 
Hans [member=59331]TSO Products[/member] thank you very much for your very generous offer. I will consider it. Obviously I am super impressed by your  GRS squares and your very impressive customer service.
 
Anything that uses the Festool branded connectors will still be very fussy and prone to bumping out of straight.

The TSO connectors are definitely a step or two above the Festool version and alleviate the need for something like the Betterley 'checker'.

Another step above that is to buy longer rails or switch to Mafell tracks and their joining system.

I've tried all of the above combos (including buying $400 long rails that weren't straight) and currently am very happy with the Mafell tracks.  Of course, that means you can't use your TS55 or 75 and need a new saw...  So not a cheap option, but ultimately much less frustration for me. :)

p.s. I think those Betterley things are $150.  For that price you can get a pretty nice Stabila level which would be great to have if you ever do install/carpentry work.
 
I have no doubt that the Betterly and TSO connectors are better than Festool’s. However, when I decided that I needed a pair, Betterly was too expensive and I don’t believe TSO made their at that point in time. So I own the Festool connectors and, since I rarely use them, I realized that there is no point in spending more money on something that I hardly ever use and really works just fine for me for what I need to connect rails. I actually have not had a problem with the result but I don’t cut hundreds of board feet of long lumber so I don’t need anything better.

 
Another step above that is to buy longer rails or switch to Mafell tracks and their joining system.

I've tried all of the above combos (including buying $400 long rails that weren't straight) and currently am very happy with the Mafell tracks.  Of course, that means you can't use your TS55 or 75 and need a new saw...  So not a cheap option, but ultimately much less frustration for me.
Click to expand...

One could have the best of both and use the guide rails from Metabo.  They utilize the Mafell/Bosch connector and fit Festool TS saws. The splinter guard is mafell design too, so no adhesion problems.  Bonus is they're $20 less for 200mm more length.
 
jarbroen said:
Anything that uses the Festool branded connectors will still be very fussy and prone to bumping out of straight.

The TSO connectors are definitely a step or two above the Festool version and alleviate the need for something like the Betterley 'checker'.

Another step above that is to buy longer rails or switch to Mafell tracks and their joining system.

I've tried all of the above combos (including buying $400 long rails that weren't straight) and currently am very happy with the Mafell tracks.  Of course, that means you can't use your TS55 or 75 and need a new saw...  So not a cheap option, but ultimately much less frustration for me. :)

p.s. I think those Betterley things are $150.  For that price you can get a pretty nice Stabila level which would be great to have if you ever do install/carpentry work.
Click to expand...
As [member=6237]deepcreek[/member] pointed out the Betterley is about $ 110, a whole lot cheaper than switching to a Mafell solution and still using shorter lengths of rail, and the TSO solution is even cheaper.  I will stay with one of these options. Festool is pricey enough for me, forget about Mafell.
 
I really do not need any more rails. But searching for Metabo rails leads me to pages that describe the rails but not to any website that sells them and how much they cost. Also no hits on connectors. Amazon has the FS 160 rail. Not much description . I imagine it is 1600 mm long but I can only guess,  If you have any better  links I would like to take a look at them .
I just found the connector tool  for the  Metabo . Makes the Betterley a bargain.
Metabo Connector FSV
 
"The TSO connectors are definitely a step or two above the Festool version and alleviate the need for something like the Betterley 'checker'."

I've never used the Betterley connectors, but I tried a few others before TSO came out with their latest version. I liked the TSO design so I bought them and not sorry one bit.

My Bosch, Festool, and Makita connectors all collect dust now. Lot of money down the drain there. :-(

Maybe TSO and Festool could get an agreement going like they did with the GRS-16. Festool could dump their inferior connectors and license the TSO design. Seems like a win for both parties, TSO would sell more product and Festool would have fewer complaints about guide rail connectors.
 
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