Betterley StraightLine Connector

if i had the way of bringing and storing a long rail i would have one in a heart beat. its still a pain to have to join them even with a jig like this
 
Hi Guys

For me, the tool is about the speed and accuracy.....now granted, in the shop i break out the long rails and there is no need to make any connections....however, in the field, i will not transport my long rails and connecting them is a must for me !!!

I have attached a few pics to kind of give you guys an idea about the tool, and i really want the emphsize that the accuracy shown was attained in 30 seconds !!!! This tool really is worth every dime !!!
 
Hi Guys

For me, the tool is about the speed and accuracy.....now granted, in the shop i break out the long rails and there is no need to make any connections....however, in the field, i will not transport my long rails and connecting them is a must for me !!!

I have attached a few pics to kind of give you guys an idea about the tool, and i really want the emphasize that the accuracy shown was attained in 30 seconds !!!! This tool really is worth every dime !!!
 
I apologize for the double posting !!!! I'm trying to figure how to upload pictures, and I had a little hiccup    ;) I took a few more pictures of the dimensions, and the gauge zeroed out on the rail to the right, but I guess the pictures are too big !

Anyhow, the units dimensions are 2 1/2 " wide and 23 3/4" long.

I really would challenge anyone to try and get that accuracy with the "Festool" suggested methods !!! I've tried and cannot come close !!

Now granted, people might say "do you really need that type of accuracy" , and my response would be "why not ?"
The unit joins the rails in a matter of seconds, with no fuss or trouble, and the accuracy is just the cherry on top !!

Dave
 
Well got mine today and just spent an hour playing with it. I put together and took apart at least 30 rail combo's and I found this works just great and with real ease of alignment. 

Although I do not combine rails often in the shop I do on-site and this will save time and assure better rail combo accuracy

Nice Job Betterly

Sal
 
Does anyone else have any experience with the Betterley Straight Line Connector?

I'm thinking about getting one.

Thanks!

Joe
 
I don't this the tool listed anywhere on their website. Do you just contact/email to order?
 
Yes, just call them and they will take the order over the phone. 

I just received mine.  It appears to be very accurately machined but I haven't had the chance to use it yet.
 
Several months ago there was talk that someone here was going to offer longer / better connecting rods. Wish that would happen. Would love for the connectors to be at least twice as long at a minimum as the Festool connectors with additional locking screws. I want to be able to join two rails and get virtually perfect alignment. When gluing up long pieces of hardwood, my only means of cutting is the TS55 and rails. Guess I am just going to have to purchase the long rail. Storage for it is my big problem.
 
I store my 3000 mm rail by suspending it from the ceiling in its shipping case. I use a bicycle hoist to raise and lower it. This way it safely stored and out of the way as well!
 
I own this tool.  I contend that two short rails joined with this tool, will be straighter than a single rail of the same length.

Since the rails are extruded, there is an allowable warp that is defined as acceptable (say 0.001in/foot).  So a four foot rail could have as much as 0.004in warp end to end in my assumed example.  Since the rail is aligned at both ends when used, the measureable crown will be 0.002in in the middle of the rail.

Applying the same tolerance accumulation to an eight foot rail, there would be 0.004in of crown at the middle of the rail.  So if I could join two four foot rails together with perfect alignment, I could produce two crowns of 0.002in each in eight feet of rail length.  The alignment tool reduces the maximum crown by one half but doubles the frequency of occurrence.

This tool is worth every penney for time saved and alignment accuracy delivered for joined rails.

 
Ive been joining the 2 rails together for about 2 years now. I dont see a need to pay $100 bucks for a tool to align the 2 rails together. I can and have gotten acceptable results from using a level/straight edge and or using the saw by placing the middle of the saws base in between the  rails tightening the saws adj jibs. tightening the rail connectors then readjusting the saws jibs . I tool longer to type this then it does to make the adj.

before Id buy the jig I would sell one of my 1400 guide rails (around $80 bucks,) the connectors (around 20 buck) save the $100 bucks on the jig and kick in  another 100 or so and the 106" or 118" guide rail.

I occasional have found the FS5000 gide rail on craigs list for 295-300 Bucks.

But this is America. In America (at least right now) we have the right to make decisions and spend our money on anything you want to. So if you think this jig is worth it so be it.
 
A very nice jig for sure, but I decided to make my own with a piece of plywood.  Just cut a groove the size of the raised rib on the guide rail and slip it over the two rails.  Works great.

Rusty
 
You just saved 99$ and made great jig. I had the same idea about this jig, but I'll probably make it out of 13mm or even 20mm HPL laminate ( made by Abet, Fundermax, Kronospan ... ).
Thanks for sharing your idea.
 
There certainly are a number of ways in which we can connect our rails, but for me, $ 100 for the ease and precision was a easy decision, but then I got to demo the tool before I purchased it. It's one of those tools that you can't really appreciate until you've had a chance to play with it.

David
 
If I were a contractor or someone that put my rails together everyday then I would be more apt to buy the precision jig from Betterley, but I don't put my rails together that often and this homemade jig seems to work fine.  Just wanted to share it with other member that may be in my situation.

Rusty
 
i too think that this jig will be divided between the hoobists and pros. its probably not worth it for a hobbiest but a pro can justify it

i will get one eventually because some days i could join the rails several times  for diferent jobs. and i have 3  55 " rails so im not taking it apart to crosscut
 
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