Choice of rails for a TS55

[GaryJ]

I'm going to purchase my first TS55, but am not sure which rail (s) to purchase with it.  So, I'm cutting sheet goods up to 96 inches long and 48 inches wide.
I understand that one can purchase two of the 55 inch rail and join them.  Do I lose any accuracy doing this? Do the pieces that connect the two rails lock securely?  Better to go with a long one piece rail for the 96 inches, and one 55 inch for the width?  Will 55 inches be long enough for crosscuts up to 48 inches?  I'd love to hear some ideas, suggestions, etc. [huh]

 

[Alan m]

hi
the 55 inch rail will cross cut 48 inchs ok.

get the long rail if you can store it easily and transport it easily.
the ideal is 1 55inch for on site and a long rail for in the shop.

joining rails is fine if you keep them straight

 

[GPowers]

The general line of thought is: for shop work get the 1400 and the 3000 guide rails. For on site work it is easer to transport the shorter rails and join them. When joining the rails you need to place the ends of the rails under a the TS55 rails and leave a one mm gap. The base plat of the saw will true up the rails. The gap is necessary as the ends of the rail are NOT square all the time.

 

[mouppe]

You can upgrade the rail length to a longer one and pay the incremental difference when you buy the TS55. I would do this and get a longer rail. At some point I would get an MFT as this comes with a short rail for crosscutting.

 

[lumbajac]

Might as well get the LR32 rails (with holes) just to prepare for if you were ever to get the LR32 hole drilling kit as the holes cost a minimal amount more vs. an entire new set of rails with holes later on.

For example - The FS1400 (55") rail list is $94.50 while the LR32 version is only $1 more at a list price of $95.50.  So, pay $1 more now or $95.50 again later on just to get the version with the holes.

As far as length, I believe the 96" rail is as long as it gets for the LR32 system.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Might as well get the LR32 rails (with holes) just to prepare for if you were ever to get the LR32 hole drilling kit as the holes cost a minimal amount more vs. an entire new set of rails with holes later on.

For example - The FS1400 (55") rail list is $94.50 while the LR32 version is only $1 more at a list price of $95.50.  So, pay $1 more now or $95.50 again later on just to get the version with the holes.

As far as length, I believe the 96" rail is as long as it gets for the LR32 system.

Did anyone check the new prices on the 55" rails.  I remember the 55" LR32 rail going up a good bit, don't know about the regular 55" rail.

 

[Wood_Junkie]

For example - The FS1400 (55") rail list is $94.50 while the LR32 version is only $1 more at a list price of $95.50.  So, pay $1 more now or $95.50 again later on just to get the version with the holes.

FYI, as of March 1st, the LR32 55" rail is $110. 

 

[Kevin D.]

I have a home hobby workshop, so storing or transporting a longer rail was not the issue.  If you need to go back and forth using a short and long rail, I would get the long one and a short rail, rather than just two short connectable rails.

 

[tjbier]

I agree with lumbajac on the 55" rail, get it with the holes,  and get a 118" rail. That will let you break down sheet good and you can connect them if you still need to.
I should have bought the 118" instead of the 75" in hind sight...... dumb hind sight [embarassed].

 

[Brice Burrell]

For example - The FS1400 (55") rail list is $94.50 while the LR32 version is only $1 more at a list price of $95.50.  So, pay $1 more now or $95.50 again later on just to get the version with the holes.

FYI, as of March 1st, the LR32 55" rail is $110. 

That's because everyone was doing just a Corey suggested.  I predicted this fairly big price increase last year when this rail became available.......