Clamp compatibility with FSK rails

[mattmass]

Does anyone know if the FSK rails have the same T slot on the bottom surface as the FS rails? I'd like to know if the various clamps (Festool 491594 Quick Clamp, Festool 489790 FS-Rapid Clamp And Fixed Jaws) are compatible.

 

[Brice Burrell]

The FSK rails do have a T-slot.  I will check to see if clamps fit and report back. 

 

[Brice Burrell]

I was wrong.  I just checked my FSK 250 rail and the channel is not a T-slot.  Clamps will not work.

 

[geoffshep]

Brice - some pictures appear to show a slot along one edge.  Would that work - or is that used by the stop mechanism?

 

[Brice Burrell]

Brice - some pictures appear to show a slot along one edge.  Would that work - or is that used by the stop mechanism?

The T-slot on the outside edge is used for the adjustable stop.  I tried a clamp in that T-slot and it didn't fit.  It might have been the black piece of plastic that was preventing the clamp from going all the way in, I couldn't tell if it was that or the slot is too small.  Even if you could get a clamp in that T-slot, the stop would prevent the clamp from sliding in far enough to clamp your material.

 

[Ivan T]

The slot along the edge is a T-track that the adjustable stop slides in. My clamp will not go into the T-track because the plastic piece on the slide mechanism for the saw covers the T-track slightly. Also the other end of the T-track has a plastic filler so clamps can't go into the T-track from that end. It appears if you want to clamp down the FSK rail using the bottom T-track you would have to take the sliding pivot point completely off the rail and grind off some plastic to get the clamps into the T-track. Also the clamps would be on the side of the rail and I believe the rail could tip a little and not sit flat on the board unless your pushing down on the saw. For the above reasons I do not see any reason to use clamps with the FSK Rail

 

[Svar]

Lack of clamping ability on FSK rail is by design for safety reasons. If the rail can not easily separate from the stock and you let go off the saw, the blade guard remains open exposing the blade. Return spring can not move entire saw to the start position quickly enough (or at all) to close the guard.
Mafell KSS does not have clamping T-slots either and for the same reason.

 

[Cheese]

The width of the slot is wide enough for the clamp, however it's the depth of the slot that prevents the two from engaging. The slot depth is 5.5mm, the clamp thickness is 6mm.

 

[mattmass]

Lack of clamping ability on FSK rail is by design for safety reasons.

Ah that's interesting. The HK works on the FS rails as well, but maybe the TS design is safer for that rail?

 

[Svar]

Lack of clamping ability on FSK rail is by design for safety reasons.

Ah that's interesting. The HK works on the FS rails as well, but maybe the TS design is safer for that rail?

HK does not attach to FS rail. If you lift it or it falls off the guard will close. The idea is that stock + rail + HK should not be held together.

 

[mattmass]

HK does not attach to FS rail. If you lift it or it falls off the guard will close. The idea is that stock + rail + HK should not be held together.

Makes sense - thank you!

 

[Nat X]

Mafell KSS does not have clamping T-slots either and for the same reason.

Mafell and Bosch clamps fit the Mafell KSS rails just fine. Comes in handy with the KSS80 since it's so heavy it likes to teeter back at the start of the cut. Otherwise it's a bit antithetic to the system's purpose.

 

[Svar]

Mafell KSS does not have clamping T-slots either and for the same reason.

Mafell and Bosch clamps fit the Mafell KSS rails just fine. Comes in handy with the KSS80 since it's so heavy it likes to teeter back at the start of the cut. Otherwise it's a bit antithetic to the system's purpose.

Where was I looking?
P.S.  OK. I get it. KSS300 and 400 are different.