Clamping Rail Mid Panel / LR32

[Gordon Bombay]

I have a built in project that I am working on with longer panels (2432 mm). I have a 1400 holy rail and would prefer not to buy another (and also avoid buying the connection rods). The only real concern that I have is clamping mid-panel. Is it safe to use the quick clamp or screw clamp on the actual guide rails themselves (basically using the quick clamp or screw clamp to clamp down the rail like a piece of wood)? Or do others have suggestions for avoiding purchasing two rails?

If not, it seems that I could use the indexing rods and keep them attached while doing the routing (and move them to before or after the router as needed). 

Thanks

 

[bertv]

Clamp one of the panels on top and use it as a guide for your holey rail. When you shift the holey rail, use one of the last few holes as a reference (router down). Or mark a few of the oval holes on painters tape under the rail for reference.

 

[Peter_C]

Setup your LR32 and clamp on one side. Take your long rail and clamp across the entire piece butted up to the LR32. You can double stick tape a block of acrylic or wood to the top to hold the LR32, or clamp the two rails together gently with a clamp.

Lots of options.

 

[dutchie]

Do you have a Festool MFS? You can use the profiles to extend your rail top or bottom (or both) so that you can clamp the MFS extrusion to the workpiece.

See page 76 of Brice Burell's guide to the MFS >http://www.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/mfs-users-guide-brice-burrell.pdf

 

[Gordon Bombay]

Thanks guys. I had not seen the MFT setup, but it looks pretty neat. I think I may just go the safe route and get the extra rail.

 

[Peter_C]

Thanks guys. I had not seen the MFT setup, but it looks pretty neat. I think I may just go the safe route and get the extra rail.

If you decide to do that, I would recommend getting the Makita track joiners. They are superior to Festools version.

 

[Coen]

Thanks guys. I had not seen the MFT setup, but it looks pretty neat. I think I may just go the safe route and get the extra rail.

MFS is something else than MFT.

But you can just claim on one side. As long as you apply some downward pressure on the rail, it won't move anyway. To be sure, you can just add a pencil line and see if that moves under or out from the rail. Keeping the indexing rods attached is another option.

I wonder how you ended up with "only" one rail and that being a holey rail. I got the first 1400 rail with the TS, then bought a holey 1400. Only bought the LR set ~2 years after that.

If you buy the rail together with a TS, you save some on the rail, 

[member=50292]Peter_C[/member]; part#?

 

[Peter_C]

Makita P-45777 Guide Rail Connector Kit. The part number is for a single connector. Two are needed to join a set of rails together.

The benefit of them is the screws do not contact the rail causing damage, unlike Festools. Instead the Makita is made up of two pieces that are forced apart as the screws are tightened locking the rails together.