Connecting 2 LR 32 55" guide rails, and LR 32 purchase advice

[nowandthen]

I am planning on building a 4' x 8' "MFT". I've seen various ways to attempt to get the holes exactly on grid so one can take advantage of the holes for squaring etc. I'm contemplating purchasing the LR 32 to layout the 20mm holes. Seems to be the most idiot proof. Not sure I can justify the cost but I'd like to ask a few questions "just in case".

Rails:

Q1. Is is possible (and accurate) to use one 55" guide rail to lay out the holes? Not sure how I would register the guide to the first set of holes when laying out the 8' long rows.

Q2. If answer to Q1 is no, or "tricky" etc, can I connect two LR 32 55" rails end to end such that the hole pattern is continuous without error? Reason I ask is two 55" rails and connectors are less expensive than the LR 32 95" rail. I already have a 32", 55" and 106" rail so I don't really need another long rail.

LR 32:

I'm thinking the LR 32 Drilling Set in Systainer (584100) is more than I need or want to pay. I don't need the 32mm boring bit, I do need to buy the 20mm boring bit.

The LR 32 Drilling Set (583290) is more reasonable, price wise. I don't get a shelf pin bit but I can buy that extra and still be ahead.

I also see there is the LR 32 Guide Plate (494340). It does not include the edge stops.

Q3. How much value is there in the edge stops (485758)? Perhaps I need them in order to get by with only one 55" rail? The Guide plate is the most cost effective solution. I do own the Festool Parallel Guide and Extension Set (P00108). Could those work instead of the edge stops? I know they have no pins but keeping the row in line with the first is what I'm thinking. Then use 5mm(?) pins to register the holes to the first set of holes?

I think I may need the 5mm bit in order to set a row of indexing holes along each long edge, from which the guide rail will index off of. I hope this makes sense.

Thanks.

 

[ccarrolladams]

[welcome] to The FOG, Now and Then,

Also, a great big welcome to the world of LR32!

Indeed, 2 55" 'Holy Rails' can be connected and retain the 32mm hole spacing.

As when connecting all Festool guide rails you need 2 of the cat 482-107 'Rail Connectors' which are sold and priced individually, so be sure to buy two of those.

Separately the LR 32 Guide Rail Connector cat 496-938 is used to ensure the 32mm spacing between the holes at the connection. Those are sold as a set of 2, because when drilling shelf-pin holes they also serve as the end stops.

Of course you need to have a way of ensuring the connected rails are straight. Long ago I used a third 55" rail, but since you already own a 106" rail, that will work even better.

To index your OF1010 or OF1400 on the holy rails, you will need a LR 32 Guide Plate, cat 496-340.

With LR 32 drilling, as with most router operation on guide rails, you really should clamp the rails to the work.

 

[sancho57]

On the end stops of the Lr32 you will see a = sign. When you connect the 2 rails together ensure that the = sign is in the center of the gap between  the 2 rails.
Once you start playing with the system if you do any cab entry you'll find a lot of uses for the system.