Festool 496938 LR 32 Guide Rail Connector?

[sprior]

I look at the US product page for the 496938 LR 32 Guide Rail Connector and what's in the picture looks to me like the end stops you use to align the LR32 guide rail for hole drilling.  The description on the Festool site (which is copied to Amazon and lots of other places) says it "precisely align multiple LR 32 style rails for precision hole drilling in larger workpieces".  This makes it sound like you're using it to connect LR32 guide rails to each other which unless the picture wrong just can't be true.

Is this in fact the same thing that's included in the LR32 kit (where it seems to be called a "linear stop")?

If there is some way to use what's pictured to use multiple guide rails to drill holes in longer pieces, I'd sure like to know what the technique is.

 

[ccarrolladams]

The LR32 Guide Rail connector is used to ensure 32mm spacing of holes and also as the stop to correctly place the rail on the work.

To actually connect rails ypu still need a pair of the conventional connector bars.

 

[sprior]

That's what I thought, but isn't it a problem that it's called a "Guide Rail Connector" on its own, but a "linear stop" when listed in the kit contents, and isn't the description pretty wrong/misleading?

 

[Paul G]

I don't own it, but the website at http://www.festoolusa.com/power-tool-accessories/guide-rails/kits-and-other-accessories/lr-32-guide-rail-connector-496938 says:

"Use the new LR 32 Guide Rail Connector to precisely align multiple LR 32 style rails for precision hole drilling in larger workpieces*"

So if it's needed to align the connection of two rails then it doesn't seem misleading to me that it is called a connector. The text has an asterisk that references nothing, I wonder if that is supposed to address some of that potential confusion.

 

[sprior]

I've never seen anything called a "connector" that didn't fasten to more than one of something else, and in this case I don't see any way that this piece would touch more than one guide rail at a time.  This piece aligns to guide rail to the edge of the piece of wood.  I don't see any way that using this piece would allow you to use multiple guide rails in order to work on a bigger piece of wood than one guide rail could handle.  I've never seen anyone mention using multiple rails to set up drilling the front and rear holes in the same piece of wood at the same time - seems like that would just be awkward.

And this piece has a different name when mentioned as the contents of the kit.

Therefore this name and description seem incorrect to me and hard for people new to the system to understand.  The description of it as a "linear end stop" in the kit makes a lot more sense.

 

[Rocky]

Look at this:

 

[Corwin]

I've never seen anything called a "connector" that didn't fasten to more than one of something else, and in this case I don't see any way that this piece would touch more than one guide rail at a time.  This piece aligns to guide rail to the edge of the piece of wood.  I don't see any way that using this piece would allow you to use multiple guide rails in order to work on a bigger piece of wood than one guide rail could handle.  I've never seen anyone mention using multiple rails to set up drilling the front and rear holes in the same piece of wood at the same time - seems like that would just be awkward.

And this piece has a different name when mentioned as the contents of the kit.

Therefore this name and description seem incorrect to me and hard for people new to the system to understand.  The description of it as a "linear end stop" in the kit makes a lot more sense.

I agree that the name is somewhat confusing.  However, some other items also have curious names.  Maybe something lost in translation?   [blink]

I don't own this particular item, as I purchased my LR32 gear long before these were available.  Yet, I do believe that they are used to properly space two holly rails as you join them together into a longer (combined) rail -- this has nothing to do with drilling the front and rear holes...

On Edit:  I see Michael's post beat me to the draw.  Maybe the Festool site(s) could/should show a couple of photos of these whats-ya-ma-call-ems in use such that customers can fully understand their intended use.  Seeing the video, these work exactly as I had expected, but then, I already am accustom to the rest of the LR32 equipment.

 

[sprior]

OK, things are starting to make (a little) more sense.  Is this the same piece that you get two of in the LR32 kit, or is it something slightly different?  (As a LR32 system owner, do I already own two of these or not?)

 

[Rocky]

you get two with the set.  The side with the = sign is used to space the rails apart, it should show in the gap.

 

[Corwin]

OK, things are starting to make (a little) more sense.  Is this the same piece that you get two of in the LR32 kit, or is it something slightly different?  (As a LR32 system owner, do I already own two of these or not?)

Yeah, you will have two -- the only question is whether you have the newer kit that includes two of these, or the older version that contains two of the older linear stops that only were useful as stops and don't work to space joined holly rails.

 

[ccarrolladams]

That's what I thought, but isn't it a problem that it's called a "Guide Rail Connector" on its own, but a "linear stop" when listed in the kit contents, and isn't the description pretty wrong/misleading?

I own a lot of Festools and I make good money using them. However, often the names of tools and accessories make no sense in English. Personally I just go with the flow. I would have come up with a more descriptive name, but Festool has a staff doing that. They did not ask for my advice.

What is included in your LR32 kit is a function of when you bought it brand new. The current 496 938 was introduced in early 2011 as a set of two. Eventually it replace the previous linear stops which positioned the holes on the work but did not also space the holes in guide rails 32mm on center.

By then I already owned 3 of the LR32 sets because I drill a whole lot of shelf pin holes. Because I own a 95" Holy Rail I seldom need to couple two Holy Rails, except to show friends how to do so. After you space the holes during the coupling process, you remove the 496 938 and use it at the end of the rail as you would have used the original linear stops. Please note the 496 938 has some additional spacing reference capability.

 

[sprior]

I've got the newer kit so I guess I'm all set.  Thanks for the answers.

Any chance Festool can be convinced to produce a holy rail long enough to rip a sheet of plywood (the 95" doesn't quite make it)?

 

[Paul G]

I've got the newer kit so I guess I'm all set.  Thanks for the answers.

Any chance Festool can be convinced to produce a holy rail long enough to rip a sheet of plywood (the 95" doesn't quite make it)?

That would be nice, I bought the 118" rail and would have preferred it was available with the holes.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

To reduce confusion, I'll edit the description on our website to specify that guide rail connectors are still required and this is used for spacing purposes.

For the record, I don't name the products.  [smile]

 

[sprior]

Thanks Shane, I see some changes, but I think there's more to do.

The primary use for this piece is as an end stop for LR32 drilling.  That should be listed first in the description, the secondary use of setting correct hole spacing when joining two rails should be clearly secondary in the description.  This description was so far off that as a new LR32 system owner I couldn't even tell if this was something I already owned or not.

Also the name of this piece should be the same everywhere, both in the individual product page and when it is listed in the LR32 kits - it currently is not.

 

[ccarrolladams]

Thanks Shane, I see some changes, but I think there's more to do.

The primary use for this piece is as an end stop for LR32 drilling.  That should be listed first in the description, the secondary use of setting correct hole spacing when joining two rails should be clearly secondary in the description.  This description was so far off that as a new LR32 system owner I couldn't even tell if this was something I already owned or not.

Also the name of this piece should be the same everywhere, both in the individual product page and when it is listed in the LR32 kits - it currently is not.

Excuse me, the basic LR32 kit was designed for the predecessor to the current OF1010, which was the OF1000. With the introduction of the OF1400 the set was modified to allow attachment of that then new router.

Until the introduction of the 496 938 those of us needing to connect Holy rails had to build our own fixture to ensure the holes were spaced 32mm at the joint. So, when this new product arrived very early in 2011, the big news was that it ensured the correct hole spacing. Those of us who had been drilling shelf pin holes already had the traditional end stops. So to us the product name made as much sense as any Festool product name.

This is like the debate about the pronunciation of the word 'Kapex'. If you make money using your Kapex you do not care how anyone else pronounces the word. If you want to brag about your ability to speak German, then you need to decide which dialect you want to use. When a person gains experience using the LR32 system to produce thousands of holes, then use of the various components of the system become second nature.

Sure, it is easier to gain confidence using the LR32 system with a talented, experienced coach. Bummer such coaches are not available to everyone.

 

[Corwin]

Thanks Shane, I see some changes, but I think there's more to do.

The primary use for this piece is as an end stop for LR32 drilling.  That should be listed first in the description, the secondary use of setting correct hole spacing when joining two rails should be clearly secondary in the description.  This description was so far off that as a new LR32 system owner I couldn't even tell if this was something I already owned or not.

Also the name of this piece should be the same everywhere, both in the individual product page and when it is listed in the LR32 kits - it currently is not.

Excuse me, the basic LR32 kit was designed for the predecessor to the current OF1010, which was the OF1000. With the introduction of the OF1400 the set was modified to allow attachment of that then new router.

Until the introduction of the 496 938 those of us needing to connect Holy rails had to build our own fixture to ensure the holes were spaced 32mm at the joint. So, when this new product arrived very early in 2011, the big news was that it ensured the correct hole spacing. Those of us who had been drilling shelf pin holes already had the traditional end stops. So to us the product name made as much sense as any Festool product name.

This is like the debate about the pronunciation of the word 'Kapex'. If you make money using your Kapex you do not care how anyone else pronounces the word. If you want to brag about your ability to speak German, then you need to decide which dialect you want to use. When a person gains experience using the LR32 system to produce thousands of holes, then use of the various components of the system become second nature.

Sure, it is easier to gain confidence using the LR32 system with a talented, experienced coach. Bummer such coaches are not available to everyone.

No need to be rude.  Everyone has to learn sometime.  Besides, he isn't entirely incorrect, however, your reply is just wrong in its tone.

 

[Paul G]

Thanks Shane, I see some changes, but I think there's more to do.

The primary use for this piece is as an end stop for LR32 drilling.  That should be listed first in the description, the secondary use of setting correct hole spacing when joining two rails should be clearly secondary in the description.  This description was so far off that as a new LR32 system owner I couldn't even tell if this was something I already owned or not.

Also the name of this piece should be the same everywhere, both in the individual product page and when it is listed in the LR32 kits - it currently is not.

Excuse me, the basic LR32 kit was designed for the predecessor to the current OF1010, which was the OF1000. With the introduction of the OF1400 the set was modified to allow attachment of that then new router.

Until the introduction of the 496 938 those of us needing to connect Holy rails had to build our own fixture to ensure the holes were spaced 32mm at the joint. So, when this new product arrived very early in 2011, the big news was that it ensured the correct hole spacing. Those of us who had been drilling shelf pin holes already had the traditional end stops. So to us the product name made as much sense as any Festool product name.

This is like the debate about the pronunciation of the word 'Kapex'. If you make money using your Kapex you do not care how anyone else pronounces the word. If you want to brag about your ability to speak German, then you need to decide which dialect you want to use. When a person gains experience using the LR32 system to produce thousands of holes, then use of the various components of the system become second nature.

Sure, it is easier to gain confidence using the LR32 system with a talented, experienced coach. Bummer such coaches are not available to everyone.

It appears to me it's the goal of the Festool USA website to educate existing and future customers on what the tools are and how to use them so that people buy more tools and are satisfied with them. That goal is already achieved in many ways, be it videos, images, descriptions, specifications, etc. If something is confusing to someone it's a good bet that it's confusing to others. I admire the way previous users overcame the shortcomings of the tools, but it's unreasonable to expect a newcomer to know that history and how a particular accessory solved past issues. If you look at it as a newcomer you'll see the opportunity for confusion and the benefit to everyone to fix it.

 

[sprior]

ccarrolladams,  just so I understand your last post, are you arguing that:

- The name of this piece should NOT be made consistent between its own product page and its mention in the LR32 kit contents.

- That the primary use of the piece should NOT be mentioned in its own product description above the secondary function of setting up the hole spacing between two rails joined by a guide rail connector.

I don't think that either of those points is logical, but you seem to be arguing about something.

I understand from your post that back in 2011 a secondary feature was added to this tool and that feature was a great enhancement which made it worth buying even for owners of the previous version of the tool, but it was still a secondary feature to the main use of the tool.

 

[Brice Burrell]

ccarrolladams,  just so I understand your last post, are you arguing that:

- The name of this piece should NOT be made consistent between its own product page and its mention in the LR32 kit contents.

- That the primary use of the piece should NOT be mentioned in its own product description above the secondary function of setting up the hole spacing between two rails joined by a guide rail connector.

I don't think that either of those points is logical, but you seem to be arguing about something.

I understand from your post that back in 2011 a secondary feature was added to this tool and that feature was a great enhancement which made it worth buying even for owners of the previous version of the tool, but it was still a secondary feature to the main use of the tool.

Well, you're doing better than me in figuring out his intent and/or logic, I couldn't begin to tell you the point of that post. [blink] [tongue]