Festool / DeWalt guide rail clamps

[JimD]

I have a DeWalt track saw with DeWalt track and clamps.  The only useful knowledge I have is of the clamps for this topic.  They are normal squeeze clamps similar to Irwin's clamps.  They are not as strong as steel clamps but I think they are easily sufficient to keep a track saw track in place.  I often do not use a clamp, sometimes I cannot, and usually that works fine.  But with the clamps in place I have never had the track move.  I think they will last indefinitely for this sort of use. 

I am not saying Festool clamps are not better.  I have their clamps for clamping pieces to a work table and I like them.  But DeWalt clamps for the guide rails are also fine clamps IMHO.

 

[Michael Kellough]

The main benefit of the Festool (screw) clamps is that they’re compact.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

It is possible to make your own clamps. I made a pair from a couple DeWalt squeeze clamps I had. Just cut the end of the bar off and welded it perpendicular to the end of the remaining bar. I had to do some very minor fitting to reduce the width of the bar to slide smoothly in the track. I did this with a smooth cut hand file and only removed maybe a mm or two. I posted something about this a couple years ago with photos. I will see if I can find the post and link to it here.

Edit(2nd attempt): I found the photos from when I made the clamps. I used some DeWalt small trigger clamps which I cut the end off and welded it back perpendicular to the clamp so it would run in the track. Required only slight adjustment in width to slide smoothly in the saw track. It also fits nicely in standard T-track.

The advantages are they are much smaller than the DeWalt clamps (see next to last photo for comparison next to a DeWalt track clamp) so they travel better since you can pack a pair in the box with the DeWalt TS but still have enough capacity (just shy of 6 inches) to handle most jobs plus for the cost of a inexpensive squeeze clamp and a couple minutes time you have a very serviceable track clamp for less than $6 each.

I did a similar thing with some Quick-Grip clamps. I saw the idea on the internet. In my case your heated and bent the clamp bar 90 degrees and filed it a bit to fit the track. Made a set of 4 - very handy!

Mike

 

[nms]

Does Dewalt rail clamp work on Bosch/ Mafell rail?

Hard to imagine anyone who has ever used the Festool quick clamps regularly would want to have anything to do with those crappy squeeze clamps. I hate them with a passion and absolutely love the Festool quick clamps. The price is a bit stupid in Canada now though at $63, so I just tell people to pickup the Bessey version for $23 less, which is literally identical aside from color: Bessey BES-GTR16S6H

 

[Bob D.]

Yeah, I can't figure it out either. It's hard to imagine people wouldn't want to spend $125 for a pair of clamps when they could make something that works just as well for $15 then spend the savings on something else.

 

[nms]

Just cut the end of the bar off and welded it perpendicular to the end of the remaining bar. I had to do some very minor fitting to reduce the width of the bar to slide smoothly in the track. I did this with a smooth cut hand file and only removed maybe a mm or two.

It's hard to imagine people wouldn't want to spend $125 for a pair of clamps when they could make something that works just as well for $15 then spend the savings on something else.

$125 vs $15? The Bessey are $40/ea and the Festool are $42/ea. The Dewalt are $35/pair. Price difference of $45 for a pair.

You've also placed a zero value on your work time here, though I'm not sure why given the setup, cutting, welding, filing.
Those cheapo type of squeeze clamps don't last unless you're just the occasional hobbiest. Most who have used them have had to throw some out eventually when they break or are always slipping. They're just not built to last, as quick to use, or capable of the clamping strength or reliability provided by the Bessey or Festool quick clamps. I use the quick clamps for all sorts of things and am about to order more. Best advice I could give to anyone is don't cheap out on the quick clamps, and just buy the Bessey if you're in Canada where they inflated the price.

 

[Bob D.]

"$125 vs $15?"

Yes, the pair that I made cost me less than $15.