Festool guide rail connector replacement screws

[Sparktrician]

There has been chatter recently regarding choices to use long rails or to use shorter rails joined together and the inherent issues in assuring that joined rails remain straight and true.  Several months ago, some one of the FOGgers mentioned finding a great substitute screw to use in the rail connectors.  It's stainless steel with a nylon tip, available from McMaster-Carr, part number 93285A412 at $9.54 for a pack of five, including a 3mm hex driver which can be used in a standard 1/4" hex drive.  The photos attached show the standard connector screw beside the nylon-tipped replacement, plus the actual package they come in.  YMMV.

Edit, 12/27/13:  These screws do NOT come with the hex wrench.  My bad. 

 

[Frank Pellow]

Thanks for the information.  I will order some.

As I recently mentioned in another thread, I seem to have a propensity to lose these things.  Right now, I have two sets of connectors and am missing four screws.

 

[peter halle]

Thanks for the information.  I will order some.

As I recently mentioned in another thread, I seem to have a propensity to lose these things.  Right now, I have two sets of connectors and am missing four screws.

Frank,  you are not alone.  I ordered extras a while back and now take them out of the connectors and put them in a plastic bag every time.

Peter

 

[Sparktrician]

Thanks for the information.  I will order some.

As I recently mentioned in another thread, I seem to have a propensity to lose these things.  Right now, I have two sets of connectors and am missing four screws.

Frank,  you are not alone.  I ordered extras a while back and now take them out of the connectors and put them in a plastic bag every time.

Peter

If you're losing screws because they fall out periodically, you might want to use Loctite 241 (blue, in a red bottle or tube) on the screw threads.  It does not harden up, but keeps the screws in their places even during periods of vibration. 

 

[redrider]

Thanks for the info on the replacement screws.

 

[madmaguire]

I second that! Thank you for the info!! I ordered several sets!
Cheers
John

 

[wow]

Also ordered a set. Thanks for doing the legwork!

 

[wow]

Got my set of 5 but it didn't include a driver and there is no mention of one on the website using the part number. Did they change the description?

 

[Sparktrician]

Got my set of 5 but it didn't include a driver and there is no mention of one on the website using the part number. Did they change the description?

If I recall correctly, those screws take a standard 3mm hex wrench.  I can check when I get to the shop later this morning.  The screws don't come with a wrench. 

 

[wow]

It's stainless steel with a nylon tip, available from McMaster-Carr, part number 93285A412 at $9.54 for a pack of five, including a 3mm hex driver which can be used in a standard 1/4" hex drive.

This is what I based my order on and why I asked about the driver...

 

[Sparktrician]

It's stainless steel with a nylon tip, available from McMaster-Carr, part number 93285A412 at $9.54 for a pack of five, including a 3mm hex driver which can be used in a standard 1/4" hex drive.

This is what I based my order on and why I asked about the driver...

Well, it seems that I was mistaken regarding the 3mm wrench.  They do NOT come with the wrench.  I just checked with McMaster-Carr.  My apologies.  I will forgo the January barbecue in Minnesnowta.  [embarassed]

 

[wow]

Well, it seems that I was mistaken regarding the 3mm wrench.  They do NOT come with the wrench.  I just checked with McMaster-Carr.  My apologies.  I will forgo the January barbecue in Minnesnowta.   [embarassed]

No worries. I'm pretty sure I have a 3mm bit somewhere, and if not I will buy one. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't missing something that I was SUPPOSED to have.

 

[jeh]

Too bad they can't be partially nylon so that the screws can't wiggle out on their own and disappear.

 

[Sparktrician]

Too bad they can't be partially nylon so that the screws can't wiggle out on their own and disappear.

If that's a concern, use some Loctite 242 to retain the screws. 

 

[weekendwarrior]

I just ran across this thread... do the nylon tipped set screws work better than the originals, e.g. hold the guide rails better or don't damage them?

 

[rvieceli]

Warrior - one of the complaints about the Festool rail joiner system is that since the steel set screw is actually using the aluminum rail to tighten against, if you get all medieval on the set screw and crank down on it the rail can get a dimple. The nylon tips allow you to crank the screw down fairly tight without damaging the rail because the nylon will deform before dimpling the rail.

The other methods that folks who make their own connectors and the Makita joiners use is to have a two piece connector. It consists of a top and bottom rail. the top rail has threaded holes for the set screws and they tighten down on the bottom piece. Keeping the screws from touching the rail.

 

[JBag09]

Not to change the subject, but has anyone tried or thought of having longer rails made? My brother works in a machine shop and I've been asking him to make me some longer rails, first to add more screws and if it's longer I think it would be harder for the rail to "give" at the joint. Maybe like a 20" length. What's your thoughts?

Now these nylon tipped screws sound like a great idea, will definitely be ordering some.

 

[JZ Bowmannz]

Not to change the subject, but has anyone tried or thought of having longer rails made? My brother works in a machine shop and I've been asking him to make me some longer rails, first to add more screws and if it's longer I think it would be harder for the rail to "give" at the joint. Maybe like a 20" length. What's your thoughts?

Now these nylon tipped screws sound like a great idea, will definitely be ordering some.

A different design of connectors were discussed below.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/homemade-guide-rail-connectors-(not-your-typical-ones)/msg342069/#msg342069

 

[Grasshopper]

Timing is good on this as I have a few screws that fell out, and got all chewed up somehow.  I found all the loose screws, but the threads are all destroyed. 

Does anybody know what the OEM Festool replacement screws part number and Price?

 

[peter halle]

Contact service.  Keep spares in a small zip lock bag or keep connectors in one.

[attachimg=1]

Peter