Freezing and thawing

[Captainwrinkles]

Would i have any issues (distorting, twisting, bending, cracking etc) if i left my guide rails out in the garage this winter? It will regularly hit -30C and possibly go
down to -40C (its the same as -40F). I'm more concerned about my 2700 long guide rail. I love the fact that i creates dead straight cuts, and i'd hate to have to replace it.

Thanks in advance
Benn

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Benn, it's aluminum, so I wouldn't think so. Some of our forum members in colder climates could probably offer their experiences to make you feel more at ease. I would store it flat.

 

[peter halle]

To add what Shane said, the rails all have holes on the ends designed for hanging.  Brian taught me this.   [big grin]

Peter

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

To add what Shane said, the rails all have holes on the ends designed for hanging.  Brian taught me this.   [big grin]

What Peter said is true and I thought about mentioning that in this thread, but with the concerns of how the rail would behave in those temps and not having any definitive knowledge of how it would react, I thought it would be best to store flat.

 

[sheeschen]

I'm certainly not in a cold climate, but I'd guess the only thing to worry about would be dissimilar materials shrinking at different rates and pulling on the other parts.  I doubt the splinterguard, non-stick green strip on top, or the no-slip strips on the bottom would be strong enough to actually bend the aluminum, or even shrink that differently, but I could be wrong.

You may come out to find that some of those strips have worked loose due to the differences in expansion/contraction, but I'd imagine that would be the worst.

    Scott

 

[Jason Kehl]

I live in Kenora, Ontario and I store some of my guide rails in my enclosed utility trailer year round. There has been no issues from the extreme temperature swings.

j