fs guide rails help

[sucker 4 tools]

hiim new to the guide rail thing and i have one 1400 but i want to cut 8x4 sheets so should i get another 1400 and join them together? is this accurate ? or should i get a 2400 or 2700 rail ? can i use the 2400 rail to cut 2400 long sheets with out moving the rail ?
regards

 

[sucker 4 tools]

sorry im using the ts55 on the rail also in the uk where is the cheapest for rails ?
regards

 

[Alex_E]

Power tool supplies is the cheapest I've found normally. I would either buy another 1400 and the connectors or the 2700. I would also use the festool clamps on either. All depends on budget. Just make sure the rail is perfectly straight with a level or straight edge when you connect them.

Alex

 

[Ed Bray]

Joining 2 rails together is fine although you might want to check across the join with a straight edge and make sure you leave a 1-2mm gap between them.

Cheapest place is probably N&B powertool-supplies.co.uk £48

If you have or are thinking of getting a router then you might want to consider getting the 1400mm LR32 'holy rail' but that is £74, but I bought 2x ordinary rails and an 800mm rail, then when I bought a router I ended up buying a 1400 'holy rail' too.

If you just looking for the cheapest, you might want to look at  http://youtool.de and their rails, they do Festool compatible rails and their 2650mm rail including delivery is about £80 whereas the 2700mm Festool rail from N&B is £163.

 

[AlexThePalex]

You need at least the 2700 rail, the 2400 is not long enough to cut a full sheet because you need a bit extra. If you cut full sheets often, the 2700 is preferable over two joined 1400's. Constantly joining and taking the two 1400's apart gets old really quickly.

 

[sucker 4 tools]

thanks guys much appreciated

 

[sucker 4 tools]

has any one got a review of the you tool rails ? do they have the spinterguard and and same foam pads on the bottom as the festool ?
cheers

 

[Sparktrician]

You need at least the 2700 rail, the 2400 is not long enough to cut a full sheet because you need a bit extra. If you cut full sheets often, the 2700 is preferable over two joined 1400's. Constantly joining and taking the two 1400's apart gets old really quickly.

I'm going to suggest that the 3000mm rail is a better choice than the 2700mm because it allows one to start and finish a cut on the rail and off the material being cut.  The longest actual diagonal cut on a 1220 x 2440 sheet is 2728mm, longer than the 2700mm rail.  Two 1400mm rails will do the job, and do it well, properly aligned, and are far more transportable than the 3000mm rail. 

 

[sucker 4 tools]

good point there

what are these german you tool rails like ?
if i join 2 1400's i would join up the new one to my old one and mark the ends that join then cut my splinter guard to match the existing. what is the idea behind the 2mm gap between two joint rails ?

 

[Sparktrician]

good point there

what are these german you tool rails like ?
if i join 2 1400's i would join up the new one to my old one and mark the ends that join then cut my splinter guard to match the existing. what is the idea behind the 2mm gap between two joint rails ?

I'll suggest that you consider the purchase of a Betterley Straightline Connector to be used when aligning the two rails to be joined.  You can also use a 48" level for the same purpose.  The gap is to recognize that the ends of the rails may not be cut perfectly and may cause misalignment when pushed together.  The gap does not adversely affect the quality of cut on a pair of joined rails.  You can move your existing splinterguards out by 2-3mm, then when the rails are joined and aligned, recut them both to be sure they're right when used together.  You might also consider using some nylon-tipped screws in the guide rail connectors to prevent dimpling.  I'd also suggest getting two LR 32 "holy rails".  If you ever decide to use the LR 32, you'll already have the rails and be good to go.  In NA, they're the same price as the 1400mm standard rails, so it's a no-brainer.  I understand that you're in the UK, and that pricing is different there.  YMMV...

 

[Ed Bray]

The Betterly connector costs over £100 delivered in the UK.

 

[ear3]

If you're willing to plunk down the extra money for one longer rail, then you also might want to consider getting the 3000 over the 2700.  Gives you the option of doing angled sheet-length cuts on 4x8s.  And if you have/will get the TS75, the extra overhang of the 3000 on straight sheet rips is a plus.

 

[Bohdan]

has any one got a review of the you tool rails ? do they have the spinterguard and and same foam pads on the bottom as the festool ?
cheers

I think that they are the old Festo rails.

 

[sucker 4 tools]

are the german cheap rails compatible with the new tsc etc ?
thanks for all the info guys

 

[bertv]

The Makita connectors are way better than Festool’s. The work according to the ’spreading’ principle. I bought mine at that giant Internet-store (around 100 bucks). I use them to connect the 2700 holey rail to one of the ordinary ones I own (1400, 1080, 800), depending on the job.

 

[sucker 4 tools]

i have got another 1400 rail and connectors wats the best way to join them strait ? and when you move the rails around do they move out of line easily ? do you have to be very careful ?
also are the makita joiners worth having ?
cheers

 

[live4ever]

i have got another 1400 rail and connectors wats the best way to join them strait ? and when you move the rails around do they move out of line easily ? do you have to be very careful ?
also are the makita joiners worth having ?
cheers

Best way to join them straight is by placing the TS over the joint, leave a 1-2mm gap between rails, and tighten down.  The Betterley connector is essentially an expensive version of this.  Alternatively, if you have a good straightedge you can use that.
Yes, they do move out of line easily, and the reason is because it is difficult to tighten those slotted screws in the connectors.  I recommend replacing them with hex head set screws (M6 x 6mm), which you will be able to tighten better and the rails will be less likely to shift. 

 

[bertv]

also are the makita joiners worth having ?

I own the Festool and the Makita connectors. The Makita are way better.
But I am holding on to the Festools because they have other uses I want to explore… : )

 

[sucker 4 tools]

any pics of the makita ones ?

 

[sucker 4 tools]

had a look at the makitas and they look like they work the same but have more grub screws?