fs guide rails help

[bertv]

The Makita connectors consist of two thinner plates on top of each other that expand/offset through the screw action, so there are no screws cutting into the rails.

My experience with the Festool connector is that you have to fiddle with them to get the screws into ’fresh’ places and that they damage the rails after a few times of usage. IMO a typical example of professional blindness of the Festool designers (one has to mind the details!).

(BTW  I am \or used to be\ a professional designer and can spot a bad design from miles away.)

 

[Holmz]

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

No... The Bosch rails are not compatible with the FT saws.

 

[JZ Bowmannz]

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

I had a 3000mm rail.

Now I have two 1400mm rails, a Betterley straightline and two shopmade 18" connectors in a Festool rail bag. I don't have a trailer or a full size van, so the set up makes it really easy in transportation.

Jointing the rails is very quick and easy, and 18" connectors make the rail joint very stiff and solidly connected. I have not had any rail movement or curved cut in that set up yet. And I do clamp the rails at each end.

 

[sucker 4 tools]

im up for making some its just gona be difficult to get the size easy in the uk, its so annoying that the festool one's cut into the rail ! although the join does seem reasonably sturdy. How about some more grub screws though the out side edge of the rail itself which tighten the outside connector in a sideways motion as well as up and down?

 

[JZ Bowmannz]

It should be easier to get 12mm x 4mm and 12mm x 2mm mild steel bar stocks in UK I would image.

You are a little overthinking it. Two (not one) of 450mm long steel bars in two channels that are not in a same plane and expanded into the channels with screws... It won't move unless you really want it to.

This is the two rails resting just on a narrow piece of wood 45mm (not on flat sawhorse surface), the deflection are toward two end, but not middle section where the connectors are.

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This is the damage I've done to the rails with stock connectors.  [scared]

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So now you can tell that I am a D...head engineer.

 

[sucker 4 tools]

will see wat i can do !

 

[waho6o9]

If you get another rail maybe get the one with the holes in it

for making adjustable shelves.

Personally, I'd get the 3000 rail.

Have fun now.

 

[sucker 4 tools]

would love to but they are so expensive ! the 1400 rail is the best value at about £47 when compared to the others, i will use them joined for a bit and see how i go dont really want to carry around a massive rail either