Guard rail connector screwdriver, and fixing dimples

[Kevin Stricker]

I can't seem to find a screwdriver that is a good fit for the guard rail connectors.  All of my screwdrivers that are narrow enough to fit in the set screw are pretty loose in the slot.  This has lead to slightly mangled set screws after using my pocket driver in frustration as it is the only thing I have that fits.  This of course lead to me dimpling one of my rails when my clutch was set too high.

So does anyone have a "perfect" guiderail screwdriver?  I wish Festool had a multi-tool with common wrench, allen, and screwdriver sizes.

Also does anyone have a good fix for guiderail dimples?  I thought about hammering them out with a punch but don't want to make things worse as they are not too bad.

Thanks for the help.

 

[justinmcf]

hi kevin, i had the same problem for years, until i watched another carpenter modify his nail gun jaw with a grinder. i thought to myself, i wonder if i can modify a big thick straight slot screwdriver. it worked perfectly. no more damaged grub screws.

regards, justin.

 

[harry_]

They do make a multi-tool, I have one. I just checked it for a part number but could not find one on the tool. I'll check the site and see if i can hunt up a URL

 

[harry_]

Here's what I eventually found: http://www.festoolusa.com/products/discontinued/toolie-tool-10-pack-490155.html .

It appears that the item is now discontinued. This seems a little absurd to me unless there is a replacement for it. It is/was a very handy tool. However I did snap the slot driver tip the second time I used it.

Does anyone have more info on this item?

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Here's what I eventually found: http://www.festoolusa.com/products/discontinued/toolie-tool-10-pack-490155.html .

It appears that the item is now discontinued. This seems a little absurd to me unless there is a replacement for it. It is/was a very handy tool. However I did snap the slot driver tip the second time I used it.

Does anyone have more info on this item?

The much-loved Toolie has been discussed many times here, and if you enter it into the FOG search engine you'll get lots of threads about it, including:

toolie tools no more
Will there be a Toolie/2?
TOOLIE TOOLS STILL AVAILABLE
Will their be a New Toolie?

There's even a thread about the tip breaking, called The Trouble With Toolie

As regards it being re-introduced, in Mar 2008 Shane Holland said "There is no information available regarding a replacement for the Toolie.  I would not expect to see one" and then two months later said "To my knowledge, there are no immediate plans to replace the Toolie."

In some of the threads you'll find suggested replacements, and a a year ago I brought the forum's attention to the Wiha PocketStar.

Forrest

 

[jeffinsgf]

No more information, but I've got one of those and wouldn't part with it.  Perfect screwdriver for the rail joiner and the ball shaped Allen keys work really well when adjusting the MFT.

On the dimple, I personally would be more inclined to go after it with a file than with a hammer, and I would only do that if I noticed a bump as the tools go over that point.  If the dimple isn't enough to disrupt the travel of the saw, I'd just ignore it.

 

[Daniel_n]

Using slotted set screws for the guide rail connectors wasn't one of festools most ingenious moves. Even if you have a screwdriver of the right size, you still run the risk of damaging the threads. I changed the slotted screws for set screws with a hex head, worked like a charm. Later on I realized that connecting two rails together didn't really work out that good anyway, and I bought some longer rails instead.

 

[Peter Fish]

Hi all, first timer from UK ! I recently bought a Toolie on Ebay UK from a great seller and he has two more at ?12.95  Item number 290377882501
Hope this may help  Best regards from across the Big Pond
Peter 

 

[peter halle]

Peter,

Welcome to the Forum!  [welcome]

Peter

 

[Jay Evans]

One of the things mentioned in the Festool end users class was that the set screws for the guide rail connectors were specifically designed with slotted screws so they couldn't be over torqued.  If you notice the MFT joiner bars are hex set screws because the extrusions for the MFT are stronger.  The rail joiner bars do not have to be THAT tight.

One of the most important points I remember from the end user training and speaking with Rick, Brian and Shane is that Festool designers do make design decisions for a reason and that all the details count.  I don't always agree with their thinking, but I do appreciate the level of detail and length of trouble to which they go when making decisions.

Jay

 

[harry_]

This is the tool that I currently use: http://www.service.kleintools.com/cgi-bin/lansaweb?procfun+KD01+KD01025+PRD+ENG+FUNCPARMS+KD01YYCTN(P0020):1+KD01YYPRD(A0150):32500 . One has lived in my tool pouch for at least 10 years. The smaller of the 2 slotted bits works nicely for me & my rails (and a zillion other things  ;D )

 

[Daniel_n]

One of the things mentioned in the Festool end users class was that the set screws for the guide rail connectors were specifically designed with slotted screws so they couldn't be over torqued.  If you notice the MFT joiner bars are hex set screws because the extrusions for the MFT are stronger.  The rail joiner bars do not have to be THAT tight.

One of the most important points I remember from the end user training and speaking with Rick, Brian and Shane is that Festool designers do make design decisions for a reason and that all the details count.  I don't always agree with their thinking, but I do appreciate the level of detail and length of trouble to which they go when making decisions.

Jay

Interesting. I am glad that there were a reason to choose slotted set screws. However, it's still possible to overtightening the slotted screws if you don't have a clue about what you are doing, and it's absolutely no problem to apply the right amount of torque using the hex head set screws if you know what you are doing.

 

[tbellemare]

I use an 1/8" screwdriver that's about 6" long. Without trying hard, it gets them plenty tight and I don't indent the rail.

Tom

 

[justinmcf]

i would not recommend the festool toolie for tightening these rail screws. the straight slot screwdriver bit in the toolie is way too small.
that is how i damaged the screws in the first place.
however, it is a handy little tool to have.
btw, the other people are correct. you really dont need to tighten the grub screws too much for them to function properly.

regards, justin.

 

[Jonhilgen]

Kevin,

I, along with some others found that modifying a close, but not good enough screwdriver did the trick.  Grab your belt sander and a close match and go to town until it works.  I have also found that ithe screwdriver fits well in the corners (blade end down) of the ts55 systaner so it is always there when you need it.

 

[Hotwheels]

I use the toolie all the time to tighten the screws when joining the rail. Although it is not a "perfect fit" it is as close as it needs to be for me. I would love to have another toolie ....