Guide Rail Accessory Kit?

[elfick]

I need to get some clamps and guide rail connectors so I was looking at the Guide Rail Accessory Kit. I figure I'd use everything in the kit except maybe the angle unit and when I run the numbers it happens to be the swing piece. $200 for the kit, $270 as individual parts, and $88 of that is the angle unit.

So my question is, do FOGers find the angle unit useful?

I found one other thread but it was from 2009 so I thought it was worth asking again. http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/guide-rail-accessory-kit-really-worth-it/

Thanks!
-Lee

 

[ccarrolladams]

Lee, there are some members of The FOG who do find the Angle Unit useful. However, to be fair nearly all of the reviews written since circa 2007 are negative.

With my first TS55, 3 55" guide rails and a CT22 I did purchase the Guide Rail accessory kit in a classic Sys 1. Honestly I hardly ever have used that Angle Unit in all these years. Over 95% of the cuts I make building custom cabinets are right angles. Odd angles are rare. Almost all of those are for corner units, for which we make full-size templates at the actual site. From those templates we loft the layout back in the shop. Then we use those layout lines to position the guide rails.

Still, I have no regret buying the Accessory Kit. It had clamps and 2 connector bars which served me very well until I could justify a truck with a lumber rack so I could transport a 3000mm guide rail. I also have to admit I do not know personally any other Festool owner who bout that accessory kit.

 

[JayStPeter]

Here's what I did with mine.  Generated a bit of controversy, so you can read both sides of opinions on the angle unit.  I wouldn't pay money for another, especially what they charge for it now.  I think there are better solutions in the aftermarket these days.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/'fixed'-my-angle-unit/

BTW, even with the screw it has gotten knocked out of square over the years.  I'll never trust it again for repeatability and don't really understand why else you would use it.

 

[fdengel]

I have the accessory kit.  I've used everything in it except the angle unit; I really like having the systainer to help keep everything neatly organized.

 

[Trans former]

I keep looking at the accessory kit, interested in the angle unit permanently set up on a short rail for doing short 90* cross cuts (bolted at 90* perhaps).
can't see I'll have any other use for it.

not sure if there is another product that will do this job.?

otherwise the rest of the kit is fairly useful. you can never have too many clamps

 

[JayStPeter]

I keep looking at the accessory kit, interested in the angle unit permanently set up on a short rail for doing short 90* cross cuts (bolted at 90* perhaps).
can't see I'll have any other use for it.

not sure if there is another product that will do this job.?

otherwise the rest of the kit is fairly useful. you can never have too many clamps

I think there are a couple aftermarket bits that will do what you want better than the angle unit.  Check out the qwas square for one.

The angle unit is the only Festool thing I think is worse to have than not have.  It's a beautifully machined piece and makes you think that somehow it should be able to do something well.  But as soon as you think you've figured it out and start to trust it, it ruins a nice expensive piece.  If you're doing a cost analysis on the rail kit, count it as 0.  Then when you get the kit immediately sell it on ebay cheap so you're never tempted to use it.  That look and feel of quality will suck you in time after time.

 

[Kev]

I got the kit and I haven't used the angle gizmo, but it really doesn't bother me ... it did come as a deal with the TS55 at the time - so it worked out well.

 

[Sparktrician]

If there was ever a Festool product that I can say I regret buying, it would be the Accessory Kit, and the reason is the angle unit.  I just don't feel that it's up to the Festool standards of accuracy and consistency.  It's the one Festool product that will do nothing but gather dust in my shop. 

 

[tjbnwi]

I purchased the accessory kit with my TS and CT 5 years ago. I used the angle unit again last week to cut the rake angle on LP SmartPanel. The only time I've had an issue with the angle unit it has been operator error. You need to pick the unit and rail up to move the rail. If you try to drag it the grab strips on the back of the rail do their job and the angle unit comes out of adjustment.

Tom

 

[JayStPeter]

I purchased the accessory kit with my TS and CT 5 years ago. I used the angle unit again last week to cut the rake angle on LP SmartPanel. The only time I've had an issue with the angle unit it has been operator error. You need to pick the unit and rail up to move the rail. If you try to drag it the grab strips on the back of the rail do their job and the angle unit comes out of adjustment.

Tom

It's not operator error.  It just doesn't matter, it'll go out of adjustment.  I repeat, the angle unit is not repeatable.

 

[elfick]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I've decided to just get the pieces I need, which, truth be told, are only the rail connectors right now. I don't see myself using the angle unit and I can get the other stuff as I need it.

Thanks again!
-Lee

 

[briankb]

Just wanted to say thanks for this thread and all of the honest replies. I was on the fence about the guide rail kit, in particular of my need and use of the angle unit. I was already sizing up a systainer to hold all of my clamps and I don't think buying this particular kit would fit my needs.

Thanks!