Guide rail connector - Festool vs makita vs TSO

[sebr023]

Hi all!

So I purchased festool guide rail connector a while back and haven’t used it all that much. But I remember reading that makita guide rail connector were deforming the rail as much as the festool ones (since the festool you screws the grub screws right into the aluminium)

Doing some research I’ve see the TSO are self aligning but the seem the have the grub screw screwing directly into the extrusion.
https://www.ultimatetools.ca/produc...jToTJcKTXHO8colrTG9WM1fLobhgUytAaAvSQEALw_wcB

What are you guys using?

Thanks

 

[Alanbach]

I use the TSO version and they are great. The hex head screw pushes a larger flat surface into the rail so I have never had a problem dimpling a rail.

I know that the older style Festool connectors dimpled rails but I am pretty sure that they fixed that problem with their newer model connectors.

 

[woodferret]

I favor the TSO.  Sometimes on a whim from mino, I'll mix and match up with the newer Festool side expanding ones.  But that said, I don't trust neither except for quick-dirty.  If I need finger feeler straight, I'll grab the Betterley to help align the rails while I tighten down the rail connectors.  I find it's the tightening part that tends to ever so minutely shift the alignment - unless you magically can tighten down both top/bottom at the same rate, slowly.  The Betterley makes it stupid and faster.

 

[sebr023]

The Betterley makes it stupid and faster.

What’s the betterley?

 

[sebr023]

I use the TSO version and they are great. The hex head screw pushes a larger flat surface into the rail so I have never had a problem dimpling a rail.

I know that the older style Festool connectors dimpled rails but I am pretty sure that they fixed that problem with their newer model connectors.

I’d have to check what model of festool I purchased.

So no real complains with newer festool connector?

 

[GoingMyWay]

The Betterley makes it stupid and faster.

What’s the betterley?

https://betterleytools.com/products/straight-line-connector-for-aligning-track-saw-rails.html

 

[Alanbach]

Take a look at this older thread on the subject.https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...ool-guiderail-connectors/msg705837/#msg705837

 

[deepcreek]

What’s the betterley?

Highly recommended. I love mine.
https://betterleytools.com/products/straight-line-connector-for-aligning-track-saw-rails.html

 

[jeh]

It's a real shame Festool the design forces many people to have to buy third party jigs if only to expedite the joining process. It is too bad this could not have been addressed with the newer rail design.

This may have been the time to scrap the design, but have compatibility with older saws which Mafell does.

 

[sebr023]

It's a real shame Festool the design forces many people to have to buy third party jigs if only to expedite the joining process. It is too bad this could not have been addressed with the newer rail design.

This may have been the time to scrap the design, but have compatibility with older saws which Mafell does.

May fell seems to be a really good company, from what I’ve seen online. Never tried their product tho.

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[mino]

It's a real shame Festool the design forces many people to have to buy third party jigs if only to expedite the joining process. It is too bad this could not have been addressed with the newer rail design.

This may have been the time to scrap the design, but have compatibility with older saws which Mafell does.

This is no longer a correct statement. The FSV/2 self-aligning connector is as good as it gets - as far as self-alignment goes. On par with the Mafell solution for function.

The problem is such:
1) Makita patented the split connector
=> no one else (hint: Festool) can make a truly strong connector for the FS/2 style grooves at lest till 2030 or so

2) TSO patented the canted connector
=> no one (hint: Makita) can make a set with one TSO-style and one Makita-style connector

3) Festool patented the special self-aligning connector used in the FSV/2 set
=> no one (hint: Makita) can make a set with one Festool self-aligner and one Makita-style connector

This is just life. Three companies went to solve the same problems, came up with three solutions where each has its strengths so that neither is "perfect" - and cannot be.

As for Mafell. I have metioned on other thread. Unlike FS/2 system Mafell does not have a non-self-aligning connector as per the old FSV and Makita-style for absolute precision. So even Mafell does not have a *universally* ideal solution. Oh those trade-offs.
[cool]

...
I know that the older style Festool connectors dimpled rails but I am pretty sure that they fixed that problem with their newer model connectors.

Unfortunately, the FSV/2 set still has this problem.
In the set only the self-aligning connector is new. The "second" connector in the set is still the "old-style" denting one..

 

[sebr023]

It's a real shame Festool the design forces many people to have to buy third party jigs if only to expedite the joining process. It is too bad this could not have been addressed with the newer rail design.

This may have been the time to scrap the design, but have compatibility with older saws which Mafell does.

This is no longer a correct statement. The FSV/2 self-aligning connector is as good as it gets - as far as self-alignment goes. On par with the Mafell solution for function.

The problem is such:
1) Makita patented the split connector
=> no one else (hint: Festool) can make a truly strong connector for the FS/2 style grooves at lest till 2030 or so

2) TSO patented the canted connector
=> no one (hint: Makita) can make a set with one TSO-style and one Makita-style connector

3) Festool patented the special self-aligning connector used in the FSV/2 set
=> no one (hint: Makita) can make a set with one Festool self-aligner and one Makita-style connector

This is just life. Three companies went to solve the same problems, came up with three solutions where each has its strengths so that neither is "perfect" - and cannot be.

As for Mafell. I have metioned on other thread. Unlike FS/2 system Mafell does not have a non-self-aligning connector as per the old FSV and Makita-style for absolute precision. So even Mafell does not have a *universally* ideal solution. Oh those trade-offs.
[cool]

...
I know that the older style Festool connectors dimpled rails but I am pretty sure that they fixed that problem with their newer model connectors.

Unfortunately, the FSV/2 set still has this problem.
In the set only the self-aligning connector is new. The "second" connector in the set is still the "old-style" denting one..

So what should I do, have all three kits and mix and match?

We’re moving next week, and my connector are already in a box, so I cannot verify what model of connector I have.

But I guess that would be this one:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/sho...tool-guide-rail-connector-fsv-2?item=ZA577039

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[Svar]

The problem is such:
1) Makita patented the split connector
=> no one else (hint: Festool) can make a truly strong connector for the FS/2 style grooves at lest till 2030 or so
2) TSO patented the canted connector
=> no one (hint: Makita) can make a set with one TSO-style and one Makita-style connector
3) Festool patented the special self-aligning connector used in the FSV/2 set
=> no one (hint: Makita) can make a set with one Festool self-aligner and one Makita-style connector
This is just life. Three companies went to solve the same problems, came up with three solutions where each has its strengths so that neither is "perfect" - and cannot be.
As for Mafell. I have metioned on other thread. Unlike FS/2 system Mafell does not have a non-self-aligning connector as per the old FSV and Makita-style for absolute precision. So even Mafell does not have a *universally* ideal solution. Oh those trade-offs.

I don't know who patented what and when, but Metabo managed to integrate Mafell style connector into Festool type rail.
(Something that I suggested in 2017:https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...rail-this-is-what-festool-should-do/msg497464)
[attachimg=1]

 

[sebr023]

The problem is such:
1) Makita patented the split connector
=> no one else (hint: Festool) can make a truly strong connector for the FS/2 style grooves at lest till 2030 or so
2) TSO patented the canted connector
=> no one (hint: Makita) can make a set with one TSO-style and one Makita-style connector
3) Festool patented the special self-aligning connector used in the FSV/2 set
=> no one (hint: Makita) can make a set with one Festool self-aligner and one Makita-style connector
This is just life. Three companies went to solve the same problems, came up with three solutions where each has its strengths so that neither is "perfect" - and cannot be.
As for Mafell. I have metioned on other thread. Unlike FS/2 system Mafell does not have a non-self-aligning connector as per the old FSV and Makita-style for absolute precision. So even Mafell does not have a *universally* ideal solution. Oh those trade-offs.

I don't know who patented what and when, but Metabo managed to integrate Mafell style connector into Festool type rail.
(Something that I suggested in 2017:https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...rail-this-is-what-festool-should-do/msg497464)
[attachimg=1]

That look promising!

That’s a bummer they get the same idea as you and don’t give you some kick back.

They’re expansive tho! 125 + 25 shipping.

Might worth it tho!

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[Svar]

But I remember reading that makita guide rail connector were deforming the rail as much as the festool ones.

Where are you reading this? Before I knew about Makita connectors I made a set of nearly identical ones and used them ever since. They don't deform rails and hold very well.

I don’t have much trust for new Festool self aligning connectors, although I haven't tried them. In their design the "straight" side is only marginally wider than the "bendy" side. I'm afraid both deform when screws are tightened. Compare that to Mafell design.

 

[sebr023]

But I remember reading that makita guide rail connector were deforming the rail as much as the festool ones.

Where are you reading this? Before I knew about Makita connectors I made a set of nearly identical ones and used them ever since. They don't deform rails and hold very well.

I don’t have much trust for new Festool self aligning connectors, although I haven't tried them. In their design the "straight" side is only marginally wider than the "bendy" side. I'm afraid both deform when screws are tightened. Compare that to Mafell design.

Sorry. Must have been an autocorrect mistake. I meant weren’t deforming festool as much as festool one connector.

I’d be willing to buy the Metabo one, but excuse my ignorance, I have a hard time figuring where in the festool rail it goes

 

[sebr023]

Sorry, couldn’t find how to post picture in my previous  post

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[Cheese]

Not to de-rail this thread...but the Mafell connector is still the trophy everyone's chasing.  [smile]

 

[Svar]

I’d be willing to buy the Metabo one, but excuse my ignorance, I have a hard time figuring where in the festool rail it goes

Metabo connectors will not work with original festool rail. Metabo rails are similar to FT (have a large rectangular t-slot), but also have additional very shallow and wide t-slot in the middle.
My original point was that Festool could have modified their rails similarly without losing back compatibility. Clearly, Mafell patent, if such exists, wasn't an obstacle for Metabo.

 

[sebr023]

Not to de-rail this thread...but the Mafell connector is still the trophy everyone's chasing.  [smile]

Haha! Good one.

But mafell connector doesn’t fit festool rail.

And festool saw doesn’t fit mafell rail.

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