guide rail connector

[Aidex]

Hi Everyone

I've managed fine with the 1400 guide rail for a couple of years but now need to rip 8x4 sheets and was considering another 1400 rail with the connectors.

I've heard poor reviews on the festool connectors and how some of the guys on the forum have made their own similar to Makitas ones (unfortunately I can't make my own ).

Has anyone tried the Makita ones (P-45777)? If so, do they fit the festool rails, work any better than the festool connectors and are easy to fit and align the rails with?

Many thanks!

 

[ajones]

A better solution may be to sell one of your 1400 rails, buy the 2.7 keep one 1400 for cross cuts. I started with the two 1400 but like many others soon gravitated to the longer rail.

looks like I misread your post and you only have one rail. in that case just buy the 2.7 rail

 

[rst]

I have the Makitas and used them for a couple years before tiring of the admittedly working practice of joining two rails.  I used a 60" self made straight edge that I made from 8020 10 series extrusion to ensure straight of the joint.  I now have the 3000 rail and it is so much more efficient for me.

 

[Aidex]

Hi Guys thanks for your replies.

I have the ts 75 so would likely need the 3000mm rail for 8x4 sheets (admittedly 2 x 1400 is likely a little short). My biggest problem is storage. I don't have anywhere to keep a 3m rail  (I work in a new front room which will become our little man's playroom). Eventually we hope to build a workshop in the Garden but work on the house will keep that at bay for the foreseeable future...

I'm getting a load of sheets in tomorrow but have been busy and dropped the ball on researching the best solution for me at this point...

My biggest and only real concern is accuracy (or lack of) with joining rails. Having to work a little slower at this point isn't too much more than a little annoying  (but in no way critical).

Many thanks!

 

[rvieceli]

The Makita connectors work fine and are a better design than the Festool ones. Figure out some way to check for straight like a long level across the joint area.

I'd suggest a 1900 rail since you have the TS75. Handier for ply cross cuts.

 

[ear3]

I got the Makita ones after initially working with the Festool connectors.  It's not that the Makitas work "better" (though it's possible the Makita ones are a tad longer?  Don't quote me on that)  - it's that when you tighten them you aren't driving the grub screw into the aluminum of the rail the way you have to do with the Festool ones, which raises concerns for some about damaging the slot.  I've never heard of someone compromising their rail because of something they did with the connectors.

I'm happy I moved over to the Makita all the same.  Only regret is that I sold my Festool ones before I got the MFS set, and so will have to repurchase them if I ever want to connect those extrusions.

Hi Everyone

I've managed fine with the 1400 guide rail for a couple of years but now need to rip 8x4 sheets and was considering another 1400 rail with the connectors.

I've heard poor reviews on the festool connectors and how some of the guys on the forum have made their own similar to Makitas ones (unfortunately I can't make my own ).

Has anyone tried the Makita ones (P-45777)? If so, do they fit the festool rails, work any better than the festool connectors and are easy to fit and align the rails with?

Many thanks!

 

[Aidex]

Thanks again guys. DEF looking to get the 1900 rail (my wife's told me to get that one too! ). - good point re cross cutting 8x4 sheets (now I don't feel so bad about the extra cost).

Just need to decide on the connectors... Makita v festool. I know this is the fog but Id be grateful for a few more opinions... Edwards post has me leaning towards the Makita ones (my wife says stick with Festool in case of any issues)... maybe im overthinking it but im going tk be working with some exlemsove vneeered boards amd really want to be confident in the accuracy.

I'm also pretty Mich set on the ratchet clamps but haven't totally ruled out the cheaper normal rail clamps... any opinions either way?

Many thanks again!!!

 

[Bohdan]

The festool connectors work but they are short and the screws will damage the rail if you do them up very tight.

Because they are short and loose in the slot you need to use some other straight edge to confirm that they are straight and if you are gentle with the screws ( because you don't want to risk damage ) they will move as you handle the rail.

The Makita connectors are much better because they are longer and you can safely do them up very tight.

In the end I made my own set of much longer, Makita style, tight connectors that had to be ground to different widths, because the slots vary, but with these the rails self align and never move with handling. I used two 1400 rails a standard one and an LR32 rail for most long cuts.

I also found that all of my rail ends were absolutely square so I can just butt the rails together but I still check that the joined rails are straight.

For your application I would suggest that you buy the Makita connectors, an LR32 rail (for possible future applications) and get hold of a long straight edge. I use a long length of 100 x 400mm aluminium extrusion but then you might have storage issues.

 

[Aidex]

Hi Bohdan

Thanks for your post.

Failing any words of caution from others I'll give the Makita connectors a shot (do they fit well or will they need any work to get them in?).

I was planning on using a 6ft stabila level butted up to the backs of the rails to check for straightness...is this ok?

I had thought about the LR32 rail but the 1400 will probably be too short for my current needs (as advised above) and the 2400 ish a little long. More importantly although I'm in the market for a new router (almost certainly the 1010 but this warrants another post!) I don't see myself having much need for the lr32 system. On the odd occasion I need shelf pins I use the kreg jig which is ok and the Blum hinges I use with inline mounting plates rather than the cruciform ones so for the money I'd probably rather get the Ecodrill for the cup hole. Any ways I'm rambling now!

Back on point, do you guys think that my best option at the moment is the 1900 + Makita connectors + ratchet or normal clamps?

Thanks again guys

 

[jdm5]

You might want to look at the Betterley rail connector if you're going to do this frequently:

Betterley Rail Connector

I _haven't_ used it (ended up with the 3000) but everything I read seems to indicate it works really well; search the FOG for more details.

 

[rvieceli]

level should work fine.

1900 plus the Makita connectors good.

There are apparently some import clamps available on your side of the pond that are good knockoffs of the Festool clamps but cheaper. Might want to take a look at Axminster.

 

[mike_aa]

If anyone is interested, here's an old thread on making your own connectors:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...-(not-your-typical-ones)/msg222427/#msg222427

Thanks, Mike A.

 

[ear3]

Unfortunately, I don't think the Betterley is available in the UK, or at least not without expensive freight charges.  I usually use a 4 foot level when I join rails, so an 6 ft. will be more than enough.

Just remember the business card trick to keep a small space between the two rails after tightening the first connector, so you can make the necessary adjustments.

You might want to look at the Betterley rail connector if you're going to do this frequently:

Betterley Rail Connector

I _haven't_ used it (ended up with the 3000) but everything I read seems to indicate it works really well; search the FOG for more details.

 

[travisj]

I know Betterley has a UK distributor as I had asked them in the past.  I cannot however remember the name.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Aidex]

Thanks everyone for your help.

I'm getting the Makita connectors, 1900mm rail and ratchet clamps. I'll see how i get on with these and the stabila level before looking into the Betterley offering (fingers crossed  [eek]).

Many thanks again! 

 

[Aidex]

Hi Everyone

Just a quick update. The 1900 rail with the 1400 is perfect and with a little care I'm able to rip 10 foot sheets.

The Makita connectors work really well. You can really tighten them and the rails are fine.

The clamps look good.... very solid but haven't needed them just yet.

Thank you all for yiur help!
Aidex