Guide rail question

[Brice Burrell]

Feeble attempt to get back on track...As a new track saw owner with a 118" rail on order I'm curious what are preferred storage methods for the rails?

I'm sure you'll get several good suggestions, I just use the shipping box it can in and store it anywhere it will fit at the time.  The shipping box is solid wood sides/ends with hardboard top/bottom, it's a keeper if you transport you rail. 

 

[Paul G]

Feeble attempt to get back on track...As a new track saw owner with a 118" rail on order I'm curious what are preferred storage methods for the rails?

I'm sure you'll get several good suggestions, I just use the shipping box it can in and store it anywhere it will fit at the time.  The shipping box is solid wood sides/ends with hardboard top/bottom, it's a keeper if you transport you rail. 

That's good to know, I wrongly assumed it would be cardboard like the 55"

 

[ccarrolladams]

The storage approach depends on available space in your shop and your own way of working. On several threads over the years many of us have made suggestions.

I bought my first long rail, the 2424mm Holy version in 2006 because it was not then practical to couple Holy rails while maintaining the 32mm spacing. It came in a sort of crate. I removed the top so I could lift that out of the remaining crate. Today I still store that rail that way.

As I bought the 2700mm and the 3000mm guide rails, my challenge was moving them from rented shop to rented shop. I did the same thing, removing the top of the shallow crates.

I knew as soon as I built my own huge shop in 2010 that I would buy a 5000mm rail. Therefore while the shop was being remolded from the building's previous use, I designed a sawing table 4' x 18' so that an open shelf running along both long sides can hold long rails conveniently. The 5000mm rail rests on one shelf. A 3000mm and a 1900mm rail rest on the other shelf. Those are only slightly wider than the rails and slant toward the center of the table to prevent the rails sliding off during movement of the table from place to place. The top of the shelves are 10" below the bottom of the over-hanging sacrificial surface, so there is room to use clamps to hold work in place without interfering with access to the rails. The shelves are made of 18mm shop birch plywood and are unfinished to preserve the anti-skid strips on the rails.

 

[farms100]

I bought my first long rail, the 2424mm Holy version in 2006 because it was not then practical to couple Holy rails while maintaining the 32mm spacing. It came in a sort of crate. I removed the top so I could lift that out of the remaining crate. Today I still store that rail that way.

so is coupling holey rails is accurate now? I'm working up the courage to jump into the LR32 myself.

 

[tbellemare]

The current Longitudinal Stops for the LR 32 system, 496938, can be used to span two rails and keep the spacing accurate while they are joined.

[attachimg=#1]

Tom

EDIT:
Naturally, that image is shown upside down to the way it would be used for that task...

 

[sancho57]

what ya dont see in the photo is a equal sign = center that between 2 ralls to get your 32mm gap

 

[sancho57]

Feeble attempt to get back on track...As a new track saw owner with a 118" rail on order I'm curious what are preferred storage methods for the rails?

I'm sure you'll get several good suggestions, I just use the shipping box it can in and store it anywhere it will fit at the time.  The shipping box is solid wood sides/ends with hardboard top/bottom, it's a keeper if you transport you rail. 

me to, i went to HD and bought 2 hooks to hang the shipping box on horizontally and keep te rail there

 

[ccarrolladams]

I bought my first long rail, the 2424mm Holy version in 2006 because it was not then practical to couple Holy rails while maintaining the 32mm spacing. It came in a sort of crate. I removed the top so I could lift that out of the remaining crate. Today I still store that rail that way.

so is coupling holey rails is accurate now? I'm working up the courage to jump into the LR32 myself.

Tom is correct, that part is also used to maintain the 32mm spacing. Previously Festool did not offer a product to space the 32mm holes.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I have had various length rails for over 6 years. I am not very good at keeping them in safe places. They have fallen off the shelves in my trailer, dropped one off a roof once, had a stack of lumber fall on one and I have yet to bend or deform one.

Trust me, I am the poster child for tool abuse. I do not take any extra special care of my festool's, they are for one purpose, to be used to get the job done and make me some money to feed my 3 kids and put the old lady through nursing school.

 

[fletchtool]

The rails are very durable and incredibly tough. Yesterday I leaned my 116" rail against a shed and while I was up on my scaffolding the wind picked up and before I could race down the ladder my rail slammed down onto my sawhorses with authority. I didn't want to look, but not even a scratch.  It's seen many other falls, not as bad as the last, but the rails are strong, and what else would you expect from moulded aluminum?

I think we need to call in the Pope for the rail bending in the opposite direction simply from hanging, because I think you sir witnessed a miracle.   [laughing]

You don't need to call the pope, I need to find out how the hell Uri Geller got into my garage.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I think it's unrealistic to presume something long and thin stays completely flat over time.

 

[Toolio]

 

My kids are grown,and I am retired.   And I have to disagree with the statement that the guide rails aren't "delicate"... They are VERY delicate in my experience.     As I said,I am very Anal about my tools.   But what does it take to store this rail safely???   Does it need a specialty case??   Maybe they should think about that.     As I said,,my old partner bought a competitors track,for much less  ,and it is much more substantial.   So much for the old saying "you get what you pay for".......I actually considered "scrapping" my guide rail and switching to the competitors rail.  But found out my 556 was not compatible with their  track..  Ouch!!!   My old partner mounted his old Makita ,to their base,and just made some beautiful , frame-less,  African Bubinga cabinets for his kitchen...  His wife is loving him,while mine scolds me for wasting "her" money.....   Would you be willing to buy this "garbage "  from me wholesale???  
If not ,I'll take to the scrapyard where it belongs.....    Chalk it up to another un informed decision....    Asked for help,,,,and got BS marketing pitch..     I'm done !!!!   Going to the other page and buying the real deal....     Lesson learned!...

Hey Toolio,

What is a 556? Can you please post a picture of your bent guide rail? You could still sell the rail and probably make enough to buy the competitors. Are you going to be getting rid of the 556 also?

Daniel

Sorry,

thought you guys actually USED these tools...  the 556 is the new 561-556 I bought "newly used"  (shoulda seen the flag I guess).  The tracks were bought new,and cannot be connected "true",,at least not without a lot of BS....  Wish I could post pictures,,but I'm 68 yrs. old,and am not that tech advanced when it comes to electronics..Didn't mean to come off as having a "crappy attitude".  But am living on an ever dwindling pension,,And every extra penny has to be saved .  No problem guys,,you all seem to be happy with your tools...  Just would appreciate a little more CS skills.  And the right to voice an honest "opinion" ,without being verbally attacked by FOGS Goon squad.....  Anyway,,lesson learned,,"thought I had learned them all in 68 yrs".  Good luck guys..  Peace..

 

[Toolio]

In searching for 556 there are a couple of prospects.  The first is the Porter Cable 556 Biscuit Joiner. That doesn't make sense trying to mount it to a guide rail unless there is a specific application.  The second is that the Festool TS55-REQ has a catalog number that ends in ...556.  The first post by Toolio was on the 27th which was before the release of the REQ.  Of course it might have also been a typo.  Typos happen.

It would be nice to get some more background information, but let's not pile on Toolio.  As he wrote he is anal about his tools, he witnessed a bend and stepped on it to correct it, he is in competition with his friend who has used his setup to make a bubinga kitchen and is loved by his wife for doing so and Toolio has a wife who is none-to-happy with his purchase.  

Why don't we chalk it up to a bad day / time and see if we get some more info.

Peter

I know how to read.  Will have my grandkids take and post picture..  If saw not yet released..  maybe there's a rat in the wood pile...

 

[JoggleStick]

@Toolio
Clearly, we who use these tools cannot give you a satisfactory answer "why" or "how" your rails got bent up....
With respect, it appears you have been duped at purchase; by some uncaring &$@?... Or perhaps in freight/transit- it happens!
The rails, whilst feeling quite bendy are surprisingly stout, but only to a Certain limit which somehow you have exceeded...
I've had a 1400 mm rail (spare) stAnding leaned against the wall in the corner for over 5 years and just for curiosity I went and convinced the resident spiders (big orb weavers) to give it back. It is still straight and true.
Unfortunately, due to the tight tolerances the rails are made to, I am very doubtful a bent one can be successfully straightened... And still perform as it can and should. If you were my Neighbour, I'd gladly lend it to you. I'm in Australia so I can't get it to you but I'm sorry you have had this frustrating and difficult experience- especially with Festools as they are a joy to use, when used as designed. Good Luck!

 

[sancho57]

I wonder what a 556 is?

 

[Runhard]

I wonder what a 556 is?

http://www.festoolusa.com/search/?q=561-556

 

[semenza]

561 556 is  TS55 REQ

Seth

 

[sancho57]

I see says the blind man

 

[Toolio]

561 556 is   TS55 REQ

Seth

  TY Seth........TS55REQ is correct    I think....  Thx guys....Hope you all will be happy to note... I sold my gear for very close to the original purchase price through a local classified add...So this product definitely holds some value...    No crappy attitude.....  That would be my wife your're referring to...  Haha

Anyway,    Good luck!  Guess my 3 &4 year old grandkids are like tarzan and can scale an 8' pegboard.....  No ill will.....Wouldn't have bought the tools without good recommendations...  Guess it just wasn't my turn.....  Story of my life....  Goodbye 

 

[skids]

 

My kids are grown,and I am retired.  And I have to disagree with the statement that the guide rails aren't "delicate"... They are VERY delicate in my experience.    As I said,I am very Anal about my tools.  But what does it take to store this rail safely???  Does it need a specialty case??  Maybe they should think about that.    As I said,,my old partner bought a competitors track,for much less  ,and it is much more substantial.  So much for the old saying "you get what you pay for".......I actually considered "scrapping" my guide rail and switching to the competitors rail.  But found out my 556 was not compatible with their  track..   Ouch!!!  My old partner mounted his old Makita ,to their base,and just made some beautiful , frame-less,  African Bubinga cabinets for his kitchen...  His wife is loving him,while mine scolds me for wasting "her" money.....  Would you be willing to buy this "garbage "  from me wholesale??? 
If not ,I'll take to the scrapyard where it belongs.....    Chalk it up to another un informed decision....    Asked for help,,,,and got BS marketing pitch..    I'm done !!!!  Going to the other page and buying the real deal....    Lesson learned!...

Hey Toolio,

What is a 556? Can you please post a picture of your bent guide rail? You could still sell the rail and probably make enough to buy the competitors. Are you going to be getting rid of the 556 also?

Daniel

Sorry,

thought you guys actually USED these tools...  the 556 is the new 561-556 I bought "newly used"  (shoulda seen the flag I guess).  The tracks were bought new,and cannot be connected "true",,at least not without a lot of BS....  Wish I could post pictures,,but I'm 68 yrs. old,and am not that tech advanced when it comes to electronics..Didn't mean to come off as having a "crappy attitude".  But am living on an ever dwindling pension,,And every extra penny has to be saved .  No problem guys,,you all seem to be happy with your tools...  Just would appreciate a little more CS skills.  And the right to voice an honest "opinion" ,without being verbally attacked by FOGS Goon squad.....  Anyway,,lesson learned,,"thought I had learned them all in 68 yrs".  Good luck guys..  Peace..

Honestly get over it..I bought a 1900 rail with a bend identical to yours. I bent it back within seconds. Put the rail up on end and rub your hand over the bent spot like your smoothing it out with a good amount of pressure and vwala.

All this bluster over a tiny bend? You want to sell it to me? I will take it off your hands and have it back to perfect it minutes.