Guide rail storage

[VW mick]

I've ordered a 3m guide rail today .

Any ideas on the best way to store it I've seen a couple of posts mentioning that they can sag and bend .

I've not got loads of space .so any ideas would be appreciated 

 

[Nippychippy]

I keep my 2.7 in the wooden box it came in its not the most sturdiest but it works

 

[VW mick]

Thanks

I thought about 2700 . But went for 3000 (2700 wasn't in stock)

 

[Davej]

Might be worth looking at 80/20 style extrusion to form a frame and 6mm ply to clad it . kjn do a lot of different profiles and the 30 x 30 is very rigid .
Dave

 

[VW mick]

I was thinking of storage mainly I won't be needing to transport it

(Well it will be delivered to my site in London and I've got to transport it 40 miles home lol not sure how yet )

 

[JBird]

I've ordered a 3m guide rail today .

Any ideas on the best way to store it I've seen a couple of posts mentioning that they can sag and bend .

The best thing is probably to cut it in half so the length will be more manageable. Then use Makita guide rail connectors to join the halves for long cuts.  [big grin]

 

[Wuffles]

I hang mine from a hook at the top of one my workshop walls. Just hangs fine, doesn't sag that way. Also made three brackets at the same level that allow me to hang it horizontally when in use.

However, every single time you use it, no matter how careful you are, there will be a laurel and hardy moment where you tap something you didn't mean to. It's probably in the instructions for use. It should come with a player piano, an anvil and a safe hanging precariously on a string.

 

[VW mick]

Thanks . might start another thread

What's the best sizes to cut my 3m rail into lol

 

[orm8426]

This is why I bought the Bosch tracksaw system not Festool, the two 1600mm rails join perfectly straight so there's no downside to having to compromise between manageable length rails and joining them for longer cuts.

 

[Wuffles]

Do Bosch sell the axe you appear to have come here to grind? Smiley face.

I've got a few Mafell rails, which are rebadged Bosch and there is no comparison to having a single rail long enough for a particular task.

 

[Doug S]

Wuffles is right on both counts, I could not manage without long and short rails, would be a pain joining together and taking apart all the time. Also I regularly knock over my coffee when spinning round my 3m rail  [crying]

Doug

 

[orm8426]

Do Bosch sell the axe you appear to have come here to grind? Smiley face.

I've got a few Mafell rails, which are rebadged Bosch and there is no comparison to having a single rail long enough for a particular task.

No axe to grind, but if I did I am quite fond of my Bahco.  And that's the point really... I don't have a brand loyalty, but consider the best tool in each particular class regardless of brand.  I love my Domino XL 700 - it's a truly unique tool, I also really like my Rotex 150...

But as far as tracksaws are concerned I prefer the Bosch/Mafell rail system as its joining system is better than Festool and I've yet to come across a task where joining the two FSN 1600 rails hasn't been sufficiently accurate, though I do concede if I needed a 3 metre rail on a regular basis I'd buy a 3 metre rail, rather than joining two rails. Though for the odd occasion I need that length I am more than happy with the capability of joining two rails.

 

[Paul G]

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/track-cases/

 

[rljatl]

Fyi...They don't come in wooden boxes anymore.

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

My 3000 rail came in a wooden box, albeit in a battered one, but I stripped it all apart and fixed it back together properly. I now use it to store and, when necessary, transport the rail to site.

When its stored at the workshop, I have it laying flat but supported every 750mm. So far, after 3 years, it still flat and straight.

Tim.

 

[Doug S]

When my 3m rail was delivered it was in a cardboard box, when I opened it the rail had a big kink in it [sad]. The supplier (Nuts & Bolts) said this had happened a few times since the packaging had changed. They had a replacement rail with me first thing next morning [smile]

Doug

 

[sicd_steve]

I too store my 3m version in the original box where I also fixed the box up and created the top as a"hinge door" using gaffa tape as a full length hinge and I have some hanging bars of the workshop roof that supports it fine. No issues for me but need to be mindful like others experienced, it is long and thin so a bit of care is needed when handling it. I previously had the Eurekazone rail system before Festool and it was a thicker profile of aluminium. Look I love festoon rails but i feel the longer ones are a bit flimsy due to bing very thin. But for me it's better than joining two smaller rails unless you are onsite of course which then the smaller ones joined are fine.

 

[semenza]

    I store mine on a shelf the same width as the rail. The shelf runs the length of my cutting table (same length as the rail) just below the top surface.  Not only is stored  there but it is a convenient place to put it between cuts.

      [attachimg=1]

Seth

 

[VW mick]

That's a good solution Seth but I don't quite have that much room

 

[pettyconstruction]

So my question is ,
Is the rail better stored flat like Seth's or on edge? Or hung vertically from the whole on the end of the rail?
Thanks Charlie