Guide Rails - Connection or one piece

[sancho57]

OK one more question, Since i have 2 55" rails i so since I dont like putting the rails together and taking them a part all the time what about just putting them together and leaving them together.  Just check the rail alignment with a straight edge  before I use them.  I will have a good place to store it. meaning hang it so it wont get beat up ect.

If you plan on permanantly leaving them together and the cost isn't a problem, why not get a single long rail and use the 55" rails for your shorter rails and for field work?  I don't see a benefit to joining them forever and having to check alignment every time you go to use them.

Because I do some field work to. The reason I want the 75" is because IMO 2 55" arent long enough to use the paralell guides on to rip a full sheet of ply. When I'm gone for long periods of time, I can break them down along with the MFTs and store them without sweating the tables and rails getting damaged. The longer rail well there is a possiblilty of it getting damaged when Im gone.

 

[Sam Murdoch]

Sancho, if you can keep a set of 55" rails connected and stored safely go for it. Why not? Good, safe storage means that you won't need to check them for straight every time you use them. FYI , I never have a problem using a pair of 55s for ripping plywood. Yeah a 75 would be better, but I don't have one so I use the 55s. Keep most of the overhang on the beginning of my sheet so that the saw is completely disengaged when I start it up - don't need such support at the end.

 

[sancho57]

Sam,

Do you use the paralell guides when you rip ply?

I do and I find though they do fit,

it would be nice to have some wiggle room.

Thats why I'm going to get the 75.

It would give me about 10" of wiggle room on each end.

Ill be home in a few months so Im making some orders today, so the stuff will be there waiting for me  :>D

 

[Sam Murdoch]

No, still doing it with clamps and my stop rules. I've thought about getting the parallel guides but I'm too cheap. [sad]

 

[sancho57]

I know what ya mean,

My wallet shakes and crys when i go near a festool display at the lumber yd  [big grin]

 

[Sam Murdoch]

Sancho, you seem to have a very interesting wallet  ;D

 

[sancho57]

Its been sad lately, because his friend Benjamin left him for a new festool  [big grin]