Guide Rails

[Charles Wilson]

Has anyone had a problem with either the 55 or the 75 cutting the guide rails?  If so, how often does it happen and how do you remedy the situation?

Chuck

 

[Brice Burrell]

I'm not sure I understand the question, is the saw cutting the guide rail, from kickback? Or do you mean the quality of the cut you're getting is bad because the saw isn't running on the rail properly?

 

[Tezzer]

Need more of an explantion of what you mean?

 

[Dan Clark]

Well, if you run the saw 90 degrees to the guide rail, I'm sure that it would mess it up a tad.  However, assuming that you place the saw on the rail properly (i.e., use it as it was meant to be used) I can't see how you could cut the guide rail.

You need to clarify your question.

Dan.

 

[Charles Wilson]

I mean while running the saw on the guide rail as intended, have any of you been unfortunate enough to accidentally cut the rail?  I was wondering if this was a problem.

Sorry for the confusion.

Chuck

 

[semenza]

I mean while running the saw on the guide rail as intended, have any of you been unfortunate enough to accidentally cut the rail?  I was wondering if this was a problem.

Sorry for the confusion.

Chuck

Hi,

      No, I havn't had this happen. How did it occur?  Did the saw come loose from the base plate or something? ???

Seth

 

[Tinker]

I have the scars on my rail from the very first time I used the ATF 55.  I knew it was a plunger, but for 50+ years, i had been using Milwaukees and PC's etc as plunger saws by raising up the heel and dropping down into the middle of whatever i was cutting.  Usually plywood for form lumber (rough cuts)  When I first set up my ATF, even tho i knew how it should work, i guess I got a little extracited and picked up the heel til the plate cleared and started the saw while dropping the plate back down.  DEFFINITELY a wrong move. 
One of those lessons I need the class on only once, but, to answer your question, YES, it can happen if you do something stupid like I tried.  I won't get rid of that guide bar as it is a great reminder.  ANNNND, luckily, the scars ain't on me.
Tinker

 

[Eli]

Hey Charles, are the cams on the base plate tight?

 

[Charles Wilson]

Fellas,

I don't have the Festool saw yet, I was just wondering if it had happened to anyone.

Chuck

 

[semenza]

Hi,

  Oh that makes it more clear now.  The way the saw fits the guide rail, this should not happen unless you are really doing something wrong or just simply pull a bone headed move. The saw is prevented from moving to the left or right in relation to the rail by the rib that it rides on. And the "rubber" splinter guard on the edge of the rail is  what gets intentionally cut the first time you use it. The actual aluminum rail is about 1/8" or 3mm away from the blade.

Seth

 

[Loren Hedahl]

Not much to go wrong with 'em.

As they say, "Take care of them, and they'll take care of you".

If I need a ramp to run my power mower up into the pickup bed, I don't use my Festool rails for that purpose.  I also use something else to lever a refrigerator up a little on one side to get it square in the opening.