How about a guide rail system with a vacuum attachment?

[Bill Wyko]

It would be great if I could attach my vacuum clamp to a guiderail to hold it in place. It doesn't take much to lock down a piece solid. Now the question is, how to adapt it to my guide rail?

 

[Bob Swenson]

Bill, Some where you have a vision of what you want to
do. I need a better picture of what you have in mind so that
I can figure out that I don't now how to do it. Let me know before
I step through the looking glass again.

Bob

 

[Bill Wyko]

If there were a 3/8" teflon bottom on the rail you could attach a 1'4" air line into the side of it that made a 90* downward turn. This would allow you to just put foam tape in a circle around the hole so the vac would seal to the work surface. Then all the saw would need is a 3/8" offset zero clearance block to make up the difference and you would have it. I'll take a picture of a mock up and get back to you. I think it'll work.

 

[Bill Wyko]

I actually found some plexiglass big enough to build it. I'm going to do it tonight. Maby I can still compete for the tool prize

 

[Michael Kellough]

Bill, if you suck the guide rail down you're also tipping it a little. That's why I try to avoid using clamps with the rail.

However, I do like the idea of holding the guide rail in place with a vacuum clamp. I'd just suggest you hold the rail from the side like the Gecko Set does, to avoid tilting it.

 

[Bill Wyko]

My idea is totally different. I'll make it tonight and post pics tomorrow. That's a pretty cool setup there though. My idea would hold the longest to the shortest guide rail system from one end to the other.

 

[Michael Kellough]

My idea is totally different. I'll make it tonight and post pics tomorrow. That's a pretty cool setup there though. My idea would hold the longest to the shortest guide rail system from one end to the other.

Nice understatement  ;D

 

[Eli]

maybe you could adapt the LR-32 rail to do that? I think I get it. Looking forward to the mock-up.

 

[Bill Wyko]

I do think it would work with any of the systems. I have a dinner to go to tonight but I'll still try to get a mock up done.

 

[Bill Wyko]

The air fitting I had was too big. I'll see if I can find another one today and try it tonight.

 

[Loren Woirhaye]

I bought a set of 4 vacuum "pucks" on ebay a while back intending to
use them for clamping and holding work... never got around to it.

I've used a right-angle vac-clamp for years to assemble cabinets.  It's
a real time saver in certain situations. 

I would try sticking a vacuum hose in one end of the groove
on  the bottom of the festool rail and an artgum eraser or something
similar in the other end and see if the rail grips.  I have the older
rails so the outrigger solution wouldn't work easily  for the stuff I have.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I bought a set of 4 vacuum "pucks" on ebay a while back intending to
use them for clamping and holding work... never got around to it.

I've used a right-angle vac-clamp for years to assemble cabinets.  It's
a real time saver in certain situations. 

I would try sticking a vacuum hose in one end of the groove
on  the bottom of the festool rail and an artgum eraser or something
similar in the other end and see if the rail grips.  I have the older
rails so the outrigger solution wouldn't work easily  for the stuff I have.

That's a great idea and I don't think I've ever seen one. Do you have a picture or link?