I have an extra 1400 rail, worth it to cut it down?

[Grits]

I have an FS 800/1080/1400x2/1900. Has anyone here cut a track down to a smaller useful length than 800? I can’t think of any applications I would want something that small so I’m thinking of selling it. My only thought where it could be beneficial is for a router track when working on very small stock.

 

[GoingMyWay]

TSO sells a GRE-13 Guide Rail Extension that's 346mm long to be used with a 1400 rail as an alternative to having a 1900 rail.  Since you already have a 1900 rail that wouldn't really be helpful.  It appears that Tom Silva cut a rail to size in order to fix an uneven floor joint, but that was a very specific use case:


I can't think of a generic application where it would be beneficial to have a rail shorter than 800mm.

 

[squall_line]

I want to say that one of our Aussie friends has shrunk their rails to a few "optimal" lengths, but it may have been a non-Aussie.

I have the GRE-13 from TSO and used it for the first time this past week to rip a shelf board that was 1360 mm long.  Rather than unpack my 1900 rail, I grabbed one of my 1400s, unboxed the GRE-13, connected it (I purchased it with a set of connectors) and went to town.

Biggest lesson from that came when the outer splinter guard (the green one) on the TS55 caught on the clear splinter guard on the rails because I hadn't previously trimmed all the way to the end of my 1400.  It was my first time using the -13, and it finally found its way snugly into the TS55's systainer when I was done.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I think that [member=61254]mino[/member] is the one you are referring to. Czech?
He has an entire explanation of the optimal cut up sections.

 

[squall_line]

I think that [member=61254]mino[/member] is the one you are referring to. Czech?
He has an entire explanation of the optimal cut up sections.

As I hit "post", mino came immediately to mind.  I think you're right, and I may have gotten him mixed up with Mini Me.

 

[4nthony]

Check my post:
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/track-sawguide-rail-bevel-jig/

I wonder if a rail cut down to 400-500 would be a useful length for the rail jig in the video?