I wish for an improved real connector option

[PeterK]

The engineering for the rail connectors must have been done by some other company. Why can't Festool or some aftermarket company manufacture a decent option for this? The existing connectors are sloppy, require torquing the screws to the point of rail damage, are far too short, have too few grub screws, are easily bumped out of alignment. This isn't rocket science. I know other companies have talked about selling better connectors but I am unaware of any making it to market.

I have no storage room for a full length rail and have no other choice but to connect two rails. I use the Betterley gizmo to help but the connectors are too short and after multiple attachments the grub screws have deformed the rails to the point of causing deflection when tightened. Really ticks me off that this has not been addressed after all these years!

I realize Festool wants to only sell accessories that fit in a Systainers so limiting length but since you still have the long rails to transport there is no reason that the connectors couldn't be at least the length of the shorter rails.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=474]PeterK[/member] all valid points....

There are currently two solutions:

you can roll your own, here is a thread outlining that process.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/homemade-guide-rail-connectors-(not-your-typical-ones)/

Or you can buy the Makita rail connectors which address all your issues as well.
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-P-457...ie=UTF8&qid=1489930187&sr=8-1&keywords=makita+rail+connector

these come in one packs as well so you'll need two.

Both solutions use a two piece flat bar so the set screws bite into the connector bar and spread them apart. no dimples

Ron

 

[Holmz]

The engineering for the rail connectors must have been done by some other company....
...
... Really ticks me off that this has not been addressed after all these years!
...

There is always the Bosch rails...

The problem is that the rails are all patented, and once you have one rail, then you ride it through till the end.

 

[ear3]

The Makita ones are a good option.  Just curious, has anyone tried the makitas on the MFS?  I've haven't had to connect MFS extrusions yet, so I've never tried.

[member=474]PeterK[/member] all valid points....

There are currently two solutions:

you can roll your own, here is a thread outlining that process.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/homemade-guide-rail-connectors-(not-your-typical-ones)/

Or you can buy the Makita rail connectors which address all your issues as well.
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-P-457...ie=UTF8&qid=1489930187&sr=8-1&keywords=makita+rail+connector

these come in one packs as well so you'll need two.

Both solutions use a two piece flat bar so the set screws bite into the connector bar and spread them apart. no dimples

Ron

 

[ben_r_]

Im getting ready to order all the parts from McMaster-Carr to make my own. The price of the Makita ones is just silly.

 

[travisj]

Has anybody tried the Triton ones?  I made my own and I have a set of the Makita ones.  I thought I saw the Triton for $20/pair at Rockler.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ben_r_]

Has anybody tried the Triton ones?  I made my own and I have a set of the Makita ones.  I thought I saw the Triton for $20/pair at Rockler.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Triton ones fit the Festool rails?

 

[jeh]

Im getting ready to order all the parts from McMaster-Carr to make my own. The price of the Makita ones is just silly.

I have to think the parts and shipping will put you over $20. When you add in time to make them it seems the Makita's would be a better use of time and they are guaranteed to be perfect.

 

[ben_r_]

Im getting ready to order all the parts from McMaster-Carr to make my own. The price of the Makita ones is just silly.

I have to think the parts and shipping will put you over $20. When you add in time to make them it seems the Makita's would be a better use of time and they are guaranteed to be perfect.

I regularly need to order stuff from McMaster anyway, so I just add things to the list and order a bunch at a time. That and the Makita option is $27.50 x 2 as they sell theirs individually. So $55 total for two. I can make my own for a fraction of that and its a good practice/learning experience.