Long guide rails

[EdL]

I'm considering a new guide rail, the 5000mm.  [eek] I could get by with 4000mm, but it's not offered. Guess I could shorten the 5000mm if needed. 3000mm is to short.
This will be used in the shop only, for edging rough sawn lumber after planing. I cut most of my logs at 12'6", so thats where I need the long rail.
I'm also sick & tired of joining shorter rails to do what I need.

What do you do for storage? I'm thinking just hang it lengthwise on the wall with a couple of brackets...
How about ridigity? Are there any worries about bending?

Ed

 

[tbellemare]

Is your shop tall enough to put it vertically?

Tom

 

[HowardH]

shouldn't bend if it's stored on edge or if you build a shelf to lay it on.

 

[EdL]

Is your shop tall enough to put it vertically?

Tom

No, I've got 10' ceiling height and it's finished with steel siding.

Ed

 

[Bob Marino]

shouldn't bend if it's stored on edge or if you build a shelf to lay it on.

Ed,

What Howard said, or if you don't have a long shelf, 3-4 brackets will work.

Bob

 

[EdL]

Thats what I was thinking, Bob.
Just brackets, a shelf would provide another place to put junk on......  :

Ed

 

[SteveD]

I saw a solution to something similar to this where the long item was stored on edge rather than flat. It was explained to me that when one person was handling/moving it the process was easier with the flat vertical. It was a long straight edge and with the 'flat' horizontal it had a tendency to bend the metal just by gravity.  The 'shelf' it rested on was actually at about 30 degrees from vertical with a lip at the bottom (like a lectern) and some convenient cutouts in the shelf to get hands in. You could also use several simple sloped brackets. If using brackets I would also practice putting it on with the metal edge down to avoid damaging the rubber edge. (I inadvertently left a short guide rail with the rubber resting on something  for a few weeks and the bump was noticeable. ) They also had drawn the outline of two hands on the bar - top and bottom) to show where to hold it for the best balance - first time. It was only about 12 feet long. I have not used a 5000mm guide rail but assume it is a two person job to place properly and therefore possibly to maneuver  from storage to usage and back.
(What also transpired was they had starting off putting it on a shelf but the shelf was too darn convenient and all sorts got placed on the top! Boy does that sound familiar.)

SteveD

 

[richard.selwyn]

I've only got the 3000mm one but built some brackets to slip it into horizontally but upright if you see what I mean with a turnbuckle on the top to hold it in place.  3 small supports seem fine at 3m metre length - and yes it is easier to manhandle it when it is upright

richard

 

[Jay Knoll]

I made an MDF "holster" for mine, it it attached horizontally to the inside of a two car  garage door, with wedges to keep the rail in place when the door is raised.  Easy to get in or out, regardless of the door position.

 

[Warrior]

a 5 meter rail is going to be pretty tough to move around. should be fun. [big grin]