LR 32 Alternate Guiderail Clamping

[kgearhardt]

I just purchased my LR 32 hole drilling set last week and used it this past weekend, and I'd have to say it's one of the best purchases I've made in a while.  But with the 1080mm indexed guiderail I ran into the same issue I've noticed others discuss here in that it's not long enough for many cabinet/shelf side panels.  So I came up with a quick fix of sorts that allowed me to clamp the non-referenced end of the guiderail.  I've attached a few pictures to show what I did.

To allow me to clamp the non-referenced end of the guiderail I created several "side clamps" of different lengths.  These clamps are nothing more than scrap plywood with one end trimmed with my dado stack so that it sits over the edge of the guiderail.  A flange bolt and knob secure the plywood clamp to the rail, and a quickclamp secures it to the workpiece.

The holes I needed to drill this past weekend could be done with a single clamp setup, i.e. the guiderail/LR32 setups had enough range to give me the holes I wanted on the workpiece.  But I have some 88" panels I need to drill soon, and I'm confident I can use this setup to extend the range of the LR32 by moving the guiderail along the workpiece, aligning it with the router bit plunged into the last hole drilled, and clamping the guiderail at both ends from the side.

FYI the 5th picture shows how I setup the guiderail on a wide workpiece when the standard edge stops don't give enough range.

Enjoy!  -Kevin

 

[bruegf]

Great idea Kevin.  I'll defintely be using this idea.

Thanks

Fred

 

[Les]

Nice solution.

 

[butzla]

That is an awesome idea!  Off topic,  what kind of hose (and size) are you using?

 

[kgearhardt]

I was wondering if anyone would notice the 'non-Festool' vacuum hose!  8)

Long before I started investing in Festool power tools I had my trusty Craftsman shop vacuum.  Very loud but it works.  Anyway the original hose was too short and pretty much crappy plastic.  I found MrNozzle vacuum hoses and accessories at Woodworker's Supply (http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=113-726&search=Vacuum%20Hose&smode=).  You can also check out MrNozzle's website if you're interested:  http://www.mrnozzleinc.com/index.htm.

I've accumulated several fittings and nozzles for the hose, but the key for Festool use is the hose-end fitting called part # 6 (first picture attached).  It's Woodworker's Supply part # 913-882.  One side threads onto the MrNozzle hose and the other will slip onto the dust port on both the Festool TS55 saw and OF1400EQ router.  It works because the MrNozzle hose-end fitting is a flexible rubber that will slide onto the Festool dust ports.  It's worked out very well for me at a fraction of the cost of even a Festool hose, much less vacuum.  (Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have one of the vacuums but until the old Craftsman dies...).

Another useful fitting is the MrNozzle part # 17 (second picture).  It's Woodworker's Supply part # 114-302.  This adapter fits the above hose end and allows me to connect to my Ridgid ROS and other tools.  And I'm about to 'modify' it to fit the Festool Domino that I'm demo-ing from my local dealer this weekend.  It won't fit as is but with a little internal sanding on the adapter I believe it'll work fine.  (UPDATE:  I retract my statement - this fitting isn't going to do the job!  It's got a 1" ID and the connector on the Domino is about 1-1/8" OD.  Looks like I may need to get the Festool reducing sleeve that fits the Domino - http://www.festoolusa.com/products/dust-extractors/reducing-hose-sleeves/hose-sleeve-reducing-sleeve-for-d-27-hose-487071.html - and then adapt to that.)  (See third picture) (FINAL UPDATE:  I just got back from Woodcraft where I purchased the Festool reducing sleeve.  There's a couple of plastic pieces on the end of that sleeve can be removed.  Then the MrNozzle adapter part # 17's fat end fits tight into the Festool sleeve.  Then the MrNozzle hose-end part # 6 fits over the MrNozzle adapter and you're all set to hookup to the Domino!)

FYI you can also get the MrNozzle stuff at McFeely's (http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/mn-0100/) which has $1 S&H through April 3rd through this link - http://www.mcfeelys.com/?src=X912001 - and possibly with this code at checkout - X912WEB.  I have the email but haven't used it yet.

Enjoy!

Kevin

 

[butzla]

I thought that looked like Mr. Nozzle hose.  A lot cheaper than Festool hose but not anti-static, correct?  Amazon sells if for less than McFeely's and free shipping.  I have a CT33 but I just ordered another CT22 for my SCMS and I need to upgrade hose to a larger diameter.

 

[kgearhardt]

Correct it's not anit-static, but I've rarely noticed a static build-up when using it.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Kevin,

You might also price the hose supplied with Fein's Turbo II vacuum machine.  I really like that hose for general uses.  It's 16 ft long, and equipped with fittings that fit any shop vac (including my Fein, Craftsman and Festool CT 22 machines).  That hose is ~36mm diameter and much more flexible than any Festool AS hose.  (I own some lengths of all 3 diameters.)  Downsides are that it is not AS (although I have not had any problems due to that lack) and that the tool end fitting is rigid black plastic with an ID greater than the OD of the round DC outlet nipple on many Festool products (especially sanders), and thus it cannot be directly coupled to any of the Festool products with oval shaped DC outlets such as the OF 1010 router and Deltex 93 sander.  I have not considered equipping the end of the Fein hose with a Festool AS tool end fitting for 27mm hose.  To connect the Fein hose to any Festool machine having a round DC outlet intended to fit Festool's 27mm hose, all you have to do is install a common elastomeric O-ring on the DC nipple.  I do this much of the time when using my Deltex 93 because that set up allows the connection to articulate, enabling me to better reach into awkward places without the hose interfering.

You might also check sources such as Onedia Air Systems who offer AS hose (wire reinforced type, I believe) in a range of sizes. 

Dave R.

 

[JeromeM]

I just purchased my LR 32 hole drilling set last week and used it this past weekend, and I'd have to say it's one of the best purchases I've made in a while.  But with the 1080mm indexed guiderail I ran into the same issue I've noticed others discuss here in that it's not long enough for many cabinet/shelf side panels.  So I came up with a quick fix of sorts that allowed me to clamp the non-referenced end of the guiderail.  I've attached a few pictures to show what I did.
Enjoy!  -Kevin

Did you only get one "parallel side fence"? if so it looks as if your dealer forgot to send both.

Hole drilling set to use with LR32 guide rails.
is
Guide plate
Centering mandrel
2x parallel side fence
http://www.fixy.co.uk/products/item974.cfm

 

[kgearhardt]

I just purchased my LR 32 hole drilling set last week and used it this past weekend, and I'd have to say it's one of the best purchases I've made in a while.  But with the 1080mm indexed guiderail I ran into the same issue I've noticed others discuss here in that it's not long enough for many cabinet/shelf side panels.  So I came up with a quick fix of sorts that allowed me to clamp the non-referenced end of the guiderail.  I've attached a few pictures to show what I did.
Enjoy!  -Kevin

Did you only get one "parallel side fence"? if so it looks as if your dealer forgot to send both.

Hole drilling set to use with LR32 guide rails.
is
Guide plate
Centering mandrel
2x parallel side fence
http://www.fixy.co.uk/products/item974.cfm

Nope, I got both of the edge stops.  The 2nd one isn't shown in the photos as it was removed to allow the router to have more range.