Moved into a bigger shop and FINALLY bought the grail rail

[bwehman]

So stoked to not join rails anymore, picked up the 1900 too for cross cutting. Not that it was difficult joining them, just annoying when I need the rails separated and combined all throughout the same project. Space has perks.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I very much agree with you that joining rails is a handy capability, but if you do it more than "rarely", it gets old. Needing to attach and separate frequently would be even worse.
If space was a problem, you just kind of have to deal with it.
More shop space is a great thing, congratulations.

 

[Packard]

I agree that having larger rails is nice.  But just as nice is to have some shorter-than-normal rails. 

I finally got a 32” (800mm?) track.  I use it as often as the 55” and it is easy to maneuver.  I use is far more often than I join two 55” tracks.

It speeds things up when I am making cabinets. After I have ripped the plywood to width, cutting the lengths to size is a pleasure with the smaller track. 

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Even for infrequent use, having the long rail has been worth it to me. And now in the new shop, both because of moving to a short stroke slider and my lessening ability to physically maneuver full sheets of material (not that I use a lot of plywood), I'm using the long rail relatively frequently on my flattening table which doubles as a cut table, to do long rips. Could I joint two rails for a longer one? Sure. But it's nice to not have to. The long one is accurate, hangs on the wall and is easy to use for the intended purpose. I have a short-short rail for the same reason...convenience.

 

[tjbnwi]

When Festool announced they were discontinueing the 5000 rail, I bought 2 of the last 5 they had. One is still in its shipping case. My guess is 30% of the cost for one of these is the "free" shipping.

Tom

 

[semenza]

Yeah, if you've got the space for the long rails the convenience factor is huge.  After having used a 2700 and 1400 for a few years I sold the 2700 with my first saw (ATF55) and bought the 3000 + 1900 with my TS55. Later I bought a 5000.

Seth

 

[Coen]

FS/2 5000 is not discontinued in Europe. Perhaps the land of the free and home of large pickup trucks isn't so good in shipping them without damage?

 

[bwehman]

The current rail inventory is now the 800, 1400 (LR 32), 1900 and 3000. Wish I could sell the 1400, but I use the LR 32 a bunch. Agreed with the post above, the 800 is super handy to have for a quick cross cut.

What's the use case for the 5000 rail?

 

[Cheese]

Ya, having the room to move a longer rail around is a real convenience. With the larger garage, a 3000 rail is now possible.  [smile]  Trying to wield a 3000 rail in the basement with a 7-1/2' ceiling while still missing the band saw, drill press, Kapex, cyclone collector...was about impossible.

When working outdoors, the work-around I did was to connect 2 Mafell 160 rails for rip cuts and then use a single Festool 1400 rail for crosscuts. But that also has its disadvantages as I have to keep 2 track saws at the ready. So, constant motion picking one up from the ground or placing one back on the ground, or worse yet, tripping over one of the saws on the ground, usually the Mafell because of the cord. 

 

[Crazyraceguy]

They had a 5000 rail as part of a display at my local dealer. It was there for years, but when it was announced that they would be discontinued, it magically disappeared. I don't know who got it, but they must have been waiting/wanting and that was the time.

 

[Cheese]

They had a 5000 rail as part of a display at my local dealer. It was there for years, but when it was announced that they would be discontinued, it magically disappeared. I don't know who got it, but they must have been waiting/wanting and that was the time.

I know some of the FOG members are familiar with 7 Corners Hardware...They also had a 5000 rail in the wooden box and when they closed their doors they couldn't get rid of it. I knew the guys there and I was offered a super deal on the rail...think $250...unfortunately I also had to pass as I had nowhere to store it.  [sad]

 

[peter halle]

Often when visiting Festool we were told that the 5000 was often used by hardwood flooring contractors when installing in large venues such as hardwood gym floors.  The display of the rail that was turn into a pretzel during shipping always Drew’s either laughs or gasps.

Peter

 

[Imemiter]

So stoked to not join rails anymore, picked up the 1900 too for cross cutting. Not that it was difficult joining them, just annoying when I need the rails separated and combined all throughout the same project. Space has perks.

The 1900 is the longest I can get in my truck. But with TSO connectors, longer cuts work out well enough for my jobsite jobs.   
What's the occasion for moving?

 

[Coen]

Don't forget Festool makes a bag for the 1900 too
They have bags in 1400, 1900 and 3000

The Makita 1900 rail is only ever so slightly more expensive than the Festool 1900... bag.  [blink]

 

[alltracman78]

^Gotta pay to play!

I have the Makita 118 (3000). I paid I think $180 shipped from some hole in the wall place. Got it JUST before prices for everything went nuts.

It's definitely nice to use it for longer cuts instead of joining several.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

What's the use case for the 5000 rail?

Large-scale hardwood flooring installations as Peter says - plus all the material I buy comes in either 4200mm or 4800mm lengths. They’re pretty standard supply sizes for professionals over here. Apart from the usual suspects, I have a 2700 which is the longest one I can get in my van.

 

[leakyroof]

Ya, having the room to move a longer rail around is a real convenience. With the larger garage, a 3000 rail is now possible.  [smile]  Trying to wield a 3000 rail in the basement with a 7-1/2' ceiling while still missing the band saw, drill press, Kapex, cyclone collector...was about impossible.

When working outdoors, the work-around I did was to connect 2 Mafell 160 rails for rip cuts and then use a single Festool 1400 rail for crosscuts. But that also has its disadvantages as I have to keep 2 track saws at the ready. So, constant motion picking one up from the ground or placing one back on the ground, or worse yet, tripping over one of the saws on the ground, usually the Mafell because of the cord.

  I've never tried to use my 3000 in my basement shop.... [eek]  THAT WOULD be challenging,,,, [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]
It's relegated to living in the Garage for breaking down Plywood/Sheet Stock.

 

[semenza]

The current rail inventory is now the 800, 1400 (LR 32), 1900 and 3000. Wish I could sell the 1400, but I use the LR 32 a bunch. Agreed with the post above, the 800 is super handy to have for a quick cross cut.

What's the use case for the 5000 rail?

      I love it for straight line ripping long stock. Plus odd ball things.

    I almost never need the full 16 + feet so I actually cut mine (  [huh]  [scared] I know its crazy, but was what I need ) to 13 1/2' which is manageable in my shop and takes care of 12' + lumber that I usually buy. It went to jobsites a couple times for special cuts. Great to have when I am making custom long trim and / moulding.

    It was not a necessary buy but it sure is nice to have for my uses.

Seth

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Ya, having the room to move a longer rail around is a real convenience. With the larger garage, a 3000 rail is now possible.  [smile]  Trying to wield a 3000 rail in the basement with a 7-1/2' ceiling while still missing the band saw, drill press, Kapex, cyclone collector...was about impossible.

When working outdoors, the work-around I did was to connect 2 Mafell 160 rails for rip cuts and then use a single Festool 1400 rail for crosscuts. But that also has its disadvantages as I have to keep 2 track saws at the ready. So, constant motion picking one up from the ground or placing one back on the ground, or worse yet, tripping over one of the saws on the ground, usually the Mafell because of the cord.

  I've never tried to use my 3000 in my basement shop.... [eek]  THAT WOULD be challenging,,,, [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]
It's relegated to living in the Garage for breaking down Plywood/Sheet Stock.

While it would be physically possible to get a 3000 rail into my basement, there would be no point to it.  [big grin]
The rail would have to go through a window. Anything I would need to cut with it wouldn't. The basement stairs have less than 3 ft before you hit a wall and the ceiling is just barely over 6 ft high.
It's basically what they used to call a root cellar.
It will be a bit of a challenge in the garage, but it will work. Finding a place to hang it vertically will be the tough part. The big Besseys need space too, but I might sell them to the boss, when I leave?
I don't really see a need for them, with my home projects.

 

[Mettes]

I bought a 5000 many years ago, first thing I did when it arrived was to take it to the chopsaw and make it a 3300/1700.
The 3300 is just long enough for cutting sheetgood up to 3050mm which is a standard size here.
Similar the 1700 works for crosscutting 1530mm wide sheets.
Never had any regrets doing this.