Never buy the same size rail.

[Ned]

I've been thinking about another thread where a number of us encouraged a fellow to buy a 1900 rather than a second 1400 rail for his saw.  I think I've discovered a general guideline here and I'd like to put it out for comment.

When you buy another guide rail, always go for a different size than any you already have.*

*Unless you have a very particular need for two of a kind.

Here's the reasoning:

1.  You can always combine rails to make a longer one,

2.  But you'd always prefer to have a single rail without a joint for every cut.

3.  If you get an assortment of rail lengths, you are that much more likely to have the right length guide rail available for each situation.

Not counting the rail on the MFT, I've got a 1080 (42", with holes), two 1400s (55"), and a 1900 (75").

The second 1400 gets no use as all, and would only if I had to string together every rail I owned.

The 1900 saves me having to join rails for just about anything but full 8-foot cuts, and even then it's better than a second 1400 because of increased elbow room at beginning and end of the cut.

While I got the 1080 for hole drilling, I always use it for sawing when it fits.  An  even shorter 800 would be a handy addition.

Ned

 

[Michael Kellough]

Good points! I use a 2700, a 1900, and an 800. These bundle together very nicely for travelling. Like BrentB said, on non-bevel cuts clamps are seldom needed and with the extra length of the 1900 they are even less likely to be needed.

 

[Ned]

...many woodworkers may have a problem storing the 2700 rail.

That's why I stopped at the 1900.  Can't justify the space or the money for a 2700 or 3000.  But if I cut plywood sheets down all day, every day...

 

[HowardH]

Never had considered that.  Was going to order another 1400 but will now step up to the next larger size.  That would give me a 1080, 1400 and 1900.  Curious, though.  Where would you keep the 5000 seeing it's over 16' long?    Other than cutting bar counter tops, a la Per, what else could you use it for? 

 

[Ned]

Where would you keep the 5000 seeing it's over 16' long?    Other than cutting bar counter tops, a la Per, what else could you use it for? 

Bragging rights?

But seriously.  I can't imagine needing a 5000, but if I did work that needed it, I'd probably have space for it.  Or make space.

Ned

 

[semenza]

Never had considered that.  Was going to order another 1400 but will now step up to the next larger size.  That would give me a 1080, 1400 and 1900.   Curious, though.  Where would you keep the 5000 seeing it's over 16' long?     Other than cutting bar counter tops, a la Per, what else could you use it for? 

    Right next to my 16' lumber

  Seth

 

[Per Swenson]

Never is a long time, Ned.

Buy a couple saws, a mft or two, extra rail or two next thing you know.......
http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=69.msg386#msg386

Per