Rail for Baltic Birch

I

icecactus

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Joined
Sep 12, 2013
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65
Looking for some advice. I already have the rail that came with MFT, the 55" holey rail and the 118" rail. The problem I have is when I cut baltic birch, which comes in 60" square sheets, the 118" rail is very difficult to work with. So I am looking at either purchasing the 75" or the 96" holey rail. I do have the LR32 system so thats why I am considering the 96" holey rail.

The obvious answer is to buy both :), but this is just a hobby and I am trying to save some $$. What rail do you guys use to cut baltic birch sheets? I am afraid the 96" will still feel to big...

EDIT: Another option I am considering is buying the 75" rail, and then at some point I could buy another 55" holey rail (i already have one). I could then combine both 55" holey rails to have a 110" holey rail if needed. The 95" holey rail is $315,  I could buy both the 75" rail and the 55" holey rail for $320.
 
icecactus said:
Looking for some advice. I already have the rail that came with MFT, the 55" holey rail and the 118" rail. The problem I have is when I cut baltic birch, which comes in 60" square sheets, the 118" rail is very difficult to work with. So I am looking at either purchasing the 75" or the 96" holey rail. I do have the LR32 system so thats why I am considering the 96" holey rail.

The obvious answer is to buy both :), but this is just a hobby and I am trying to save some $$. What rail do you guys use to cut baltic birch sheets? I am afraid the 96" will still feel to big...

EDIT: Another option I am considering is buying the 75" rail, and then at some point I could buy another 55" holey rail (i already have one). I could then combine both 55" holey rails to have a 110" holey rail if needed. The 95" holey rail is $315,  I could buy both the 75" rail and the 55" holey rail for $320.
Click to expand...

In my opinion there is more utility out of two FS 1400/2-LR32 rails than the single FS 2425/2-LR32, plus it's cheaper!
 
Well, if the primary purpose is to have the most convenient sizes for 60" panels then the 75" rail is the one to get.

Seth
 
es07Eric said:
icecactus said:
Looking for some advice. I already have the rail that came with MFT, the 55" holey rail and the 118" rail. The problem I have is when I cut baltic birch, which comes in 60" square sheets, the 118" rail is very difficult to work with. So I am looking at either purchasing the 75" or the 96" holey rail. I do have the LR32 system so thats why I am considering the 96" holey rail.

The obvious answer is to buy both :), but this is just a hobby and I am trying to save some $$. What rail do you guys use to cut baltic birch sheets? I am afraid the 96" will still feel to big...

EDIT: Another option I am considering is buying the 75" rail, and then at some point I could buy another 55" holey rail (i already have one). I could then combine both 55" holey rails to have a 110" holey rail if needed. The 95" holey rail is $315,  I could buy both the 75" rail and the 55" holey rail for $320.
Click to expand...

In my opinion there is more utility out of two FS 1400/2-LR32 rails than the single FS 2425/2-LR32, plus it's cheaper!
Click to expand...

Not really. A single rail is easier to handle than two rails with the connectors. It's also more accurate.

And with the LR-32 system you need to leave a 'gap' between the two rails, since 1400 divided by 32 is not an integer. That means connecting the rails takes more time. The required accessory to do that is of course supplied with the LR-32 set.

2x1400 will give 2800 though; with that you can cut a 2.44m panel. 2424 is just too short for that.
 
waho6o9 said:
What rail do you guys use to cut baltic birch sheets?

491501 118" Guide Rail, FS 3000
Ships from the Manufacturer $335.00

http://www.bobmarinosbesttools.com/fs-2-guide-rails/p/491499/quick_order/true/qty_491499/1/

It's money well spent. Line it up and cut it,

done.  [smile]
Click to expand...

I already own the 118" and its to big to use on 60" sheets.

75" is the right choice. What I am trying to decide though, is the 95" rail going to also feel way to big? If not, then i would be better off to spend a bit more, and get the dual purpose out of the 95" rail.
 
I had the same dilemma with the baltic birch sheets and bought the 75" and solve the problems. Much easier to handle and gets used the most in my shop. I don't have the 118", but decided that if I really need the length the the 55" & 75" together will get me where I need to be.

Marcus
 
I prefer to have an assortment of smaller tracks that I can join together to create long rails. It gives me more flexibility and I don't have storage space for the long ones. I would recommend the Betterley Straightline Connector. It works perfectly when joining rails and when I move the joined rails around the shop I make sure the Connector is attached to ensure that they remain inline with each other.
 
Id go with 2 1400 rails, buy a connector and your good. You could also pick up a 800 rail and connect them to. 

But I have a variety of rails 2 1400, 2 1400 holy rails, 1 1900 rail 2 1080 rails and a 5000 rail. Im thinking about cutting one 1400 to give me a 800 or swap it with a buddy for his 800
 
I cut a lot of Baltic. Right now I connect a 55 and a 32. I plan on getting a 42 so can connect and have 74". Having a smaller truck the 75" would be just a bit too long to sit flat in the back. Having (2) 55" a 32" and soon a 42" it gives me a lot of options. I just received my Betterley straightline connector and it's great to set up your an rails straight. Works faster and easier than a straight edge and an investment I am glad I made.
 
I just have a 75" (1900?). It works great for the 5X5 sheet. Generally I have to have one cut made on it anyway since I don't have a good way to fit either a 5X5 or 4X8 in any of my vehicles. I have a place that does accurate cuts so I usually don't have a problem doing that. Where do people get 4X8 sheets of Baltic Birch anyway? I've never seen anything but 5X5 sheets.
 
I buy mostly Baltic birch for my sheet goods. I have a 1900 rail getting delived this week. I'll have a 55" and 75 " now. I'm going to toy around with connecting them for longer cuts.
 
how does using the Betterley connect work better than placing your saw across the gap?  I was taught by festool to use the saw when connecting rails.
 
I guess it depends on how tight your saw is set to the track on how much it will put it into full alignment. the Betterley clamps down and pulls the track into alignment, then you can flip the track while the betterley still holds it secure and straight while you tighten the rear track guide. Fast and simple. I was using a long level, but i don't always need to carry levels to certain work I am doing, and the betterley straightline is quick and short at 23". I wasn't so sure about investing in it and was a little skeptical, but decided to take a chance, and am very happy with it, since I don't have lots of room for long guides.
 
You could spend $99 on that connector to facilitate connecting rails... or you could put that $99 towards being a longer rail, for example the 3000

I guess it depends on how often you use them, but I wouldn't spend $99 for such a connector.
 
I have 3 rails of varying lengths and join them together for longer cuts. I really have not had a problem doing that and using a straight edge I have which I use for a variety of other work. Then again, I'm not a production woodworker and it really isn't a problem if it takes a few minutes longer ( and that's really about how much longer I would imagine it takes). I'm sure the Betterly accessory works great. I've never tried using the saw itself, but that seems like a great idea as the saw has to be just tight enough so there is no significant play and that is all it should take.
 
Coen said:
You could spend $99 on that connector to facilitate connecting rails... or you could put that $99 towards being a longer rail, for example the 3000

I guess it depends on how often you use them, but I wouldn't spend $99 for such a connector.
Click to expand...

Yes, if you have the space to store and and a long enough truck to transport the 3000. For me joint rails and the $99 to connect accurately and fast works better for me. For a total of $409 which includes the cost of the Betterley straightline and 3 additional ((55") (32") (42")) rails to the one I have with my TS55 I have at least 8 different lengths I can achieve from 32" to 184". I like the flexibility the portability and the accuracy I can still get from 4 separate rails. If you just bought 2 guide rails one being the 3000 and another like the 1900 your cost would be greater. and still less flexible in sizes. It all depends on your needs and flexibility and what you might compromise.
 
Thanks for the advice guys...The betterly connector looks great, but I feel its just to pricey at this point. I don't see myself cutting anything longer then 118" and since this is a hobby in my garage, I don't have to worry about transporting the rails. I would much prefer not having to splice rails together, and it bothers me to have 2 rails of the same size (55" holey rails).

I think I am going to go for the 95" holey rail. If I feel its to large, then I'll spring for the 75 in the future (gives me good excuse to get it). I have been using the 118" rail now and its just to unwieldy for a 60 in square sheet, the 95" will hang off 17.5" on each side which isn't too bad compared to the 29" the 118" sticks out.

 
icecactus said:
I think I am going to go for the 95" holey rail. If I feel its to large, then I'll spring for the 75 in the future (gives me good excuse to get it).
Click to expand...

I totally agree with your reasoning and decision, and I have both the 95" holey rail and the 118" rail. I have yet to but (or even want) the 75" rail...and I have a TS 75!
 
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