Reading the thread on the damaged rails has me concerned.

[bigarm]

I recently bought a TS55 and an extra 55" rail with holes.  Reading the thread on the damaged rails has me concerned.  There seems to be several ideas on how to alleviate this problem.  I suppose the best one is to buy the long rail for 4x8 cuts, but I will need to save for that.  Two other ideas mentioned are some new screws in another thread and the Makita rail connectors.  What do you all suggest?  Can't afford to mess these up!

 

[bertv]

The Makita connectors do a far better job than Festool’s. You should also always check whether the rails are in line with a straight edge or such.

 

[Locks14]

How recently was it you actually bought them? Could you return the saw/rails and get the Bosch GKT 55 instead? It's made by Mafell and uses the Mafell rail system which is much superior in joining two rails together.

 

[rvieceli]

I don't think the Bosch is available in North America.

 

[Locks14]

I don't think the Bosch is available in North America.

Excellent point. I wasn't aware of this. Is Mafell available as an alrernative?

 

[Darren1972]

I connect two 1400 rails together everyday as my van cant fit  a 2700 rail in i dont have any problems make sure you tighten the underside first then flip it and use a long spirit level or straight edge then tighten the other and be carfull not to over tighten the screws if the rail gets marks on it off the screws it does not matter as nothing touches the rail in these grooves hope this helps

 

[truck90278]

I don't join rails daily, but have had no problems when I do.  I'm cautious on tightening the rails and use a long aluminum bar to insure they are straight.  I bought a set of the Makita rail joiners, but for whatever reason, they will not fin in the Festool rails.  Care has to be taken not to over tighten the rails.  Some members have made there own rail joiners along the lines of the Makita joiners.

 

[peter halle]

I just make sure to not over tighten.  Been doing it since 2006 and haven't damaged my rails.

Peter

 

[Holmz]

I connect two 1400 rails together everyday as my van cant fit  a 2700 rail in i dont have any problems make sure you tighten the underside first then flip it and use a long spirit level or straight edge then tighten the other and be carfull not to over tighten the screws if the rail gets marks on it off the screws it does not matter as nothing touches the rail in these grooves hope this helps

Yes from timberwolf.
I think Bosch makes them for Mafell but I could be wrong (again).
You can get them shipped from Europe and they subtract the 20% VAT, which generally offsets the shipping.

The other option is sell the rails and saw if the connectors are too much of a drama.
In addition to being easier the Bosch rails are less $

My MT55 hooks up to the CT26 and rides on the MFT. Either on the MFT's FT rail... Or you put a Bosch rail onto the MFT which I did following a post.

 

[tjbnwi]

No problems at all with the rails or connectors, just avoid user error.

Tom

 

[BBuild]

I just got the Makita rail connectors yesterday and can confirm they do fit the festool tracks just fine. They work much nicer and there is no chance of damaging the rail.

I always thought the festool connectors were a poor design. Anything more than snug and you'll mar the rail and anything less and they won't hold.

 

[Kev]

As a rule I avoid joining rails, but a factor in that is that I'm simply lazy. There's no need to run away from the Festool track system because you've seen one person over tighten their rail connectors ... simply be gentle and don't use every bit of your strength to tighten the screws.

There should be better explanations on how the Festool rail connectors are used out of the box ...

1. You need a straight edge to align the rails as butting the ends is not a reliable method.
2. Tightening the screws to achieve the necessary clamping effort requires very little torque.
3. Aluminium is soft and doesn't behave like plate steel!

 

[JeromeM]

No problems at all with the rails or connectors, just avoid user error.

Tom

Going on 10 years now and no damage just use a small to medium sized screwdriver and don't crank down. No shifting no problem.

The bottom of the slots get marked of course.
The betterly alignment tool stops any chance of misalignment.

 

[bigarm]

Thanks for all the information.  I appreciate it.

 

[jeh]

How recently was it you actually bought them? Could you return the saw/rails and get the Bosch GKT 55 instead? It's made by Mafell and uses the Mafell rail system which is much superior in joining two rails together.

The Mafell rail system and its connectors (as well as saws) are of a substantially different design. I'm jaded because I just purchased an MT55 and it is a top notch saw. There is only one distributor, Timberwolf Tools, and they have crazy high pricing given the value of the USD vs the Euro. I purchased the saw from Timberwolf and an assortment of rails and accessories from a tool company in Germany. The order was large enough and given the almost equal exchange rate I save a lot of money and got a longer rail that is not sold by Timberwolf.

You can order their saws from the UK (220v and 110v) or Germany (220v only) or Timberwolf (220v or 110v). All of them will work in the US with plug modifications and or voltage adapters. Buying from the UK is not cost effective. Buying from Germany is, but they will only the 220v versions of their tools. I have been eyeing up their groove cutter (MF26cc). It's crazy money from Timberwolf (about $2400). I can import it from Germany with shipping for around $1400.

The Bosch saw is not the same as the Mafell, but it is very close. It is probably equivalent to Festool saw.

 

[johninthecamper]

simple fix,I took a piece of s.s. flat stock,forget the measurements, but  a feeler gauge resembles what I used.now the screws push on the s.s.,not the aluminum

edit:same deal with the mft connector

 

[bigarm]

How recently was it you actually bought them? Could you return the saw/rails and get the Bosch GKT 55 instead? It's made by Mafell and uses the Mafell rail system which is much superior in joining two rails together.

The Mafell rail system and its connectors (as well as saws) are of a substantially different design. I'm jaded because I just purchased an MT55 and it is a top notch saw. There is only one distributor, Timberwolf Tools, and they have crazy high pricing given the value of the USD vs the Euro. I purchased the saw from Timberwolf and an assortment of rails and accessories from a tool company in Germany. The order was large enough and given the almost equal exchange rate I save a lot of money and got a longer rail that is not sold by Timberwolf.

You can order their saws from the UK (220v and 110v) or Germany (220v only) or Timberwolf (220v or 110v). All of them will work in the US with plug modifications and or voltage adapters. Buying from the UK is not cost effective. Buying from Germany is, but they will only the 220v versions of their tools. I have been eyeing up their groove cutter (MF26cc). It's crazy money from Timberwolf (about $2400). I can import it from Germany with shipping for around $1400.

The Bosch saw is not the same as the Mafell, but it is very close. It is probably equivalent to Festool saw.

I guess I sounded a little like I was regretting my Festool purchase.  I am quite happy with the saw, just want to make sure I don't mess up those expensive tracks.

 

[waho6o9]

Sometimes a snug fit works well this is one of those times. Difficult to do when you're throwing

4 x 8 sheets of ply around and you're digging using you're green machines, I know.

Just don't over tightened the set screws, or grub screws what ever you call them.

 

[heiko1974]

Hello from Germany  [smile]
I use both rails Festool and Mafell  (Bosch get the rails from Mafell) and never damaged one! You can break everything if you want [wink]. The Mafell rails are less stiff and I have seen some bended Mafell rails on constructionsites  [eek]
I used a old TS55 EBQ before I bought a Mafell MT55 and both saws have advantages and disadvantages but they are supreme! I also got a free Bosch GKT55 for testing in a german forum and i would never spend money for that saw!
You can't Repertoire a precise 90° cut because the stops and the baseplate are very weak.

Heiko

 

[joiner1970]

I just make sure to not over tighten.  Been doing it since 2006 and haven't damaged my rails.

Peter

Me too