Show how you store your track saw guide rails

[Mario Turcot]

I'm still in the process of organizing the shop and would like to see how you guys store your guide rails.

 

[nclemmons]

I have the original FT rail bag - Store four rails total in it.  I leave it on the lower cross rails of the MFT on a plywood shelf I made for storage.  Stabilizes the MFT and they are out of the way but the cut strips are more protected.

The shelf is 3/4 ply with two wooden rails underneath that slip down over the curve of the cross pieces.  I have a set of drawers for storage (from Lee Valley) and other items on it for weight.  Adds stability to the MFT and puts the rails close at hand in the bag.

See attached - photo is a bit blurry - sorry.

 

[Papalima]

How about the really long tracks?  I'm looking to find a good place to store mine now.

 

[richkline]

I hang them on the back of my garage.  Half-Inch Shy on YouTube has an example.  I'm sorry, I can't find the exact video.

 

[ColossusX]

I don't have a shop or even a garage, so mine are stored in my van above my Little Giant (to the right in the pic)

 

[Cheese]

I've seen many photos of them being stored on the back side of garage doors. When the door rolls up the tracks go with the door.

[attachimg=1]

 

[ChuckM]

I have seen some garage door pictures like that, too. I wonder if it is a good idea if the location is very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter as the track is aluminum. Before I sold my track, I hung it on the wall vertically.

 

[GoingMyWay]

The garage door seems like a nice wide place to store the tracks, but I'd be afraid it would mess up the functioning of the torsion spring.  I installed some reflective bubble wrap insulation in my garage door and was concerned about the "additional weight" causing problems.  The stuff is pretty lightweight, but I have heard that the torsion springs should be adjusted anytime the door weight changes.  I never bothered since I felt it was such a minimal increase in weight.  It's been installed for 2 years and the door is still opening and closing fine.

I guess it might be ok if you stored our tracks there and then had a garage door person come out and adjust the torsion springs for the additional load.

I hang them on the back of my garage.  Half-Inch Shy on YouTube has an example.  I'm sorry, I can't find the exact video.

I think this is the video:

There's a link to his article in the video description.

It may be the worst way possible to store, but I just lean my tracks against the wall.  I don't have any long rails either, my longest is the rail that came with the TS75.

 

[Max Fracas]

My workshop has a second floor.  I put my rails adjacent to the door that leads upstairs.  Seemed like a good use because putting anything big there would block the door’s swing. 

 

[Max Fracas]

Oops.  Hope this is the right photo.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

I've seen many photos of them being stored on the back side of garage doors. When the door rolls up the tracks go with the door.

[attachimg=1]

I like this solution.

Is it the photo or is that a short door? Plus, sure has a lot of levels above the door.

 

[ben_r_]

I have seen some garage door pictures like that, too. I wonder if it is a good idea if the location is very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter as the track is aluminum. Before I sold my track, I hung it on the wall vertically.

That was my concern too as I have had the plastic edge guard on all my rails start to come off on the ends just front hanging out in the garage through the summer. I cant imagine how much more heat they would have to endure being right up against the metal garage doors.

 

[BarneyD]

I keep some under the stairs.  The longer ones I stand upright.

[attachimg=1]

 

[Alan m]

mine are slid into a plywood box i screwed to the ceiling.

i keep meaning to build a box that hindges down from the ceiling  at one end. put the rails into it and have some kind of pully system to lower it

 

[DynaGlide]

Up and out of the way on some coated hooks from Home Depot

 

[ctfeet]

I don't have pics handy, but my shorter rails I hang and my long rail I rest on three "L" shaped wooden brackets I mounted to the bottom side of my ceiling joists. It's up out of harms way but easily accessible for when I need it.

 

[DIY WoodWerx]

Up and out of the way on some coated hooks from Home Depot

Is that the Betterley rail connector?  If so, how do you like it?

 

[DynaGlide]

Up and out of the way on some coated hooks from Home Depot

Is that the Betterley rail connector?  If so, how do you like it?

Yes. It works really well. I like no nonsense solutions so I bought it 2nd hand from a member here. Combined with the Makita rail connectors I don't worry if my rails are aligned.

 

[DIY WoodWerx]

Up and out of the way on some coated hooks from Home Depot

Is that the Betterley rail connector?  If so, how do you like it?

Thanks.  Adding to my purchase list.  Was going to get the 110" guide rail then saw this.

Yes. It works really well. I like no nonsense solutions so I bought it 2nd hand from a member here. Combined with the Makita rail connectors I don't worry if my rails are aligned.

 

[RKA]

I just lay them flat on the wood on the top shelf of the lumber rack.  It's not particularly creative, but it keeps them safe from mishaps, keeps them out of my way and still allows me to access them quickly.  Only drawback is there is a little shuffling to find the one I want, but the longest of the bunch is 1900mm, so it's not terrible.