Straight edge for joining guide rails

[upscale]

Again, sorry for the forcefulness of my post.  No harm intended.

Boo! Hiss! Troublemaker! Don't you know most of us are woodworkers and we're always looking for an excuse to buy another tool. And you want us to make a jig instead??? Them's fightin' words boy.

 

[wow]

Again, sorry for the forcefulness of my post.  No harm intended.

Boo! Hiss! Troublemaker! Don't you know most of us are woodworkers and we're always looking for an excuse to buy another tool. And you want us to make a jig instead??? Them's fightin' words boy.

I re-read Peter's post, and he DOESN"T say that you can't buy another tool to make the jig with!

[wink]

Nor, for that matter, does he say you couldn't buy another tool to USE as a jig - just that you could "figure out how to route a groove that will fit the raised portion of the rails and align them so that the screws can be tightened or come up with something similar."

Sounds to me like he left LOTS of options open?!

[big grin]

 

[cabinetman803]

I bought the Betterley connector and love it!  It is super simple and very accurate.

 

[JeromeM]

I bought the Betterley connector and love it!  It is super simple and very accurate.

+1

 

[Sparktrician]

I'm thinking about the Betterley SLC 23 to use to aide connecting 2 rails.

DrD

This is the one I use.  Before buying one I used the edge of a 4' Stabila level. 

 

[Sparktrician]

I'm pretty certain none of them are at 90 degrees from the factory. I'm guessing it's a moving cut.

Tom

None of my rails were a dead-0n 90°. 

 

[JCLP]

This is one of those situations where I probably shouldn't post because I risk insulting or angering some.  That is certainly not my intent.  So here goes:

Everyone reading this except for the spammers and bots is a woodworker of some sort.  We make jigs and use tools with all sorts of capabilities and the results posted here are proudly posted, commented on, and admired.

If you don't want to use a level, or a straight edge, to align your rails, rather than buying an aftermarket jig to do so, why don't you spend a couple minutes in the morning over a cup of coffee and look at the situation and figure out how to take a piece of stable material and route a groove that will fit the raised portion of the rails and align them so that the screws can be tightened or come up with something similar.  Isn't this the type of stuff we all purchased our tools to do?

Again, sorry for the forcefulness of my post.  No harm intended.

Peter

Peter

Peter, you and I think the same way. I find it extremely satisfying when I can create a jig to do the same thing as a purchased tool. Don't get me wrong, having a reason to buy a new tool is good as well but designing and creating is my passion. Over the last few days I have been looking at my collection of festool products and asked myself what can I use to make a large MFT top for my new worktable without buying anything. So with a 55" guide rail, the 1400 router, 2 dogs, the anti kickback stop that comes with the plunge saw and 4 clamps I was able to create a 76"x36" top with 148 20mm holes that are 100% aligned at 90 and 45 degrees. I tested every hole with a 36" woodpeckers  ruler and their is no play what so ever.This morning I took you suggestion Peter, I grab a coffee and when out to the shop and stared at my table top and it came to me. Use the dogs to align your rails and join them. I tested the concept and voila, a perfect alignment when joined. If I ever take them on a job site, I probably will use a 48" level which is always with me on site. Now I will be creating a support structure for the large MDF top so it does not sag over time but still gives me the ability to use my clamps in the holes with no obstruction.
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and ideas.

 

[jackandhenry]

I use a 78" stabila level. These levels are dead straight and perfect for alignment. I'm not sure I would trust another level. After I purchased the longer rail track however I only use that. Perfect!!!

J

 

[JCLP]

I use a 78" stabila level. These levels are dead straight and perfect for alignment. I'm not sure I would trust another level. After I purchased the longer rail track however I only use that. Perfect!!!

J

I probably will end up buying a longer track in the near future but I need to come up with a spot to store it. Another member n the FOG used his garage door to store his long rails. I'm going to see if I can do these same on my door.

 

[wow]

I use a 78" stabila level. These levels are dead straight and perfect for alignment. I'm not sure I would trust another level. After I purchased the longer rail track however I only use that. Perfect!!!

J

I probably will end up buying a longer track in the near future but I need to come up with a spot to store it. Another member n the FOG used his garage door to store his long rails. I'm going to see if I can do these same on my door.

I am ONE of those those who store their rails on the overhead door, but I heed to re-think that now that I have a 16' rail and only a 12' door.

Here's the thread where I posted pictures:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/kinda-lame-project-but-used-my-new-toys-and-scraps/

 

[Oso Rojo]

but I heed to re-think that now that I have a 16' rail and only a 12' door.

Maybe time to build a bigger garage?

 

[wow]

but I heed to re-think that now that I have a 16' rail and only a 12' door.

Maybe time to build a bigger garage?

Can't.

Not that I wouldn't take more room, but a few years after I and a couple neighbors built ours they changed the code to only allow a max of 1,000 sq. ft. for an outbuilding within the city limits. It wasn't prompted by our builds - we just got lucky on the timing!

I guess I COULD put in a larger door, but that seems a bit excessive just to accommodate a rail. I'm sure I will come up with something - or somebody here will share an 'Ah-Ha' idea that I can steal....err, adopt.

[wink]