Super Simple Guide Rail Case

[woodman_412]

I just released a video showing how my super simple track saw guide rail case works and explaining how I made it.  It's very quick and easy to make and used up some scraps around the shop but it gives some really solid protection for the rails. I was looking through some of the track saw guide rail case threads and you guys have made some very nice ones that look a lot fancier than mine.  The key with the design of mine is the rails registering on the bolts so that the edges of the rails don't contact the inside edges of the case. That way they can never get bumped around.  Hope you guys find the video helpful.

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

Great idea.
Proper protection for precious guide rails is an absolute must have for anyone who transports their rails.
I made a carry case for my rails and other long items about 12 months ago and never worry about nackering guide rails in transit anymore. And it cost less than a Festool guide rail bag, which offers no protection whatsoever.

Very neat idea for the bolts to hold the rails in place and to lock the box shut.
Good stuff... as was the parallel guides setting jig.

 

[woodman_412]

Great idea.
Proper protection for precious guide rails is an absolute must have for anyone who transports their rails.
I made a carry case for my rails and other long items about 12 months ago and never worry about nackering guide rails in transit anymore. And it cost less than a Festool guide rail bag, which offers no protection whatsoever.

Very neat idea for the bolts to hold the rails in place and to lock the box shut.
Good stuff... as was the parallel guides setting jig.

Thanks.  I was looking at the case that you made and it's very impressive, nicely done!  I like that it will hold so many different items.  Great design!

 

[Tinker]

I have not seen any of the other DIY rail cases, but I like your ideas.  I have a small project to do at a site other than my own shop.  I was planning to clamp (bolts & nuts) two boards together into a sandwich with a couple of rails in between.  I like your idea to keep the edges away from the sides of the container. 

One problem I have is that I have never found the nut that will not wander from where (I thought) I put it.  I had thought, a couple of days ago, about using some pins like I use on my outdoor equipment.  Just staight pins with a flat head at one end and a hole for what we call a "hairpin" at the other end.  With a wire, or string attached from to "hairpin" to a screw or scre eye on the board face, those nuts that like to walk away are no longer needed.  Another advantage to using those Hairpins instead of nuts, they never get so tight that one might find a wrench or pliers to be a necessity.  Of course, now that I'm 39, a small pair of channel locks is always in my pocket.  I call that my "extra thumb"

Currently, I have kept some of my rails in the original packaging they came in.  Those packages take up a lot of space in my shop. Space is not an abundant commodity in my shop.

Thanks for showing
Tinker

 

[Acrobat]

[eek]Yet another thing I need to do!
Thanks
Great, simple idea to protect the rails. Nice clear vid too mate.

 

[woodman_412]

[eek]Yet another thing I need to do!
Thanks
Great, simple idea to protect the rails. Nice clear vid too mate.

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful.

 

[joiner1970]

Good idea but I'm not keen on the coach bolts and wingnuts. They would be forever snagging on stuff.

Sent from my ALE-L21 using Tapatalk

 

[sancho57]

Hey Chris, Ian aka Wood work wizard is coming to the BBQ , why doncha shoot him a PM and ask him to bring his. I've seen it up close and personal and it really is a case with a lot of extras in it.

 

[joiner1970]

Hey Chris, Ian aka Wood work wizard is coming to the BBQ , why doncha shoot him a PM and ask him to bring his. I've seen it up close and personal and it really is a case with a lot of extras in it.

Looks ok just don't like the idea of the wingnuts sticking out. Maybe some of those flush hex bolts would be better but then you'd have to use a key every time.

Sent from my ALE-L21 using Tapatalk

 

[JimD]

Good design.  If you want to avoid the through bolt, you could put a t-nut on one side and a flat top bolt in a countersink on the other.  You'd have to also put  guide strips to locate the rails, maybe in the corners.  but that would mean some contact with the track edges.