Track alignment product

[Pykie]

I've tried searching the forums but there was a a product available a few months ago (may have been woodpeckers), that was a simple clip to hold the tracks perfectly aligned while you tighten the joiners, anyone point me in the direction of them?

 

[HarveyWildes]

Betterley SLC23 StraightLine Connector for Festool Guide Rails

I ordered mine from the Tool Nut in NA.

 

[L.N.]

Do you mean this?

UJK dog rail clip. Axminster in the U.K. sells them and Gereedschappro in the Netherlands.

 

[Gregor]

I've tried searching the forums but there was a a product available a few months ago (may have been woodpeckers), that was a simple clip to hold the tracks perfectly aligned while you tighten the joiners, anyone point me in the direction of them?

In case you join (and release) them on regular basis a special product might make sense, for the occasional use:
Just push the rails (laying top-down) against a known good edge (worktable, sheet good), in that setting both connectors are reachable for tightening.

BTW: The Makita guiderail track connectors are way better than the festool ones, with them you can join the Festoor rails without the need of jumping through hoops - they are longger, clamp and fit better (so they wiggle way less, even when not tightend). Low ratings on amazon stem from people not getting how to use them (as they lack instructions), so here's a video:

 

[Pykie]

I've tried searching the forums but there was a a product available a few months ago (may have been woodpeckers), that was a simple clip to hold the tracks perfectly aligned while you tighten the joiners, anyone point me in the direction of them?

In case you join (and release) them on regular basis a special product might make sense, for the occasional use:
Just push the rails (laying top-down) against a known good edge (worktable, sheet good), in that setting both connectors are reachable for tightening.

BTW: The Makita guiderail track connectors are way better than the festool ones, with them you can join the Festoor rails without the need of jumping through hoops - they are longger, clamp and fit better (so they wiggle way less, even when not tightend). Low ratings on amazon stem from people not getting how to use them (as they lack instructions), so here's a video:

Thanks!

I'm looking to buy a set of 3 x 1.0m tracks for onsite work, might go for the makita tracks and connectors in this instance. Get the jig for easy of connection.

 

[tallgrass]

i use Makita connectors on my festool rails with a straight edge to check,,,,, fast and accurate.

 

[rst]

Another vote of confidence for the Makita joiners.

 

[Gregor]

I'm looking to buy a set of 3 x 1.0m tracks for onsite work, might go for the makita tracks and connectors in this instance. Get the jig for easy of connection.

I can't speak about the makita tracks (don't have them), only the joiners which work good with the Festool tracks.

In case you havn't bought already: get the Festool holey version (it's about the same price as the plain ones) so should you decide to go for the LR-32 later you already have matching rails.

I woudn't want 1m tracks as they're IMHO a bit on the short side.  I have 3 x 1.4m ones, which together fit nicely into the FS-BAG #466357 (that fits all three for transport and gives some protection against denting from accidental drops and collisions with non-moving stuff like door frames and such). YMMV.

 

[DB10]

I'm looking to buy a set of 3 x 1.0m tracks for onsite work, might go for the makita tracks and connectors in this instance. Get the jig for easy of connection.

I can't speak about the makita tracks (don't have them), only the joiners which work good with the Festool tracks.

In case you havn't bought already: get the Festool holey version (it's about the same price as the plain ones) so should you decide to go for the LR-32 later you already have matching rails.

I woudn't want 1m tracks as they're IMHO a bit on the short side.  I have 3 x 1.4m ones, which together fit nicely into the FS-BAG #466357 (that fits all three for transport and gives some protection against denting from accidental drops and collisions with non-moving stuff like door frames and such). YMMV.

Unfortunately for some reason the 1400 holey rail costs about $70 more than the standard 1400 rail in Aus,

 

[Gregor]

Unfortunately for some reason the 1400 holey rail costs about $70 more than the standard 1400 rail in Aus

$70 just for the holes is quite a harsh markup.

Maybe this topic is a good read for you then, for $70/rail it's worth to DIY the holes for a good hourly rate (should you be able to borrow a holey rail that is needed as a template from someone for a day or two).

 

[SS Teach]

I use two Makita connectors and along with a Betterly StraightLine Connector. Works like a charm.