Track Cases?

[RJNeal]

Mine was made kind of quickly with materials on hand. It's not pretty but does the job. I had it riding across the the bed of my pickup on top of the sides for a week,an I notice a little sag in the box, maybe 1/8", no biggie. The box is straight now and the rail can handle a little flex. 
One of these days I make another one with better wood.
I suggest just make one.
Thanks Peter
Rick

 

[fdeloncker]

For what its worth I have searched for large gun cases with the foam padding and was a bit surprised when no one had anything that long.

It would be fantastic if there was a lightweight plastic case (like a rifle case) that housed at least the 55" tracks, connectors, some clamps and the parallel guides.

I have made some simple wooden ones too. They are big and heavy though.

 

[thedude306]

http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail_single_lid.php?Case=AL7007-0403AC

they make even longer

up to 134"

 

[Scott in Bend Oregon]

http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail_single_lid.php?Case=AL7007-0403AC

they make even longer

up to 134"

Holy cow...That Pelican case weighs 30 lbs and costs about $600.

 

[gkaiseril]

But it will travel with the Seals.

 

[rst]

That 134" interior model is quite the bargain at $1235.00 + freight  [eek]

 

[wow]

Maybe we could arrange a group buy?

[wink]

 

[Gary in Texas]

Unfortunately there isn't a case available here specifically designed for the tracks and accessories.  I have been toying with the idea of producing one (soft sided and padded) for a couple of years but obviously have had to refocus attention elsewhere.

The 75" length will the hardest to find.  For the shorter sizes you might be able to use a full size keyboard case or even a gun case.  I am not a skier, but I believe some have used ski cases? or snowboard cases?

I am sure others will chime in here.

Peter

I'm checking into a source that can make excellent transport cases for guide rails and/or accessories.....  I will post more once I've got something to perhaps show....

Gary

 

[Paul G]

Here's a quick box I made that holds my 3 guide rails, the longest being 118". The lid stays on using bolts and threaded inserts. It works, stays shut, requires a drill/driver to open but I always have one on hand anyway. But TBH I really like RJNeal's version much better, might be time for a do-over.

 

[NHSP759]

Here's a quick box I made that holds my 3 guide rails, the longest being 118". The lid stays on using bolts and threaded inserts. It works, stays shut, requires a drill/driver to open but I always have one on hand anyway. But TBH I really like RJNeal's version much better, might be time for a do-over.

Thanks for posting that Paul. Really nice case, I'm going to try my hand at one.

 

[Paul G]

Here's a quick box I made that holds my 3 guide rails, the longest being 118". The lid stays on using bolts and threaded inserts. It works, stays shut, requires a drill/driver to open but I always have one on hand anyway. But TBH I really like RJNeal's version much better, might be time for a do-over.

Thanks for posting that Paul. Really nice case, I'm going to try my hand at one.

The downside to my simple design is the shorter tracks easily slide around. I keep them all to one end and carry itslightly canted so they stay put. It works but not elegant. Some blocking in strategic places might resolve that, may give it a try

 

[caseman]

Unfortunately there isn't a case available here specifically designed for the tracks and accessories.  I have been toying with the idea of producing one (soft sided and padded) for a couple of years but obviously have had to refocus attention elsewhere.

The 75" length will the hardest to find.  For the shorter sizes you might be able to use a full size keyboard case or even a gun case.  I am not a skier, but I believe some have used ski cases? or snowboard cases?

I am sure others will chime in here.

Peter

I'm checking into a source that can make excellent transport cases for guide rails and/or accessories.....  I will post more once I've got something to perhaps show....

Gary

Here is the prototype track case Gary mentioned.  We build ATA (Airline Transportation Association) cases for high end optics, telescopes and astronomy gear and have done so for the past 15 years, http://www.scopeguard.com
Its a niche market, our lowest value telescope we provide cases for is approximately $3500 USD, max $40K. 

This case is designed to house four FS-1400 and/or Holey rails.  There is also room adjacent to the tracks for Festool Quick and Screw Clamps.  The tracks fit into a U channel aluminum extrusion with a 12mm width, the integrated splinter guard facing up.  The case is lined in a heavy duty carpet such as used on speaker enclosures.  The aluminum extrusion is all tongue and groove, riveted through.  The extrusion is integral to the construction of the case not just applied to the exterior.  The case material is Baltic Birch type plywood with the cool Neon Green exterior ABS.

I'm gauging interest from the forum as to a group purchase or possibly individual cases if there is not enough group interest.  As I stated this is a prototype.  We originally had the channel running the entire length of the case bottom but shortened it up to three sections.  We will offer the same accessories locking latches, corner casters, etc.

I would like to get your feedback, comments, criticism, etc.

Regards,
Don

 

[Paul G]

Caseman, looks much nicer than the one I put together, but bigger too. A few questions come to mind: what keeps the tracks from flopping around on the top, does the lid have a foam insert that presses into the top edge locking them in place? What does it weigh and the dimensions? And lastly any sense of price range?

 

[JimD]

I have only two rails, a 102 and a 59 for my DeWalt track saw.  I made cases for both that are something like the 102 shipped in.  They have 5mm luan plywood sides and a spacer of pine or hardwood scraps - whatever I had handy when I made them.  The end is held in place by a couple screws into brass threaded inserts in the spacer.  Cost was obviously low.  I put a couple coats of poly on them.  I normally leave the rails out laying on the lumber racks in the shop but put them in the case if I need to take them somewhere.

If you wanted one case to take a whole set of rails like the OP said was his need, I would just make them in layers with the longest on the bottom and building up.  You wouldn't need two new sides for each rail, just spacers and one new side.  I would probably center them to make it easier to carry.  You could also do two or more per layer to cut down on the number of layers. Depends some on how you will carry them.  Usually I just take the 59 inch, the 102 is harder to carry in a vehicle.

 

[caseman]

Caseman, looks much nicer than the one I put together, but bigger too. A few questions come to mind: what keeps the tracks from flopping around on the top, does the lid have a foam insert that presses into the top edge locking them in place? What does it weigh and the dimensions? And lastly any sense of price range?

The tracks are separated by a pair of Ethafoam dividers placed on top of the tracks.
The weight of the case is 25 lb.
Dimensions 57.50"L x 7.25"W x 8.50"H or 1460mm L x 185mm W x 230mm H
Price $400.00

 

[Jozsef Kozma]

I Could use a case like that lfor my new HKC
Tracks  , To bring to the states from Europe
Does anybody have an opinion if the cardboard
will hold up or not
Jozsef

 

[caseman]

I Could use a case like that lfor my new HKC
Tracks  , To bring to the states from Europe
Does anybody have an opinion if the cardboard
will hold up or not
Jozsef

I'll ship this one to you.
Don

 

[ear3]

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/guide-rail-carry-case/msg404438/#msg404438