Track Storage

[jeffinsgf]

Like many of us here, I've been annoyed by the splinter guard strip coming loose from the ends of my tracks. I discovered some time ago that if I stored my tracks flat and fully supported, the splinter guard stays adhered. After tying up a large section of shop counter space for over a year, I finally did something about it. I made this simple shelf unit that stores 4 tracks and the pieces and parts for my MFT. Hope this helps someone else keep their shop tidy and their tools better prepared for the next project.

 

[Julie]

Nice rack.

I discovered, this winter, that one of the reasons that the splinter strip comes off is doing the initial cut according to Festool's video. They say not to worry about cutting the ends. I found that leaving the start end full width helps the end come loose. The riving knife pushes it loose every time I start a cut. Now I make sure to do the initial cut from end to end.

 

[ChuckM]

Nice rack.

I discovered, this winter, that one of the reasons that the splinter strip comes off is doing the initial cut according to Festool's video. They say not to worry about cutting the ends.

They say that? I cut the strip flush on both ends on my previous track.

 

[Cheese]

According to Festool's video, they say not to worry about cutting the ends.

Now that's odd... [scratch chin]...that makes no sense at all.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

I use FastCap Track Rack for my 4 rails but mount them up-side-down so the dead weight is not on the anti-splinter.

 

[squall_line]

According to Festool's video, they say not to worry about cutting the ends.

Now that's odd... [scratch chin]...that makes no sense at all.

I haven't watched the training video, but I know that Sedge pointed out in a few of his Festool Live sessions that none of the tracks in the videos have the splinter guard trimmed end-to-end unless they've been connected to another rail.

 

[ChuckM]

Now that's odd... [scratch chin]...that makes no sense at all.

Not only does it make no sense, it's also a nonsense to suggest leaving the strip extending beyond the ends as doing that offers no benefits of any sort. Watch from 37:03
=2223

 

[elfick]

Now that's odd... [scratch chin]...that makes no sense at all.

Not only does it make no sense, it's also a nonsense to suggest leaving the strip extending beyond the ends as doing that offers no benefits of any sort. Watch from 37:03
=2223

I think the conversation was around being trimmed to zero by the saw blade, not extending the strip past the end of the rail.

 

[elfick]

FWIW, when I trim a splinter guard, I do go through the effort of connecting another rail on each end so I can trim the guard the full length. I just think the untrimmed ends look messy.

 

[wmarazita]

Frankly, I don't understand why Festool ever switched from the original black splinter guards. I have four tracks of different lengths. Three are very old with the same black splinter guards from the day they were shipped.....they are all still attached exactly as the day they arrived. My newer, longer track, has the clear splinter guard. It detached at the ends within 6 months. I have reattached with glue, cut it down in size, etc. All of these tracks have been stored exactly the same way in the same shop. I think the black ones are easier to see next to pencil lines too. I have a replacement black Makita splinter guard that I will replace the Festool clear guard with at some point.
Does anyone see any advantage to the newer, clear splinter guards?

 

[jeffinsgf]

I agree with you Bill. One of mine still has the old black strip. I changed the other two when the clear strip came out and have kicked myself for it since.

 

[Steve1]

I don't understand why Festool ever switched from the original black splinter guards.

I didn't realize they used to be black.    With the clear, I have trouble seeing if the edge is on my line, so I put some black marker on mine.

 

[sancho57]

excuse the mess

this is how I store my 1400 (3ea) and 1080 (2 ea) rails. Plus my 800mm and a few smaller custom rails. This takes up very shop little space.

The 3000 and 1900 are stored using fast caps rail clamps (guess thats what ya'd call them)

 

[hdv]

Last time I replaced a splinter guard I applied activator before applying/glueing the strip to the guide rail. That really does make a difference! The strip is still attached to the guide rail like it will never come off again. Activator is relatively cheap, so it is worth a try I'd say.

 

[jeffinsgf]

HDV...you're saying you used cyanoacrylate accelerator with the adhesive on the splinter guard, or were you using CA glue?

 

[hdv]

To be honest I didn't even verify that before I did this. In hindsight maybe I should have done that, just to be sure. It is just that I have used this type of activator so often without any mishap on non-porous surfaces that I never thought to check the compatibility of the chemicals before I did this.

Anyway, I used standard activator as it is used in the automotive industry (to be precise Den Braven Activator and Cleaner Aerosol). I removed the original splinter guard that had come of partially. Then I cleaned the guide rail with the activator. I let that dry. Then I applied a new splinter guard. I never thought to check the compatibility of the chemicals before I did this. Luckily it seems there were no problems, because the splinter guard is still in good shape.

 

[ChuckM]

An activator cleaner is in essence a cleaner. Some commercial shops also like to say they use activator cleaners (instead of cleaners) to sound more specialized. If I were to clean a track before applying the strip, I'd use acetone. I used to clean metal with acetone before an etching process.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Well...this goes on the list for what I learned today.  [big grin]
https://www.grainger.com/category/a...-primers-activators-accelerators-and-removers

Who knew??

 

[Bob D.]

That's a handy reference, thanks Jeff.

 

[festoolgolfer]

I don't understand why Festool ever switched from the original black splinter guards.

I didn't realize they used to be black.    With the clear, I have trouble seeing if the edge is on my line, so I put some black marker on mine.

I used the Dewalt guide strips, ther're blackhttps://www.authorizedtooloutlet.co...rce=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google+shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjwr_uCBhAFEiwAX8YJgdatcJon6iA5ru-6zCpZv286SeyhJfq2r4HxiUsOZvTp55tcva_BNxoC2kwQAvD_BwE