Transporting Guide Rails

[Texastutt]

I'm curious if anyone takes their MFT's to Job Sites and how they transport the Guide rails I have a few, the longest is the 9'er to cut down 4x8 sheet goods. At this point it gets placed in my trailer, I'm thinking of making a roof hanger in the trailer, but on the job site in 70% of the rooms I'm in 9' is long.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

      I kept the wood box that my long rail came in for storage in my shop. That way it coould be in my lumber rack and still be pulled out without disturbing the boards. I would think if this were mounted or hung inside your trailer the rail could be pulled out the back. Plus be well protected in transport. If you don't have the box some 3/4" x 3/4" or so ,wood strips and some 1/4" ply or the like will be just the ticket to make one.

Seth

 

[Rich Olson]

If you make a box to hang the rail from the ceiling and the temperature in your shop is much higher at the ceiling, leave a little extra room at the ends of the box for the rail to expand.  I was surprised to find that the rail was stuck in the box on a cold day when I was pumping a lot of heat into the garage shop.

 

[Steveo48]

I'm using an old hard case that I had for a shot gun for my 1400mm rail.  I could probably safely store half a dozen in there.

Steve

 

[Texastutt]

My box is 3/4 x 3/4 fj with 1/8" masonite and the staples have pulled through in just a month. Good to know to leave room so they don't jamb.

 

[festoolgolfer]

i don't have the long rail, just 2 of the 55" ers. i threw this box together with some scraps i had. it's a little on the heavy side but it does protect them.

 

[colevalleytim]

I work in San Francisco, so I own a van to keep my tools secure.

I built a hollow deck about 4" thick, 12" off the van deck, that is the width of the sliding door.  The deck is divided into slots for the guide rails, 4' levels and miter saw wings.  Everything just slides in.  I store my Festools and miter saw on top. 

I used some cheap "agathis " ply from Home Cheapo, that was a mistake, if I did it again, I'd use some 1/2" struc1 or MDO (although I hate the smell of that stuff) and poplar cross pieces for the deck

I do take the MFT to job sites, it's not light but it weighs only 55lbs, no the 75lbs listed in the catalog.  I use it as a miter stand & work table, an outfeed table and door bench.  it takes a little modification, but it works well.

I fixed the height issue by moving the long legs to the lower holes and adding a piece of PVC pipe top the short feet (I think I used a PVC P-trap, slip joint extension)

 

[chughes]

        I can't imagine going to a full set up with out my MFT.  Not only does the table get everything off my table saw but for cutting long tapers on jamb extensions and mitering hardwood trends between skirt boards the MFT is irreplaceable.  I extended the length of my table to 78"  so when I side it in to my truck the rails go underneath and are protected. 

 

[Texastutt]

      mitering hardwood trends between skirt boards I extended the length of my table to 78"  so when I side it in to my truck the rails go underneath and are protected. 

First I'm not familiar with the term trends, Second what did you do to extend the length? I'm thinking of just making a box fit to the ceiling of my trailer, in my spare time... so sometime before they get too banged up. lol

 

[chughes]

  You can buy longer frame rails for the MFT.  I don't know the part number off hand but after using the 44" version of my table it became obvious that I needed more surface.   

 

[semenza]

My box is 3/4 x 3/4 fj with 1/8" masonite and the staples have pulled through in just a month. Good to know to leave room so they don't jamb.

      Mine doesn't get moved around so I didn't have that trouble. If you make one or re-use the original add some glue along with staples or screws.

Seth

 

[Texastutt]

Well, that may be today's project as I'm waiting on hardware and drywallers... I like the Christmas holidays but they sure do wreck havoc with my timelines to get work done on time.

 

[Benjamin Miner]

Surprised nobody's mentioned the Official carrying bag. When I place a dollar value on my time, the price becomes acceptable (if not necessarily reasonable...) It carries 2 55" tracks and the shorter - is it 32"? - as well. It's a bit of a tight squeeze, but that's actually an advantage; if the rails get knocked around too much, the rubber fin gets pushed back from the edge - a serious drag which I learned about after carting them around in the original cardboard for about a year. While there are times when the longer rail has seemed appealing, I frankly think it's just too freaking long to stay out of its own way. Two 55s with connector rods work well  for breaking down sheets for cabinetry, and are a far sight more reasonable an option for on-site use. Just be mindful as you set them up - your 6' Stabila is fairly indispensable for this procedure! Now could someone explain to me why those connector rods are so short...

 

[semenza]

Hi,

  Yes, the carry bag does look nice.  BTW is it well padded?    The long one piece rails are also nice , so if a good , convenient transport method can be worked out it will be very handy.

Seth

 

[Texastutt]

Well, the reason I asked is I saw the bag but I have the long 9' unit.

 

[Eli]

The carry bag is okay, but I have a 1400, 1900, and 1080 rail. So out of the three, the bag only fits two. I'm going to build a case and use the bag for the Kapex rails.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

i don't have the long rail, just 2 of the 55" ers. i threw this box together with some scraps i had. it's a little on the heavy side but it does protect them.

Beautiful box for your rails!!  Your design would make nice storage/presentation cases for fine long firearms.  All you need to add are some inserts to match the gun and its accessories (e.g. extra barrels in a full skeet set) and some padding and felt.

Dave R.