TS75 & guide rails question

[BarnyardTim]

So I have the TS75 with the standard 75" rail and also added the 32" rail to make slightly longer rips.  The problem is that I adjust the saw so there is no play on the 75" track, but then when I hit the 32" track it gets too tight and doesn't glide smoothly.  If I adjust it to glide smoothly on the shorter rail, then I have play on the longer rail.  Anyone else experience this problem??

 

[ear3]

When I've had to join rails, I have noticed a slight difference in friction, though not enough to interfere with the cut, and certainly not as much as you seem to be describing.  Is there any way to split the difference more than you have already tried?  Better to bias it towards snug rather than loose, in any case.

 

[peter halle]

The extrusion process does have tolerances.  You might get some improvement by spraying the tight rail with a dry luge like Boeing Shield.

Peter

 

[Michael Kellough]

Since you can't change the width of the spine that guides the saw you have to readjust how the rails are joined.

Keep in mind that the saw does not need to track both sides of the spine to run straight but it does need the side it bears against to remain co-planar throughout the run.

Loosen the guide rail connector screws and and snug the sides of the spines of both rails to a straight edge pressed against the rubber strip side of the spines. Tighten the connector screws and adjust the saw's guide jibs to the wider guide rail spine.

When you slide the saw on the joined rails it will be a little loose while on one rail so you have to adjust how you guide the saw so it only presses against the "good" side of the spine.

 

[Tayler_mann]

I'll just say I was a rail joiner at one time also. Had the same problem I switched too the 3000 mm track and sold a 55" and kept one with the 3000 and I never looked back.

 

[Nat X]

I land squarely in the "don't join rails" camp, but if you really have to, and you're having this problem, a thin strip of Scotch tape on one edge of the loose rail spine could be an adequate, semi-durable stopgap solution.