TSO GRC 12

[Thogg]

I write this not meaning to denigrate Tso, because I truly appreciate their guide rail Square and parallel guides. I have seen on this site their willingness to address any issues or misunderstandings with usage of their tools. However my direct Communications with them has left me with a sour taste.
I asked for help with what I admitted might be  a user error. Initially they said that there was an issue with the product and would ship out a new one, unfortunately they sent me 1 new track connector, not a pair like I had purchased, but nothing to do with the GRC-12 issue I had stated in my email. When I ask them to reread the original email the response was it's not their problem because I bought it from one of their distributors.
Anyway enough of the garbage. I'm a fairly experienced user I have zero issues with Festool track connectors. I was hoping that the TSO units would speed up, simplify, joining guide rails. I have found the Tso product to not give me alignment 100% of the time and more importantly not to hold alignment in normal handling of joined tracks. I have critiqued my methodology and visited the usage videos produce by TSO.
Anyway if someone has any suggestions I will gladly Explorer, as I want to like this product
Thank you

 

[mino]

Not a fix of any sort, but here is my advice to get the best of the GRC and at the same get even better alignment:

1) Buy a set of Makita rail connectors (the double-piece black ones). Unlike the Festool ones, they do not risk denting the rail, so can be tightened more in practice.

2) When using the GRC, use only -one- connector from the GRC set - use it in the "underside" slot. For the "top" slot use the Makita connector and tighten it as much as the HEX key allows - the screw can handle it, limit is the HEX driver.

That way you can take advantage of the GRC auto-align feature and of the Makita connector strength property. The only disadvantage is you will need two hex drivers, but that is a minor nuisance in my view.

BTW, the new Festool self-aligning set uses the same concept of one aligning connector and one for fixation only.

The issue with both connectors being self-aligning is that the width of the rails may not be exact. This will then translate to non-zero angle between the connected rails. You can check this by measuring the slot-to-slot distance on both your rails with precision calipers. They should be close, but usually not exactly same which can cause issue when both connectors are self-aligning, independent of their brand.

EDIT: rib > slot

 

[Cheese]

I write this not meaning to denigrate Tso, because I truly appreciate their guide rail Square and parallel guides. I have seen on this site their willingness to address any issues or misunderstandings with usage of their tools. However my direct Communications with them has left me with a sour taste.
I asked for help with what I admitted might be  a user error. Initially they said that there was an issue with the product and would ship out a new one, unfortunately they sent me 1 new track connector, not a pair like I had purchased, but nothing to do with the GRC-12 issue I had stated in my email. When I ask them to reread the original email the response was it's not their problem because I bought it from one of their distributors.
Anyway enough of the garbage. I'm a fairly experienced user I have zero issues with Festool track connectors. I was hoping that the TSO units would speed up, simplify, joining guide rails. I have found the Tso product to not give me alignment 100% of the time and more importantly not to hold alignment in normal handling of joined tracks. I have critiqued my methodology and visited the usage videos produce by TSO.
Anyway if someone has any suggestions I will gladly Explorer, as I want to like this product
Thank you

In this current globalized production environment, it's important to communicate with the correct person. My suggestion would be to direct your correspondence to hans@tsoproducts.com he'll take care of it.

 

[Thogg]

Thank you Mino and Cheese, those are the kind of answers that I was hoping for. I have purchased the Makita connectors and we'll use them at the next opportunity, in conjunction with the TSO connectors. Right now work is beam saws and slicks.
Thank you