Ultimate Rail Storage for 3000 mm Guide Rail

[TomGadwa1]

After I purchased the 3000 mm guide rail I had to figure out a place to store it. As it is quite long I had a challange as to where I could store it. So I came up with the idea to store it up near the ceiling of my workshop. I decided to use a bicycle lift and the shipping container that the rail came in. Benefits are the rail is out of the way and safely stored. Also it is easy for one person to lower and raise it with the bicycle lift. This makes it nice for placing it the cutting table.
[attachimg=#1]
Label showing info on the rail.
[attachimg=#2]
Rear pulley of bike lift.
[attachimg=#3]
Where I bought the rail. Toolhome is the cats meow of Festool dealers.
[attachimg=#4]
The front pulley.
[attachimg=#5]
Bottom pulley on the front.
[attachimg=#6]
Rear bottom pulley which is mounted opposite the front for balance when raising and lowering the rail.
[attachimg=#7]
Rail lowered ready to be pulled out for use.
[attachimg=#8]
Rail being pulled out and ready for action.
[attachimg=#9]
How the rail sets in the shipping container.
[attachimg=#10]
Lowered and ready to be pulled out and placed onto the cutting table.
[attachimg=#11]
After use rail pulled up to the ceiling and out of harms (MY) way!

 

[Claimdude]

After I purchased the 3000 mm guide rail I had to figure out a place to store it. As it is quite long I had a challange as to where I could store it. So I came up with the idea to store it up near the ceiling of my workshop. I decided to use a bicycle lift and the shipping container that the rail came in. Benefits are the rail is out of the way and safely stored. Also it is easy for one person to lower and raise it with the bicycle lift. This makes it nice for placing it the cutting table.
[attachimg=#1]
Label showing info on the rail.
[attachimg=#2]
Rear pulley of bike lift.
[attachimg=#3]
Where I bought the rail. Toolhome is the cats meow of Festool dealers.
[attachimg=#4]
The front pulley.
[attachimg=#5]
Bottom pulley on the front.
[attachimg=#6]
Rear bottom pulley which is mounted opposite the front for balance when raising and lowering the rail.
[attachimg=#7]
Rail lowered ready to be pulled out for use.
[attachimg=#8]
Rail being pulled out and ready for action.
[attachimg=#9]
How the rail sets in the shipping container.
[attachimg=#10]
Lowered and ready to be pulled out and placed onto the cutting table.
[attachimg=#11]
After use rail pulled up to the ceiling and out of harms (MY) way!

Ingenious!!!!

Jack

 

[Theshipstore]

I like the idea for sure, but FYI be cautious of the Festool 3000 case they have a tendency to fall apart after a while. I re-secured the covers to the wooden rails with 3/4 screws and washers, stronger yes, not sure as to how long it will last though

Sal

 

[Kodi Crescent]

I've got a bike lift that stores all my rails, my levels, and my bikes, too!

It was based off of this:

http://panofish.net/garage-trailer-lift/

 

[TomGadwa1]

I do not think that my container will come apart due to the fact that I left the plastic banding on. As long as there is no direct exposure to the sunlight there should be no issues with the container coming apart.

After watching that well designed trailer lift it kind makes my $20.00 bike seem humble!  [embarassed]

 

[Carman]

I'm not sure how tall you're ceilings are but I just put a structural strength (not drywall) scerw near the ceiling and hang it vertically that way it won't deform over time and hangs straight down.

 

[TomGadwa1]

That is fine if one has ten foot ceilings. But alas mine is only eight feet on a good day. The shipping crate seems to provide reasonable support for the rail so I doubt it will deform over time. Also if the rail was not stored out of the way and I tripped over it or somehow sat on it this would definitely deform it way more than the horizontal storage method. I do agree with your simple approach and store my shorter rails using quarter inch dowels for hanging them.

 

[Paul G]

Nice idea. I'm gonna see if I've got a spot to effectively do that. My shipping box was a banged up mess so I made a new one using 1/4 birch ply in a 10' length. Rather than use hinges and latches, for strength it screws shut with machine screws into hex drive threaded inserts that were seated in from the bottom. The rest is all glued and screwed. If it ever fell the contents are staying inside. At 1.5" deep inside it could easily hold 4 rails.

 

[barnowl]

Similar, with a 9' ceiling, but no mechanicals.

Screws and washers through the shipping container sides, which both re-inforces it, and fastens it to the framing.

A loop through the end hole for removing it.

I use a 4' ladder, and slide it out when needing it.