Using guide rails on MDF

[MavDog]

Is the surface of MDF slippery enough that you need to use clamps with guide rails or will it stay in place?  I am just cutting one sheet at a time.

 

[jmbfestool]

Is the surface of MDF slippery enough that you need to use clamps with guide rails or will it stay in place?  I am just cutting one sheet at a time.

No,   MDF is fine with a guide rail  as long as their is no dust on the sheet the rail will stay in place just fine.  I normally cut one sheet at a time  but if you just want to do quick rips or cross cuts and you have a few to do I do double up the sheets and its still works fine.

I hardly ever use my clamps.

The only time I use my clamps if im cutting something I really want to make sure its a clean cut and I dont want to mess up  by accident  like knocking the rail with your bottom when you walk past it.

JMB

 

[peter halle]

I agree with JMB if you are talking about cutting with a plunge cut saw.  If you are using the rails with a router - use the clamps.

Peter

 

[MavDog]

Yes I am using the TS55.

 

[peter halle]

I only use clamps on critical cuts, or on stock that isn't flat.

Peter

 

[ccarrolladams]

When I bought my first TS55 it came with one 1400mm guide rail. In the same transaction I bought a coupling set, 2 more 1400 rails and a set eack of the quick and short screw clamps. Right away I got in the habit of using one or the other kind of clamps. I do not remember ever not using clamps with the guide-rails.

BTW, I typically use a sacrificial sheet as the surface on which I plunge saw, mostly to reduce underside chipping. All those sacrificial sheets have 20mm holes drilled using my OF2200 for dogs or clamps. They are not spaced as regularly as a genuine MFT, but I find a 20mm hole is like all 20mm holes.