I have been an advocate for the LR32 cabinet construction system since the original standard were ratified about 60 years ago. LR32 is a concept, not just a bunch of holes for adjustable shelf pins.
When I share my suggestions about various approaches to getting the most out of the various Festool products which reduce the frustrations of not just drilling the shelf holes but also the hinge cup holes and hardware construction holes, I am making use of 60 years of personal experience.
In early 2006 I took a leave of absence from my career in the movie industry. By then I no longer owned a proper shop space, so I no longer had a line boring machine, or an effective cabinet-style table saw. That was when I drank my first cup of Festool green KoolAide. I believed that a TS55 with 3 55"/1400mm rails would function as a break-down saw. A CT22 would serve as my dust control system. The OF1010 router with a 1080mm Holy Rail and the LR32 Hole Drilling Set would substitute well for a line boring machine.
I knew Festool also made a 95"/2424mm Holy Rail, but I decided not to buy one of those because at the time I did not own a truck. Yes, I could have bought 2 more of the 1080mm Holy Rails. I had enough rail connectors although that was years before Festool finally introduced the LR32 Guide Rail Connector cat 496 938 in early 2011. That ensures accurate spacing of the holes on 32mm centers when rails are connected. Before that those of us who often made tall drilled cabinets created fixtures with a series of holes spaced 32mm to accomplish the same purpose. I created my fixture using a metal working CNC machine. Trust me that cost a lot more than the 95" rail, but it solved the transportation problem for me as I started renting space in shops belonging to friends. Once also owned an LR32 1080mm rail.
In previous posts I shared about simply connection non-drilled rails to the end of an LR32 rail. Please remember that when drilling LR32 system holes it is very important to clamp both ends of the rail. Also please keep in mind that hardly ever are cabinet sides wide enough to support more than one rail.
My advice to everyone starting to drill LR32 holes is to borrow or purchase the necessary Festool equipment. Find some long scrap pieces of sheet material cut to the width of your typical cabinets. Then start experimenting and practicing. Like nearly everything we do in woodworking we need practice. It also helps to have some coaching. Fortunately Festool USA offers end user classes in Lebanon, IN instructed by Brian Sedgeley and in Henderson, NV by Steve Bace. All this LR32 concept makes more sense with expert coaching.
