Yet another guiderail question from a newbie!

[gnlman]

Hello. Kinda new to festool and this site. I've been reading for quite a while trying to learn. What a great site. Thanks to all who contribute, it's a great help. I stumbled upon the festool track saw while I was looking for a new fold up type workbench. I have not done a lot of woodwork, and have always struggled (and gave up) trying to cut large sheets with straight edges/skil saws.... Well not anymore.....lol
I ended up walking out of the store with the 55 a spare 75in rail the mft3 and a starter kit.
While I have read a lot on this subject, I've not found the answer I'm looking for.
When trimming the splintergaurd on the guide rail for the first time, can you plunge into the rail to start? I know I can join the rails ect. but some part of the rail must be first and when I mount the saw there is going to be a part of the plastic at the beginning of the rail that is not cut. I'm assuming the saw must have to rest fully on the rail to make the cut line accurate once trimmed......I doubt you could pull the saw backwards to trim the small section behind the saw. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks again for a great site.

Greg.

 

[harry_]

plunge away! if you can join the two rails, do so. Then switch them end for end to get the bits that got missed.

 

[image132]

Yep, like harry said. That stuff will stick on there untill the cows come home.

 

[chrisrosenb]

I have found that I could get a truer cut on the ends of the splinter guard by joining 2 rails together so the saw completely sets on the rails as you stated.
I join 2 rails, plunge the saw in about the center of the first rail & make a cut to about the center of the second rail.
I then move the first rail to the other end of the of the second rail & finish the cut.

 

[gnlman]

Hi. Thanks all for the fast replies. Sounds great, I thought you must be able to plunge, just thought I'd ask before joining rails and cutting. Thanks again.
Greg.