Well, I have five guide rails. The 1080 that came with the MFT, two 1400 one with the lr32 holes, an 800, and the 3000. I use the 3000 exclusively for breaking down sheet goods or deck edges. The 1400 just general use, the 1080 when I use the MFT but think I would have more use for it off the table, but I am surprised at just how much I use the 800. I have found it is a handy little guide rail for quick work on smaller boards. I have had good luck using the Festool rail connectors to join the 1400 to the 3000. I just bridge the gap between the two with the ts and then tighten it down. So far that has worked well. I have also thought about a second set of connectors so I could really go long on deck edges but wonder if that would be pushing my luck. I am curious about which rails you use the most, why, and which is your favorite. Currently, I really like the little 800 and 1400 but I think my favorite would be the one of the MFT if I pulled it off and had it close at hand.
Your goto guide rails
- Thread starter Bertotti
- Start date
It really depends on the job at hand. I mostly use my ts55 for cutting down sheet goods, and when I set up my cutting table I take the 3000, 1400 and 800. For cutting doors to length just some sawhorses and the 1400.
I also cut up a 1400 into a 1080 and a 320 the 320 turned out to be surprisingly handy, it fits in the systainer to the side, so it's not in the way. (the 1080 stays on the mft3 hinge).
I also cut up a 1400 into a 1080 and a 320 the 320 turned out to be surprisingly handy, it fits in the systainer to the side, so it's not in the way. (the 1080 stays on the mft3 hinge).
Cool, yes I see my current favorite change from time to time depending on what I am doing. I really thought the 800 would be to small but it is quite handy. I never thought of making a shorter one! I'll have to give it some thought. Though I am convinced I would like a portable 1080. Thanks!
Mine are (1400) 55", (1900) 75", (3000) 118".
Sometimes a 13 1/2 foot (cut down from 16 feet) to rip / straightline 12 foot + boards. And occasionally a short piece for some oddball in place cutting job.
Seth
Sometimes a 13 1/2 foot (cut down from 16 feet) to rip / straightline 12 foot + boards. And occasionally a short piece for some oddball in place cutting job.
Seth
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2014
- Messages
- 239
I have my original 1900 from my 2010 TS75. I mate that with a 1080 with TSO connectors for breaking down sheet goods lengthwise. I also have a second 1080 that came with my MFT and a 1400 holey rail that I use primarily for LR32 (just getting a bit competent at that). Note though, I am at best a hobbyist....if I did this for a living there would be two results....1) I'd starve and 2) I'd probably have a greater selection of rails.....the 2980mm combination of rails is great but takes time to set up and break down.....the upside is that if you have limited space, it's a great compromise. 8)
Cheese
Member
My Go-To rails are a couple of Mafell 160 rails (63"), so sweet using the Mafell connector it's so easy to connect them so that they are perfectly aligned up. Just turn 2 screws...done.
My second set of Go-To rails are a pair of Festool 1400 Holey rails while using a pair of TSO rail connectors. Again easy peasy to connect but they are a little bit less versatile.
My second set of Go-To rails are a pair of Festool 1400 Holey rails while using a pair of TSO rail connectors. Again easy peasy to connect but they are a little bit less versatile.
Are the TSO connectors that much better? I just slap the ts55 over the join and tighten one down then flip and tighten the other. Haven't had an issue yet. I'm no pro but I get sucked into a lot of home projects and when the money runs low or friends need help, and that is less common now than it used to be, I have plenty of work besides work. I really need to charge for my time to fund the Festool purchases!
Cheese
Member
Bertotti said:
Ya I'd recommend the TSO connecters. Previously, I'd haul out a 8' Stabila level to make sure the Festool tracks were planar. It's just so much easier to just tighten the setscrews on the TSO connectors and be done with it. That's the reason the Mafell track connector is such a dream to use...just tighten the set screws and be done with it.
escapegoat
Member
I have two:
I like these two because they cover 99% of the cuts I need to make, and I can combine them on occasions when I need to cut 8 foot sheet goods.
- The 1080 that came with my MFT/3. I keep this on the MFT most of the time and use it for cross cuts
- The 1400 holey rail for rip cuts up to 4 feet.
I like these two because they cover 99% of the cuts I need to make, and I can combine them on occasions when I need to cut 8 foot sheet goods.
demographic
Member
- Joined
- May 9, 2015
- Messages
- 795
I have two 1400 rails and one 1080 then a 420 rail for my HKC.
So, in order of times I use them its the 420 crosscut rail for my HKC followed by a 1400 rail followed by two 1400 rails joined.
Then by far the least used one is my 1080 rail. I pretty much only use that for cutting the bottoms off doors.
So, in order of times I use them its the 420 crosscut rail for my HKC followed by a 1400 rail followed by two 1400 rails joined.
Then by far the least used one is my 1080 rail. I pretty much only use that for cutting the bottoms off doors.
It's a fairly versatile combination of rails. I do need to find some of these TSO rail connectors to try. I don't have a Festool router or any way to use the holey one yet other than using it as a template for my center punch. Works well for that although it might take a bit longer to layout and drill.
I have given the shorter 300 a thought but at this time I have no use for one that short, yet. I won't say never, because we know how things change! I do like the idea of taking a 1400 and cutting it down, even if I do not need a 300 now the 1400 cut down would leave me with a bit more than 1080 and the 300. You can never have too many choices. Right?
I have given the shorter 300 a thought but at this time I have no use for one that short, yet. I won't say never, because we know how things change! I do like the idea of taking a 1400 and cutting it down, even if I do not need a 300 now the 1400 cut down would leave me with a bit more than 1080 and the 300. You can never have too many choices. Right?
Cheese
Member
https://tsoproducts.com/accessories/grc-12-self-aligning-guide-rail-connectors/Bertotti said:
It may be difficult to see but the top of the TSO rail connector is in the shape of a keystone. Thus as it is tightened and raised into the Festool slot it centers itself with both sides of the rail slot, centering both rails when they're joined.
[attachimg=1]
The bottom of the TSO setscrews also have a much larger diameter so they won't damage the Festool rail if over tightened.
[attachimg=2]
Attachments
pettyconstruction
Member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2010
- Messages
- 722
I have
A 1900
2-1400 wholly rails
A 1080
And recently bought a 106” rail.
The 1900 came with the Ts-75 , I picked up the 1400s over time
And got the little one a few years ago.
I seem to use the small one the most, making plywood templates and such.
Followed by the 106”.
I use the 1900 to crosscut full sheets of ply.
I have a Batterley rail guide , but got tired of connecting rails,hence the 106”.
Interestingly , I don’t have the LR-32 system (yet) but have 2 wholly rails.
Oh I have the 420 rail and a HKC saw also.
I pretty much use them all. The 1400s for on site work, decks and such.
Btw I purchased the Fastcap rail mounts and put my big rail on the garage door, works very well.
Cheers, Charlie
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
A 1900
2-1400 wholly rails
A 1080
And recently bought a 106” rail.
The 1900 came with the Ts-75 , I picked up the 1400s over time
And got the little one a few years ago.
I seem to use the small one the most, making plywood templates and such.
Followed by the 106”.
I use the 1900 to crosscut full sheets of ply.
I have a Batterley rail guide , but got tired of connecting rails,hence the 106”.
Interestingly , I don’t have the LR-32 system (yet) but have 2 wholly rails.
Oh I have the 420 rail and a HKC saw also.
I pretty much use them all. The 1400s for on site work, decks and such.
Btw I purchased the Fastcap rail mounts and put my big rail on the garage door, works very well.
Cheers, Charlie
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
