Replies

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Mar 16, 2008 07:30am | #1

   I bought two festool guides and joined them together with their joiner bars.  I was unhappy with the result.  The bars are held only by the friction at the end of setscrews.  Normal shop handling made them slip, so the guides were no longer straight.   I threw away the joiner bars, sold one of my short guides, and bought one long guide.

2. 
   Jfrostjr | Mar 16, 2008 03:56pm | #2

   I have had no trouble with two joined edges - but I don't wave the 'connected' edge like I'm a 'flag girl' at a football game. If you handle it while supporting it near the center you should have no trouble.

   Frosty

   "I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922

3. 
   JeffHeath | Mar 16, 2008 04:57pm | #3

   Steve

   After 2 years, mine has not stayed straight.  It has a slight bow, approx. 1/32", which is unacceptable.  I'm going to order a long one-piece guide for cutting 4X8's, as soon as I get around to it.

   Jeff

4. 
   DDay | Mar 16, 2008 05:26pm | #4

   As frosty said, if you carry them in the middle so each is supported, they are fine. I wanted the ability to transport them easily, so I have two 55"'s rather than getting one longer one. At some point, I'll either get a single or another 55" for the 8' cuts, only having two right now is a pain if I need to make alternating long and short cuts. With the connectors, you just snug the set screws, DO NOT crank them down hard. You are only going into aluminum so over tightening will dimple the rails. Any thing one piece will be easier than a two piece but you might lose the ability to transport. The price is higher on the single too. It's just up to you about how you feel on the pro's and con's.

   To any who do not know, festool prices are going up on the 1st of April. Nearly everything is going up, some things are going up quite a bit. The rails are going up a decent percent. McFeely's has a list on their site that shows all the current prices, new prices and percentage increases. If you were thinking about getting something over the summer, get it now and save the money. I think the TS 55 and CT 22 combo that I have is going up about $100 on this increase alone.

5. 
   jointerman | Mar 16, 2008 08:31pm | #5

   Although I have the 42 and 55 inch guide rails, I don't have the connectors for the rails, just haven't gotten around to it. However, a friend of mine showed me that as long as you mark your sheet with pencil marks, you can cut and move the guide rail to the next mark and continue the cut. Give it a try, the moving the guide rail method is quite accurate and I haven't felt the need to connect or buy a long rail.

1. 
   robinmozuknowusa | Mar 16, 2008 09:21pm | #6

   I agree with you Jointerma

   I have two rails but no joiner . I use one rail and move it forward carefully after cutting the full length . If done with care you can not see the join.

2. 
   DonaldCBrown | Mar 17, 2008 03:34am | #7

   Given Festool's superb reputation for design and production, it's surprising that something so basic as joining rails is not done well. I've read complaints about this problem for several years, so I would have thought the company would have done something about it by now.

1. 
   Henley | Mar 17, 2008 02:53pm | #8

   Trying to maintain a straight line
   through a joint is always going to be tricky.

   I wouldn't blame Festool for this one.
   The torque over nine feet is going to wreak
   havoc on aluminum.

1. 
   DonaldCBrown | Mar 17, 2008 07:00pm | #10

   Henley-You said, " I wouldn't blame Festool for this one.
   The torque over nine feet is going to wreak
   havoc on aluminum."If it's an impossible task, then why does Festool market connectors? That implies to me that the connectors will work to achieve a long rail that is as rigid as the shorter ones. Or, if that is not the case, shouldn't the buyer be made aware of the problem?

1. 
   user-19042 | Mar 17, 2008 07:56pm | #11

   I don't know which rails you guys are using but comments about Festool changing things reminds me that they did update their rails about 2-3 years ago. The new rails have green slips on them and two connectiing bars are used to join them instead of just one on the old ones- so they do hold together better. I have, however recently handed over the equivalent of $416 for a 3 metre (9.8ft) rail for cutting sheet goods because two rails together were sometimes causing inaccuracies. If you square the back of the two rails to a long aluminium straight edge the cuts come out pretty good and the 3m straight edge cost about $50, but I recently had about 1000ft of MDF moulding to make so the investment was probably worth it.

2. 
   Henley | Mar 18, 2008 02:53am | #13

   I'd say it's a case of "Buyer Beware". They offered you a full size rail, in fact they
   offer a range of lengths.

   If for what ever reason you prefer to use smaller lengths,
   they offer a connecting rod to accommodate your need. At a certain point you need to think for your self. Do
   I need the accuracy that the full length rail offers?
   Or do I need the portability that the two shorter sections
   provide? As an experienced woodworker you must have some understanding
   of modern machinery, and the strengths and weaknesses of
   different methods. If not you probably don't need to spend the
   money on Festool products. Sometimes rereading ones posts you are afraid of coming across
   rude. So please take my word, no condesention intended.

2. 
   Syma | Mar 17, 2008 05:07pm | #9

   Once the Germans design something I believe it is safe to say you will never see it changed. :)
   Germans are terrible at admitting they could have designed and built something a little better.This being said, everything I have is German. I still believe they do the best.

6. 
   saschafer | Mar 17, 2008 09:42pm | #12

   Thanks to all for the info. It looks like I will probably go for the one-piece long rail, if I do decide to go for the TS 55 EQ (still wavering...).

   -Steve

    

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Mar 18, 2008 04:42am | #14

   Steve,

   What are you wavering on?  Are you considering the new Makita circular saw system?Chris @ flairwoodworks

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

1. 
   saschafer | Mar 18, 2008 04:54am | #16

   No, I'm not considering the Makita. I'm just wavering on whether or not to shell out the money for the Festool. The looming price increase is forcing my hand, as it were.

   -Steve

    

2. 
   DDay | Mar 18, 2008 04:53am | #15

   If your wavering, make up your mind before April 1st, prices go up then. The TS 55 goes up $35 to $475 and the combo TS 55 and CT 22 goes up $93 to $916.I have the TS 55 and CT 22, and thats what I would recommend. The saw works great but beside the great cut, its the dust control that is huge. If you don't have a vac, the dust gets everywhere and you'll constantly be cleaning off the wood so the rails grip the wood and are completely flat. The CT 22 is still very portable, like the mini and midi but you still get the hepa with the 22 and not with the smaller vac's. You'll use the vac will all your other tools too, the hose will fit all the other brands (with a few exceptions). I bought before last years price increase for about $735. It was expensive but I don't regret it at all, truly a great tool. It might be my last festool for a while though, they're getting too rich for my useage.http://www.mcfeelys.com/info/festool-alert.htm

1. 
   saschafer | Mar 18, 2008 04:56am | #17

   Thanks, I know about the price increase. That's why I'm trying to decide. I'm going to be out of the country all next week, so I have to make the decision and place the order this week. And yes, I wouldn't even consider getting it without the vac.

   -Steve

    

1. 
   Russell | Mar 18, 2008 07:21pm | #18

   Steve,I think it's a good idea to buy the long guide rail, I'm buying the ts-55 next week and I'm getting the 8 foot rail with it. I think the connectors are more for occasional use rather than if your going to be making long cuts on a regular basis. Cheers Steve.Russ.http://www.jensenfinefurniture.com

   Edited 3/18/2008 12:22 pm ET by Russell

1. 
   BOBABEUI | Mar 19, 2008 09:29pm | #20

   "I think the connectors are more for occasional use rather than if your going to be making long cuts on a regular basis"I couldn't agree more with that statement..

2. 
   hotwheels | Mar 19, 2008 10:39pm | #21

   When I first read the original statement I thought it was an overstatement, but then after thinking about it, I too agree. I use two connectors to join rails for occasionalcuts of plywood and I do not find it troublesome. If I were cutting panels/sheets everyday, then a longer rail would make life easier.

2. 
   JeffHeath | Mar 19, 2008 03:11pm | #19

   Steve

   I finally read this thread.  Do not hesitate to purchase the plunge saw.  It is absolutely a fantastic tool, and you will be happy to have it.  If you do cabinet work, it's so much easier to bring the tool to the 4' X 8' sheet instead of the other way around.  Also, with the long guide, it's great as a straight line rip for those "not-so-straight" wavy boards.

   The vac (I have the CT-33) is exceptional, and cutting and sanding are done virtually dust free.  Also, it makes about 1/4 the noise of my large Shop Vac.

   By the way, I don't work for Festool <G>..............I'm just a happy customer.

   Jeff