Guide rail accuracy

[Karl]

I have the Dewalt plunge saw, with a 1.5m guide rail. I had been thinking of buying the 2.6m guide rail from Screwfix, who have it on offer for £70. But storage is an issue, and another 1.5m rail would be easier to take out on site.

Can anybody tell me how accurate two guide rails joined together are? I was planning on buying the 2.6m rail as it (presumably) is more accurate than two 1.5 rails joined together.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers

Karl

 

[FatFreddysCat]

Not quite the same, but I use Festool guide rails (2 x 1400mm and 1 x 800mm). In terms of accuracy just how accurate do you want things to be? Bear in mind that it is pretty difficult to actally find anywhere to support an 8ft length of material on site. I've found that the guide rail systems I've used are all reasonably accurate when joined and that the convenience of not having to carry round an 8ft piece of aluminium (which is just begging to get damaged in the can or when taking it across any site) outweighs any potential accuracy issues. None of the flooring guys I've seen bother with the longer guide rails either for the same sort of reason

 

[ndbrown]

Slightly different option.
My solution is 2 x 1.5m rails. Cut one 1.5m rail to make two sections (500mm + 1000mm) carefully with a hacksaw. Use the 1m with the standard 1.5m joined together for 8" x 4" sheets when required and the 500mm one for the occasional shorter cross cuts, also when required.
All rails still fit in the Dewalt bag for carrying around. And I have not found a problem with the accuracy of 2 rails joined together.
Nigel

 

[Karl]

FFC - the "accuracy" point relates to whether two guide rails joined together deflect from straight, whereas I assume that a 2.6m rail would stay straight along its length.

A 2.6m rail is £70. A 1.5m rail and joining bar is £60. The 2.6m rail seems like good value, but the points of storage and, more importantly, transportation should it ever be needed on site, are big -ve's.

Nigel - good point about chopping down a rail.

Cheers

Karl

 

[trousers]

I use my Festool guide rails for breaking down sheets in the workshop.
I've found it a bit of a faff to get 2 x 1400's to be accurately straight, especially if they've been apart to, say, trim a few doors.
I need it to be pretty spot on as I only want to cut to size once.
Therefore I've just ordered a 2700, and will be getting rid of one of the 1400's. So with one of each I feel i'll get accuracy, no changeover times and as much versatility.
Anybody want a 1400 guide rail and joiners?

 

[FatFreddysCat]

FFC - the "accuracy" point relates to whether two guide rails joined together deflect from straight

Karl

The joints on rails are generally pretty good because it's the steel joiner bars which give you the accuracy, not how square the ends of the rails are (and they can be pretty rough after some use). Festool are possibly better than most because they can use two joiner bars, whereas the deWalt rails use a single one I believe

I ended up with two 1400s and an 800 because they all fit neatly together in a Festool carrying case which is short enough to carry over my shoulder (and go through hoors) whilst the saw is in its' case in my hand. It will also carry crossways in the back of my car or inside the boot (although my car is pretty big). It can even be carried inside one of those cr*ppy Berlingos we seem to end up hiring when a van is needed. I find that 800mm is often a tad long for trimming door bottoms but when it comes to the bigger fire and cloakroom doors used in some places it works well enough so I live with it. The 1400s are often used singly only being joined when an 8ft rip is required (a rarity).