Which Rails Work? A Guide to Guiderails [video
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- Опубликовано: 28 май 2020
- In this weeks video I talk about #guiderail #compatibility, explain why #Festool is the de-fecto standard, and discuss a few things to watch out for with bargain guiderailrail bundles. Enjoy!
NB: Excel is an own-brand of Tools4Trade. The Excel 1.5metre rail is compatible with Makita and Festool, but their own Excel saw seems to be a clone of the Lidl Parkside, so the 2x700mm rails bundled with the Excel saw, or available as accessories have all the same issues that the Parkside saw and rails have.
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Download the same-size Festool guide rail drawing here - bit.ly/FestoolRail
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Become a Patreon member at the $5 tier or above to be eligible for the guiderail sample pack at patreon.com/10minuteworkshop
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Support the channel and receive a 5% discount across the board rail and workshop accessories at Benchdogs (link below) by using the offer code “10minuteworkshop” at checkout.
bit.ly/bench-dogs
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Videos mentioned:-
277 Tracksaw Workshop P1 • TW P1; What's a tracks...
323 Lidl’s tracksaw • Lidl's Parkside Tracks...
400 Big Decision: Festool or Mafell? • Big Decision: Festool ...
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As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.
Wherever possible links are to actual products used, but this is not always possible e.g. some products are not available in the US, so something [similar] has been linked to instead.
Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk/shop/petermi...
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Used/featured in this video:-
Festool guiderail - amzn.to/2BauKe0 (US:
Makita guiderail - amzn.to/3ep5y1C (US: amzn.to/2X6RLXM)
Evolution guiderails bundle (prices fluctuate) - amzn.to/2IhI149 (US: Powertec - similar amzn.to/2ERPKVP)
Excel guide rail (out of stock, price varies) - bit.ly/ExcelGuidrerail
Key blades 48t for TS55 - amzn.to/2ryM0Fv (UK only, sorry)
Festool TS55 Tracksaw - amzn.to/2pGvzDS (US: amzn.to/2oOgGhw)
Festool lever clamp - amzn.to/2pOohLD (US: amzn.to/2pnFZIM)
Festool Midi extractor - amzn.to/2tCIN3Q (US: amzn.to/2rKNIOx)
Bessey Duo Klamp - amzn.to/2tsSWQs (US:amzn.to/2sVaRBH)
Hultafors Talmeter tape measure - amzn.to/2pHwnbH (US: amzn.to/2oqLQc9)
Moldex 6810 in-ear defenders - amzn.to/2P2c5nP (US:amzn.to/2LgIsye)
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Other useful gear…
Festool MFT - amzn.to/2x49HHE (US: amzn.to/2J25aKy)
Festool PDC 18/4 - amzn.to/2s3J0eq (US: amzn.to/2tWUHEL)
Festool Granat abrasive - amzn.to/2A3c1vW (US: amzn.to/2gPAAUz)
Festool RTS 400 - amzn.to/2x6zGZW (US: amzn.to/2i84yXn)
Spax screws - amzn.to/2oYWydc (US: amzn.to/2oOjkDT)
Festool ETS 150/5 - amzn.to/2sapsq9 (US: amzn.to/2ssbZgq)
Festool CTL Sys - amzn.to/2sKa2t3 (US: amzn.to/2tCvVdZ)
Festool CTL SYS Bags - amzn.to/2G9eFVd (US: amzn.to/2GduBpo)
Trend Air Stealth Facemask - amzn.to/2zah0P6 (US: amzn.to/2T5ww6X)
Bahco 6” combi square - amzn.to/2oumhX4 (US: amzn.to/2ouSg9k)
Silicone brush set - amzn.to/2guo6Sm (US: amzn.to/2yEWbZI)
Silicone brush (single) - amzn.to/2l5rNTD (US: amzn.to/2zqFaQl)
Polyvine PolyTen PVA - amzn.to/2svT03N (US: amzn.to/2rmHYL3) 
Хобби
![Same blade, different saw = different story! [video #284]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jR25DirM34E/mqdefault.jpg)
![Same blade, different saw = different story! [video #284]](/img/tr.png)
![Tricky Tracksaw Cuts [video 460]](/img/1.gif)
I use the makita saw and rail. And the 3m one is an absolute beast for doing sheet goods. I also have a router adapter and i just love it. Only downside with these rails is that you can’t trust the splinterguards for measurements. I always measure away or to the alluminium and add or subtract that set offset.
Instead of that, just plunge the saw on the rail without it being turned on so the teeth are touching the material, and roll it forward. They’ll. leave little marks, you’ll see exactly where the cut will be.
Hmmm 🤔 should plunge saws have shadow/laser lines too 😁
Thanks for an excellent, informative video. Just what I needed to help decide whether I can adapt my current old DeWalt rails (one is actually an original Elu!) for use with my new Makita dhs680 saw (I'm doubting that it's worth doing, mainly because they lack the integrated glide strips but also the locating rib is slightly wider at nearly 17mm). Excel seem to be going at a sensible price at the moment, so maybe that's the route to go. Lots of other useful ideas in the feedback below too. Great channel. Thanks again, Peter.
Great video Peter. You just saved me a small fortune. I just ordered the Evolution Rails with the plunge saw.
Thanks Garry! 👍
Just the video I needed :) Got the Evolution 2800 rails for my Erbauer track saw, couldn't be happier - thanks Peter!
Glad to hear it, thanks Alasdair! 👍👍
"I like the smell of fresh cut rail in the morning!" - You made my day!
😂👍👍 Actually meant to say ‘...the smell of freshly cut Festool in the morning.” 🤷♂️😂👍👍
Thanks, one of your best product videos yet!!! My problem is how to either purchase or create an appropriate guide rail for 4x8 sheet goods without spending over $300 to do it. I have a Makita saw, which I am moderately happy with. If I had to do it over I would definitely go with Festool considering how often I use it, even being a hobbyist, I use it almost every day for something. Makita's track is $300 and I am afraid to look at what Festool wants for theirs. Anyway, thanks again, stay safe and healthy.
Thanks! I bought the Makita 3-metre rail way back for about £120 / $180. Don’t know what they cost now, but $300 seems high. 😱👍
Very informative and helpful video. I was contemplating getting a tacksaw and went for the 36v Makita....expensive as I'm not in the trade but well worth it. I saved some money buying the evolution rails which advertise compatability so I bought the 2x70cm kit and plan to get the 2x1.4m one at some point. They work perfectly with my Makita so far.
Same here.. after lots of comparison and review, I did not want an ultra cheap track saw that flexes (Ryobi, WEN) and would not pay the ultra premium cost of the Festool. The Makita 36V was the best mid-line model IMHO. The track cost is too high ($99 per 55" track), so I ordered mine without one and got the Powertec ones for far less... two 55" tracks, a nice bag, a quality right angle adapter and pair of track clamps, all for under $200.
Thank you Peter for that, informative as ever, tutorial. Having watched your previous series on the 'plunge saw wars', I kept my eyes peeled for the Evolution solution. I already owned the Makita plunge saw, which I bought as a package with two guide rails, the bag and two clamps for less than £400.
Initially, I was tempted by the 3m rail as the Makita rails don't seem to connect all that well. And whilst this has not really had any impact on the accuracy of the cuts - can't blame the rails for everything - there is a distinct clicking as the saw travels from one rail to the other. On top of this, they tend to gradually drift apart if you have to perform repeated cuts and are constantly moving the tracks. I really think there should have been an option for two joining strips, as there is on the Evolution, making alignment more reliable, and the connection more secure.
When the Evolution deal you mention came up on a special for £59, I just went ahead and bought them. I then did what your fellow RUclipsr at The Strawbyte Workshop suggested, and cut one of the Makita rails into two lengths 800mm/600mm making them easier to use on kitchen worktops and in smaller spaces, where the 1400 was just a tad too long.
Nice! You can use two joining bars in the Makita and Evo rails- it’s one up, one down with the Makita - like Festool - but completely do-able. 👍👍
I was wondering about that 800/600. The Detroit guide rail comes at 1400 only, seems likely to be cumbersome for most work. 700 is just blah.
Great video as ever Peter. Never had any problems with tipping on my Evolution track saw and rails. The set was great value for money. Really pleased with the saw itself and the set too.
Thanks Martin! 👍👍
How about putting another piece of the tape they use along that side as it looks like here is clearance
Thanks for the comparison. I am new to plunge saws and guide rails. Have an Aldi saw and just bought a set from Evolution with 2x 700mm rails, clamps, joiners and a bag for £50 direct from Evolution. Thanks for the issue with the low friction strips I will ensure that I try to keep pressure over the strips. The cut edges of the rails are a little rough which is disappointing as I assume they are machine cut, I may fettle these for a smoother joint and I agree the splinter guard is a little bulky.
Amazing content today Peter! You definitely had me shocked in the intro. I'm a big fan of your track saw videos. One product I would enjoy watching you review is the Kreg track saw and guide rails!
Thanks from Canada!
Thanks Daniel! If Kreg ever decide to sell their saw here in the UK, I’ll certainly take a look. 👍👍
Fantastic video! I have the Parkside saw and 4 pcs. of their rails. I plan to make some modifications to make them work really well.
Thanks! 👍👍
Great compare Peter! Never did a so wide look over the available clones. And also a great supporter idea! Was shocking to see you the guide rail cutting in half :D
Thanks Mathias! 👍
Thanks for this and your more recent plunge saw video peter, I’ve ended up going for Mcallister saw that come with 2 x smaller rails, the excel 2 x long rails and makita clamps. Looking forward to testing them out.
Have fun - and let me know how you get on! 👍
I modified a Makita guide rail slightly to fit my Parkside. I cut off the anti-tipping lip with an aluminium cutting blade so the Parkside would fit in the channels. But then found the splinter guard ended shy of the blade, so replaced it with a 2mm x 25mm rubber strip and trimmed to size. Now I have a Makita guide rail that can use all the aftermarket jigs on my Parkside.
Peter, I bought that excel guide rail 3 weeks ago, it was cheaper to buy a guide rail and squeeze clamps separately then the kit they offered. When I turned up and I first put it to use I went to buy another and like your self I was mortified to find it out of stock. Good informational video 👍👍
Yes! They’re really crap at bundles! 😂 👍👍Thanks James’
Super useful videos Peter you convinced me to pick up a track saw. I’ve ended up with the cheap silverline (looks identical to the lumberjack saw) for £60 off Amazon warehouse which came with two 700mm rails, can’t complain for my occasional use!
I did get the long excel rail also as they were £45 still cheapest a for long rail and the site did the makita splinter guard for £5...
...However one word of warning for anyone with the silverline or lumberjack (or wider track saws), they’re a touch wider than festool on the left and as such foul on the anti tipping lip of the excel/makita rail.
Having weighed up the cost of returning and other rails I will be angle grinding that lip off.
Good to know, thanks! Sounds like you picked up a bargain too!👍👍
Peter absolutely love your video’s. I’m a Brit living in the Northwest of the US and have recently decided to restart my woodworking hobby. Having dropped a small fortune on Festool I made a recent discovery. So Amazon recently starting promoting the Powertec brand for shop supplies. I’m not sure if there is a relationship with Amazon. The point - They sell two 55’ rails plus 2 connectors for approx $130. They work great!
Thanks Omar! Wow, they sound like great value! 👍👍
I've been very happy with my Powertec rails and Makita saw.
Peter, great vid as per usual. Followed your advice and got myself the Evolution 2800 set for my Titan saw. Couldn’t be happier, I can now rip full length 8 x 4 sheets accurately with ease. Many thanks for your help. Keep the vids coming!
Cheers Jay! 👍👍
Peter, great channel, just found you. That was interesting about Mafell making the Bosch rails and connector. And they are _identical_ which was a surprise for me. I have an older Bosch PKS-54 so will go for the Bosch (=Mafell) solution. All the best, Rob in Switzerland.
Thanks Rob, and welcome to the channel! Yes, Mafell make some of the parts for Bosch as well, but Bosch actually manufacturer the saw themselves. 👍👍
Such a perfect review. Unfortunately the budget rails available here are Wen and sometimes Grizzly. Thanks for the video - enjoyable as usual.
I own the titan and now I own the festool .. yeah man .. what a difference. I'm using the evolution rail. It's great so far. Really happy.
I'm using Lidl's Parkside plunge saw and evolution 2×1400 guide rail. Amazing
Great value kit! 👍👍
I've always stuck with the festool rails for whatever reason, if it was matching logos I don't know. Looks like it was a good decision as the accuracy looks to be the best by far out of the lot.
Good info here as always! If I could justify the cost of a ts55 it would be the saw I own but just setting out on this journey I went down the park side route! Seeing the issues with the evolution rail is interesting and I’m a little let down it doesn’t work with the square from last weeks video but I think I’m going to go with them anyway as I really want a single rail to do cross cuts with so the 1400 will be perfect. Keep one of the shorter original rails for small cuts and portability and I’m sorted. I don’t know if I’m just heavy handed or anyone else has found it but when I first tightened down the joining rail it blistered out the top of the track meaning I had to swap them round end to end so the saw would travel along it!
There’s a fix coming very soon for the evolution rails and the benchdogs rail square. FYI there are some very good deals going around on the festool saw and rail package. 👍👍
One of my dewalt rails guide bar is bigger than the other one that I have. Causes a step when running the saw along it
Best opening ever. :-)
Thanks! 😆👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop really cut through the jargon.
Thanks for the tip on excel rails, I don’t need any more rail sections, but their joining bars are very good value at 10£ posted for 2 sets.. Makita ones are more than that for 1..
Does the DeWalt plunge saw fit on excel tracks?
For anyone in the TrackSaw market this is the defacto guide to rails... nice one Peter
Thanks Paul! 👍
I’ve enjoyed my festool but I find the spilter rubber peels off at the edges and is a pain to replace as cleaning the glue off to get good bonding for the new
Hi Peter, after watching you David Stanton & Ron Paulk I felt that I needed a Plunge Saw but the cheapest I could get at Total Tools before Christmas was a Detroit (Total Tools Makita anti-tipping). So for $399 it has a 2mm scribing cut button by rotating a dial to scribe/Cut or replace blades it came with dust bag/2 joiners top/bottom/2 clamps/1400mm track with 165mm Plunge Saw & I bought another 1400mm track for $99. In Australia, it is about a bit under about a 1/3 of the Festool & 1/2 of the Mikita in price.
I am very impressed with it and it made making an 850mm wide x 800mm long x 195mm high Ramp at around 10Deg very easy.
Sounds great! And sound very much like the first cuts I made with my plunge saw! 👍👍
I bought one yesterday, it's still in its packaging. I bought the kit which adds the 1400m rail to the body, bot neither clamps nor dust bag.
I do plan on getting a "better" blade from Bunnings, most likely Diablo or Italian Irwin. It seem Italians are especially good at making cutting stuff, and/or persuading the world they do.
Fantastic video covering everything.
Thank you, that's very much appreciated! 🙌
Thanks for this Video. I just picked up the 2 x 700 Excel rails for £32:00 delivered inc VAT. Excellent value.
Just be aware that the 2x700mm Excel rails are not the same pattern at the 1x1500mm rail I talk about in this video. They’re more like the Parkside rails, not the Makita pattern.
From the video description:-
“NB: Excel is an own-brand of Tools4Trade. The Excel 1.5metre rail is compatible with Makita and Festool, but their own Excel saw seems to be a clone of the Lidl Parkside, so the 2x700mm rails bundled with the Excel saw, or available as accessories have all the same issues that the Parkside saw and rails have.”
@@10MinuteWorkshop I have a festool saw so I think they should be OK. If not they take returns. Thx
Any experience with the Triton rail? I’m looking to get a router guide for a Bosch router on an evolution rail... triton do a guide attachment, but I just can’t work out if it fits!!!
Great Video and very informative.... As a Newbe to all of this I find it amazing how many different products/tools there actually are out there. I didn't even know, well I am still not 100% sure, what the difference is between the Track Saw and the Circular saw.... other than the track :)
You have a new subscriber.... 2 thumbs up!
Thanks, and welcome! Try video #378, Skil saw or plunge saw - ruclips.net/video/cV3DjNlZq8s/видео.html 👍👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop my new nickname from the wife is Square-eyes :)
@@22illingworth That is so 1960s.
Am using the Titan saw and evolution rails and find it is brilliant
Yep, good combination! 👍👍
"smell of guide rail"! brilliant!
😆👍👍
Thanks for the the info... Iv just ordered the 2800 evolution rail from ffx.. For my erbauer track saw. Hope it works.
What a good video. Great details and info sir
Thank you! 👍
Another top video, Having now gone down the 'tracksaw' route when buying the Aldi kit for £29.99! fitted my first Kitchen with it this week, Impressed with it TBH, cut the worktops fine and the cutouts for the sink/hob, grip on the track is good impressive for the money! Having been looking at upgrading, Did I notice you using the Bosch rail in a previous video? I think I'm going to go for the Bosch as their Router works on the same rail and I like the way the rails 'join' (had a good look at the D&M tool show last yearish (I need a new mid range router as my Trend has died, Had it 20+ yrs) I think like you do yourself, pick a system and stick with it, it's not rocket science, Im a Makita fan but the Bosch kicks it ass on tracksaws IMO
Thanks! Yeah, the Aldi’s decent enough - especially at £30! - but I found I needed to do a lot more to it to get it cutting well. I had /have the Mafell on loan, but the Bosch looks good! 👍👍
I noted the pdf did not record the vertical measurements . Is that something that should be added ? I have an old 90's FESTOOL model ATF 55 EB and have been looking to get some replacement rail .
Just incase anyone has an erbauer saw, the excell track works great with it. Anti tip works & saw glides along track. Snugs up great. Only thing is, I haven't tried to join them yet.
I've joined them for a full board cut and alignment is superb 👍🏻
Nicely done, I have been wondering about the absolute compatibility between rails for a while - I have the Erbauer saw with the included 2 x 700 rails, I also happened across the Excel 1500 rail for £27 a week or so back, at the price I took the chance and glad I did, it works a treat - Cant say for sure it's 100% the same but the saw glides fine and the splinter guards align so it's good enough for me.
I Look forward to your Erbauer review as I have no comparison for mine (except a friends Festool which is no comparison at all) - I am only a hobbyist but I had to change the blade before my Erbauer would cut true, with the original blade it veered off the splinter guide 1 - 2 mm every now and then unless I cut VERY slowly (but no perceivable wobble or movement in the blade when stationary) - Very strange but new blade and splinter guards and all seems good.
Good info, thanks! Yes, I’ve had a few positive reports on the Erbauer recently, looking forward to getting my hands on it. 👍👍
Thanks for the Info. Just buying the Excel ones for my Erbauer after your recommendation.
Perfectly timed! I spent the last 3 days scratching my head whether to splash out for Festool or go with Evolution guide rail for my ts55
And the winner is...??? 👍👍
Very informative and will check your other training videos. Can you tell me which rails are compatible with the scheppach cs55 plunge saw thanks
Thanks. As I think I say in the vid Scheppach have the same issues as the Aldi saws, and I don’t recommend mixing other rails with them; so beat to stick to Scheppach originals throughout.
hi peter i am only just getting into diy/woodwork as a hobby and have been looking at the excel plunge saw as they have it on offer and was wondering if you know anything about what it's like or could recommend one .
i quite like the look of the erbauer also thanks.
Thanks Clayton. I don’t know anything about the Excel I’m sorry. I’m a big fan
If the excel rails, and I’ve approached them to ask about review samples, but have heard nothing in return. My go-to entry level saw remains the MacAllister - there are many videos in the tracksaw workshop playlist. The erbauer is a good saw, but has an odd blade size - which erbauer don’t even sell themselves as a spare part - so I wouldn’t really recommend it, unfortunately. Again, I review this it the TW playlist. 👍👍
So many guide rails... 😳
Good thing they don't take up a great deal of room. 👌🏽
Great comparison vid, mate 👍🏽
Cheers Bill! 👍
Hi Peter, thank you for another geat video. But I have one thing to point out. Festool rail sticks to the wood so clamping is not necessary. My other track is Pattfield (Hornbach market brand, 30 euro for 1400mm track), and is also Festool compatible, but it slips on the wood like crazy. I replaced glide strips and splinter guard with Makita spares, so the track now works pretty well now, but with stock soft strips on the bottom it is not any close to Festool grip. I cut the track to 800mm lenght for smaller jobs. And it works with handy Bosch 12V circular saw as well.
Yes, Festool have the most ‘grippy’ rails of any I’ve used, though Mafell comes pretty close. 👍👍
Just looking at this again as I have been having the exact problem with the TS55 and the Evolution rail. Basically when making long mitre cuts to make a "waterfall" table as we all know the TS55 will tip over when at 45 degrees. So it is necessary to keep very positive pressure on the sole plate to keep the saw flat. Putting the pressure in the wrong place will cause the saw to rock on the track just a little, ruining the cut. I plan to buy some more low-friction tape and put an additional strip in the empty channel, to see if this resolves the problem.
Yes, that would be a pain. If the additional glide strips don't help then something like the Anti-tip from Bisch Basch Bosch - ruclips.net/video/hpJXwEJkgpQ/видео.html - would do it, but he's out of stock of the Festool now. 🤷♂️
That thumbnail is a thing of beauty
Thank you! A slight break from the usual, but I think it worked OK. 👌👍👍
I have a Detroit tracksaw. It looks a lot like Makita track, it has that lip. Same overall width as the Festool.
Great stuff again Peter. I have been a long time follower of your track saw wisdom. I bought into the budget titan system from Screwfix but I am really missing a rail that can handle a full sheet of material. Any recommendations that I should consider requesting for an upcoming birthday?
Thanks Brian! The Evolution rail bundle is the best value by far right now, despite the niggles with glide strips. 👍👍
Hi Peter, you didn't include the Titan rails which I've found to be the closest to the festool rails and joining bar works from the top. I imagine you can't buy them separately and only come in 700mm lengths but are great from when I upgraded to festool.
Thanks Sam. The Titan’s discontinued now, but yes, the Titan rails are the same as the Makita, Triton, Excel etc... 👍👍
As I have a number of other Dewalt tools I bought the Dewalt track saw and rail and have been very happy with it. I realise its not the ‘standard’ rail; would have liked to have seen it covered in a bit more detail
I'm sure, but in all honesty there isn't much to say about them; they've gone completely their own way with the double-edged rail which causes all kinds of compatibility issues with accessories, and while the 2.6 metre rail is well priced, no other saw can use it. 🤷♂️
Hi Peter, I like your hinged guide rail set up for giving 90 degree cuts. Is there a video for making? I’m setup with the Makita saw and guide rails. Regards Brian
Hi Brian, and thanks! It’s an off-the-shelf Festool MFT or Multi-function table & the hinged rail comes as standard. See videos #182 and #183 for more details. 👍
Best, Peter
Video 182 ruclips.net/video/0V-p5F7SjO4/видео.html
Really useful video. Particularly liked the pdf of the Festool rail profile but a Makita one would be useful too. As a hobby diy er a Festool as much as I would love one seemed hard to justify so I bought an Erbauer. The cuts were good but the anti kick back is fiddly as are the 700mm rails. But there is a deal on 1400 Makita rails and I wonder if they work with the Erbauer, hence looking for a pdf of the profile.
Thanks! I don’t own the Erbauer, but according to the Q&A section on Screwfix, it is compatible with Makita rails. 👍👍
Hi Peter, very nice to have this overview!. Technical question: in comparison to earlier videos, like the plywood birdbox, this one has more loudness and/or bass in the audio. Did you do anything different in that respect? I had to adjust my speakers a bit.
Hi Caspar, and thanks! Ah, yes - I was using my wireless mic last week and had the camera audio set to -6dB, so I had to boost it in the edit; that may explain the ‘different’ audio, my apologies. Should be back to normal in the next one. 👍👍
Measured the Rutlands tracks - 1.4 m in two parts @£50 - in line with the Festool dimensions, but no outer accessory slot.
Yep, the Rutland’s the same pattern as the Lidl Parkside 👍👍
Hiha peter just a quick question i have the erbauer saw and was thinkin of a few new reals but not sure what ones fit. have 4x700 reals for rippin 8ft sheets but finding am not get a 100% straight cut can you recommend what track will fit my saw and best size of real for my job.. thanks
Unless you’re going all in in a 3-metre rail you’ll have one join in there. The erbauer uses a Makita-pattern track, so you could go for a 3-metre Makita rail at £160-ish, or perhaps two 1500mm Excel rails (closest Makita clone I’ve ever seen) at around £70. 👍👍
Do you know if the Mafell MT 55 track saw fits perfectly on a Makita track, any downsides in taking this route. Thanks?
Hi Peter, I enjoyed your video very much. Just to throw in to mix, I recently bought Metabo KS55FS with FS 160 rail.
The bundle costs around 200 euros.
I guess its oltder model but I could not resist for that price.
The rails looks like "bosh" but I did not do the measurements.
Also, you can get 800mm rail for 60 euros on amazon.de which is close to youtool which costs 40 Euros.
Have a good day.
Thanks Pavel! Great price. 👌👍👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop The downside is that it's really hard to find any accessories. Peter would you be so kind and measure the height of space in which the clamps should be inserted? At my Metabo rail it's 6.5mm. I am trying to assert whether I can use bosh (or other) clamps. Thank you very much.
Do you know if the Metabo Fsw angle fits on a Festool Rail? It is pretty cheap in comparison, so it would be great. My local dealer has none available to try it myself
I don’t I’m sorry, no. No experience of the Metabo stuff at all. 🤷♂️👍
I really like the flexibility of having two 700mm over the 1400mm rail, for smaller cuts it's less of a faff lining it up as you don't have a metre of track in your way, and it's a lot easier to carry around.
In fact, I've taken them on the bus with me!
Yep, there’s always a place for a smaller rail. But having one longer one is pretty handy too. 👍👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop I suppose it depends on what you use the track saw for, for the few times that I've needed a longer track, I've just done it in multiple passes. The rest of my longer cuts are done on the tablesaw as they're usually too narrow to cut safely anyway
Have to agree - in similar vein I have 2 of Axminster's Pro Grip clamps in 610 & 1270 lengths for convenience and handling - I've yet to graduate to a plunge-saw. BTW must be summer, no T-shirt & shorts this week:-)
What a hassle to line up a 1600 (Bosch) rail for a 200mm cut... Bump it off the mark three times only by setting the saw onto the rail...
To add the Kreg Track is same width as festool but the middle t-slot track that faces down is about 1 inch or more away from the back.
Thanks! 👍👍
I have the powertec rails got 2 55" for $110 with couplers that are identical with Makita
I have 2 questions, does anyone know if makita track works with bosch pks 55 and if makita track works with older generations of festool (atf 55)? Thanks for help.
Informative as usual. In the wild axxx guess department. I can think of a reason why no one has copied the Festool rail despite the fact the patent has expired. Given Festools corporate culture I think you would have to fairly certain you would be sued. IP lawyers fees to other lawyers fees are Festool prices to Aldi prices. All they have to do is allege that the consumers are being misled by the knock off and years of extremely expensive litigation can follow. This may be cynical but it is an informed opinion.
Just out of interest was the patent comment a bit of coat trailing?
Hi Peter great videos, can you please tell me What height runners did you use when you made you own rail
Hi & thanks! Sorry, don’t understand the question though - what runners?? 🤔
Just bought the Evolution R185CCSX+ circular saw complete with the 2800mm track. Is the excess rubber on the track suppose to be cut off after first use?
Yes, you trim back the splinter guard, then the rails is tuned to your saw. If you’re new to tracksaws, may I suggest the tracksaw workshop series of videos - this and all tracksaw-related videos are on a playlist here - bit.ly/TracksawWorkshop
Hi Peter i have bought the erbauer plunge saw with 2 x700 guide rails ,only problem is the rails are not long enough to cut full length of 8x4 sheet or 1981 door could you advise if any other rail fits the erbauer love the video's thanks mike
Erbauer uses the standard Makita-pattern rail, so Makita or Festool rails will be fine. 👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop thank you 👍
Great video, your style is so supportive and encouraging :-)
I bought the 2021 Parkside tracksaw and wanted to use the Festool FSZ 120 guide clamps but I can't find out if they will fit the Parkside track. Axminster Tools sell similar own (don't look like Festool) clamps but they are 7.5mm thick (for inserting into the track lower T slot. The Parkside track T slot is inly 6.25 mm deep Any ideas? Regards
Hi there. Yes, the Festool screw clamps, quick (ratchet) clamps and the similar Axminster trade ratchet clamps all fit the Parkside rails. 👍👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop Many thanks :-)
@@10MinuteWorkshop I Got the Festool clamps from Screwfix worked like a charm. Many thanks
Hey thanks for the awesome videos. I just bought my first track saw , it's a parkside performance track saw which rail's you recommend in order to cut a full shit of plywood without joining 4 rails?
Thanks in advance
I would like to know if you recommend any other accessories that work with that saw and you find the useful
I use the new festool 55 feq. and the Makita rail guide because of its price.
Very happy with my Evolution rails matched to the Macallister track saw. Most of my work is on melamine coated chip board. Any ideas on the most "Grippy" cushion strips for the base. I would like to upgrade them
Festool have the grippiest cushion strips on the base, in my experience. 👍
Thank you😊
Hi, Andres had tagged you on a Twitter thread over the weekend with myself. At the beginning you joked about cutting the guide rail. I have a 1m and 1.5m rail, but could really use just a single 700mm for smaller cuts as I don't have a table saw. Can you recommend anywhere to get one, or how to go about getting a clean cut otherwise?
Hi Alex. Most manufacturers make a short rail - usually 800mm - and they’re pretty widely available from all the usual places, though not the cheapest of options, of course. If you want to crosscut a guiderail, then pretty much any TCT blade will do for an occasional cut, higher tooth count the better - 48t works well. What saw do you have?
Interesting video again Peter, thank you. I use a dewalt tracksaw with two 1.5m rails but find that when cutting a 2.4 board length ways, it’s difficult to get a straight cut. Do you find this with festool rails? I was looking at a festool 3m rail as the 2.6m dewalt are all out of stock but they are a massive £300+.
Thanks! Never had any issues joining rails, I must admit, though I know plenty who have. The Makita 3-metre rail was always the best value of the Festool-pattern rails, I think I paid ~£120 for mine, way back, but I'd expect them to more than that now!
I have/had the same issue joining rails for ripping sheets, the saw would bind at the join. Looking into it the rail would flex at the join and cause a crooked cut. The problem was the joining bar was just a hair to narrow in the channels underneath, and would allow the rails the flex and subsequently walk apart from the butt ends. Granted all of the above was with cheap rails so I wasn’t too disappointed.
Solution was to simply machine my own joining bar to be a neat knock in fit.
I have the erbauer saw and rails, does anyone know what rails are compatible with it? I don’t like joining the two small rails and I cannot seem to find anywhere I can get additional rails from. Thanks!
I don’t own one but I believe it’s the same track as the Titan is a Makita clone, so pretty much any Festool or Makita pattern rail should work ok. 👍
Useful to know Peter. Would be a good shout out on the W.W.U.K. Forum.
Thanks! I tend not to promote my videos there as the mods can get a bit antsy about all that - but if a member wanted to shout it out for me... 🤔🤷♂️👌😂
Neilson block plane. I’ve got one of those.
Does anyone know if the bosch saw works well with excell or makita rails? The bosch ones are crazy money
Great video. Really appreciate the details on the DeWalt. Maybe I can have my cake and eat it, too, by buying the DeWalt saw and using Festool rails. Something for me to ponder and research more... 👍
Thanks! Yep, DeWalt’s a nice saw, I keep trying to pick one up used, but they always go for more than I’m prepared to pay. A healthy sign! 👍👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop I have the DeWalt saw and I'm about to buy some festool rails. I find the DeWalt rail has a large amount of flex, and is also very wide, so when used on an mft with dogs or a rail square, the flex can mess up the cut v often. Fine for long cuts but no good for using it as a an mft mitre saw
Chicken Dinnerz I have wondered if the wider rail would cause a problem. I thought the extra width might help with deflection on long cuts, but that’s good feedback from your experience. Thanks for sharing!
@@g1mpster it is good on long cuts, but for mft cross cuts like Peter does a lot it's not good as it's very happy to sag, and also the extra width can mean there's less material to register on the fence, by the time it gets to the cut line if that makes sense.
Chicken Dinnerz yup, makes sense. Really appreciate the feedback.
Hey Peter, what would you say are the ideal length of track for someone who does kitchens and doors? Mainly alot of doors. Looking to buy the Excel 165mm Plunge Saw 1400W Heavy Duty 240V
from Mano Mano since I have a voucher from them. Not sure What tracks and clamps to get for it though. Says it is compatible with Makita and Festool tracks.
The Excel rail I have is identical to the Makita rail; when I was doing a lot of doors I bought a 3-metre Makita rail and cut it down to 2100/900 and that worked really well, though it was a slightly pricey way to do it. If you don’t mind having a join, then another excel 1500 rail cut down and permanently attached to make the same arrangement would be an option. The Excel rail joining bars are very good and great value at about £7/pair. HTH! 👍👍
I are there technical drawings anywhere of the tracks. I want a 1400 track to use with my Rutland plunge saw
There’s plenty around for the Festool and Mafell rails - a quick google will usually turn them up. I doubt the Rutland rails will get that kind of attention, but afaik it’s the same as the Einhell / Parkside pattern rail, so that should widen the scope a little. Seem to recall there was a Dutch supplier that did a 1400 rail for the Parkside?? Might be worth a search? Or the Evolution rails, maybe? 👍👍
How is the Bosch track? I'm looking for a left blade track (capable) saw, and Bosch us bringing the Left Blade 7-¼" Strongarm in the coming year. While the saw is amazing, I've heard some less than amazing reviews for their track.
Never used it, though I’ve used the Mafell which is almost identical. It joins well, but I found it very narrow after standard tracks like Festool and Makita.
I would love to see you have a look at the Kreg ACS system. Kreg should just send you one to check out. LOL
They’ve decided not to make it available here in the UK, unfortunately. 🤷♂️
Does the Mafell/Festool integrated cross cut rail work on the Bosch/Makita circular saw? Thanks
No idea I’m sorry. 🤷♂️
Good informative video Peter, have you had any dealings with the Erbauer plunge saw and its compatibility with the other brands you mentioned?
Thanks! I have one on order! The Erbauer tracks are basically identical to the Makita/Excel rails, as far as I know. 👍👍
Peter Millard , thanks 👍
I bought a Rutlands plunge saw and it keeps going off the cut line and i can not figure out why even when rail is clamped down any ideas
Mark Armstrong maybe the blade is flexing or blunt and pushing against the materials
Ive just bought the Excel saw with extra guide rail. They seem to have changed it though. It is no longer like the makita. It now mirrors the Lidl one.
The 1400 Excel rail is the same as the Makita, but the 2x700 rails that come with the saw are like the Parkside - as is the saw. Crazy situation! 🤷♂️
What rail works well with the Titan plunge saw? Think screwfix have discontinued this now
Yes, the Titan was discontinued last year, which is why it didn’t feature here. Works well on the Festool rails, evolution, Makita. Etc... 👍👍
Hi, I have recently purchased a Bosch circular saw, what are your thoughts on Kregs guide rail set?
Thanks
I’ve no experience with the Kreg rails I’m afraid, as Kreg don’t sell them here in the UK. 🤷♂️
@@10MinuteWorkshop I’ve seen a few pop up on eBay/Amazon. What wit if you suggest for a Bosch?
You are the Tracksaw King, I love my Titan I am making a replacement roof cover for my friend’s pond equipment enclosure and needed to cut the fall for the 75x50 timber bearers. I set my table saw up only to find I couldn’t set out my angles so got my track saw out and it cut both bearers perfectly. Love the saw and the tracks think I might now need to replace the splinter guard as is was 50mm cut and there was lots of black bits in the sawdust and there was no burn out. Thanks for your advice on getting the Titan. Keep up the great work.
Cheers Ray! I was using my Titan just the other day - still my favourite entry-level saw, even after all this time! 👍👍
Hi Peter, thanks for such a great discussion.
I currently have 2 Macallister track saw sets and I was wondering how compatible they are with the makita guide rail? I would like to upgrade to the longer rails but don't want to get them if they won't fit.
Hi there! The Macallister tracks are virtually identical to Makita pattern, as are the Erbauer and Triton tracks, so you'll be fine with them. 👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop Thank you very much for the reply, that helps hugely.👍
Hi Peter, I Recently discovered your channel and learning so much, I bought the Loose tenon + Jig Can you tell me what track is compatible with erbauer plunge saw track? As cant seem to find the info anywhere, Many thanks :)
Hi Paul, thanks and welcome. The Erbauer uses track that’s virtually identical to the Makita-pattern tracks, so the excel 1.5m rail mentioned here will work fine. I compared the erbauer with the Triton equivalent in this video, if it helps - Two Big saws [**Gifted][video 442] ruclips.net/video/ZCVPNFeHAQ8/видео.html
@@10MinuteWorkshop Excellent, thanks Peter
how do the erbauer ones stack up against the rest Peter? i know you did have one. I have used mine a lot recently with my new mft top and dogs and its been great for the money.
The rail? Very good; dead ringer for the Makita / Teuton / Excel rail. 👍
Like others I've fallen foul of the Excel 2 x 700 incompatibility with Makita. However I'm using a Makita 7601 regular circular saw in conjunction with the recommended rail adaptor, and if approximately 17mm of black plastic it trimmed-off the two protuberances on the 'motor side' of the adaptor it looks like it may well work and retain its integrity. But I'm close to spending nearly as much as the proper item, and ending-up with something which may be a bit of a lash-up. Should have learned this lesson by now at my stage of life, but can't stop myself always chasing to low £££ option.
Haha...
For some reason I felt the need to say out allowed... what are you doing!!!!
Then it dawned on me... our fellow Peter knows what he is doing
Up to a point... 😂👍👍
Hi Peter, could you tell me if the workzone plunge saw will fit and run on the makita or festool rails thanks for the vids really enjoying them
Hi Peter, and thanks. It does fit but not well - I go into the details about why in video #285, starts here - ruclips.net/video/nZGt_LqR5O8/видео.html
Thanks for the info. great work its much appreciated
I know I’m a little late to this party Peter, but do you have the Mafell still, and does it fit the Makita rails? Many thanks!
Does anyone know if the Rutlands 165mm track saw rail is compatible with any other brands?
As far as I know, it’s a dead ringer for the Lidl Parkside. 👍