Track Saw Guide Rail Case - How To Build Your Own
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- Find out how to build your own track saw guide rail case that is super simple to make and provides rugged protection. Track saw guide rails are a precision piece of equipment and need proper protection when storing or transporting them. This case keeps the edges of the rail from contacting the inside of the case so they will never get knocked around inside the case. Learn how to easily build your own.
When I bought my Makita SP6000 track saw kit a few years ago I also purchased a second rail to join to the first for long rip cuts. I quickly realized that I needed a better way to transport my guide rails to site to keep them protected. I designed this case to fit my tracks into that keeps them protected and makes them easy to carry. The key to the design is the bolts that the guide rails register on which keeps the edges of the rails from contacting the inside of the case. This way if the case gets dropped or bumped then the rails won't be damaged. Learn how to quickly and easily build your own shop made guide rail case that can be made from scraps around the shop.
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![Which Rails Work? A Guide to Guiderails [video #403]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_HtpT_bK7zw/mqdefault.jpg)
great stuff bud!
Great build ! Any build plans with measurement to share ....
Unfortunately I don't have any plans available.
Good idea and another great video.
Question: What is the weight of the case alone?
Thanks
Thanks. I've never weighed it but I think it probably weighs maybe 8 lbs
Perhaps you can glue a magnet inside for the allen wrench
+EJ Wu great idea, that would keep it in one place.
Put a Rip strip of wood or plastic to make a simple compartment for thre Alan Key...
thats exactly what I thought as soon as I saw him drop it in n:-)
Cheers Dan, I will be making one of these real soon. and I like the idea from EJWu with the magnet too, I wasnt keen on the soft bags you can buy for a pair of these rails.
Great idea, simple to make and most importantly will give plenty of protection to the guide rails in transit. Good stuff!
Taking care of your tools so they will take care of you.....always a good idea!
Nice you should paint that thing.
I like your idea but think it could be better if the back and lid were composite
I am thinking of making mine of aluminum ribs and fiberglass or carbon if it’s not to expensive. The bolt idea is Golden!!!! Super !!
I've just made one off these very handy i hope kreg is watching this
Great idea, thanks for sharing! :-)
Fiendishly simple solution, well done.
Much better than anything you can buy! Great stuff.
very clear and easy to understand stuff; do you have any tips for bosch jigg saw dust remover?
+SignalSource thanks. I'm not quite sure what you mean about the dust remover. Can you clarify?
I have a gst 10.8v jigg and in the l boxx there is a funnel out pipe but tried to connect to a standard size vacuum cleaner and no success - its not a tied fit. im trying to find a solution before i rescue the situation using duct tape:)
+SignalSource I use the Bosch dust extractor hose to connect to my Bosch jigsaw and it works perfectly. I really like the Bosch hose since it has a quick disconnect on the end too.
Dan Pattison
Thank you. I thing I should be doing sth. wrong as mine is slightly loose and it doesn't fit good enough. Thanks again! Have ordered a guide rail kit ( including jigg socket) and once i get it hoping to do some precise cuts.
This bag is cool. But need to carry it just for guide. Interesting, can we use oarts of it in system? For example for this vacuum hose holder which you attached to worktable. Or maybe other purpose. Like fence or something else. Need to think.
+mirock's woodshop you could certainly incorporate it into something that carried other parts as well. I like to have things carried separately generally so that I can just take what I need to a job site and not be carrying something else along that I don't need.
That is a beautiful and highly functional design! Love it 😍
Has anyone got plans for this 55" rail size? If not, any dimensions?
Got 2 straight and flat 55"s after some back and forth. Started building this today. How does the carriage bolt stay on the case? Mere friction? Has it fallen out if so?
+Know How just a friction fit. I've never had them fall out but if you want to make them extra secure just add some two part epoxy to the back of the carriage bolt heads before you put them in and that will keep them in place.
Thank you so much m👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I will be building this this weekend thank you so much for sharing.
Superb design - simple and effective.
Good idea
Please video the assembly of the whole project. As it is it now it leaves various questions like how does the lid fit? / is it hinged? / are the bolts glued? /. Is the lid inset? / is the lid simply a peace of ply w/o hardwood w two holes only? What?
+Gary Kimes I can't do a video of the whole assembly process since it's already built but it's a pretty simple construction. The lid just registers on the two bolts and sits on top of the hardwood strips that make form the perimeter of the case. The bolts aren't glued but they could be glued for a more secure installation.
With plans from the stodoys work was really fast.
Bought the Makita track saw based on your review video. I will plan on building this case. Question: do you like the quality of cut when you splice the 2 55" tracks together? Or would getting the 115" track be better? I don't rip plywood lengthwise often so I would be splicing the 2 55" tracks sometimes.
+Know How I use two 55" rails with the splice kit and it works very well for me. As long as you have two tracks of identical width then it makes a flawless transition when the saw goes over the joint. It takes a little extra time to join the rails together and make sure they are straight to each other but I find that extra time is the better way to go for me since a 115" rail would be a pain to store and transport.
I just got the 115" rail and I am so glad I did. I got tired of joining the 2, 55" rails together, etc.
I found that the machining wasn't great on the tracks (as much as I love the system and my two 55" tracks never were as smooth as I hoped when transitioning over the joint. I'm much happier with the long track, plus in a pinch I can use my 55" tracks to extend it. Being able to straight-line 16' material is a nice bonus. 👌
Looks great I will build soon thanks
Hey Dan, I see the Bosch Track Saw is available in Canada now, have you gotten one yet?
Yes I've actually been using the Bosch for a few month now and I've been very happy with it. I definitely prefer the Bosch over the Makita.
@@DPShopTalk Perfect. Looking forward to a video.
This is fantastic! Thank you for sharing.
great idea, will be making one asap.
You can drill a hole on the inside and stick your allen key in, so it dont move around. Nice video
+Ricki Mahabir that's a good idea. The other thing I was thinking about doing for the allen key is embed a small rare earth magnet inside the case so that the allen key would just stick to that. A small hole would definitely be the easiest way.
Great idea! I like that the splinter guards won't get damaged. How much does it weigh? Could it be built with 1/4" or thinner plywood to help lighten it? I have one shorter track also, any ideas how to incorporate it in the case?
+Steve I'll have to weigh it to find out. The plywood that I used was fir plywood so it's not super heavy but you could use 1/4". You would need to reinforce where the carriage bolt goes through on the bottom layer though if you used 1/4" ply. I figured 1/2" would be a bit more durable for the long haul. If you put a shorter track in the case you could maybe make a block that went between the faces of the rails at the end of the short rail(the end that isn't registered on a bolt) that would keep the loose end of the short rail from moving side to side. Basically the guide ribs of the rails would lock into notches in the block to keep them registered together. Does that make sense?
+DP Shop Talk Good idea, that makes perfect sense. Fastcap make a soft bag version of of the case but I think yours is a lot more durable and will protect the rails very well. Thanks for the quick return and great videos. Cheers
+DP Shop Talk (Your input/comment is incomplete)
Good case. Add shoulder strap. Both hands now free.
Great idea. It would be a little on the heavy side to comfortably carry on one shoulder but it would work.
Too heavy for your shoulder, but not for your hand?
Comfortably was the keyword in my last comment. You could cetainly carry it on your shoulder but personally I find it more comfortable and easier to maneuver carrying it with my hands.
Having said that, I still think the shoulder strap is a good idea, don't get me wrong. I just find that personally I don't end up carrying things on my shoulders because I'm usually maneuvering through tight spaces. My Stabila level case for example, it has a shoulder strap but I never use it like that because I find its easier to carry it. Just a personal preference though.
Dan, I hear you. I usually carry long items (like my level case) by hand as well. My practical concern is heading through a doorway while carrying something else (like my track saw case) in the other hand. It's helpful to have a hand free at least for that part of the portage. As for comfort and maneuverability, you might want to try carrying with the strap on the shoulder opposite the side the case is on, like you do with a messenger bag.
I like it Dan, that's a simple but good one. Going to build one for mine now.
+Michael Grimes thanks, it definitely gives a lot of protection for a small investment of time and scraps. If you get a chance to post some pics of yours when it's done it would be great to see it.
Question about your makita rails. Love the case. I want to make something similar. I actually own the new Kreg Accut Cut XL rails. I have not cracked the new box open yet. I am concerned about the fact that it is 4 separate rails. In your case you only have two. So each time you have to put the rails together. I have watched/read reviews about rails and others have mentioned that there is concern about rails being straight when putting them together. So my question to you is how well does the accuracy work out when you have to keep reconnecting the rails? For me I have to deal with 4 rails and not liking the idea.
When I join my two Makita rails I use an accurate 4' aluminum straight edge (the same one I use for calibrating the tables on my jointer) to make sure that the two rails are aligned with each other. I put the straight edge along the rib that the saw rides on and adjust them until they are in perfect alignment and then tighten down the locking screws. How long are the Kreg rails? It would seem to me that it would be a pain if you had to join them all the time. For me I have 2 55" rails so I only have to join them when I want to rip a sheet length wise. For most cuts I just use one rail. The other factor when joining rails is that the profile of them has to be identical. I did have some trouble with that when I was trying to find two rails that I was happy with since some of them varied slightly in their profile. Hopefully that helps.
@@DPShopTalk Totally understand your comment on the profile of the rails. I have been eyeballing the Makira track saw that is why I was watching your video. About 8 months ago I spent money on a Milwaukee 71/4 saw because my dewalt 18v could not get through an entire cut along the 8 feet of plywood. I was not thinking about spending money on a track saw. So after spending on the Milwaukee I realized hey I need to get a better solution for rips and even cross cuts. So I tried a few things, not making my own straight edge track saw jig, but other ideas and they did not work out. I then said I am getting something from Kreg because I thought all the tools would be kinda universal. I had the rip cut device they have and it worked well after I got used to it. I am very new to wood working, about 9 months. My diaper is full of sawdust if you get my reference. ;-) All of a sudden I heard about the new AccuCut XL which i think has been out a little over a month. man sorry I am rambling. Here is what I have 4 separate 26.5 inch track with pretty much the same type of connectors you use on the makita. Kreg came out with a track saw last month I think it is. Comes with a 62.5 inch track, single piece. Can buy an extra 62.5. I could send this AccuCut XL back and put that money towards the new track saw/tracks but it is so new. It would cost me $399 for the saw and one track, then for the extra track it is another $99 as well as another $42 plus for the connector kit to get the two 62.5 inch tracks together. Looking at a total of $540. Man I would just go for the cordless makita track saw at that point.
A track saw is definitely the most accurate route to go and the most efficient. I haven't heard much about the new Kreg track saw yet but I have seen it on Instagram. The cordless Makita looks nice and Bosch also just released their corded saw which looks great too. I guess it depends on how much you think you'll use the track saw and what your budget is.
@@DPShopTalk Ok Dan. I did it. Sold my youngest child and one kidney and bought the Makita cordless track saw. Got it from acmetools.com for $499. Model is XPS01PTJ. Had a nice promotion too, 2 extra batteries and a 39 inch rail. Not sure why the 39 inch rail. Some other folks have stated, yeah you could use the rail but it would have been much better to get the 55 inch rail. I am waiting to get the order. Today I went to a local store I never knew existed, not a home depot or lowes. I was able to pickup the 119 inch Makita track. If I ordered the track from Acmetools it would have cost $199 just to ship it yet all the other items was free shipping. Went local, paid $10 more than Acme and some tax but still alot saved over paying $199 to ship just the 118track. Now I came back to you to see if you had some suggestions on protecting this track. It came in a box like structure, thin frame of maybe 1.25 by 1.25 and then these flat boards stapled like a sandwich. I need to find a way to be able to move it when not in use. It has to be stored in something. I am really excited to get my hands on this as I have never used one before. One last thing, today I order a single 55 inch track from Acmetools.
Congrats on the new saw Robert! The cordless Makita looks like a nice saw. If I were you I would make a case similar to the one I made for my two 55" tracks. The reason I went with 2 55" tracks is for ease of storage and portability compared to the 119" track. Having said that it would be nice to have the 119" to avoid having to join the 55" tracks. I think a wooden case like mine would give the best protection.
great idea. Question is the lid held on with any kind of nut or is it friction fit?
+1kenkelly the lid is held on with a couple wing nuts that thread onto the bolts. In the video it's actually one wing nut and one regular nut since I was short a wing nut but it should be 2.
The wingnuts sound like a hassle and would make it impossible to stack the case in a utility truck or van - I’d have the bolts index the top but not come through - and then use a couple of recessed flight case latches to hold the lid on. The lid could also be hinged if the bolts didn’t need to poke through. And you def need to rethink the loose Allen key and other hardware - that stuff will be toast. I like the magnet idea but some kaizen foam might be nicer.
1kenkelly
Greek music
Hmm.. how do you store your 118" track? 🤔.. also where are you from? The Maritimes?
I have two 55" tracks that I join. I find that much easier than trying to store a 118" track. Yes I'm from Nova Scotia.
@@DPShopTalk sweet I'm from NB. I'm contemplating the 118 or the extra 55. What are your thoughts on keeping the 55's straight when joined together? Any problems at all? Any advice you can give me?
Cool, my wife is from NB. I usually use a straightedge when getting the tracks lined up but it's a bit of a tedious process I find. TSO Products makes a joining kit that is supposed to be self aligning and much better than the stock Makita kit. I'll put the link for it below. I've been using the Bosch track saw for the past few months and like it quite a bit better than the Makita. The system for joining the Bosch rails is effortless and accurate.
tsoproducts.com/tso-products-guide-rail-squares/grc-12-self-aligning-guide-rail-connectors/
@@DPShopTalk got a good deal on the Makita off Amazon so I'll be running it but if all you need is a straight edge to keep the tracks aligned when joining together, I may go with another 55 inch. The kit from TSO, how is it different then the Makita kit?
@@BrandonContracting I use the straightedge to get the tracks aligned straight and then tighten the screws in the joining bars. The process can be a bit of a pain though since sometimes the tracks can move a bit when you're tightening the screws. I think the TSO kit is self aligning so it registers to the inside of the grooves and makes both tracks straight with each other where as the Makita kit has a lot of slop and requires the straightedge to align them properly.
. . . talking 5 minutes for a content of 5 seconds . . . American !
I'm not American
Sorry !
No worries. I'm Canadian.
This is about the 3rd or forth "track case" I've seen on you tube. WTF? Do you think this is the stradivarius of wood working? It's a piece of extrued aluminum with rubber strips glued on. I don't know what your time is worth but I can buy 2 or 3 new ones for the time it would cost me to make a case. Do you tote this around every day to gigs like a musician? IMO wate of time and money.
Same comment on the Three videos Frank, I don't think you realise how expensive those tracks are whether they are Festool or Makita or whatever, they need looking after especially carrying them from job to job every day