Festool PD561432 Benutzerhandbuch

Supplemental Owner’s Manual 

11

Guide rails come in a variety of lengths, ranging from 32 

inches to 197 inches (800mm to 5000mm). It is always best 

to use the correct length rail for the cut, but sometimes it 

is necessary to join two smaller rails together to make a lon-

ger rail. Guide rail connecting bars are available for joining 

two or more guide rails together.

The length of the guide rail must be at least 10 inches 

(250mm) longer than the cut to be performed. This is so 

that the saw can be supported (and guided) at both the 

beginning and end of the cut. The minimum position is when 

the guide rail cam (

) is at the edge of the rail, but 

still on the rail.

 

►

The guide rail must extend at least 6 to 7 inches (depend-

ing on blade depth) ahead of the cut to allow the saw-

blade to be plunged without entering the workpiece.

 

►

The guide rail must extend at least 3 inches past the cut 

to allow the center of the blade to exit the workpiece.

To simplify storage or transportation, some woodworkers 

prefer having two shorter rails instead of a longer rail. Other 

woodworkers prefer to have single lengths for the specific 

cuts they make, to minimize the frequency of needing to 

join rails. Here are some tips about choosing guide rail 

lengths to suit your needs:

 

►

For frequent cutting of plywood sheets that involve both 

ripping and crosscutting, dedicated guide rails of the 

appropriate length may be best. This allows for switching 

back and forth quickly without having to join rails.

 

►

It’s more efficient to have guide rails of different lengths 

than it is to have two guide rails of the same length. This 

gives you more variety in lengths. For example, if you 

had two 55 inch rails, you would have only two possible 

combinations: 55 and 110 inches. However, if you had 

lengths of 42 and 75 inches, for example, you would have 

three combinations of lengths: 42, 75, and 117 inches.

 

►

Shorter guide rails are easier to work with for shorter 

cuts. A cabinetmaker, for example, may want dedicated 

shorter guide rails for crosscutting cabinet carcase 

components.

Minimum 

Position at the 

Start of the Cut

Center 

of Blade

Minimum 

Position at the 

End of the Cut

  Note: Do not assume that butting the two rail ends 

together will result in a straight line for their entire 

length. A very tiny error in the butted joint can 

result in a significant error across the length of the 

joined rails. A long straightedge is the recommended 

method for aligning the rails.

1.  Insert the two connecting bars into the T-slots on one 

rail (typically the longer of the two rails). Make sure the 

clamping screws are facing outward.

2.  Slide the second rail over the connecting bars and push 

the two rails together.

3.  Place a straightedge across the joint between the two 

rails, as shown to the right.

4.  Center the top connecting bar across the joint, and 

gently tighten the 4 clamping screws. Do not over tighten 

the screws, or you may dimple the guide rail.

5.  Carefully flip the guide rails over, and with the straight-

edge across the joint, tighten the bottom clamping 

screws.

Lower 

Connecting 

Bar

Upper 

Connecting 

Bar

Clamping 

Screws

Straightedge