Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita, looks at how guide rails can provide the perfect partner to tools such as routers, circular saws and plunge saws
Any professional who has used a plunge saw will probably be familiar with a guide rail system, as the two are often supplied as a package. However, guide rails are a very versatile piece of equipment that is worth having in your kit and high-quality guide rails can be used with a range of different tools. For example, Makita’s guide rails are compatible with a variety of circular saws, plunge saws, jigsaws, routers and disc cutters, either as standard or using a simple adaptor.
Benefits of guide rails
The biggest advantage of using a guide rail is the precision and quality that can be achieved with saw and router cuts. Freehand cuts using a pre-marked line are not usually that accurate. Many people use a parallel rip fence on a circular saw to achieve a straight cut, however this is not always ideal either. This method relies on the outer edge of the material being straight and it is easy for the guide to move away from the edge while cutting, resulting in an uneven cut. There is also a limit on the width of material that can be cut due to the reach of the rip fence.
In contrast, the guide rail not only provides a completely straight edge but also a stable base for the tool, eliminating unintentional movement while operating the machine. Guide rails can be placed anywhere on the material, allowing work with large panels. Therefore, for jobs such as kitchen installations and refurbishments, guide rails make it easy to cut worktop sections to size with a high degree of accuracy to ensure an immaculate finish.
Using a guide rail also allows bevelled cuts to be made using a circular saw, with the angle that can be achieved set by the capabilities of the machine. For example, many of our cordless circular saws can achieve bevel cuts of up to 60°.
In addition, a guide rail with a splinter guard will help ensure a high-quality edge as it will prevent the action of the blade tearing the surface of the material. This precision and clean-cut edge is essential where two pieces need to be joined or where the quality of the finish is important.
Similarly, when using a router, the guide rail makes it simple to get completely straight lines, which is essential when cutting dado and groove joints for cabinet and shelving builds. Also, with the addition of track stops to the guide rail, it is simple to create precisely measured stopped dados and grooves.
Selecting the right guide rails
While in some cases different manufacturers’ tools and guide rails are compatible, it is usually beneficial to select a guide rail from the same manufacturer as the tools you intend to use it with. It will typically make work easier when the components are designed to operate together. For example, many of the plunge saws and circular saws from Makita, including in the 18V LXT and 40VMax XGT ranges will connect to the rails without the need for an adaptor.
As it is important that the guide rail remains steady and in place once positioned, it is worth looking for a guide rail with anti-slip measures and that can be easily clamped to the material if additional security is required. The Makita guide rails feature rubberised strips on the underside and specially designed channels that the clamps can slide in to.
Finally, it is also valuable to consider the portability of the guide rails. The lightweight Makita guide rails are available in three different sizes from one metre to three metres and can be connected together to create longer lengths.
Utilising guide rails can help professionals to achieve more precise results and a high-quality finish with a range of power tools, making them a valuable investment and a useful piece of equipment to have to hand on a variety of jobs.
To find out more about Makita’s guide rails and compatible tools visit www.makitauk.com
