Why is My Festool Track Splinter Guard Acting Up? Exploring the Issue
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- čas přidán 10. 02. 2024
- Aloha, Smart Woodshop Community! I'm reaching out to seek your valuable assistance and insights. I've encountered a perplexing problem with my Festool Track's splinter guard. thesmartwoodshop.com
- Jak na to + styl
I think that a factor could be a similar issue that affects electrical tape and rubber base/rubber transition product installations.
If you install the material from on end and tend to press it on towards the other end,it will stretch the material a bit as you glue it in place. As the material slowly contracts to its relaxed dimension,the adhesive tends to to shear at end or,in this case,both ends.
Rubber base or transitions will shrink back and show gaps,since the adhesive has more give.
If you stretch electrical tape as you are wrapping,and then just pull and tear it and stick it,rather than cutting it and letting it relax a bit,the tape wrap will come lose at the end over time.
So I am going to try sticking one end of the splinter guard and gently set it in place without pressure,and make sure that there is a little slack in the center,and work it from both ends to towards the center to “compress” the material a bit to hopefully reduce that movement. 🤷♂️That is a technique I’ve used on rubber baseboards to assure super-tight joints. Hopefully I can see if this works ,as I had the same issue with my recent splinter guard install as well.
Good thoughts, thanks
Have experienced this problem in Ohio And now in Bradenton, Florida. I think I have the perfect solution that keeps it attached and protects the edge in storage. Use siding finish trim after it is forced on (slotted side down) apply a heat gun and compress slightly with a piece of wood. Thanks Mr. Paulk
I live in Oslo, Norway - and I have the same issue. So I don’t think it’s heat or humidity related. And it was the origial ones (i.e. factory mountedk) that came off at the ends. I’ve now replaced them and have put on some tiny spring clamps at each end. That was an advice I found on the Internet. I think that will work - but time will tell. Regards Tor
Question: do you use the spring clamps when you install the new splinter guard only, or any time you’re not using them (in other words, remove the clamps only when you’re using the tracks)? Or do you leave them on all the time, which is probably possible because the tracks most often extend over both the start and end of the cut?
There has to be a solution.
i used to store mine in the top rack of my trailer or truck, and they started peeling off from the heat. i now store them in their own slots, closer to the floor of the truck and haven't had as much of an issue. the ends do sometimes peel a little bit like your, which is annoying. i do a little 45 degree snip on the ends of the tape so they don't get hung up, which helps a little when you're moving them around etc.
My items are stored lower, but it could still be due to the heat and differential expansion.
Same here in Dallas, Texas Ron. I’ve added an inch or so of FastCap double sided tape at the ends when installing a new piece of splinter guard. Time will tell.
That tape is amazing…question (and I know that the Speed Tape is very thin): does the little extra height make any difference? I wouldn’t think it would, but I’ve never done that.
@@johnnewell5025 No, that tape is extremely thin, doesn’t seem to make a difference, and it’s also at the end.
I am going to try Speed Tape
Yes Ron it is the climate here in Florida. I have the same problem, I will take a small piece of zip tape around the ends. I end up replacing them about every other year.
good idea. Would be nice to see a photo of your fix.
Same problem here in the UK so probably not heat, have it on all my rails, going to try Makita guards next
Makita replacement splinter guards work great on Festool rails. And they’re black which I find a lot easier to align to marks. Trimming off a little from each end helps.
I tried using black and found it challenging to see my pencil marks. Black isn't a suitable option for me; it could be due to my vision. I have blue eyes and have to wear sunglasses, whereas my wife has brown eyes and doesn't wear sunglasses even in bright sun. I don't know if eye color makes a difference, but black splinter guards render the track useless for me.
I have the same issue on mine in the summer in NC. They clearly don’t like warm humid climates. I finally gave up on the Festool replacement splinter guards. Surprisingly the black splinter guards from Makita stick just fine, but I’d prefer the translucent ones from Festool -if only they’d stay stuck. I think Festool dropped the ball on their choice of splinter guard adhesive.
I tried black in the past, but couldn't see my marks.
I use 3m super 77 mostly works spray adhesive. Work well.
I’m also on the gulf coast and noticed the same thing recently at the ends of my tracks, especially the 1400 and 2700 tracks. I’m going to try replacing one of them with the makita splinter guard (black) to see if that works better.
I would stick with the translucent option and seek a solution, as the back makes it difficult to see your marks.
I have the same problem with the Festool replacement splinter guards. I live in Greenville SC; never had a problem with the original.
Mine did the same thing after moving to the Venice area in 2022. I keep mine inside in low humidity when not using. So far so good but frustrating because the splinter tape is not cheap to replace.
I store mine with a small spring clamp on each end to avoid this issue. I remove the clamps when using the rail. Could be that a warm and humid climate worsens this problem, but it’s still an issue here in Oslo, Norway - which is as far north as Anchorage, Alaska.
I haven't been to Norway, but I have been to Anchorage a few times.
Yea you got it..I live near you here in south east Georgia and it’s tuff on tools and wood
I have the same problem up here in Indiana
We are getting shout outs from all over.
The original ones attached from the factory, I never had a problem with them. The replacement ones, I've gone through 5 replacement packages and every one of them bubble and peals away. Doesn't matter temperature of applying, how clean the surface is, how I roll them on, they peal and bubble. Sedge from Festool has a hint to use some super glue to reattach it to the rail, but all that does is make the bubble or peal go elsewhere. I've been fighting this battle from California to Idaho. So location,heat, and moisture does not seem to be a factor. I believe it is the PSA glue used with the non factory install of the strips. When things warm up, I may try FastCaps double sided glue strips to see if they are any better.
I didn't have this problem in the PNW. I am planing on trying the FastCap double stick as well.
I'm experiencing the same thing. We're using the splinter guard to align to our cut marks, and if it starts doing this, when you press it back, it's not hold as strong as it originally was, and likely will do it again in a short time. If it gets moved at all when pressing it back, that will throw off our cut alignment. I have track I've been using and even though I'm aligned to my cut marks, one end is about 1.5 mm off and I have to readjust the track and cut again to take off the 1.5mm on the far end.
My current work around is to have my marks a bit more inboard and it is only the last 2" that come loose.
Welcome to the heat and humidity of the South. I have to replace mine all the time. Tennessee.
I will keep working on it and see if there is a solution for hot climates.
Ì don't think it is to do with heat or weather. Ever since Festool switched away from the black rubber splinter guard in favour of the translucent plastic version, I have found that the stuff just falls off from the ends of the rail. I had to store mine with spring clamps to hold in the strip in place and still they come off. In the end I resorted to replacing them all with Makita rubber ones. I'm in the U.K. and our climate is relatively mild, but this problem seems to be quite common. Please Festool go back to the original type.
I have had FT tracks for 15 years, and they were all translucent. I tried a black replacement but went back to the FT factory, as black made it harder to see my marks. Also, I have not had an issue with the FT splinter guard until I relocated to Florida.
Same problem here in Virginia. I’ve switched to black makita tape and keeping the tape at least a half inch from each end so it doesn’t snag on anything.
I had black splinter guard on one of my tracks years ago and found that I spent more time aligning it with my marks. I would prefer dealing with the adhesion issue rather than using black.
If the tape doesn’t work you might want to try acetone based contact cement. The acetone in the cement can help reactivate the old adhesive. At least until you can figure out the cause of the problem is. I also like to cut the strip a little short of the track to keep it from getting bumped or damaged.
Good thoughts😎🤙
I had some luck putting spring clamps on each end of my problem splinter guard ends overnight. It seems to help, at least for a while. Seems like Festool’s newer adhesive that doesn’t leave a residue when peeled off for replacement also doesn’t stick as well as the older adhesive.
Interesting
Same problem here..Minnesota
I’m’ in Orlando and it happens constantly to my tracks. I’ve heard the black makita replacement strips hold up better but I can’t personally vouch for them. I’ve taken to keeping my tracks upside down in the trailer and it helps but it’s not a perfect system.
I tried black when I was in Washington, and it stayed in place. However, I switched back to translucent because I had a hard time seeing my marks with black.
I have the exact same problem! Usually it’s heat related. I live in Arizona.
Arizona can get warm.
Im in Virginia, and all of my tracks have done this at some point. I always thought it happened because of temp swings and the fact i hang mine via the center hole.
I do think it is heat.
Same thing in South East Missouri
So im up in NY and have the long track stored against the roof of the sprinter with the fast cap clips. When its really sunny out and the heat starts to build up in the van, Ive noticed that the ends of the splinter guard will start to pull away like you showed. Honestly think there is nothing that we can do about it. other than maybe storing it in a different spot.
It could just be that simple! There may be a differential movement between the aluminum and the splinter guard material.
I’ve got a sprinter with same storage brackets and have same issue in heat.
I recently replaced my splinter guards. Shortly after the ends started coming away. I used contact adhesive to keep them on.
Has it held up?
@TheSmartWoodshop so far it's doing good
Having the same problem in Georgia on the replacements.
We seem to be having this problem everywhere on the planet.
Same problem here in Maine. I’ve tried thoroughly cleaning the contact locations and clamping the ends of the splinter guard but within a year it loosens.
We need to find a solution and save the world, or at least improve track durability.
The adhesive is a rubber polymer so will soften with heat
I would like to find a solution
Branson Missouri has the same issues. I installed less than 6 months before. Prepped with lacquer thinner cleaning. They were not exposed to heat. Perhaps it is a Festool issue?!
It could be, but I am going to keep at it to make sure it isn't an installation error on my part.
HI Ron Same problem with my short track on my HKC here in Ontario. Splinter started to peel off after 6 months and like Florida we get super humidity in the summer so I assumed this was the problem. On another aspect of the track I wanted to throw this question out to other viewers which has more to do with the spine of the track (raised portion). What do you think the tolerance should be on a 102" track. Mine appears to bow about 1/2mm in the centre which becomes a problem when ripping the first sheet of a 4x8. I always take a thin strip off of the factory edge and then I have to flip the track over to line up for the next cut. This combines the error and my first piece is a mm wider in the centre than at the ends. I don't know what the factory tolerance is so perhaps mine has gotten bowed over time and rough handling OR maybe 1/2mm is an acceptable tolerance for an extruded piece of aluminum? I don't want to order another of these overpriced tracks only to find out that 1/2mm is within spec. Any and all comments appreciated. Cheers John
I don't know the answer. I haven't noticed a flaw in any of my tracks, so if it has any, it hasn't impacted the accuracy of my work.
Thanks Ron I am ordering another track and will do some analysis but I am guessing that I have probably damaged my track ever so slightly.
Makita and festool, even original in coastal GA.
Acetone and I clamp and caul entire strip overnight when replacing.
Sometimes even run tape up and around the ends.
Wax cast iron tables twice per month, welcome to humidity
Has to be some technology that will work in most conditions.
Humidity ruins them. Festool needs to fix this!
Let figure it out and let them know.
It happens to mine for years its very irritating, i thought about using some spray adhesive but i haven't taken the time. I will probably replace them, but adhesive fails.
I am giving Fastcap Speed Tape a try.
@@TheSmartWoodshop let us know , it must be thin tape ?
I mum in uk I am just a weekend diy guy, I was told it’s the water based adeshive festool now use due to regs in the eu. No idea if it’s true or not
That is worth looking into.
I'm in north Alabama and have the same problem the factcap tape doesn't work.
I have lots of Speed Tape so I will give it a test.
I have noticed that they don't like the heat. When I have my trailer parked under the sun I have noticed that the splinter guards start acting
Unfortunately my trailer has to stay outside until I build my shop.
I've only ever had issues with the Festool ones, the Makita splinter guards work better for me.
I have heard that, but I'm not sure if it is the glue or if Makita's guard is black. I would rather deal with the adhesion issue because I found that black made it more time-consuming to align the track with my marks. This could just be me and my vision, but black just doesn't work in my case.
Best thing to do is avoid it peeling in the first place.
Whenever I store my tracks I make sure to lay them flat with the bottom down. This way there is no where for the guard to go
Let gravity be the clamp.
good idea
Heat is the usual thing.
There has to be a product that will hold in a wider range of temps even if it cost me more.
Rubberized over molding, grips etc will also take a huge hit…. and shoes if you keep them in a non climate controlled garage!
Heat is harsh on lots of things.
@festoolusa
festool indeed!