Rail Dogs VS Rail Clips VS Rail Hinge

I primarily use the rail guide and rail hinge with my MFT, but the rail clip in conjunction with a regular bench dog is also an alternative. Here is my comparison of the three methods.

[@BoarderX]

A great comparison for those of us looking for a better system. Thanks!

[@daddysharespace]

Thank you for the compliment. I am glad that the video was helpful.

[@Benmeglei1]

Great video. I’ve had all those issues you’ve outlined. I finally got the dashboard accessories and they are superb.

[@daddysharespace]

Thanks for the compliment, Ben M. I showed my wife the Dashboard table the other day. I am considering pulling the trigger and getting one.

[@Benmeglei1]

@@daddysharespace the table alone won’t do the trick but if you pair it with 2 of their “outriggers” you will gain the capability of breaking down full sheets. The outriggers fold and you can put them away when not in use which is huge for giving you the much needed shop space. I was honestly blown away the first time I unwrapped dashboard products. The attention to detail reminded me of when I opened my first IPhone.

[@Ryan-rl9pm]

Thank you so much for the info. That was a great comparison. Definitely have a new subscriber here. keep up the great work

[@daddysharespace]

Thanks Ryan. I appreciate you taking the time to check out the video.

[@srschhina5295]

Good info. Iam just a hobbyist. The UJK clips work just fine for casual work. However, for accuracy it’s better to clamp the ends of the rail to the table and use dogs like the UJK super dog/similar or TSO’s chamfer dogs that can be secured from the bottom ( the best dog design that I have encountered for my kind of use) no chance of any wiggle or shift

[@daddysharespace]

I agree it seems that the rail dogs would be better for accuracy. I would be concerned with the clips bending which could lead to inconsistent results.

[@srschhina5295]

Hi, the rail clips are just like a “guide” to slide the track saw on against the long bench dogs. One that’s done, F type clamps, rachet type better, can be used to clamp the track to the table. No moving parts, no wiggle…solid as a lamppost. Accuracy, thereafter will only depend on the MFT accuracy and the guide rail accuracy. The track splinter guard has to be angled upwards while sliding the clips down onto the dogs. No chance of stretching them out and disturbing the tension this way.

[@daddysharespace]

I understand what you are saying. When I saw them demonstrated on KZbin the clips were used without clamps. I agree clamping the rail will remove any issues with possible movement.

[@barttrahan7037]

Good job. You're the first I've seen to show these problems in video. I think I'll just stick with the rail square and styrofoam on top of bench. Thanks for sharing

[@daddysharespace]

No problem. Thanks for checking out the video.

[@garrydye2394]

Super useful video. The huge advantage to the very expensive dash system is the fact that you can take it with you and ser it up on a job site. I elected to not go that route due to my set up being garage and primary stationary for the most part. And the system seemed overkill for a stationary set up. Just easier to buy a festool mft and make your own extensions if need be and safe a ton of money. I don't need to pay extra for the ability to load and unload it easily out of a worktruck. Thoughts?

[@daddysharespace]

I am glad you found the video helpful. Everyone's shop situation is different. If I had the space for everything to have a dedicated space I would probably go that route. It is very handy to be able to break down the shop if the space needs to function for multiple applications. That being said I have found it fatiguing to have to break things down only to set them back up again. I built my 4 x 8 foot MFT and it works well when it comes to unloading sheet goods. 4 x 8 sheets get heavier the older we get. Any process that reduces injury and fatigue is welcome in my book. Thanks for taking the time to check out the video.

[@tony1653]

Thank you for your video. It has helped me want to use my MFT table more often.

[@daddysharespace]

Glad I could be of service!

[@stevesiefken6432]

Great comparison! I agree the Festool setup seems to work much better.

[@daddysharespace]

Thanks for the compliment and checking out the video. The Festool solution is an all in one approach albeit at a premium price.

[@TLDRDad]

Nice job comparing some of the options available. I have tried the track dogs and found similar frustrations as you- but removing the track isn’t as dramatic as there is no reason not to have a workpiece under the track before placing it on the table. Another possibility is to just use 3 dogs- which runs the risk of possible sliding of the rail away from the dog and an unequal cut (hence the rail clips)- but I don’t find my rail slides around when I cut with it. And finally- a solution to avoid a new cut line on your table would be to create two offset holes between your 96mm dogs aligning with your existing cut line. I look forward to watching more videos on your channel!

[@daddysharespace]

First, thank you for the compliment. Lately, I have preferred the rail hinge setup. Despite I want to build a secondary bench/ cut station. I will probably be using the rail dogs for that setup as I am not ready to commit to purchasing a second rail hinge system. The off-set hole idea is a good one. Despite making off-set holes for the Benchdogs Quad Hinge System, I did not think of using off-set holes to shift my cut line. Thanks for that idea. Thanks for taking the time to check out the video.

[@richh5392]

An MFT and french cleats. Very nice!

[@daddysharespace]

I know. Right!

[@theduftmeister]

subbed. Hope you hit your 1k.

[@daddysharespace]

Thanks. I appreciate the support.

[@kaktus3175]

To complete the comparison: There are also other dog locks (e.g. from David Stanton) and some magnetic solutions to clip the rail to the dogs (seen at sautershop). I do agree though: First solution is more fiddly than at seems at first and even with the other solutions - especially in a small space - having the rail and no place to put it after the cut is annoying! A hinge is pretty expensive, but nice to have.

[@daddysharespace]

I will have to check out the methods that you shared as I have not come across them as of yet. Thanks for sharing and for checking out the video.

[@tarvosartisanleather]

Anyone else screaming at the tv just undo the back of the fence and side the black fence to suit the new guide position.. rather than spending 5 mins saying the UJK dogs will cut through his fence .. omg 😅

[@daddysharespace]

Thanks for checking out the video.

[@justlanded2177]

Thanks for your video.... I enjoyed watching

[@daddysharespace]

I am glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks checking it out and the vote of confidence.

[@daverobinson6384]

I had raildogs on my Bosch track saw, and it frustrated me every single time having to remove it for each cut. So I went to Benchdogs Tools and purchased their Quad Hinge system…best money I’ve ever spent. Saves time and if far less stressful.

[@daddysharespace]

I agree the rail hinge systems are much more convenient. Thanks for taking the time to check out the video.

[@Selkian]

Why can’t you move your fence on the sliding fence dogs to accommodate the track position with the rail clips?

[@daddysharespace]

I have the long Benchdogs fence so if I slide it it will hang off the long end of an 8-foot MFT table. Also the cut line still would not line up due to the dog holes.

[@kurt-reynolds]

Great video, thanks!

[@daddysharespace]

Thanks for the compliment and for taking the time to check out the video.

[@johnp1839]

Great video. Do you prefer using the festool miter fence or the bench dog fence? I’ve been on the fence 😂 with purchasing a system and I’m considering the Dashboard 4ft setup. I hope you end up doing a review on that piece of kit👍.

[@daddysharespace]

Thanks for the compliment. It depends on what you want to get out of a system. The Festool system allows for angled cuts, whereas the Bench Dogs setup is for 90-degree cuts. You can cut angles with additional hardware, but that will cost more. The Dashboard setup is similar to the Bench Dogs setup in that it is setup to cut 90-degree cuts. I have considered the Dashboard setup, but it is expensive for what it is. Dashboard is an up-and-coming business that charges premium prices. I do not have any issues with that however, if I grew tired of a Festool product, the brand name would resell it. Dashboard does not yet have that level of clout as of yet. If you purchase a Dashboard setup, you better be sure of your purchase. They do look sweet, though.

[@chimairanl9043]

Looks like the clips are the best budget option. Hinges are great but for me, a DIY/hobby guy a bit too pricy to start with. Thanks for the video.

[@daddysharespace]

No problem. Thanks for taking time to check out the video.

[@johnclements6614]

You can make Dave Stanton type clips out of ply. You can also make your own hinge out of ply or MDF.

[@franceshawe9572]

Check out Peter Millard. He has a few videos on DIY budget mft accessories Inc rail hinge, square etc

[@chimairanl9043]

@@franceshawe9572 Thanks, I have been following him for a while already.

[@theduftmeister]

you can find alternatives to the rail clips but 3d printed. usually by smaller businesses on Etsy etc. cheaper than ujk pins and wont bend/go out of shape as they're more robust. hope it helps :)

[@daddysharespace]

Thanks for the information. I will have to check into that.

[@johnclements6614]

Dave Stanton clips. You can also make them out of ply etc, Peter Millard did a video.

[@serge.shikov]

Хорошее сравнение, но не совсем корректное. Вы разве когда пилите, у вас шина лежит на столе, как вы показываете? Нет, она лежит на материале, и если это скажем типичная фанера, 15мм, а значит что шина у вас приподнята над столом. Более того, обычно кроме детали я еще подкладываю с обоих концов шины обрезки того же материала, чтобы можно было деталь вынуть легко и положить другую. Так что на практике этот реальный недостаток первого варианта - не такой уж и серьезный. Да, клипсы правда удобнее, но на шину Mafell/Bosch их некуда крепить. И не у всех шина Festool/Makita/etc.

[@daddysharespace]

With Google Translate A good comparison, but not entirely correct. When you're sawing, do you have the tire lying on the table, as you show? No, it lies on the material, and if we say it’s typical plywood, 15mm, which means that the tire is raised above the table. Moreover, usually, in addition to the part, I also put scraps of the same material on both ends of the tire so that the part can be easily removed and another one can be put in. So in practice, this real drawback of the first option is not so serious. Yes, clips are indeed more convenient, but there is nowhere to attach them to a Mafell/Bosch tire. And not everyone has Festool/Makita/etc tires. I understand what you are saying. Thanks for checking out the video.

[@ibarskiy]

Isn't benvhfog's fence adjustable on those fence dogs? Benchdogs I think now also sell their version of a hinge that can be an option

[@daddysharespace]

Yes the Benchdog fence is adjustable. Regarding the hinge system I have it. I installed it here in this video.kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5rZkn57gc97Z6M. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video.

[@johnclements6614]

Yes you slide the Benchdogs fence along to match the track position. If you do not set the fence up you can not use it to measure your cuts, might as well use a row of dogs. The Bench dogs UK track dogs also have collars so you can set the under side of the track at the top of the stock. You only need to pull the the track up slightly to push the stock through.

[@joaofernandes6158]

how do you make lenght cuts whit the track saw? it's hard for me when im cutting board that are small in width. Thanks for video and sorry about my english.

[@daddysharespace]

There are a couple of methods that you could use. One would be to purchase a system like the TSO Parallel Guide System which has hardware for narrow rips. Alternatively, you could probably use a piece of plywood of the same thickness as your material. On the left side of the rail you would want to attach a strip of plywood as a stop to but your rail up against on top of the plywood. Place the track on the plywood and but it up against the stop. Use your track saw to cut the plywood to zero clearance on the right side of the rail. This piece now is an exact replica of the under side of your guide rail when the rail is placed next to the left stop. in order to cut narrow cuts you can take this piece and measure from the right side to the left to mark your desired narrow cut. You need to mark both ends. Take a second piece of plywood of the same thickness and cut one end parallel to the jig that you just made. Rotate the jig so that the stop side is on your right and the off cut is on your left. But the second piece of plywood up against the cut side of the jig on your left. Line your track saw rail up with the cuts one the jig and cut of the portion of the jig that correlates with your narrow rip dimension. Let's say 2 inches. Then rotate the jig so that the stop is back on your left side. Rotate your guide rail and place the non cutting end up against the stop on the left. Your guide rail should now hang over your jig on the right by 2 inches. With this jig you would take a piece of plywood of the same thickness square up one side then slide it under you guide rail while it is on the jig making sure that the plywood is flush to the jig from top to bottom underneath the guide rail. You may want to clamp your work for increased accuracy but this should allow you to cut repeatable 2 inch strips. The only problem with this method is that you would have to make an individual jig for each narrow rip meaning one for 2 inches one of 3 inches etcetera. This is a method that I can think of off hand. The TSO parallel guide method is more intuitive and adjustable but the plywood method could be useful if you are on a budget. Hope this helps.

[@joaofernandes6158]

@@daddysharespace thank you so much for your advice friend

[@joaofernandes6158]

@@daddysharespace i ll look for TSO Parallel Guide System and the plywood method

[@SlowExpensive]

Make this a vidja?

[@tano1747]

So... once you work with the mft and bench dog system, you realise that the dogs being used as a fence is a poor substitute for a proper fence with one or more flip stops, and guiding the tracksaw with dogs is also much less practical than guiding it with a hinge and pin system.... So at the risk of asking a dumb question, why bother with all the holes? Or at least, why bother drilling them accurately on a 90 degree grid? You end up only using them to put clamps in, and for this use case the dog holes could be scattered literally anywhere at random across the bench surface. What am i missing?

[@daddysharespace]

I am a novice. I built the table first before I knew about the rail hinge system. The table is based on the Ron Paulk design. I altered it so that my track saw can be stored under it. I considered purchasing the Dashboard hinge system, but it would have interfered with my table functionality. I was not a fan of just using the dogs, so I purchased the Festool MFT to give it a shot. I liked the functionality. Sometime later, Benchdogs came out with the Quad Hinge system, which allowed for a larger range of cross-cuts compared to the Festool MFT. Thanks for checking out the channel.

[@robjeffrey7544]

good stuff! great perspective....feedback...your background music is too distracting.

[@daddysharespace]

Thanks, for checking out the video. I appreciate the feedback on the music. My video production is a work in progress.

[@charlesgoff6429]

What is the dashboard setup?

[@daddysharespace]

This is what I am talking about. dashboardpws.com

[@tano1747]

So... once you work with the mft and bench dog system, you realise that the dogs being used as a fence is a poor substitute for a proper fence with one or more flip stops, and guiding the tracksaw with dogs is also much less practical than guiding it with a hinge and pin system.... So at the risk of asking a dumb question, why bother with all the holes? Or at least, why bother drilling them accurately on a 90 degree grid? You end up only using them to put clamps in, and for this use case the dog holes could be scattered literally anywhere at random across the bench surface. What am i missing?

[@daddysharespace]

I am a novice. I built the table first before I knew about the rail hinge system. The table is based on the Ron Paulk design. I altered it so that my track saw can be stored under it. I considered purchasing the Dashboard hinge system, but it would have interfered with my table functionality. I was not a fan of just using the dogs, so I purchased the Festool MFT to give it a shot. I liked the functionality. Sometime later, Benchdogs came out with the Quad Hinge system, which allowed for a larger range of cross-cuts compared to the Festool MFT. Thanks for checking out the channel.