The SlideableRail Clamp uses a vertical L-bolt that attaches the clamp to the work piece and a horizontal L-bolt that secures the clamp to the rail. Loosening the horizontal L-bolt allows the rail to slide through the clamp body when the rail is not long enough to reach the end of the work piece.

Using the Slideable Rail Clamp to Extend the Length of the Cut

The Lever & Fulcrum extends the clamping force to the Rail Clamp. It is the preferred method of applying a clamp on a rail that does not reach across the width of the work piece.  In such a case, a Rail Clamp is applied to the rail at the front edge of the work piece (entry point of the saw) and a lever & fulcrum clamp is applied at an intermediate point on the rail. The lever & fulcrum holds the rail in place and a cut is made approaching the end of the rail.  The saw is stopped and kept in place.  The front clamp is removed and the 2" L-bolt in the lever and fulcrum clamp is loosened to allow the rail to slide through the mid point clamp and trolley bearings to extend the rail to the end of the work piece to finish the cut .

 

The Universal Bearing can also be used to clamp a rail to a work surface where no means exist for accessing the backside of the work surface to attach a rail clamp. Such is the case when cutting an opening in a wall or a floor. In this case the method used is to remove the 4" L-bolt and screw the bearing directly to the work surface. This can be done if the surface that the Rail Clamp is being attached to is not part of a finished surface (i.e. underlayment); simply screw the rail clamp to the surface and secure the rail in place using the 2" L-bolt.  

 

 

RAIL STOP

 

The Rail Stop is used to limit the length of the cut by restricting the trolley movement.  The Rail Stop  uses a horizontal 2" L-bolt and a vertically positioned flange bolt. 

To see the Rail Stop being used go to our Video web page and select the "Mortising a Frame Member" or "Decorative Concrete Cutting" videos.

PRECAUTION WHEN USING A RAIL STOP

Modification to the Universal Tool Trolley Rail Stop

The Tool Trolley Rail Stop as it was originally configured could be jarred loose when the trolley made contact with it. The Rail Stop has been modified to include a capture bolt. The capture bolt is a flange bolt extends into the channel molded in the bearing. When tightened, the head of the flange bolt makes contact with the bottom of the rail, effectively securing the Rail Stop to the rail. The combination of the flange bolt and the L-bolt locks the Rail Stop in place.

The linear bearing was designed to fully capture the edge of the rail and ensuring a smooth and accurate cut. The full height of the bearing enables the bearing to function as a rail clamp, yet allowing the rail to slide through the bearing for an extended cut. However, when used as a Rail Stop, it is necessary to remove a small amount (1/16" to 1/8") from the bottom of the bearing to allow the flange bolt to make contact with the bottom of the duplex rail. When trimming the bottom of the linear bearings please follow these safety instructions.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS: Cutting the bearing is best done by hand using a fine tooth backsaw in a miter box, or with a hacksaw or a Japanese pull saw. Using a radial arm saw, bench saw, or power miter saw is not recommended unless the bearing is fully constrained in a fixture enabling a hands free cut. The small size and lubricated surface of the bearing makes it very difficult to hold by hand when making the cut with a power tool, thus; risking injury to the operator.

To use the Rail Stop, tighten the horizontal bolt (white nylon wing nut, then tighten the capture bolt.

RAIL GAGE

The Rail Gage provides a positive method to precisely define the cut-line of a circular saw or other power tool mounted on a trolley.   The Rail Gage comprises a LInear Bearing attached to a piece of clear Lexan.

 

Place the Rail Gage on the rail abutted to the front of the trolley carriage. Use a square place along side of the blade and mark the blade position on the clear Lexan of the Rail Gage. To use place the Rail Gage on the rail, align the mark to the cut-line and tighten the Rail Clamp.

The Rail Stabilizer comprises a Linear Bearing , a horizontal L-bolt and a tailpiece (plastic laminate, 1/8" hardboard or similar material) attached to the Linear Bearing.  The rail Stabilizer is recommended when using long expanses of rail (10-feet or more) to reduce rail flexing. Attach the Rail Stabilizer to the rail at a convenient midpoint location and clamp the tailpiece to the work piece. It is not necessary that the Rail Stabilizer  apply clamping force on the rail; its purpose is to prevent lateral movement of the Duplex Rail.