Makita P-45777 Guide Rail Connector Kit, Black

Strong and easy to use

You use this to join two Makita Track Saw Guide Rails together. It works well when installed correctly.It seems obvious to just slide it in and tighten the screws; but, you may not be lucky with that approach.There are two plates and 4 set screws (and one spare set screw in the one I received). The plate without holes in it (#1) goes at the bottom of the groove in the track, the plate with the holes (#2) goes in on top of the first. There are some bumps on one of the plates to assist you in keeping the plates aligned with one another. Those bumps need to face the gap between the plates.The screws go into the holes of plate #2 and bear on plate #1. This is important because it prevents the hard steel screws from digging into the soft aluminum track. The screws effectively increase the space between the plates jamming #1 against the bottom of the groove and #2 up against the flanges at the top of the groove. Each screw needs to be bearing on plate #1 and plate #1 should be centered on plate #2 between the bumps.If the plates do not seem to fit into the groove it is likely because a screw is in too far or that one end of a plate is resting on a bump instead of between the bumps.Leverage is normally your friend; but, not in this case !!! Once you have the tracks joined; be careful while handling the assembly. The tracks are long and a little heavy. The connector is thin and it is only those little aluminum flanges at the top of the track groove and the strength of two thin steel plates that are keeping everything together. To avoid bending the track and/or connector plates, handle the track assembly with care. Try to minimize the load on the connector and adjacent flange surfaces.I recommend separating the track from the connector as soon as practical. If you are leaving it together for a long time, I'd consider buying the longer track and eliminating the risk to the rest of the system.

Great addition to my track saw and work much better than Makita’s version. Definitely an upgrade.

You just need one of these kits to connect two Mikita tracks. I was worried when I read reviews here stating otherwise. The kit comes with two flat bars, one shorter than the other. The longer bar has two bumps on the bottom and four screw holes. You attache the two bars to each other with the shorter one on the bottom, fitting between the two bumps. There are four screws that get inserted into the screw holes on the top of the longer bar. Flip both of your tracks upside down and slide the assembly halfway into the t-slot of one of your tracks with the screws facing towards you. Slide the other half of the track onto the exposed section of your two bars to connect the tracks together. Then tighten the four screws. Tightening the screws causes the two bars to separate from each other, expanding the assembly inside of the t-slot, which holds the tracks together. It works just fine.

These work as advertised and expected. It does seem a bit pricey as do the tracks. If the longer track was not so expensive I would have bought it. Instead I purchased a second short track and this connector. I am not disappointed and would recommend this solution.I use one set to join two 55 inch Makita tracks. They align perfectly without any fiddling. It would be better if they came with instructions or at least a picture of how they should used as it is not immediately obvious. The two pieces need to be used together. One has tapped holes for the set screws the other is a bit shorter. I insert them together into the track and tighten the set screws to push the pieces apart pressing them against the top and bottom of the t-slot.I've seen several reviewers saying you need two sets and almost bought two sets based on some poorer reviews. I am glad I didn't. A single set works fine. There is another slot on top of the track, so you could use two sets if that would make you feel more comfortable but since there is little or no lateral force on the track as you glide the saw across the top, this seems superfluous. I find it plenty rigid with just the one set and have not had any problem with alignment. I get perfectly straight cuts with no hint of where the tracks are joined.

Makita did a crap job of documenting or explaining this product.The "kit" comes with two bars, 5 set screws (one spare) and a hex wrench. The two bars both go into one of the t-track sections on the track, and you use the set screws from one to push against the second bar. This creates a nice tight fit, without gouging the set screws into the aluminum track.Since there are two t-track areas on the tracks, it is ideal to connect the tracks with two "kits".The kit is a bit overpriced for what it is, and there's an alternative Festool track joining bar that is cheaper. It works fine, however the festool doesn't use the two bar design, so the sets screws will screw directly onto your track and potentially gouge it if you're not careful. Another nice feature of the festool is the set screws use just a flat head, so no need to keep up with a hex wrench when you're joining track.Both work well, but I think the Makita is a better product. I'd spend the extra $10-20 for both makita kits over the festool and be done with it.