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Thread: Festool tracks

  1. #1
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    Default Festool tracks

    Hi guy's

    Just wondering if anybody knows, are the Makita tracks and Festool tracks similar
    I would like to get a TS55R but have to save my penny's, but in the mean time I was wondering if the Festool parallel guide could be used with the Makita track system.
    I know it a long shot but one can hope?

    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

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  3. #2
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    Can't say for sure but I would put my money on the two not being compatible. Festool normally have frustratingly subtle differences with their proprietary systems and set-ups that ensure you will be buying more Festool product if you wish to expand on it.

    Craig.

  4. #3
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    Default Festool tracks

    Thanks Craig
    thought I was pushing my luck but when I found the festool quick clamps would fit the Makita track I got a bit excited


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

  5. #4
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    Yes, Festool saws will fit Makita tracks, and vice versa. The only difference between the two is that the Makita tracks have an extra rib that is used for their anti-tilt function.

    DeWalt tracks are a different matter. DeWalt tracks are unique and will fit only a DeWalt saw. However, DeWalt did design their saw to fit the Festool track. However, they did not anticipate the extra rib on the Makita track, so a DeWalt saw will not fit on a Makita track.

    Edit: I just noticed you were asking about the Parallel Guides. Yes, they will still fit, but you might have to trim that extra rib. But I am not sure whether that will be necessary or not. My father is currently borrowing my Makita rail, so I can't test it.

    T-slot.jpg

  6. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Powertoolman View Post
    Yes, Festool saws will fit Makita tracks, and vice versa. The only difference between the two is that the Makita tracks have an extra rib that is used for their anti-tilt function.

    DeWalt tracks are a different matter. DeWalt tracks are unique and will fit only a DeWalt saw. However, DeWalt did design their saw to fit the Festool track. However, they did not anticipate the extra rib on the Makita track, so a DeWalt saw will not fit on a Makita track.
    Powertoolman, how well do blades align with the rail edge when mixing and matching brands. Are we talking identical? Is there any play/slop with any of the saw base plate grooves on alternate track ribs?

    Craig.

  7. #6
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    The rails are deliberately interchangeable. When Makita came out with their saw, they specifically designed it to be able to operate on the huge number of Festool rails that were already out in the general public. So yes, for all intents, they are identical. That is why my father is borrowing my Makita rail. He is using it with his ATF55E saw because he only has one Festool rail. (I destroyed the Makita saw during my review of it, but I kept the rail.)

  8. #7
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    Have to say that's surprising. I may have to be a bit more choosey on what I "put my money on" in future.

    I have and use the Hilti rails...wonder how they compare. I don't have access to any of the alternatives to test this. Interested to see how you go when you get your parallel guides back as well.

    Craig.

  9. #8
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    Default Festool tracks

    Thanks for your help guys
    Appreciate it
    Andrew

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  10. #9
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    Since Powertoolmand is in the USA, do we get the same model makitas as them? apart from the obvious 110/240, I know there are alot of bosch, dewalt, makita, hitachi etc that we dont get..

  11. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by IPR View Post
    Thanks Craig
    thought I was pushing my luck but when I found the festool quick clamps would fit the Makita track I got a bit excited


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
    i am using 2 festool clamps [standard ones] as i couldnt get the makita ones from the LTS. i am buying the dewalt quick clamps soon off amazon as i hear they arok great and are cheaper then the festool quick clamps

    i didnt check the festool router rail adapter before dropping $120.00 on it to see if it would work on the makita rail. the makita rail has the lip to stop the saw from tipping
    when in mitre saw mode, so it wont work.

    i need to check now to see if the makita router rail adapter will work with the festool qf1400, however i think the answer will be no.

  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by GCP310 View Post
    i didnt check the festool router rail adapter before dropping $120.00 on it to see if it would work on the makita rail. the makita rail has the lip to stop the saw from tipping
    when in mitre saw mode, so it wont work.
    In the "proper" setup, the Festool router guide does not use the rear T-slot that has the Makita anti-tilt rib. So it should not cause you any problems.

    You could use both ribs if you wanted, but that is not actually the way the guide was intended to be used. Doing so disables the micro-adjustment of the router guide.

    Just for reference, the picture below shows the Wrong Way to set up the router guide. Well, it's not totally wrong. It is just not the intended way to set it up. You would use it only when you wanted a little extra side-to-side stability. Normally, the farthest block rides on the rib in the middle of the guide rail.

    OF1400-30-lo.jpg

    Edit: Oh what the heck. Here is a picture of the normal setup. I wasn't going to post it because I didn't have a small-format version at first. But it only took a few seconds to create one.

    OF1400-29-lo.jpg

  13. #12
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    Great images Powertoolman.

    I would print off a copy to keep with my router and accessories, only I have the 1010 model.

    One thing I have found with Festool accessories, if you do not use them or have not used them, it is sometimes difficult to know how to set them up correctly - eg the micro adjusters both with the track and the fence guide.

  14. #13
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    Thank you Handyjack.

    I haven't posted to this forum for a very long time, so most people have forgotten who I am under the username "Powertoolman". My name is Rick Christopherson, and I write the Supplemental Owner's Manuals for the U.S. division of Festool. I also produce a couple of accessories for the Domino joiner under the business name of RTS Engineering. Those graphics came from one of my older manuals. Frankly, those photographs are so old that I am a little ashamed to show them. They have such poor lighting compared to more modern pictures in more recent manuals.

    I have not written a manual for the OF1010 router, but I did at least finally get one in my possession this spring while writing the CMS router table manual. There are no current plans for me to write an OF1010 manual, but I have completed manuals for the OF1400 and OF2200 routers (plus many other tools). I am currently working on the PS420 jigsaw manual that will be released in the U.S. soon.

    The existence of my manuals is a very long story, but in a nutshell, they are owned and available only to the U.S. market (for legal reasons). That's why they are called "Supplemental" manuals, because legally they cannot be delivered with the tool, regardless of the country, and that even includes the U.S. They are for download-only.

    If you are interested in reading any of these manuals, I have a repository where I keep all Festool-related documents and videos. These are available at:
    Festool Manuals and Document Resources

  15. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Powertoolman View Post

    If you are interested in reading any of these manuals, I have a repository where I keep all Festool-related documents and videos. These are available at:
    Festool Manuals and Document Resources
    And in case people have not downloaded Rick's Supplemental manuals yet, download them they are great. What I like is they just don't show you what the tool is (controls, changing blades/bits, etc) but show you how to use the tool, set it up correctly, check and calibrate, add accessories, etc. A must have for Festool owners.

  16. #15
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    Thanks Anthony. We haven't chatted in a long time, but I appreciate hearing your comments. Even though you are on the other side of the planet from me, you are one of the most respected Festool dealers I know.

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