Attaching any router to Festool track.

[HarveyWildes]

I'm wondering what the options are for attaching a non-Festool router to Festool track for straightline routing.  The Festool options I know of are:

• The Festool Guide Rail base kit can be used with the OF 2200.  I have the 2200 accessory kit, which includes it.
• There is a guide stop for the OF 1400 that does the same job.  The OF 1400 also has the LR-32 plate, but can it be used without the LR 32 system??
• There does not appear to be an adapter for the MFK 700.

The aftermarket options I know of are:

• Micro Fence makes an adapter (they call it an interface) for Festool track.  A full package with the Micro Fence universal router plate, track interface, and the bars between them runs around $300.  I already have a Micro Fence circle jig, so for me it would be about half of that.
• I'm not crazy about the idea of using the Micro Fence universal router plate with a Festool router.  Has anyone tried it?  If so, what did you think?
• I'd like an interface for my new Milwaukee cordless router, but I don't see a Micro Fence package that will fit a trim router.  Has anyone tried it?  If so, what did you think?
• There are some generic plates for other tracks that can be drilled for the router of your choice.  Has anyone adapted these to Festool tracks with good success?
• Makita makes a guide rail adapter, but it looks like it will only fit routers with the same rod spacing as a Makita.
• Bosch also makes a guide rail adapter that I don't think is released yet.  It does not show that it works with Festool track, and I can't tell from the bottom of the base whether it will or not.  I also can't tell whether it will work with routers other than Bosch routers.
• There is a thread from 2018 that talks about a homemade jig, but it's not quite what I'm looking for.

The bottom line is that I think I'm pretty set for large router work with my Festool routers.  However, it's not clear to me that there is a good solution for trim routers.  I'm guessing that the Makita and Bosch adapters will not fit any of the trim routers I have, and especially not the cordless Milwaukee.  I'm thinking the the Micro Fence option is not a good trim router option if it requires the Micro Fence universal router plate, which would be huge on a trim router.  The other Micro Fence question is how much slop (if any) there is in the piece that directly touches the rail?  Is it possible to adjust any slop out of the connection?

I like the idea of lightweight cordless routing outside and I'd like it to be as flexible as possible.  A good solution would fit well to a Festool track, slide effortlessly without slop or torque on the track, and take advantage of the Festool stops.  What other requirements would you add?

Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated

 

[tjbnwi]

I made my own for the 700, sometimes, you gotta do what ya gotta do....

Tom

 

[Sean KS]

I’ve used the MicroFence interface for 8yrs. There’s no slop in the interface, it has two nylon set screws for setting the slide on the Festool track. Rich is a real nice guy, if you call the number on the site, he answers. I think that’s pretty neat. His plunge basess are killer, and accept the size router you’re talking about. They do require a mounting bar, but not the big base plate, for using with the interface. I can’t imagine a cleaner set-up.

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

[attachimg=1]There is a guide rail adaptor for the OF1010 as well. .....Its smaller than the 2200 & 1400 options. It may be adaptable to suit the router you have in mind.

 

[Bob D.]

I made an adapter plate that let's me mount a PC690 router on the FT router plate. It works but it's a Mk 1 and I think I can improve on it. I have a OF1400 but I wanted to see if it was possible so done as  an experiment not out of a need to use the PC690 with the FT rail.