Festool and Protool - how are they related and are their guide rails compatible?

[RC]

I've seen some guide rails (namely GRP1400/2) being advertised as compatible with Festool FS1400/2. There is a price difference of of 20€ between the two so I'm wondering are these companies related or perhaps the same companys different product lines? And of course I'd like to know it the rails are identical or what's the catch?

Are the FS1400/2 guide rails btw. the correct ones for an Of1400 router with the rail attachment?

 

[advrope]

Festool and Protool (and Scheider airsystems) are all owned by TTS Tooltechnic Systems:  http://www.tooltechnicsystems.com/
As a consequence the Protool and Festool systems should be compatible because they share many common features (and also have a 3 year warranty) but I don't know for sure about the track

 

[AlexThePalex]

They are definitely compatible, and also the same.

http://www.amazon.de/F%C3%BChrungsschiene-FESTOOL-PROTOOL-1400-1400mm/dp/B004PFR7QQ

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I want to see how well one of those protools holds up.

I am pretty hard on these so called "delicate" festool's and not much has really went wrong.

 

[Corwin]

...
Are the FS1400/2 guide rails btw. the correct ones for an Of1400 router with the rail attachment?

Yes.  To be clear, however, the "1400" in FS1400/2 refers to the length of the rail, in this case a 1400mm long rail.  With the rail attachment, your OF1400 router will work with any of the Festool Guide Rails.  Pick any length you need here. 

Notice that they offer both their standard Guide Rails and ones with holes in them.  The ones with the holes allow you to use their LR32 system for 32mm system holes -- to drill system holes, a LR32 Plate is used in place of the standard Guide Rail Adapter.

 

[jmbfestool]

I have pro tool guide rails and festool guide rails and they are the same.

Jmb

 

[RC]

So even if cabinet building isn't on my top ten list of uses for a router I should clearly consider getting a FS1400/2-LR32 rail guide instead of a normal guide rail?

Any best practices on the length of a rail for general router guiding? I'm planning on working narrowish boards (

 

[AlexThePalex]

All I know is that Festool offers the 1400 rail with the TS55/75 in a set and the 800 rail with the OF1010.

 

[Martin Johnson]

They can be used interchangeably.  Tanos is also part of the TTS family...all top notch companies...ProTool is more for rough work...Festool for precision work (think furniture, trim, automotive & paint, etc...)...Tanos (Systainers...and more)...Schneider not that familiar with, but I would assume they adhere to the same high standards...Festo was owned by Gottlieb Stoll.  When he passed away, the daughter acquired the TTS businesses and the two sons acquired the Festo (industrial equipment) business.

 

[peter halle]

So even if cabinet building isn't on my top ten list of uses for a router I should clearly consider getting a FS1400/2-LR32 rail guide instead of a normal guide rail?

Any best practices on the length of a rail for general router guiding? I'm planning on working narrowish boards (

 

[yankee]

whats great about the guide rail with the holes is if you use it sometimes with our dust extraction it helps because it gives the dust a place to guy with out building up on the track as much