Festool guide rail attachment for OF1400 router - question

[Sparktrician]

I'm curious - does anyone know if the Festool guide rail attachment for the OF1400 router will fit to the base of a Bosch 1617 router?  Is the guide rail diameter and spacing compatible?  If it does, it will help me re-prioritize my acquisitions such that I can invest in the Domino joiner sooner by allowing me to use the guide rail and my existing Bosch router to joint the edges of some materials.  The TS55 gets them amazingly close, but I'd like to get them that much cleaner with a router before edge-joining the materials.  Your input is appreciated.  Thanks. 

 

[wnagle]

The Festool guide rail attachment does not fit the Bosch 1617 router.  I use both as you do.  I use the Microfence guide rail set up the can adapt to any router.  It is very precise and has a ton of other options once you get into their system.  Truly a great compliment to the Festool system!  Here is their addy...

http://microfence.com/video-i-6.html

 

[Sparktrician]

Thanks for the input.  I currently use the Bosch RA1054 router guide (http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=RA1054) which I perceive to be much akin to the Micro Fence unit you mentioned.  While I think that this guide and the Micro Fence can make a super-smooth edge suitable for edge-joining, I'd prefer to use the Festool guide rail system to ensure that the cut edge is smooth as the proverbial baby's butt, and since both the Bosch and Micro Fence guides ride the previously cut edge, I rather suspect that they will echo to a degree any existing edge irregularities rather than remove them.  The TS55 saw does an amazing job of getting the edges smooth, but I'd like to be that much more precise, and I sense that the Festool guide rail is the mechanism that will provide the extra degree of precision.  I also use a clamp-on straightedge that will work well with the Bosch router until I can afford the OF1400 and associated guide rail attachment.  Thanks again for your input.  [smile]

 

[wnagle]

The best set up for what I think you are saying is to use the microfence set up on the Festool guide rail rather than reference off the edge of the board. 

 

[Sparktrician]

I did some digging on the Micro Fence site and found this page - http://microfence.com/interface-festo-p-72.html.  Is this the setup to which you were referring?  I did not see this on the first go-around.  It looks to be what I think I need to not depend on the cut edge for straightness. 

 

[wnagle]

Your link is bad but its correct and called the clamp interface.  It takes a good bit of reading to understand all the options with the Microfence.  Usually it is best to call and tell them what you are trying to accomplish and they will set you up with what you need.  Or you can do like buying festool and just get everything!  Once you get started you'll be hooked.

 

[chrisrosenb]

The Micro Fence clamp interface is a nice setup.
As wnagle said it can be used with any router. 

Festool Clamp Interface

Chris

 

[Sparktrician]

Thanks, guys.  Looks like the Micro Fence trick is the way to go.  I did call them and got some clarity in my mind.  As for being hooked, that happened a long time ago.  It's only recently that I could afford the "entry fee", the TS55/CT22 combination plus an MFT/3.  From here, it's all add-ons that I can do in small bursts as my blood pressure [eek] will allow.  Thanks again for your inputs.