FT rail connected to Makita rail

[VirTERM]

Good Day,
I believe that this is my first post here, but I am enjoying this spot for a long time.
Just acquired TS 55 with a 55" rail and I am thinking about obtaining another 55" so I could make longer cuts. For obvious reason, I am contemplating Makita's rail, but my question is would I be able to connect Makita and Festool together to get 110"?
Thanks

 

[duburban]

i wouldn't mix tracks without planning on adding tape or whatever to make the rails approach same tolerances. i have a 110 makita and have to drastically adjust my saws when using that rail compared to festool. there's also the anti tip lip with i had to cut off to use accessories. just commit and use festool

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Same here, I have Makita and Festool and a Mafell plunge saws, and the relevant guide rails.
Although I sometimes use the Makita saw with the Festool rails, and vice versa, whenever using joined rails, I keep to the same make, mainly for the same reasons as duburban gave.

 

[Sanderxpander]

Probably best to use one brand of rails, but the Makita guide rail connectors are actually superior to the Festools if you need to buy a set anyway. Alternatively, for a little more, TSO products makes a set that self aligns the rails. I haven't tried those myself.

If you can justify the cost and space it's worth considering simply getting long rails. It's a lot more convenient when doing multiple cuts in order, you don't need to faff about with connectors and making sure everything is straight.

 

[VirTERM]

It seems that I should stick with one brand and since I already have Festool, I should just invest in another one.
In order to connect 2 track, I see that Festool made track connector is not the best, on the other hand, Makita one is expensive, but how about Triton Tools TTSTC Track Connectors?  The set of two can be acquired for $35 (Canadian) and from what I can see they should work.

 

[serge0n]

I did exactly this -- bought a Makita rail in addition to a Festool rail to keep costs down. They connect and line up just fine, but I'm using my own custom made connectors. I have no issues with straight cuts.

As [member=12487]duburban[/member] has mentioned, you can't use Festool's accessories on a Makita rail, but it was never an issue for me. I have a Festool rail if I ever need to use Festool's accessories, Makita's rail is only used as an extension and I never had a scenario where I needed to mount an accessory at the end of a long cut.

 

[RNEMTP]

Although they are basically the same track, I have found the rib that the saw rides on is slightly wider on one of the tracks. It requires adjusting the gibs to get it to work. I have a Makita cordless and a TS55 and I have a combination of Makita and Festool tracks. I pretty much just leave the TS55 on my MFT/3 and use the Makita for the mobile work and use the matching tracks to the saw.