Guide Rail Compatibility?

[AlBeThere]

Hello All,

I have an older Festool ATF 55E with a FS 1080/2 and a FS 1400/2 guide rails. Its been a great saw but I like some of the features of the latest saw and I'm thinking of upgrading.

Is it safe to assume the newest TS 55 REQ will work with my older guide rails? I hate assuming but I didn't want to spend $510 bucks on a new saw and then need all new guide rails.

Thanks for all your help!

Mike

 

[festnoob]

The TS55 REQ will come with a 1400/2

 

[ccarrolladams]

Hello All,

I have an older Festool ATF 55E with a FS 1080/2 and a FS 1400/2 guide rails. Its been a great saw but I like some of the features of the latest saw and I'm thinking of upgrading.

Is it safe to assume the newest TS 55 REQ will work with my older guide rails? I hate assuming but I didn't want to spend $510 bucks on a new saw and then need all new guide rails.

Thanks for all your help!

Mike

First of all,  [welcome] to The Fog, Mike!

Yes, all Festool TS saws include a guide rail. The FS 1400/2 is standard with the TS55EQ and TS55REQ, The FS 1900/2 is standard with the TS75EQ.

The good news is that your ATF55 will work fine with the current guide rails and the current Festool track saws work fine with the original guide rails. However, the original guide rails only used a single connecting bar. It is possible to connect an older and a current guide rail, but only with a single bar, so the connection is not as secure as with the current guide rails using two connecting bars.

Mike, the thing is that the part numbers you mention owning with your ATF55 are the current guide rails, so you should be all set.

Enjoy your new TS55REQ!

 

[AlBeThere]

Thanks for the replies...

I ran out to the garage and confirmed I have the double connecting bar guide rails.

I'm glad Festool has kept everything compatible over the years!

Mike

 

[NERemodeling]

Mike,

Just a bit of advice, since you already have the 1400 rail which comes standard with the new saw, you can usually order the saw with a different size guide rail (for the actual difference in price) I think sometimes you can also order the saw with no rail (less common) which would bring the price of a new TS55REQ from $585 down to $470

I do all my dealings with Tool Nut through their Festoolproducts.com site so i can only speak for them although i have seen other dealers offering similar services in the past.

John

 

[AlBeThere]

John,

Thanks for the great tip! I was thinking I might sell one of my FS 1400s with my used ATF 55E to make the used saw more marketable.

I have to think about those options!

Mike

 

[semenza]

Hi Mike,

    You've been lurking for a loooong time.  [smile]

  The FS xxxx /2 rails are the new type.  Do your rails have one or two guide ribs?   

Seth

 

[festnoob]

Mike,

Just a bit of advice, since you already have the 1400 rail which comes standard with the new saw, you can usually order the saw with a different size guide rail (for the actual difference in price) I think sometimes you can also order the saw with no rail (less common) which would bring the price of a new TS55REQ from $585 down to $470

I do all my dealings with Tool Nut through their Festoolproducts.com site so i can only speak for them although i have seen other dealers offering similar services in the past.

John

I don't know what your location is but I believe TOOLTOWN in NJ also allows for the rail swap. If your in the area they're right next to IKEA in Paramus. I guess it just depends on what's more convenient. Festool allows their dealers to swap rails with the saw purchase. If plan on buying the LR-32 system I would suggest the 1400 with the holes in it. It's like $5 more.

Oh and welcome to the FOG.

Pablo

 

[AlBeThere]

Seth: Yes, I've been using Festool for a long time and occasionally stopping by the FOG for advice and to see what's new in the Festool world. Funny, that i never felt the need to post after all this time.

My rails are the ****/2 models with the dual connectors. I'll take a look at them when i get home tonight to see about the guide ribs. I've never taken notice.

Thanks for the input!

Pablo: I appreciate the suggestion on the LR-32 guide rail. The 1400/2 with holes might be a sound choice. I don't really love my current production shelf pin jig. I made the fatal mistake and bought one based on the good price.

I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area and have several good Festool dealers available to me. I'll have to call around and see who is willing to swap the guide rails

Take care,

Mike

 

[semenza]

Seth: Yes, I've been using Festool for a long time and occasionally stopping by the FOG for advice and to see what's new in the Festool world. Funny, that i never felt the need to post after all this time.

My rails are the ****/2 models with the dual connectors. I'll take a look at them when i get home tonight to see about the guide ribs. I've never taken notice.

Thanks for the input!

Pablo: I appreciate the suggestion on the LR-32 guide rail. The 1400/2 with holes might be a sound choice. I don't really love my current production shelf pin jig. I made the fatal mistake and bought one based on the good price.

I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area and have several good Festool dealers available to me. I'll have to call around and see who is willing to swap the guide rails

Take care,

Mike

If it has two connectors it has two ribs. That is the new and current type that you have been using right along.

Seth