Makita versus Festool guide rails

[rmwarren]

Does anyone have the Makita guide rail and the Festool rails? I am trying to learn whether the t-slot on the edge is identical? My interest relates to whether accessories designed for one will precisely fit the other.

The important areas are the width of the outer lip (Festool is +/- 3.9mm) and the width of the slot itself (Festool is +/- 8.3mm) as shown below:

[attachthumb=#]

Any response is appreciated.

RMW

 

[Kevin D.]

It's been a few years since I investigated this for my own needs whether to save a few bucks and get the Makita over one of the longer Festool rails, but I did discover there was an overhanging of sorts of one of the groves that things slide in/on.  Can't recall exactly what it prevented in the Festool arsenal that I had that the Makita rail would not be compatible with though.  Was it the 32mm sled?  Just can't remember.  Whatever it was, it eliminated the Makita rail once and for all.  But if I recall correctly, the added lip on the Makita rail made the plunge saw safer so as to not be kicked off it in use if there was a kickback of sorts while cutting.

 

[Kevin D.]

I Googled "Images of Makita Guide rail", and there are some shots of their guide's end profile.  Maybe that will help.

http://www.google.ca/search?q=image+of+makita+guide+rail&hl=en&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=YUWwUJbPCI6WyAHf04GQBw&ved=0CDYQsAQ&biw=1231&bih=588

One of the images lead to this Swedish woodworker who describes how he removed the lip in order to use the OF1400 guide on one.

http://www.swedishwoodworking.com/tips-tricks/modifying-a-makita-guide-rail-to-work-with-festool-attachments/

 

[semenza]

RMW,

I think there may be something in these for you.....

http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/adapting-makita-guide-rail/

http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/makita-118'-guide-rail-sale/

Seth

 

[Harvey]

I’m not sure, but the Makita clamps don’t fit on the Festool guide rails without some grinding. Conversely the Dewalt rapid clamps fit without surgery.
Hope that helps!

 

[rmwarren]

Thanks all. It appears to me that the slot is a bit wider and the little lips are a bit narrower.

[attachimg=#][attachimg=#]

If this is the case them the gadget I am working on for the Festool rail won't work in the Makita rail. That is what I was hoping to learn.

Thanks again.

RMW

 

[Alan m]

the makita rail isnt anodised  like the festool

 

[Kevin D.]

the makita rail isnt anodised  like the festool

And that I never realized before either.  Another reason the Festool rails costs more, but is it justifiably more for that alone?  I have no idea.  Just glad I went with the Festool long rails at the end of the day still rather save a few bucks for what would have been limitations in use, and quality of finish/durability.

 

[Alan m]

without the anodisation you would end up with smudges  on your hands and workpiece from the aluminium.

 

[score0matic]

I just cut the tab off of my 3M Makita rail with my DW 745 table saw, works great with my parallel guides now.

Also raw AL will quickly oxidize forming  protective barrier. 

 

[Alan m]

I just cut the tab off of my 3M Makita rail with my DW 745 table saw, works great with my parallel guides now.

Also raw AL will quickly oxidize forming  protective barrier. 

doyou get black marks on your hands from the rail

 

[score0matic]

Not that I have noticed.

 

[jakiiski]

The Makita rail IS anodized, for sure!

 

[netsaver]

http://www.popularwoodworking.com/tools/tool-reviews/plunge-cut_saws

"All three plunge-cut saws ride and operate on a Festool guide rail. However, Festool’s saw rides on a Makita track, but not on a DeWalt track. And a DeWalt saw doesn’t work with a Makita track just as a Makita saw is not functional on a DeWalt track. Need a scorecard?"

 

[Holmz]

http://www.popularwoodworking.com/tools/tool-reviews/plunge-cut_saws

"All three plunge-cut saws ride and operate on a Festool guide rail. However, Festool’s saw rides on a Makita track, but not on a DeWalt track. And a DeWalt saw doesn’t work with a Makita track just as a Makita saw is not functional on a DeWalt track. Need a scorecard?"

Or a red or yellow card? [wink]

 

[Brent Taylor]

I use the Makita's tracks in the field and the shop and the Festool in the shop only.  I like the ability to lock the saw on the track ( bad hands and only having two of them ) and they work with all the Festool parts but the parallel guide. ( some minor modification are needed on some, but they still work on both tracks.

 

[worldburger]

I use the Makita's tracks in the field and the shop and the Festool in the shop only.  I like the ability to lock the saw on the track ( bad hands and only having two of them ) and they work with all the Festool parts but the parallel guide. ( some minor modification are needed on some, but they still work on both tracks.

Brent, what makes the Makita tracks incompatible with the Festool parallel guide? I'm considering buying the parallel guide but am looking to get a budget friendlier rail than the 118" FS 3000...

 

[lwoirhaye]

I think he meant to say the Makita rails are generally compatible.  There's a little extra lip that may interfere with some Festool accessories.

I bought a 55" Makita rail recently and it came flat and straight.  Very acceptable quality-wise.

 

[mrboult]

I've used both saws and rails side  by side for years... 95% of the time I use each saw with its own brand track.

I use festool rail  connectors on my makita tracks and they work perfectly. Also the festool clamps works perfectly in the makita rail.

The glide strips on the top of the makita rails have worn grooves into the bottom of the makita  saw. They're much rougher and more abrasive than the green strips on the festool rails.

That's all the helpful info i have