Mounting Bosch Jigsaw to Festool Guide stop ~ # 490 031

[ward]

I hope this is not taboo. if it is, i guess it will get pulled. . . And i've learned something.

I'm wondering about using the festool jigsaw guide stop with my non festool jig saws. More of a idle query, but also with the rails, and clamps a lightweight small job cutting station portable for small jobs in the field doing flooring patches as I'm often asked to do. . . usually at the last moment because someone moved a wall or etc.

Anyway, I'm just wondering if anyone has done this or tried it and what the experience was.

Thank you.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Ward, I don't remember hearing of anyone mounting a another brand jigsaw to the Festool guide stop before. Might be just as easy to make your own custom guide stop. If you decide to explore this please share what you come up with. 

FWIW, I don't think a question like this a taboo at all.

 

[Dane]

I've pondered this very question.  I think that it would be pretty easy.  If you pull up Jerry Work's article on the MFK700, he details building a rail slide for it out of HDMW, I think that it would be about the same procedure to build a similar base for the jigsaw.  I keep thinking that I am going to do it, but never really find myself in a situation where I need the jigsaw on a rail.  Alternately, you could spend the 15.00 for the Trion guide rail adapter and just modify it to fit the Bosch.

 

[tbellemare]

I think it would be pure luck if it would work, Ward.

The Trion guide stop has a cavity that the saw base fits into and tabs to capture it.

The biggest reason I can think of to run a jigsaw on a guide rail is for depth of cut. You can reach about twice as deep with a Trion as with a TS 75 - and still get a perpendicular cut.

Tom

 

[Rob-GB]

I think it would be pure luck if it would work, Ward.

The Trion guide stop has a cavity that the saw base fits into and tabs to capture it.

The biggest reason I can think of to run a jigsaw on a guide rail is for depth of cut. You can reach about twice as deep with a Trion as with a TS 75 - and still get a perpendicular cut.

Tom

The Festool website states that the guide is for use on material up to 20mm thick. Is this like the sticker on the CTL that states no tool over 500w to be used? [scratch chin] i.e. Ignore it as it is just because they've been told to say it?
Rob.

 

[tbellemare]

I don't see that 20mm.

Another reason to use the guided jigsaw is for inside corners.

Tom

 

[AlexThePalex]

I think it would be pure luck if it would work, Ward.

The Trion guide stop has a cavity that the saw base fits into and tabs to capture it.

Why? With the right adapter you can make any tool fit on a guide rail. Heck, I think I could make a jig to fit a zebra.  [tongue]

 

[tbellemare]

I meant using the Trion's guide stop, not making one.

Tom

 

[Rob-GB]

I don't see that 20mm.

Another reason to use the guided jigsaw is for inside corners.

Tom

Tom, from the Trion manual:-

10.1 Festool guide system FS
The use of the Festool guide system FS (Figure
[7])facilitates the production of straight
and precise cuts, particularly with material
thicknesses up to 20 mm. The jigsaw is hereby
placed in a guide stop [7-1] order no.
490031) and guided along the guide rail in
this. The guide stop has two adjustable limit
stops [7-2] for a setting free from play. Use
only crossed saw-blades when utilising the
guide stop. We recommend Festool saw
blade S 75/4 FSG.

According to Festool precise cuts are not guaranteed over 20mm. I remembered this as I was hoping to use mine to cut out some vision panels in some
60mm thick laminate faced fire doors. Ended up using the TS55 from both sides and the Trion freehand to get the corners.
Rob.

 

[ward]

Thank you everyone! I think i will buy the guide and see if it works,
i mean less than $20 bucks and it'll keep me "constructively engaged"
and i'll report back on my progress. Now if my local dealer stocks it !