Saw an oddball Makita guide rail

[Sourwould]

I was looking at Instagram today and saw someone with a Makita guide rail with black anti friction strips. They were ribbed, not smooth like on the tracks I've seen with green strips.

I remember reading on this board that there was some trouble (maybe?) With the Makita tracks rubbing grooves into the soft underbelly of the festool saws. I'm wondering if they've made an improvement. If so, it makes the cheap Makita tracks very appealing. I'll see if I can find the picture again and post it here.

Anyone know anything about this?

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I know they recently changed the length of the rails (now longer) as I got a good deal on some of the older versions, in a clearance deal. The black anti friction wasn’t mentioned but, could be part of the upgrade?
I’ll have a look, as I’m hoping to attend a tool fair tomorrow or Sunday.

 

[Oldwood]

All my Makita tracks have ribbed anti-friction strips but they are Makita blue or turquoise color. The last 2 were new in Mar 2019.  They came out with the 75" track around then.

I think the problem with the strips wearing into Festool saw bases was with the Festool tracks also. I am thinking of the problem of the raised section of the track wears the guide on the base. The TS 55 has a replaceable piece where the TS 75 you need to replace the saw base.

 

[Sourwould]

I didn't know they made a 75" track. I picked up a 39" track for $14 on Amazon. Didn't realize they were coming out with new tracks, I was wondering why it was so cheap.

 

[Oldwood]

I was considering buying a 118" track and cutting it down when I saw the 75" came out. The 75 is a must have length for a lot sheet cutting work. I find the 55 too short.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

I was considering buying a 118" track and cutting it down when I saw the 75" came out. The 75 is a must have length for a lot sheet cutting work. I find the 55 too short.

Little while back I purchased a TS75 recon that came with a 75" rail. Rest of my rails are Makita. Found the guide rib is far enough off that you need to adjust the saw rail cam between the two rails. I did some searching and found a place in Canada BC Fasteners & Tools Ltd. had the 75" Makita rail and shipping was quite reasonable even though I'm in the US.

 

[Sourwould]

Now that I've got the 39" track, the 75" looks very attractive for $100. I think they make a good pair, can do 8' rips with them joined. The 55" track is too short for ply crosscuts and too long to do general carcass cuts (for me, I have a very small work space).