Using non-festool routers with festool rails

[Barry]

First post here, so hello everyone.

I already have several routers, really don't need anymore.  I was wondering if anyone has use any Porter Cable/Bosch/Milwaukee routers with the festool guide rails.  What options are available for me to use those routers without sacraficing accuracy and repeatablity.

 

[Dave Rudy]

Welcome Barry.

If you log in to the Yahoo Festool owners site and do a search on Milwaukee (for example) you will find a number of posts about using non-Festool routers on Festool rails.

Hope this helps

Dave

 

[greg mann]

There are several ways to do this including a MicroFence adapter. That is not a cheap option but you wind up with some very nice MicroFence capabilities as a result. Otherwise, it is all about adapting a guiderail to your fence rods. There are many ways to do this but the trick is to get adjustability in the process.

Greg

 

[Barry]

I saw the Microfence the adapter and was a little turned off by the price, the adjustability is nice though.  Still haven't ruled it out yet though.

For what it is worth I did search on the yahoo group page and the search function didn't work well for me, at least it didn't come back with what I was searching for.

I was hoping someone might have built something themselves and post pictures of what they have done.

 

[Lou Miller]

First post here, so hello everyone.

I already have several routers, really don't need anymore.  I was wondering if anyone has use any Porter Cable/Bosch/Milwaukee routers with the festool guide rails.  What options are available for me to use those routers without sacraficing accuracy and repeatablity.

Here's what I did before I broke down and bought the OF1400. I made a new base for my router out of hardboard (the cheap 3/16" stuff from Home Depot). I made the base large enough so that I was able to attach a board to the base. I put a dado in the board to ride on the rails. Its pretty crude, but it worked quite well. Took all of about 5 minutes to put it all together.

Your best option is to just get an OF1400 though 

 

[Daviddubya]

I experimented with one way of mounting any router on the Festool rails.  Look here for a review of that method:
http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=36429

Bottom line - using the OF1400 and the Festool adapter works really well, especially with an enhancement I use.  Look here for the enhancement:
http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=36120

 

[mstens]

Can you repost the pictures?  SMC won't let me view them without registering, which I have no interest in.

 

[Daviddubya]

mstens - Please email me at daviddubya (at) qwest.net and I'll email you the photos.  Do you want the photos of the router/rail gadget or the OF1400 enhancement - or both???  I'll figure out how to post photos here when I have more time.

 

[T. Michael]

DavidW, I'd like to see the pics too, when you get a chance to post them here.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Barry]

I experimented with one way of mounting any router on the Festool rails.  Look here for a review of that method:
http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=36429

Bottom line - using the OF1400 and the Festool adapter works really well, especially with an enhancement I use.  Look here for the enhancement:
http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=36120

NOW THAT IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!!

I had no idea that Dino made a Festool model of the SRK.  Thanks so much for the help.  I'll give Dino a call to get on on order..

 

[Daviddubya]

Please see the thread titled "OF1400 Router Enhancement" in the Jigs, Inventions, & Tool Enhancements
Forum here for photos and a description.

DavidW, I'd like to see the pics too, when you get a chance to post them here.

Thanks, Mike

 

[ScottS]

A similar question came up on WoodCentral.com recently. Here's a link to the discussion, including my thoughts/suggestions.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I saw the Microfence the adapter and was a little turned off by the price, the adjustability is nice though.  Still haven't ruled it out yet though. ...
I was hoping someone might have built something themselves and post pictures of what they have done.

Barry,

Have you considered making your own guide to mate with the Festool guide rails?  You could machine them yourself from some HDPE stock, either to connect directly to your router the standard edge guide rods supplied by your router manufacturer, or to connect to the "intermediate" screw-type adjustment mechanism typically supplied with an edge guide.  Also, check out some of the ideas posted at Pat Warner's site.  You might be able to adapt some of them to your need.

 

[Barry]

I thought about making my own guide but wanted to see what was available commercially first. 

Making the parts would be fairly easy, but having built in fine adjustment would be pretty difficult.  As it is now I'm looking at the microfence, building my own, or the F-SRK.  Time will tell and more than likely I will post whatever option I choose here.

Does anyone currently have the microfence setup in use on the rails???

 

[Tinker]

I experimented with one way of mounting any router on the Festool rails.  Look here for a review of that method:
http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=36429

Bottom line - using the OF1400 and the Festool adapter works really well, especially with an enhancement I use.  Look here for the enhancement:
http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=36120

Dave,
I have just used my OF 1400 for the first time.  I used the Festool guidebar and let the bit hang out in space with no support other than rail and the prtion of router base necessary for support to make T&G joints.  I have a very tight & cramped space to work. but the system worked fine.  A bit of a problem with dust collection, but the cutting was dead on and the ruter had a good solid feel to it.  I do not have an edge guide which might make DC a little better and more efficient, but otherwise, i was happy with the result..  I used the 1400 for the groove and the OF 1000 with a straight bit for the tongues.  That way, I set up once for each router.  The 1000 did a little (a lot) better with the DC.

I am thinking of getting larger DC hose (Bob Marino has suggested 36mm) which might give me a little better suction.  Also, a cleaner connection between DC port and the hose itself as the larger hose fits outside of te port.  Do you have any experience along this line.
Tinker

 

[mr_hockey]

I experimented with one way of mounting any router on the Festool rails.  Look here for a review of that method:
http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=36429

Bottom line - using the OF1400 and the Festool adapter works really well, especially with an enhancement I use.  Look here for the enhancement:
http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=36120

NOW THAT IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!!

I had no idea that Dino made a Festool model of the SRK.  Thanks so much for the help.  I'll give Dino a call to get on on order..

I have had great results using the SRK with my Bosch router on my Festool rails. It took just a few minutes to dial in the adjustments.

If you have both rail systems (which I do), Dino sells a custom SRK that will work on both rail systems. The custom SRK plays nice with both rails-very handy for me.

 

[Barry]

Actually my F-SRK just arrived Monday but I haven't had a chance to put it to use yet.  Did you buy the glide plate from Dino or just make your own???

 

[mr_hockey]

Mine came with the glide plate... it really makes a difference!

-jj

 

[Daviddubya]

Mine came with the glide plate... it really makes a difference!

-jj

I suspect the F-SRK has been upgraded since I tested it several months ago.  Is there a web site link where we can see what it looks like now???  I looked and cannot find one.  The Glide Plate was an accessory that I suggested.  It really is mandatory since the Universal Router Base is aluminum and will tend to mark wood sliding on it.  Additionally, the Glide Plate, or a substitute, is needed to countersink the mounting bolts for the router.  The aluminum Universal Router Base is not thick enough to countersink the bolts effectively.  I used an auxillary clear plastic base I bought from Pat Warner when I tested the F-SRK.  I'm glad to see the Glide Plate has been added, at least as an option.  Thanks.

 

[Barry]

Hmmmm, mine didn't come with a guide plate, what up with that.  I figured I would just make my own out of the various pieces of stuff I have floating around the shop.  I actually have an idea for doing dados that seems pretty slick...  After I get it setup I'll share it on here, and WN and probably SMC.  I'm an attention whore!!! ;D