Use of Porter Cable plunge router with Festool tracks

[Dave Kirby]

Does anyone know about, or have any experience with, adapting a router guide system for a Porter Cable router (specifically a model 7529) to any of the Festool tracks? I have a PC 7529 and will be getting a Festool TS55 tracksaw soon and just wondered if there might be a way to get double duty out of the track without having to plunk down another $850 for the Festool plunge router. Any ideas or input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

[Matt Meiser]

It wouldn't be hard to make your own block that rode on the rail from UHMW or hardwood. From there, whatever you need to do to make it work. Another approach would be to buy the Festool guide parts and make something that adapts them to your router. The advantage there would be that you would get the micro adjuster.

[John Huds0n]

The Festool "guide stop adapter" (the part that rides on the track) is pretty well made and sells for $50.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VFYEJA/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I cobbled this together with a piece of aluminum and some threaded rod. It works very well, but if your looking for something more elegant, you can buy the Microfence for $260
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?208416-Use-of-Porter-Cable-plunge-router-with-Festool-tracks

271967
(http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?208416-Use-of-Porter-Cable-plunge-router-with-Festool-tracks)

[Bijesh Jacob]

Does anyone know about, or have any experience with, adapting a router guide system for a Porter Cable router (specifically a model 7529) to any of the Festool tracks? I have a PC 7529 and will be getting a Festool TS55 tracksaw soon and just wondered if there might be a way to get double duty out of the track without having to plunk down another $850 for the Festool plunge router. Any ideas or input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

I have used both approaches as Matt mentioned.

Build a UHMW for my Hitachi router - which I later sold. And purchased the Dewalt Router track kit a while ago - that had a few adapters to mount routers. It works with my Porter Cable 890 router as well. It was a while ago that I don't remember if the mounting options came with the router track kit or if I purchased them separately. But would be worthwhile to check if the track kit is still available and if it would work for the 7529 as well.

I purchased the kit at the NJ WW show a few years ago.

[Chris Rosenberger]

Micro Fence has an adapter that works with the Micro Fence circle jig to use any router with Festool tracks.

http://microfence.com/interface-circle-attachment-brbfor-edgeguide-owner-p-241.html

[Mike Henderson]

Micro Fence has an adapter that works with the Micro Fence circle jig to use any router with Festool tracks.

http://microfence.com/interface-circle-attachment-brbfor-edgeguide-owner-p-241.html

Wow, $259 for that adapter. That's Festool prices, for sure.

Mike

[Dave Kirby]

Some awesome info everyone! Thanks so much for the great links also! That's exactly the kind of thing I was looking for! Definitely perfect food for thought. I really like the idea of the Festool 'Guide Stop adapter' especially with its micro adjustment ability. Seems like a fairly cost efficient option too. The Micro Fence looks fantastic but a bit pricey for my purposes at this time. I certainly have some decisions to make. Thanks again for your help and advice!

[Keith Hankins]

The Festool "guide stop adapter" (the part that rides on the track) is pretty well made and sells for $50.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VFYEJA/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I cobbled this together with a piece of aluminum and some threaded rod. It works very well, but if your looking for something more elegant, you can buy the Microfence for $260
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?208416-Use-of-Porter-Cable-plunge-router-with-Festool-tracks

271967
(http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?208416-Use-of-Porter-Cable-plunge-router-with-Festool-tracks)

Another one for the guide stop adapter. If you have two rails you can split the two pieces apart and have one ride on one rail and the router split between the second rail. I use this all the time to make perfect groves. I use that with my PC routers (690's, 7518's and another 8 series router base. Works fine.