Dewalt router guide rail adapter and mafell/bosch rails?

[Farmer Giles]

Has anybody tried this combination?

I have had a Dewalt DW625 1/2" router for a while and like it a lot. I recently bought the Mafell PICC jigsaw in a kit complete with guide rail. It would be handy to use the dewalt router on the rail.

The dewalt router guide rail adapter (DWS5031-XJ) is about 45 quid so doesn't break the bank if I can reuse the same rail. I'll probably take a risk as I can probably machine something to adapt it to fit but would be nice if it did out of the box.

Cheers
Andy

 

[custard]

I haven't used that combination Andy, but I'd be cautious because there are all sorts of little issues that can catch you out with guide rails. Can you operate the micro off-set adjust, can you fit a stop, does the dust extraction interfere with anything? You may well be fine on all these fronts, but an efficient guide rail is so useful it's worth ensuring it really will all work properly.

Another thing to consider, in my workshop guide rails get used all the time with a router and a circular saw, but only rarely with a jig saw. It's worth checking that the guide rail is at it's most compatible for the most frequently used guide rail tools, it's details like that that tends to keep me within the Festool family even though I don't always regard all their tools as the best individual choice.

Just a thought, good luck!

 

[Farmer Giles]

Thanks Custard

I bought the Mafell jigsaw and rail together as although I had a very decent Metabo jigsaw, irrespective of how you set it up or what make/type of blades you use, it wonders off, my older bosch was the same, using conventional jigsaws and guide rails is virtually impossible unless you want to cut at 1mm a month. The Mafell guideless system and unique blade sorts that very well, but should do for the cost

I shall buy the dewalt adapter and report back.

Cheers
Andy

 

[Farmer Giles]

I didn't buy the dewalt guide adaptor in the end, after reading about the Bosch router base and guide adapter I went for that instead. It sounds like it should fit the dewalt and my smaller trend routers and definitely fits the Bosch and Mafell guide rails.

I also found a place that is selling 2 x 1.6m rails, joining piece and bag for 100 quid delivered so with my existing 800mm length I am now set for most eventualities

 

[eezageeza]

"I also found a place that is selling 2 x 1.6m rails, joining piece and bag for 100 quid delivered so with my existing 800mm length I am now set for most eventualities "

Where?? That's a very good price - I just bought one 1.6mt rail for £70!

 

[Farmer Giles]

"I also found a place that is selling 2 x 1.6m rails, joining piece and bag for 100 quid delivered so with my existing 800mm length I am now set for most eventualities "

Where?? That's a very good price - I just bought one 1.6mt rail for £70!

My rails have been delivered now so I can broadcast it. I bought a bargain drill that was in stock recently and leaked the source on another forum, when nothing was delivered I rang them only to find it was out of stock. I don't know if it was because everybody else ordered one or not, however just in case I always wait until I have my kit first before revealing sources

Orbital Fasteners 99 quid delivered. Only problem is that although small it came on a 7.5 tonne lorry which won't make it up our hill

 

[eezageeza]

Orbital use Aspray24 as their carriers, and they only seem to have large trucks. I just ordered from them, and we were obviously the last drop of the day - looked just a bit silly when the driver swung open the huge rear door to reveal a 2 kg parcel lying forlornly on the floor!

Jolly good service though - very competitive pricing, and free next day delivery.

 

[Farmer Giles]

I should probably put this in a new thread however its related. I'm not the proud owner of a set of mafell/bosch rails but I have dewalt 625E and Trend T5 routers. So I have bought the Bosch router guide rail base. This is pre-drilled with holes to fit most of their routers. So I have had a quick look at fixing my routers to the base.

The conclusion is that out of the box, for each router, by enlarging a hole in the bosch base you could potentially fix the router using existing holes but it is not ideal. The router is not dead centre on the base and the router is at the wrong angel for comfortable use but if you were pushed to do it as a temporary measure it is feasible.

Ideally, drill the base out with new holes with countersinks for the M6 set screws, there is enough meat to do it. I shall be doing that soon.

Once attached the base slides nicely on the rail, the depth adjuster work on one side and the clamp to stop it moving works on the other and if you move the depth adjuster control while its clamped it does twist a little bit so not perfect. I need to give it a go with a router on it to see how much the base moves.

Here's a few pictures. First the DeWalt 625E, you can see the jaunty angle you get by using existing holes.

And here's the holes in the base, the router is reasonably central, not bob on, but close. I have used a woodscrew to indicate the hole that needs enlarging if you want a quick bodge. I am not suggesting youy use woodscrews however the guy who owned my old Fordson tractor before me would definitely have done so! Also this only utilises two of the three holes in the dewalt base, probably good enough for a one off but not ideal, drilling new holes is the way to go.

And here's the Trend T5, also at a nonchalant angle

And the base, this time both holes need enlarging, the set screw shown is only an M5, not an M6 that both router bases take. The Trend only takes two fixings. This time the router is not any where near, central. Again, drilling new holes is the way to go.

I don't think I will bother drilling the base for the Trend, I shall make a template of the Dewalt base and drill it when I get chance . I have some bookcase strips to fit to some oak so I shall do it for that job.