Is the Kreg MortiseMate™ Compatible with Festool? Here's the Fix You Need

If you just picked up the new Kreg MortiseMate™ Loose Tenon Jig, you might be surprised to find out it’s not compatible with Festool tools out of the box. But don’t worry—I’ve got a solution.

In this post, I’ll walk you through what isn’t compatible between the MortiseMate and Festool gear, and how you can easily fix it to make these systems work together.

Watch the Video 

🔧 What's Not Compatible (And How to Fix It)

1. Mortise and Tenon Size Differences

One of the first things you’ll notice is that the mortises created by the Kreg MortiseMate are larger than those made by the Festool Domino, and the included tenons are a bit smaller. That might sound like a problem, but it’s actually by design.

The Kreg MortiseMate is a “loose tenon” jig, meaning it’s not meant to create ultra-tight-fitting joinery like the Festool Domino Joiner. Instead, it provides more wiggle room—perfect for fast, strong joints that don’t require machine-level precision.

So if you're after perfectly tight mortise and tenon joints, the MortiseMate may not be the jig for you. But if you’re okay with the loose tenon method (which is still incredibly strong and widely used), this jig offers great value and flexibility.

2. Dust Port Incompatibility with Festool Hoses

The second issue? The dust port on the MortiseMate doesn’t fit Festool’s 27mm dust extractor hoses. But again—I have a simple solution.

I designed a custom 27mm twist-lock dust port adapter that makes the MortiseMate fully compatible with Festool hoses. It installs using the same screws and mounting location as the original port—no modifications required.

👉 [Order the Festool Dust Adapter for MortiseMate™ Here]

💡 Why the MortiseMate Is Still a Solid Tool

Despite these compatibility issues, the Kreg MortiseMate™ is still a great loose tenon jig—especially for woodworkers who don’t want to invest $1,000+ into a Festool system. It’s quick to set up, accurate for most projects, and ideal for strong joints in furniture, cabinetry, and frames.

If you’re still exploring options, I recommend watching The Wood Whisperer’s review—he covers the pros and cons in depth and compares the MortiseMate to other jigs on the market.

💰 A More Affordable Mortise & Tenon System – No Fancy Jig Needed

If you don’t want to buy a Kreg or Festool jig at all, I’ve created an alternative method that lets you build mortise and tenon joints using tools you already own—like a standard router and drill.

This is not your typical template-based jig. My Adjustable Mortise Jig & Tenon Fastener System™ is designed to be:

• Simple to use
• Fast to set up
• Incredibly strong
• Budget-friendly

With this system, you can build high-quality furniture, cabinets, and DIY projects without breaking the bank or needing specialty joinery tools.

👉 [Watch the video to see how the Adjustable Mortise Jig works]

🛠️ Build Smarter, Not Harder

My goal is to help you get more out of the tools you already own while offering new ideas to improve your shop’s functionality and output. Whether you’re using a Festool system or upgrading with Kreg, the right jig can help you take on projects you never thought possible.

Don’t forget to check out my other DIY woodworking tutorials, jig designs, and shop hacks—you might find the perfect solution for your next build.