1010 Router fence?

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I have a 1010 router and a 1400 router.  For the 1400 I have the fence for it and I think that it's an awesome fence. I've been using the 1010 and have been wanting a fence for it.  There are no local dealers that have a 1010 fence in stock so I've been looking online.  It looks cheap in the pictures,  it looks like stamped steel.  It's $50-60 with the dust hood.  What are your thoughts on the 1010 fence?

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Skip it. Buy a Microfence instead. More expensive, but better all around. The 1010 fence is mediocre at best. It works, but not worth the cost in my opinion.

 

[waho6o9]

Yup ^^
http://microfence.com/about_us.php

 

[Cheese]

It looks cheap in the pictures,  it looks like stamped steel.

Here you go...I just posted this in another thread.

On the left for $72 you get bent sheet metal, plastic brackets, a threaded bolt and no way to measure or accurately set distance.

On the right for $199 you get machined aluminum that's black anodized, machined stainless, machined brass and a scale graduated in .001".

For an additional $40 you can purchase a Mounting Bar for the 1400 that will allow you to swap between the routers. That's what I did so that I can swap between the 1010 & 1400.  [big grin]

The Micro Fence can be ordered in imperial or metric.

 

[ben_r_]

I have the whole fence setup and accessories for the OF 1010 and once you add it all up youre not too far off from the MicroFence. If I did it again I would have just gone for the MicroFence. In fact I may still sell my stuff and do that. The OF 1010 stuff works, not to say it doesnt, but the MicroFence stuff is just way nicer. Dust collection wont be as good though since there will be no dust hood on the bottom of the MicroFence.

 

[nickao]

I think when you factor in the way the micro fence Circle Jig add on can do circles and matched radii we are WAY better off getting the Micro Fence. If you just get the Micro Fence Edge Guide Circle Jig combo to begin with it's a better deal.

To use the Micro Fence with any router only cost about 35.00 for their attachment. If you had every Festool router and some other brands and had to  buy circle jigs and edge guides for each one(yeah you can get cheap universal circle jigs, not the same league really) the Micro Fence may very well be cheaper(and by a fair amount) depending on the routers one owns.

 

[antss]

What exactly are you guys making in which knowing the exact length of movement of the fence in or out is helpful ?

I've been doing this 40 plus years and have not once though : "gee, I which I could move this fence 3 thousandths closer to the work."  Not once. Maybe I'm just ignorant or a simpleton.  None of my plans call for anywhere close to those tolerances, and I'm moving the fence by sight or feel anyway. Never am I actually measuring in 10th, 100ths ,ect and then adjusting my woodworking equip accordingly.

So, give me a clue.

Now, I'll agree the anodized block is nice and Festool is overcharging for their steel and plastic accessory - but what else is new? $80 for a tool storage box, or over a $100 for a fabric rail carry case that is chintzier than a wal-mart gym bag - both made in China.  :

Having one guide that fits multiple routers can be a nice idea and saves on storage space.  Except if you leave a fence setup on a router (or two) for a particular operation.  Then micro fence is goin to get expensive.  I'm actually surprised Festool hasn't adopted a one fence for all routers approach given their "system" approach. PC has that.

Actually , I'm not surprised given what FT's charges for accessories.

 

[ear3]

I have an example from last year.  Was commissioned to make a shelving system, where the brackets and hardware was being prefabbed by the designed with very, very exact specifications (had to drop 9/16 dadoes 13/32 from the edge, no more, no less).  Since I did it with the 2200, I was able to use the microadjust on the edge guide to dial in that exact distance.  It only took me two passes with the microadjust to do the setup, as opposed to the 3-5 it might have taken without just working by trial and error. 

 

[nickao]

This is a cool technique you might be able to use someday then.

I make my living with inlay work and all my pieces are made with 8 to 500 parts that I mate using .003 offsets.

With the Micro fence I measure the bit, make the male part, then turn the dial according to the bit measurement from the dial caliper, add a .003 turn to that measurement,  cut the female, fits every time like a glove. There is  zero trial and error.

Or make a radius part using a circle jig, add or subtract .003 from the width of the part depending on which side you are mating. Swing another arc, the two parts fit every time.

I use .003, it works perfectly on the Micro fence and works perfectly in my CNC software. It fast and effective.

I made this particular inlay using the same technique, it's crazy colors, but that's up to the client. All the parts have .003 gaps of course when glued together that a perfect jointed part.

[attachimg=1]

Everyone works different, if you are interested look over some of his videos, the one with the matched radii is nice, key really. Take it or leave it, but it works for me. My business is actually based off using the offset technique. Until I realized how simple it was to measure the bit and use an offset to make curved mated parts using this method I only made square and double square inlays. Now round inlays are actually faster and simpler for me to make.

This isn't the video where he actually demonstrates how to use the offset method, it's somewhere on his site. But for the other guys here is a quick view of how the mated parts look. Getting the curved parts to mate is really simple to do with the Micro Fence. It a similar doing the dados with their edge guide. The key is having knowing how far the a spin of the jig screw moves the bit in or out per revolution.  So this technique could be used with any jig you know the screw information and a reliable way of  counting or measuring  the movement. We could make these if we wanted, but what a hassle. Believe me I made a similar jig on on my CNC it  was not  worth the trouble, I just buy them from Micro Fence. I did implant improvements on my jig though.

This video shows how to think in thousandths for wood working and why it isn't spinning your wheels.

https://vimeo.com/2872212
http://microfence.com/videos-i-37.html

 

[cperren]

[member=3373]Dovetail65[/member] - What are the improvements on your micro fence jig?  I just order one and would be interested in such improvements. Thanks

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Inlays is the most common application for me needing this type of adjustment.

 

[Pykie]

While were on the topic of the microfence, does anyone own their plunge base? Does it fit a makita rt0700c trimmer? I know they have various adapter plates.

I'm thinking of pairing it with the new 18v trimmer for a pretty kick ass combo.

 

[Vondawg]

This what we're here for to pass on technic and brainstorm and share a tool...and show us, 40 years in, woodworkers, you CAN learn something new ! I've used mine for inlay as well and perfect for just barely widening an opening or pattern. Yes you can add a little sliver of shim to the fence but with the micro fence ...why?

 

[nickao]

[member=3373]Dovetail65[/member] - What are the improvements on your micro fence jig?  I just order one and would be interested in such improvements. Thanks

My hands and fingers are weak. I use these handles instead of the Allen head and Brass thumbscrews that come on the jig.

If you do this make sure the screws on the handles are brass or it will damage the adjustment screw. Or just use the handles everywhere other than for the 3 adjustment screws.

I also use their standoffs(and a design I made) every 8" or so. The optional standoffs are expensive but get at least two if you are doing larger work. I probably have ten or more.

Wherever  there are 4 bars next to each other make sure there is a stand off clamping the 4 bars. I also use one in front where there are only two rods for larger work.

My mods matter more for 36" and larger circles and arcs.

[attachimg=1]

 

[nickao]

While were on the topic of the microfence, does anyone own their plunge base? Does it fit a makita rt0700c trimmer? I know they have various adapter plates.

I'm thinking of pairing it with the new 18v trimmer for a pretty kick  combo.

They have two size plunge base and offer rings that make them each work with a variety of routers.

Check their site, I am almost certain that router works.

 

[Cheese]

While were on the topic of the microfence, does anyone own their plunge base? Does it fit a makita rt0700c trimmer?

They offer a base for the RT0701C...$439.

 

[Stone Message]

Make a fence. I have made several for special tasks. The only skill involved is drilling two holes an accurate distance apart. I am not in the workshop but guess that the OF1010 has 8 mm shafts for the fence. I am not sure what the centres will be.

I would use maple for the block, aluminium would do for the bars but steel would be better. There are a number of options for the block to bar securing - threaded inserts might be the simplest.

Peter

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

Make a fence. I have made several for special tasks. The only skill involved is drilling two holes an accurate distance apart. I am not in the workshop but guess that the OF1010 has 8 mm shafts for the fence. I am not sure what the centres will be.

I would use maple for the block, aluminium would do for the bars but steel would be better. There are a number of options for the block to bar securing - threaded inserts might be the simplest.

Peter

I will try this,  not a bad idea. 

 

[John Stevens]

I'll just add that I have an OF1000 set, which came with the fence and a zero-lash adjustor that's accurate to 1/10 mm, about 1/256 of an inch.  It's great for inlay.  Just FWIW, it doesn't look anything like the photo Cheese posted--not sure if that's the fence for the OF1010 or the OF1400.

--John

 

[Cheese]

Just FWIW, it doesn't look anything like the photo Cheese posted--not sure if that's the fence for the OF1010 or the OF1400.

Hey [member=4]John Stevens[/member]...that photo is the Edge Guide and the Fine Adjuster for the 1010.  [eek]