An alternative to the Plexiglas template routing aid

[Administrator_JSVN]

Ok, so I have to say that I'm a little disappointed that no one has mentioned this from SysNotes February 2010  [sad]  Here's the article:

We talk a lot about how Festool designs its products to integrate as a system. Well, these two router tips are the result of having components that work as a system. Because it is a system, accessories and tools can be combined in creative ways that most people have never thought about.

Use rods for the OF 1400 and OF 2200 routers along with two parallel edge guides to create an alternative to the template routing aid (as featured above). Since our routers feature center line marks on the router base, simply scribe a center line on the material and align the center line mark for perfect results. Need additional fence height for more stability? Well, you can replace the fence surfaces on the parallel edge guide with taller material very easily for additional support with the removable screws.

 

[harry_]

Haven't gotten to the sysnotes yet. However that is an AWESOME solution. I also like the significant $savings!!!

[thanks] Shane!

 

[EcoFurniture]

Thank you for publishing photos of this set up! You certainly didn't have to do that, as Festool would make more money selling the plexiglass jig.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Hmmm, I haven't received an edition of Sysnotes since Dec.
Do I need to sign up again?
Where?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Michael, I just checked and your email address is in our system and it shows that SysNotes was sent to you on Friday.  Strangely, Andreas reported not receiving it either.  If anyone else feels like they did not receive SysNotes but should have, please let me know. I will contact our email distribution provider to see if they were experiencing issues.

Thanks,
Shane

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Thank you for publishing photos of this set up! You certainly didn't have to do that, as Festool would make more money selling the plexiglass jig.

Andreas, this doesn't mean that the Plexiglas template does not have it's advantages.  There are measurement guides on it and it has integrated dust extraction to name a few.  But, there are some people who don't need those advantages or may never use it enough to justify the cost. This offers a simple alternative for those folks. 

I thought it was pretty cool.  [cool]

 

[fatroman]

The most recent SysNotes I've received was the Dec 2009 edition.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Michael, I just checked and your email address is in our system and it shows that SysNotes was sent to you on Friday.  Strangely, Andreas reported not receiving it either.  If anyone else feels like they did not receive SysNotes but should have, please let me know. I will contact our email distribution provider to see if they were experiencing issues.

Thanks,
Shane

Thanks for checking Shane. I found the Feb edition in the Spam folder.
If there was a Jan edition I probably bulk deleted it.

Did you change email shippers after December?

Also, could you post a notice when the next edition goes out so we can check
and prevent it from drowning in Spam?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Michael, there was no January issue of SysNotes.  There was no change in email distribution provider.  And, yes, I'd be happy to let everyone know when the next one goes out.

 

[bruegf]

Shane,

I did not receive the Feb Sysnotes either.  The last one I have is Decembers.

Fred

 

[joraft]

... Use rods for the OF 1400 and OF 2200 routers along with two parallel edge guides to create an alternative to the template routing aid (as featured above). Since our routers feature center line marks on the router base, simply scribe a center line on the material and align the center line mark for perfect results. Need additional fence height for more stability? Well, you can replace the fence surfaces on the parallel edge guide with taller material very easily for additional support with the removable screws.

There were actually TWO very good router tips in this issue of SysNotes. One I had seen here on the FOG quite a while back, and the other on talkFestool last December (photo below).

Put a Festool in the hands of a good woodworker, and watch how many good ideas spring up. Less creative folks like myself need only to make sure we hang out in the right places.  [big grin]

 

 

[woodguy7]

This was also the first sysnotes a have received since Dec.  Thought it was just me.

Woodguy.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I understand the "double edge guide" have made a kluge for the same purpose.  My concern is that when the workpiece is narrow, e.g one inch wide that the router can tip/tilt a little due to flexing of the 8 mm rods which is not likely to be a problem with Festool's dedicated heavy walled plastic accessory.  Has anyone tried the double edge guide for machining a dovetail slot on the edge of a workpiece that is one inch thick?

Dave R.

 

[b_m_hart]

This doesn't work for the 1010?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

This doesn't work for the 1010?

Technically, the rods are just barely long enough to do this but the fence on the parallel guide is also not as high.  So, it's not recommended for the 1010.

 

[suds]

Sorry to wander a bit but I am wondering where to subscribe to the sysnotes?  ???

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

You can sign up for Sysnotes, our email newsletter, on the home page of the Festool USA website. You can also email me directly and I'll make sure you get signed up.  Thanks!

 

[hrrb]

I like the idea of using 2 parallel edge guides as an alternative to the plexiglas thing. To be honest I've allways found that plexiglas routing guide to be much too expensive.  [crying]

The tilting issue mentioned in this thread I would simply fix by replacing the black plastic surfaces on the parrallel guides with som larger plexiglas plates.

But when I'm scrolling trough my danish version of the Festool catalogue I cant' find the OF1400 parallel guide spare part number, and I can't find it in Festools online catalogue either. Is it because it is the same parallel guide as for one of their other routers...or should I just open my eyes a little bit wider [eek] in my search for the parts number ???

Happy Easter by the way.

Kind regards
Henrik

 

[peter halle]

Henrik,

I took a look at the Danish catalog and didn't see it either.

However the part number should be 492636. 

I looked up all the other guides for the other routers in both the Danish and the US catalogs and the part numbers are the same between the two countries, so...

Peter

 

[bruegf]

Shane,

I somehow missed that one too.  Great idea, but depressing.  This, like so many of the other ideas that have been shared are so obvious once I see them that I just don't understand why I never thought of it :-(

May stop in and say hi later in the week - going to Turkey Run for a few days but looks like rain during most of our stay.

Fred