idratherplaytennis
Member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2015
- Messages
- 66
Now- I've almost exhaustively researched and read all the posts on this- but I'm reaching out here because I am hoping this idea might be a good solution that is a little easier to deal with- for those of us not interested in completing a crash machining course on our pricey OF1400's.
The TL
R version of this is that the OF 1400 does not allow for adjustment and has minor deviations when using pattern bits such as those by Porter Cable or Amana or any number of manufacturers. A youtube video solves this by swapping out a base that matches the router and allows for centering the pattern bit, tightening it down to the base. I'm trying to find a version of this for the OF1400 since it seems like the best solution since Festool didn't allow for a precise method of centering the base to the mandrel.
The issue:
When using a template guide with the included attachment for your OF1400 (not everyone's it seems, but a LARGE amount of us), there is no method to center the mandrel/collet/router bit (what have you-) with the pattern guide. Additionally- there is slop within said guide to the degree that it could lead to variances when following a pattern such as with a dovetail guide, a general pattern or something such as the woodpecker's bench dog boring guide. A user by the name of Cheese illustrated in a post of this topic a very detailed description of how much it was out last November. Various other users have agreed that this is an issue with their OF 1400's as is the case with mine which I discovered today after about a year of ownership. (said post is here)
Festool responses have been sparse and I've only actually seen one user comment their actual response was something along the lines of (and I am paraphrasing) 'It's not a tool defect. User modification would be required for perfect fit' with reasoning as it was a trade off they (Festool) opted for in efficiency of production or something along those lines. Regardless- while I do feel the reason that user was given is a cop-out for something they didn't choose to address, I still really do like this router and all of the Festool items I own.
Possible solutions: Widen the holes that the attachment fits into- that works except there is some finesse required to do this well, and cleanly, and you still have the problem with the slight play from the guide being held to the router with the quick release clips. The solution I am after which sounds like a significantly better one is from this youtube video from 2009. The only issue I have is that I KNOW, this being Festool- they will have their own set of holes that won't play so nice with others, and I was curious if anyone knew of a brand that made a base that would come pre-drilled for the OF1400 which would accept the Porter Cable Pattern bits. I've tried looking for a few- but it seems none include pre-bored holes for Festool and my best bet would be to buy one of the universal bases and carefully use a drill press I have access to for boring holes that would work with the Festool router and possibly locate the correct screws which would allow the fine-tuning adjustment I'm after for centering the pattern jigs.
Any advice/solutions etc is very welcome and if you made it this far- thanks. It's 1:30 am and I am a bit tired so some of my post might... not make much sense, but I really wanted to get this out there before it all slipped my mind with work and everything else going on in this crazy world. I no longer have an immediate need for the accuracy I'm after with this particular situation (I made do for now), but I do have a need in the future and I'd like to be prepared rather than have the issue arise again on a tight schedule with no way around it.
The TL
R version of this is that the OF 1400 does not allow for adjustment and has minor deviations when using pattern bits such as those by Porter Cable or Amana or any number of manufacturers. A youtube video solves this by swapping out a base that matches the router and allows for centering the pattern bit, tightening it down to the base. I'm trying to find a version of this for the OF1400 since it seems like the best solution since Festool didn't allow for a precise method of centering the base to the mandrel.The issue:
When using a template guide with the included attachment for your OF1400 (not everyone's it seems, but a LARGE amount of us), there is no method to center the mandrel/collet/router bit (what have you-) with the pattern guide. Additionally- there is slop within said guide to the degree that it could lead to variances when following a pattern such as with a dovetail guide, a general pattern or something such as the woodpecker's bench dog boring guide. A user by the name of Cheese illustrated in a post of this topic a very detailed description of how much it was out last November. Various other users have agreed that this is an issue with their OF 1400's as is the case with mine which I discovered today after about a year of ownership. (said post is here)
Festool responses have been sparse and I've only actually seen one user comment their actual response was something along the lines of (and I am paraphrasing) 'It's not a tool defect. User modification would be required for perfect fit' with reasoning as it was a trade off they (Festool) opted for in efficiency of production or something along those lines. Regardless- while I do feel the reason that user was given is a cop-out for something they didn't choose to address, I still really do like this router and all of the Festool items I own.
Possible solutions: Widen the holes that the attachment fits into- that works except there is some finesse required to do this well, and cleanly, and you still have the problem with the slight play from the guide being held to the router with the quick release clips. The solution I am after which sounds like a significantly better one is from this youtube video from 2009. The only issue I have is that I KNOW, this being Festool- they will have their own set of holes that won't play so nice with others, and I was curious if anyone knew of a brand that made a base that would come pre-drilled for the OF1400 which would accept the Porter Cable Pattern bits. I've tried looking for a few- but it seems none include pre-bored holes for Festool and my best bet would be to buy one of the universal bases and carefully use a drill press I have access to for boring holes that would work with the Festool router and possibly locate the correct screws which would allow the fine-tuning adjustment I'm after for centering the pattern jigs.
Any advice/solutions etc is very welcome and if you made it this far- thanks. It's 1:30 am and I am a bit tired so some of my post might... not make much sense, but I really wanted to get this out there before it all slipped my mind with work and everything else going on in this crazy world. I no longer have an immediate need for the accuracy I'm after with this particular situation (I made do for now), but I do have a need in the future and I'd like to be prepared rather than have the issue arise again on a tight schedule with no way around it.
