Centering Cone Mandrel for 8mm & 1/4” collets

[MacBoy]

I recently got a Festool OF 1010 EQ router.

Thankfully it still has the 1/4” and 8mm collets. The seller did not misplace them.

After centering the LR32 sled with the solid disc that has an 8mm shank, I got to thinking.

Hmmm … I should buy 8mm shank router bits. But then how will I center a sub-base for the 8mm collet?

Took a gamble based on reviews and product photos of a cheap centering cone meant for Dewalt routers.

Did a quick check today — it can snug into both 1/4” and 8mm collets.

And it’s only $11 for the steel & plastic combo.

Not exactly sure how to test the plastic cone for it’s goodness, or should I just trust it


DNP617 Centering Cone for DE-WALT Fixed Base Compact Router, Silver https://a.co/d/hDHibes

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Is that one where the cone slides on the shank, rather than moving the router's depth adjustment, to snug them up?
I have never used one like that? I have the Festool one, from the accessory kit. It works fine but takes a little wrangling to tighten into the collet. (on the older 1010) It's easier on the newer version, where the columns, are more like the OF1400..

 

[luvmytoolz]

I have an identical one and while I haven't put a dial indicator on it, it's very rigid and by eye seems to be pretty accurate with alignment.

 

[morts10n]

Is that one where the cone slides on the shank, rather than moving the router's depth adjustment, to snug them up?
I have never used one like that? I have the Festool one, from the accessory kit. It works fine but takes a little wrangling to tighten into the collet. (on the older 1010) It's easier on the newer version, where the columns, are more like the OF1400..

How does one center the baseplate of a OF1400? I installed the template guide adapter and noticed that the bit is not centered in the guide. Baseplate holes dont seem to have any play and are countersunk

 

[MacBoy]

Is that one where the cone slides on the shank, rather than moving the router's depth adjustment, to snug them up?
I have never used one like that? I have the Festool one, from the accessory kit. It works fine but takes a little wrangling to tighten into the collet. (on the older 1010) It's easier on the newer version, where the columns, are more like the OF1400..

The cone does slide on the 8mm part of the shank.

The center of the cone has 4 nubbins to keep it snug and centered onto the steel pin.

You will see in these photos that the nubbins are full depth of the cone’s center hole.

 

[fritter63]

I don't understand your concern. You center/install the plate with the 8mm collet and tool, then switch to the 1/4" collet for those bits.

Fortunately, imperial and metric shafts all start at zero in the center.

 

[MacBoy]

I don't understand your concern. You center/install the plate with the 8mm collet and tool, then switch to the 1/4" collet for those bits.

Fortunately, imperial and metric shafts all start at zero in the center.

I get your logic, and had the same conclusion. For the $11 price, it was a reasonable “investment”.

I was worrying about swapping collets with the dust accessory stuff in the way. That happened to me recently for the LR32 work. I can’t remember the exact details nor explain it today.

It was my first time with the OF 1010 and the LR 32 sled and the centering disc. I had to take the assembly apart multiple times because stuff got in the way.

During all that do-it and undo, I was also worried about shifting the LR32 sled a wee bit with those OF 1010 hold-down knobs.

Sedge said to crank down on those knobs. The lack of paint on his OF 1010 in those spots indicates he is a cranker ;-)

 

[fritter63]

I get your logic, and had the same conclusion. For the $11 price, it was a reasonable “investment”.

I was worrying about swapping collets with the dust accessory stuff in the way. That happened to me recently for the LR32 work. I can’t remember the exact details nor explain it today.

It was my first time with the OF 1010 and the LR 32 sled and the centering disc. I had to take the assembly apart multiple times because stuff got in the way.

During all that do-it and undo, I was also worried about shifting the LR32 sled a wee bit with those OF 1010 hold-down knobs.

Sedge said to crank down on those knobs. The lack of paint on his OF 1010 in those spots indicates he is a cranker ;-)

Yeah, 1010 is my least favorite router for just that reason. Need to get a newer one which solved those issues.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

How does one center the baseplate of a OF1400? I installed the template guide adapter and noticed that the bit is not centered in the guide. Baseplate holes dont seem to have any play and are countersunk

As manufactured, there is no adjustment, but it can be done, with a sub-base. My reference to OF1400 above, was only about the arrangement of the columns and depth stops.

 

[Imemiter]

The trick for centering either collet in the LR32 is using the 32mm copying ring. I haven't touched the centering disc since. One of my very favorite tips panned from the stream of FOG.