False 2 3/4" plunge depth on the OF1400 router?

[jayproulx]

Hi all, first post

I just bought the of1400 for some "deep" mortising, the 2 ¾ depth was sufficient for my job.  However, after about 2 ⅛ inches, the collet sticks out past the router base, so even if I could use the other ⅝, the collet rubs the stock...

I can do the rest by hand, but that's not what I was hoping for..

Is that normal?

I might be able to get a little deeper by exposing more of the bit shaft, but I don't know what the minimum safe bit depth is into the collet (the instruction manual 'suggests' 1").  I'm using 1/2" bits.

 

[jayproulx]

Bump.  Maybe it's a newbie question, is there a purpose for the collet to protrude below the router base?

Thanks!

 

[tjbnwi]

Can you go to a longer bit to get what you need?

If the bit is a lager in diameter than the collet it would not be an issue.

Tom

 

[Coen]

Bump.  Maybe it's a newbie question, is there a purpose for the collet to protrude below the router base?

Thanks!

Euh yes, with a larger diameter bit you could use the maximum depth. If the collect would not extend below the base, you would need a very long bit.

 

[Bohdan]

The collet extending below the base enables you to get max travel when using a thick template without having to extend the bit out of the collet.

 

[Kevin Stricker]

No it doesn't, it just means your collet will hit your template bushing when trying to get max depth.  I have run into the same problem, I can't say I understand the design. 

 

[mouppe]

Take the example where I am using a router sled and a dish bit to hollow out a seat. In this scenario, as I plunge lower and lower it does not matter if the collet protrudes below the base. The dish bit has a wider diameter than the collet. The longer the vertical, the deeper I can carve.

The other application where it does not matter if the collet is exposed is when using the router in the CMS with a wider diameter bit than the collet. The fence will keep the wood forward of the collet.

 

[Loren Woirhaye]

I suggest you install a sub-base of a thickness so the collet can bottom out without protruding through the hole in the sub-base.  Then, procuring a mortising bit of sufficient length to make use of the entire plunge range, make use of it.

 

[jayproulx]

Thanks for the responses everyone!  I'm still not really sure if there's a purpose, but putting on a thicker base as suggested by Loren is probably a good use.  What I like about this is that when I set my plunge depth on the gauge, I won't accidentally set it to a point where the collet rubs.

I was using a 1 1/4" long bit, I've found one that's 1 3/4" long which should give me a bit more depth which will be great.

Another purpose for the protruding collet it probably for mounting it to a router table.  Since the router table itself has some thickness, you may want the base to sit on the bottom of the table surface and have the collet protrude to closer to the surface of the table -- this seems as good an explanation as any.  You just need a hole in the table top that's larger than the collet.

On a side note, I've been building a post and beam shed in my spare time, the deep plunge has been great for the mortising.  The edge guide and a couple of quick clamps for stops lets me cut the mortises in just a few minutes with clean, straight, precise sides.  Pretty awesome.