Festool MFT/3-VL + CMS-OF + OF 1400 = PROBLEM!?

arso_bg

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Joined
Jan 6, 2008
Messages
178
Hi all,

Years long I used a jumbo MFT made with the old style profiles (MFT 1080) and it  served me very well, but recently I decided to make some changes in my shop. So I bought an MFT/3 + MFT/3-VL + CMS-OF which arrived last Friday and I made some tests during the weekend.

And here is the first question to those of you which have an MFT/3-VL: Where do you install the MFT/3-VL - on the left or on the right of the MFT/3? If you install it to the left of the MFT/3 how do you fix the left end of the fence - it seems that it can be fixed now only at the rare end of the MFT table  or you have to move the fence far to the left?

So I decided to make some tests. I installed my OF 1400 in the router table, installed a CMS rabbet bit and made some test with hard wood, soft wood and particle boards.

Everything was just perfect.  The table was very stable. I didn't feel any vibrations at all. I had also clean nice cuts everywhere. Dust control - also very good. Above the table I would say it was perfect. Under the table - it was also quite clean but I personally expected more.
So after a while I decided to change the bit and here started my problems. I could not engage the spindle lock! After half an hour of trials to perform this task I took the router out of the table, cleaned it well and tried again. NO success!  I almost gave up and started to think how I have to call the people from Festool on Monday when I noticed that some debris fall out of the router! I did shake the router well and more debris came out of the router. I started the router ones and turned it off again. Now I could press the button and change the bit!!!
I decided to make a second trial. I changed the bit, installed the router in the table and made some tests. When I tried to change the bit it happened again the same - I had to take the router out of the table,  to clean it well, shake it well so that all debris come out of the router and just after this procedure I could engage the spindle lock and release the bit.

Did someone have a similar problem?  It seems to me silly to make this procedure every time when I have to change the router bit!!!

I enclose a picture which shows the amount of debris that come out of the router after I take it out of the table
 
I think that I have been in your situation.  When you get done routing and want to change the bit you need to press the switch to disengage the lock on button.  If the trigger is locked on you can not operate the spindle lock to loosen the collet.  It is a safety feature.  You might want to try that before contacting Festool.

Peter
 
Thank you Peter!

This is first time when I use my OF 1400 in a router table an obviously it was my mistake. I now remember very clear that I did not released the trigger lock before I tried to change the router bit!
Of course I will try this out still today and post the results.

Regards
 
Peter Halle said:
I think that I have been in your situation.  When you get done routing and want to change the bit you need to press the switch to disengage the lock on button.  If the trigger is locked on you can not operate the spindle lock to loosen the collet.  It is a safety feature.  You might want to try that before contacting Festool.

Peter

+1 to Peter's answer, the trigger lock does stop the ratchet mechanism. But.. also do make sure you use the dust shroud to stop chips falling down by the collet, since there are ventilation holes in the bottom of the router, and I have had chips fall through and jam the mechanism for the ratchet. Compressed air usually clears it.. but its certainly a "design feature" along with the really really poor quality insert clearance plates you get  ???
 
Thank you Peter!

releasing the trigger lock before changing the router bit solved my problem!

Ha...its nice that  everything is Ok with my OF 1400 ...  [smile]

Regards
 
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