Festool OF 1400EQ Circle Jig

[timbertailor]

Those of you who own this router know that a circle jig is not offered by the mfg for this model router.

Most of the aftermarket designs I looked at required the removal of the base plate.

Not something I wanted to have to do every time I wanted to cut circles. Not to mention, losing my chip collector duty.

This is a very simple design, easy to use, and cost little to nothing to build. The block of Bubinga and Maple was left over from a project my dad worked on. Thought I would repurpose it. It holds the DP track up 1/8"off the work surface to prevent drag while routing.

I found this 1/4" SS pin with a threaded end for the pivot rod. I cut key ways into the pins to tighten and loosen them. I have several lengths for different thickness of wood. I can micro adjust with the Rockler speed clamps, to an extent. The clamps also allow me to cut even the largest of circles by simply swapping out track length or cut circles in tight spaces.

The dual purpose track was left over from my assembly table and router table project.

Hope you like this idea. I apologize if I have posted in the wrong area.

 

[dltflt]

You could have bought the MFS700 or 400 then you would have circle jig from Festool.

 

[timbertailor]

You could have bought the MFS700 or 400 then you would have circle jig from Festool.

Festool could have made my design and saved the consumer $400 dollars to cut circles and still made 100% profit.

They make great tools but their accessory prices insult the intelligence of the average consumer who does not make a living at wood work.

For the prices they charge, everything should be made from aircraft grade aluminium, not molded plastic.

 

[fritter63]

You could also build one from 80/20 parts for much less. There are threads here on it somewhere.....

 

[Roseland]

Cutting circles is just one thing the MFS is good for.  I bought one a couple of years ago, thinking that "It might come in handy sometimes".  I now use it one almost every project I do, in one way or another.

For example, this week I built a lockable cabinet.  The cylinder lock barrel had flats on it to stop it rotating in the door.  I used the MFS to rout a rounded-corners rectangular hole that was a superb fit, and so much more accurate, quicker and easier than any other way I know.

If the MFS got lost or stolen, I would still buy it again even if it was more expensive.  And I'm essentially a hobbyist.

Andrew

 

[epicxt]

+1 For whatever reason, I find myself having to route out rectangular holes of varying sizes constantly. Whether dadoing custom brackets into oversized beams or treads into stringers the mfs comes through with accuracy and adjustability.

 

[fritter63]

+1 For whatever reason, I find myself having to route out rectangular holes of varying sizes constantly. Whether dadoing custom brackets into oversized beams or treads into stringers the mfs comes through with accuracy and adjustability.

Funny, I'm going to have to do that next weekend.

My "rough" beams for the pergola came oversized (they misunderstood) and immediately I thought "I can mortise that for the Simpson hardware with the mfs"

 

[epicxt]

Yeah, it's a snap! Here's one of my projects from the summer.

The sample piece of rough-sawn beam we got from the mill for the metal fabricator was undersized so all the brackets had to be fitted.

 

[timbertailor]

Cutting circles is just one thing the MFS is good for.  I bought one a couple of years ago, thinking that "It might come in handy sometimes".  I now use it one almost every project I do, in one way or another.

For example, this week I built a lockable cabinet.  The cylinder lock barrel had flats on it to stop it rotating in the door.  I used the MFS to rout a rounded-corners rectangular hole that was a superb fit, and so much more accurate, quicker and easier than any other way I know.

If the MFS got lost or stolen, I would still buy it again even if it was more expensive.  And I'm essentially a hobbyist.

Andrew

Try cutting four strips of scrap wood into a frame. Done and cost me nothing.

 

[Roseland]

I've been there and done that.  Keeping it truly square can be a challenge, and when you want to change the size by 1/32" the screws keep trying to go into the old holes.  No, I'm converted to the MFS!

Andrew

 

[butzla]

Although I love my MFS, no need to run out and buy one just to cut circles.  Just buy a longer knob screw for the guide rail attachment and replace the one that is in the knob so it protrudes out the bottom as pictured.  Works great!  I bought some longer rails at HD if I want to make a larger circle but so far haven't used them.  Pictured is a lazy susan I made for finishing small boxes on.

 

[fritter63]

Jim, that is fricken brilliant!

 

[fastbike]

A Jasper Jig also works if you're willing to drill one extra hole in the jig. No need to remove the OF 1400 base either.

 

[ben_r_]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I am looking into ways of cutting circles with the OF 1010 and/or OF 1400.

A Jasper Jig also works if you're willing to drill one extra hole in the jig. No need to remove the OF 1400 base either.

So a Jasper Jig only needs one additional hole drilled in it to fit an OF 1400? Is the same true for the OF 1010? If that is all it takes why in the world didnt Jasper Tools just include it to support Festool routers? I cant comprehend why they wouldnt support Festool in their "universal jig".

 

[DannyBoyNYC]

Bump again!

I'd be curious if this works for both the large and small Jasper circle jig as well.

Has anyone tried them with the 1400???

 

[ben_r_]

I have emailed Jasper Tools a few times. A couple of months ago they told me they were working on an updated version that would support Festool routers. However I have emailed them a couple times since then about it and never received a response. So at this point who knows. I cant believe they didnt make the original compatible with Festool. Dumb move on their part.

 

[Bob D.]

Micro Fence makes one, but it's not cheap, nor is it low quality.
For a mere $199 and change it's all yours.
http://microfence.com/circle-completebrbclick-detailsb-p-54.html

 

[ben_r_]

Micro Fence makes one, but it's not cheap, nor is it low quality.
For a mere $199 and change it's all yours.
http://microfence.com/circle-completebrbclick-detailsb-p-54.html

Ive got the Micro Fence with the Circle Jig and had a Jasper Tools Circle Jig not too long ago and I can say for myself, when cutting circles Id take the Jasper Jig ANY day over the Micro Fence. Sure the Micro Fence is build very solid and all that, but the Jasper Circle jigs are way quicker to setup, easier to get repeatable cuts after changing from one size to the next and they are 1/3 of the cost. Ill probably be selling my Micro Fence setup once Jasper Tools comes out with those Festool compatible jigs.

 

[Bob D.]

Yeah, there was a hint of sarcasm in there I thought.

I would not pay $200 for a circle jig. I have one I made
for all my other routers and if I ever needed to use it with
the OF1400 I could easily adapt it to fit.

 

[geoffshep]

Don't you just use a piece of wood and the copying ring?