Flatten a slab with OF1400

[juststartingout]

Hi all,

I'm looking to flatten a 10 foot slab 40 inches wide and 2.5 inches thick.  I only have an OF1400 and am wondering if its underpowered for a 1 inch Freud straight bit?

Anyone out here have words of wisdom?

Thanks,

Oscar

 

[Gregor]

It should have no problem doing that trick, seehttp://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...ents/router-planing-sled/msg422028/#msg422028

 

[rvieceli]

Cool. that's a thread that I started.  [big grin]

[member=30787]juststartingout[/member] the router should work ok. Just remember it's not a 5 HP spindle in a CNC, so don't try to hog off 3/4 of an inch in a single pass.

That's a good size slab. I have noticed lately that many of the folks that specialize in selling slabs have started offering flattening services as well. So you might want to inquire.

Ron

 

[sancho57]

If it were me, Id use a RO150 with a blue pad (hard pad) start with a very course grit and work through the grits or a 850 planer.

Even better find a shop with a wide belt sander and see if they will run it through it a few times for you. Youmight have to kick him a few bucks but it will be worth it

 

[semenza]

The 1400 will spin a 1" straight bit ........... no problem.

Seth

 

[Svar]

As mentioned before 1" or 1.5" bit is fine for a 1400 Watt router. I prefer dish carving bit to straight one for flattening. It has rounded corners and makes transitions between passes less visible.

 

[Svar]

Even better find a shop with a wide belt sander and see if they will run it through it a few times for you. Youmight have to kick him a few bucks but it will be worth it

And for few more bucks they'll make you the entire table...  [poke]

 

[sancho57]

Even better find a shop with a wide belt sander and see if they will run it through it a few times for you. Youmight have to kick him a few bucks but it will be worth it

And for few more bucks they'll make you the entire table...  [poke]

and for a few more bucks he buy one prefinished  [doh]

 

[waho6o9]

Easy peasy, it's a work horse, watch your feeds and speeds and it'll flatten that slab.

View attachment 1

 

[lwoirhaye]

I'd use a cheaper fixed base router personally.    Ebay special.

I know doing it yourself sounds exciting but you might do as some other have suggested and call around to see about wide belt service.

 

[hdv]

I use the Festool sled (MFS-FS) and routing template (MFS 700) combined with my OF1400 for this. Search for Festool 495648 Routing Slide. Up to now it has done a good job for me. Maybe it will meet your needs as well?

 

[Farming_Sawyer]

Router sled is about the only thing that works to take cup And twist out of a large piece. Much nicer to work on a 200lb or greater piece without having to constantly move it.

 

[waho6o9]

Make a pair of winding sticks to check for twists in the slab.

Pubic Domain:
View attachment 1

 

[rst]

I use 8020 extrusions...
View attachment 1  I have 96" 1530s that I use but I could get up to 20'ers if I was to buy from a distributor rather than the 8020 Ebay store.
I also have 1545s although shorter versions.  These could be used for longer stiffer versions for the side quides.

 

[Vondawg]

Another option ....https://www.woodpeck.com/woodpeckers-slab-flattening-mill.html

[member=25351]rst[/member] - nice set up !

 

[Cheese]

As mentioned before 1" or 1.5" bit is fine for a 1400 Watt router. I prefer dish carving bit to straight one for flattening. It has rounded corners and makes transitions between passes less visible.

I’ve used a 3/4” or 1” diameter bowl bit in a 1010 for flattening Brazilian cherry. It worked fine and reduced the “stepping” transitions in the flatenning process. Less work for the sander.  [big grin]

 

[Sparktrician]

As mentioned before 1" or 1.5" bit is fine for a 1400 Watt router. I prefer dish carving bit to straight one for flattening. It has rounded corners and makes transitions between passes less visible.

I’ve used a 3/4” or 1” diameter bowl bit in a 1010 for flattening Brazilian cherry. It worked fine and reduced the “stepping” transitions in the flatenning process. Less work for the sander.  [big grin]

I use an Amana Tool 45453 carbide-tipped straight plunge bit in either the OF 2200 or the OF 1400.  Another good option is the Whiteside #6220 Spoilboard Cutter.  No bowls to sand out either way, [member=44099]Cheese[/member].