Guide Bushings vs. Copy Rings

Eko

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Jan 28, 2023
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I've never used a guide bushing but I'm interested in trying so I started shopping around for brass bushing sets for my OF 1400 when I stumbled upon Festool Copy Rings. I was immediately confused. Functionally the rings look similar to bushings. Can someone clarify what the difference is, if any?

Thanks.
 
They’re the same thing. We call them guide bushes here in the UK - Festool generally call them copy rings.
 
Thanks for your reply, [member=75780]woodbutcherbower[/member]

Just so I'm clear, it sounds like I have two options.
[list type=decimal]
[*]I can use the Festool Guide Bushing Adapter that came with the OF 1400 and buy some 3rd Party bushings to attach to the adapter. Or...
[*]I can buy the Festool Copy Rings and be done with it. No 3rd Party bushings required.
[/list]
Is that about right?
 
You're welcome [member=79478]Eko[/member]. Unfortunately I can't answer your question - the only Festool router I have is the OF2200 which has a dedicated copy ring baseplate contained in its accessory kit. I don't know enough about the OF1400 to give you a proper answer and I'd rather just be honest. Hopefully an OF1400 owner will chime in here and help you out. Hope you get fixed up.
 
Eko said:
Is that about right?

Yes, that is correct.

If you buy Porter-Cable style guide bushings, they'll work with most routers, including the adapter for the OF 1400.

If you buy Festool copy rings, they'll only work with the OF 1400.

Also, if the OF 1400 is currently your only router, be aware that most people end up with more than one router so it may be useful to have guide bushings that work with a router you don't yet have (but will most likely acquire in the future). :)
 
Thanks for the clarification, [member=75283]4nthony[/member].

Apart from the greater versatility of bushings vs. copy rings are there any other pros/cons for either option? For example, I've read a lot about the OF 1400 adapter centering issue causing many to use a Leigh adapter instead.
 
Eko said:
Thanks for the clarification, [member=75283]4nthony[/member].

Apart from the greater versatility of bushings vs. copy rings are there any other pros/cons for either option? For example, I've read a lot about the OF 1400 adapter centering issue causing many to use a Leigh adapter instead.

If you remove the way they mount, I'm not aware of any pros/cons for either design.

With the 1400, I think it depends on what you're routing. If you're following a template for a leg or cutting board, centering issues are potentially less of a concern than if you're routing dovetails.

If I'm routing a bunch of dog holes, I don't use the 1400, as I tend to exert too much pressure against the template and the subtle movement/deflection in the 1400 adapter introduces a bit of distortion with the hole. Though, not every 1400 has this problem. I have a Bosch 1617 that I prefer to use for this operation.

The 1400 is a great router with very good dust collection but I wish it used the 1010s method of centering and attaching guide bushings.
 
Good to know, thanks.

I think I'll go with a set of bushings (Infinity has a nice brass set) instead of the Festool copy rings for the versatility since as you pointed out I intend to pick-up a second router. As for the Festool adapter plate I'll wait to see if mine has centering issues, if so I'll look for an alternative.
 
I've got the OF2200 and OF1400, and bought the guide bushing adaptors for both as well as the 30mm Festool template ring for them.

I'm yet to use the guide bushings as I find I use the 30mm (and sometimes the bigger ones for larger cutters) for pretty much everything so far. I will say though if you see the steel bushing sets cheaper, don't buy them over the brass, they're just horrible.

I found on the 2200 concentrically was an issue with about 0.2mm play with the rings, I went back and forwards with Festool for some time before giving up, and fixing it in the end by lightly tapping with a hammer around the outside edge, which deformed the most minuscule amount to give a firm fit and it's absolutely perfect now.

On my 1400 it's perfect out of the box.
 
Thanks, [member=75933]luvmytoolz[/member].

Maybe I'll get a 30mm Festool copy ring along with a set of Infinity brass guides for the sake of comparison. The wider cross-brand compatibility of the guides are a more practical option for me since I have Festool and Milwaukee routers.

I have yet to install the OF 1400 adapter but hopefully there won't be any centering or other issues.
 
Just to add to what has already been said, the concentricity issue is not a huge factor with dovetail jigs as long as you hold the router in the same orientation. Even if it is off slightly, the offset is repeated.
However, cutting something like a circle with a template, the entire shape will be off-center by that amount. In most situations, even this is not enough to be of concern, though it could in some.

I use both, Festool copy rings and P-C style bushings. It just depends in the situation. The Festool ones are nice for mating with metric sized router bits. It makes calculating the offset easier.

The beauty of the OF1400 is that pop-in style. That system is so quick and easy. I especially like it for the chip deflector when used in edge profiling, which adds dramatically to the efficiency of the dust collection.
The OF1010 has the same chip deflector, but it has to be screwed on, just like the copy rings. Four tiny slotted screws, which are comparatively a pain. The copy rings can indeed be centered perfectly, but that takes/requires some effort on the part of the user. (and an additional tool)
This falls into the category of "adjustability comes with the problem of getting out of adjustment too"

There are pluses and minuses either way. I am more likely to use the OF1010 for dovetails anyway, so I appreciate the quick-simple of the OF1400 for other tasks, where a heavier cut is more likely.

Though I would like to see a longer chip deflector available as an accessory. I sometimes use a 50mm cut-length flush trim bit, and the original one is too short for that.
 
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