How to get the router Guide Stop to slide more smoothly?

[davidwilkie]

I got the OF 1400 for Christmas and was trying it out with the Guide Stop (Festool part # 492601, see Festool Guide Stop) and I was less than enthusiastic about how easily the router slides along the guide. Part of the issue is the length of the connecting bars I suspect. Even with them as short as possible (router bit very close to the guide), the distance to where the Guide Stop travels along the guide creates at least some cantilever effect. I notice some screws on the Guide Stop that appear to tension it tighter to the rail, but I already have them pretty loose and tightening them makes it worse. Perhaps wax? Any tips appreciated!

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Welcome to OF1400 land.  Its a great router, definitely my go-to router, but the guide rail cantilever is annoying.  Festool includes a lame plastic 'support foot' that attaches to the opposite side of the router and can slide down to provide some support to compensate for the cantilever.  Many of us have some degree of contempt for the foot.

Many of us have added an auxiliary base to the OF1400, the thickness of the guide rail, so that when it is positioned to the right of the guide rail it is level with the rail, eliminating the cantilever.  Here's a thread started by Daviddubya that shows how:

OF1400 enhancement

BTW, the tightening screws on the guiderail should only be tight enough to eliminate slop, they may be on there too tightly.

Good luck - I think you will love that router once you straighten this out.

 

[Tim Sproul]

Perhaps wax? Any tips appreciated!

I'd try wax and putting a touch of bevel on the leading edges where the guide stop can "dig" into the aluminum guide rail.