Leigh D4R Pro and Festool OF-1400

[Cheese]

In my case, I don't have a 1010

In my case, I don't have a 1010

Same, try as I might, it's really, really, difficult for me to justify a 1010 myself!

Whoops... [embarassed]

I thought I recently (within the last 9 months) ran across someone who was marketing an adapter for the 1400. I took a look at fixing the issue 5-6 years ago and it was a relatively easy fix if I remember correctly. Just an aluminum plate with a counterbore to hold the PC bushing and a couple off holes to mount the plate to the 1400. I'm thinking making the adapter plate using a Shaper Origin would be possible using moderate feed rates & cutting depths.

 

[montyss]

Nothing for my personal benefit but for all to use if they want.

Mike does have some pictures of the original plate removed and how the new plate is centered up but for what ever reason I cannot get pictures into this forum try as i might just won't work I get some error every time.

In my case, I don't have a 1010

In my case, I don't have a 1010

Same, try as I might, it's really, really, difficult for me to justify a 1010 myself!

Whoops... [embarassed]

I thought I recently (within the last 9 months) ran across someone who was marketing an adapter for the 1400. I took a look at fixing the issue 5-6 years ago and it was a relatively easy fix if I remember correctly. Just an aluminum plate with a counterbore to hold the PC bushing and a couple off holes to mount the plate to the 1400. I'm thinking making the adapter plate using a Shaper Origin would be possible using moderate feed rates & cutting depths.

 

[PaulMarcel]

montyss's thicker plate replaces the plate on the OF 1400; however, it attaches with two user-provided M6 machine screws recessed into the plate instead of the five smaller countersunk screws.  The OF 1400 is already drilled and tapped for M6.  The PC-style bushing is a snug fit in the plate and the adjustment to center the bushing to the arbor is possible because of the slightly oversized M6 holes.  The five smaller holes are included in the modified plate just in case the bushing perfectly aligns with the arbor.

Ah, that's what I wondered. My brain assumed the countersunk screws completely forgetting the M6. That would do it. It was probably written in the instructions, but I only looked at the photos (old habit  [tongue])

 

[Allano]

I am not opposed to buying another router, but I have not been able to find a fixed base router that will accept cutters with a 1/2-inch shank, has an adjustable bushing adapter, has a wide base to span the alignment fingers and the VRS peak, and has micro adjustment for the cutting depth.

A Bosch 1600/1617 (Europe/US) with fixed GKF 1600 base doesn't fulfill your requirements? I don't own one, but I have been looking at it.

Can take 1/2 inch shanks.

Can adjust the bushing adapter by adjusting the sole plate, which the adapter is mounted on (video here, though he is adjusting the sole before mounting the bushing).

Has a 6" base (I think, but I can't refind that information).

Has micro depth adjustment with a screw on the top (and on the bottom for using it in a router table without a lift). Video here.

 

[MikeGE]

A Bosch 1600/1617 (Europe/US) with fixed GKF 1600 base doesn't fulfill your requirements? I don't own one, but I have been looking at it.

I owned the Bosch GOF 1600 CE , with the optional fixed base, about seven years ago during my journey down the router table path.  I can't remember the specific reasons why I got rid of it, but I know I was not impressed with the guide bushing attachment method.  The centering cone was plastic, as shown in the video you linked, and in my limited use resulted in inconsistent setups.  For example, centering the base and then attaching the guide ring holder and guide ring did not always result in a centered bushing.  I think Bosch tried to make the setup a quick-change option like Festool did with the OF 1400/2200. 

For regular routing projects, the GOF 1600 CE was great, except for dust collection.  It was definitely an outside tool.  I don't think they are available any more new and haven't seen them on the Bosch website in Germany. 

 

[Allano]

For example, centering the base and then attaching the guide ring holder and guide ring did not always result in a centered bushing.

But would you do it in that order? I know he does in the first video, but he does that for using the outside of the sole. If I was attaching a guide ring, I would attach it to the sole first, and then adjust the sole to make the guide ring concentric with the spindle.

Regarding the centering tool: Aren't you limiting your choices a lot by setting requirements for the quality of the centering tool instead of accepting that you may have to buy a third party centering tool?

You are right about the 1600 being discontinued. Looks like I will have to go for a secondhand.

 

[MikeGE]

But would you do it in that order? I know he does in the first video, but he does that for using the outside of the sole. If I was attaching a guide ring, I would attach it to the sole first, and then adjust the sole to make the guide ring concentric with the spindle.

Regarding the centering tool: Aren't you limiting your choices a lot by setting requirements for the quality of the centering tool instead of accepting that you may have to buy a third party centering tool?

You are right about the 1600 being discontinued. Looks like I will have to go for a secondhand.

There are likely several ways to assemble and center the guide bushing on the Bosch router, but the Bosch ship has sailed for me.  Any router I buy will be new with a manufacturer's warranty.  I hope you can find one in great shape.

For now, I am happy using the OF 1010 with the Leigh Jig, but eventually I will need a suitable router that accepts the 1/2-inch shank cutters and accepts a guide ring bushing that can be centered and doesn't move around unintentionally.  If montyss's base plate works as expected on the OF 1400, then my search will be over.

 

[MikeGE]

Here are the photos from @montyss showing his prototype and final product.

1. Baltic birch prototype.



2. MDF prototype.



3. MDF prototype attached to the OF 1400 showing the guide bushing attachment.



4. Lexan base with guide bushing attached. The Lexan is 9mm thick to allow for the clearance cuts on each side.



5. Lexan base from the other side showing the clearance cut needed to attach flush to the router.



6. Lexan base attached to the OF 1400 with two M6 screws.

 

[Chipchappy]

Hi folks, this issue of bushings on the 1400 flexing and/or being off centre had been nagging me for a long time and this thread spurred me to check again for a solution (that isn't buying the Of1010... as much as I'd like to, I cannot justify it right now).

Similar the the post above it seems these 3rd party bases might do the trick:https://woodgrainjunkie.com/search?q=Festool

I just bought the bases on Etsy. I haven't received the products yet but just sharing in case this helps anyone else who is trying to use bushings more successfully on the OF1400. Fingers crossed!

 

[dannybirdie]

Thank you all for your responses

 

[GreggyR]

Hi folks, this issue of bushings on the 1400 flexing and/or being off centre had been nagging me for a long time and this thread spurred me to check again for a solution (that isn't buying the Of1010... as much as I'd like to, I cannot justify it right now).

Similar the the post above it seems these 3rd party bases might do the trick:https://woodgrainjunkie.com/search?q=Festool

I just bought the bases on Etsy. I haven't received the products yet but just sharing in case this helps anyone else who is trying to use bushings more successfully on the OF1400. Fingers crossed!

I was looking at those too, did this fix the problem? Does anyone else have a solution to this that doesn't involve buying a new router?

 

[MikeGE]

I was looking at those too, did this fix the problem? Does anyone else have a solution to this that doesn't involve buying a new router?

I started down one path for my OF 1400 and eventually went down another that is better for me. I had a local CNC shop make a new adjustable insert for the Porter Cable style guide bushings and a centering mandrel with a longer shaft. See this post for the details:

Post in thread 'OF 1400 bushing guide not centered'

Dec 11, 2024

This is a teaser, but my OF 1400 guide ring problems are now a thing of the past. Encouraged by the wonderful work by @montyss, I decided to go on a different path so I can use the OF 1400 with my Leigh D4R dovetail jig. I am hesitant about starting a detailed thread until the site performance improves, so these will have to do for now.

Here are some photos of my OF 1400 sporting its new aluminum Porter Cable style guide ring adapter plate, as well as closeups of the adapter plate with the guide ring attached. The extended phenolic base is required in order for the router to...

• MikeGE