Metal type for guide rods

[ear3]

Was ordering up some longer 10mm rods from McMaster Carr to extend the range on the edge guide for my 2200.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-steel-rod-stock/=11gjb3h

Just a quick question about optimal metal type for the rods.  Is it ok just to get the basic O1 tool steel for the rods, or is something harder/more expensive in order?

 

[TheSergeant]

Most of the tool steel they sell requires you to do the hardening and tempering.  Do  you plan on doing this? http://www.mcmaster.com/#9018kac/=11gjhui

I don't know that it's really necessary to have hardened steel rods for this application.  I doubt the stock Festool are.  I'd just purchase the tight tolerance metric o-1 and call it a day.  No heat treat required. 

Goodluck!

 

[bertv]

I use plain old threaded steel rods and they work ok.

 

[rvieceli]

Edward - how long are you needing?

Might want to try locally. 3/8 inch is pretty close to 10mm.

 

[ear3]

Thanks -- I'll just get the O1 then and work with that.  It's cheap enough that if I encountered any issues I could always try another one that's alloyed or annealed.  The 10mm ones should do the trick on sizing -- I've tried the closest imperial equivalent but it was a no go. 

Most of the tool steel they sell requires you to do the hardening and tempering.  Do  you plan on doing this? http://www.mcmaster.com/#9018kac/=11gjhui

I don't know that it's really necessary to have hardened steel rods for this application.  I doubt the stock Festool are.  I'd just purchase the tight tolerance metric o-1 and call it a day.  No heat treat required. 

Goodluck!

 

[greg mann]

O1 in its unhardened state is still significantly tougher than mild steel. It does not need to be hardened for your use. It will resist scratches, denting, bending, etc. very well. It will also have a bit more corrosion resistance but not nearly as much as SS, which would be overkill anyway. You should be buying "ground' rod as it will also allow for a nice sliding action within the router and the edge guide. It is a good choice.

 

[rvieceli]

Edward - this is the stuff that Greg is talking about:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#88625k69/=11gqq21

 

[ear3]

Thanks [member=3192]rvieceli[/member] That's exactly what I ordered.

Edward - this is the stuff that Greg is talking about:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#88625k69/=11gqq21

 

[bobfog]

Think you're over-thinking this. Any appropriately sized rod will be fit for purpose.

 

[greg mann]

If your plan is to cut one rod into two 18 inch rods you will understand exactly what I have written. [poke]

 

[Michael Kellough]

I was surprised to see that cold drawn cost more than precision ground.

 

[ear3]

Two three footers, actually. Festool supplied rods are around 16" and so only allow about 9-10" max off the edge ( I need about 12-3" of depth, plus extra run on left side of the router to stabilize it with rail stop) I would use the Dado blade on the ts, but the dadoes are stopped. Edge guide will give me better and faster repeatability for the multiple boards vs rail guided routing.

If your plan is to cut one rod into two 18 inch rods you will understand exactly what I have written. [poke]

 

[ear3]

Here we go.