Metric router guide bushing sets

[rmwarren]

I'm looking to buy a set of quality guide bushings, metric, and adapter bases. I've been looking at Trend and Axminster, just wondering if there are any options I've overlooked?

Thinking is I'll set up one base for Dewalt palm routers and add a base to the OF 1400 and an old Elu plunge router, center them all carefully and be able to swap out guide bushings at will. I have a Shaper Origin so it's no problem making my own bases from phenolic if needed.

Between Trend and Axminster, the latter looks like a nicer set. Appreciate any advise anyone ne might have.

Thanks.

RMW

 

[Michael Kellough]

The Axminster definitely look better but I don't think you can count on them to be concentric enough that they can be swapped without needing to re-center. But you might luck out.

They also have other sizes beyond the scope of that kit. Doesn't look like they have the two odd sizes Festool makes for the OF 1100, but I can't remember the reason for the odd sizes anyway.

 

[guybo]

https://www.sautershop.com/router-accessories/router-guide-bushes-sub-bases/

 

[rmwarren]

Thanks for the warning on concentricity, I'll ping Axminster to see if there is a tolerance or spec. The Sautershop offering I think is actually Trend.

Appreciate the responses.

RMW

 

[Peter Kelly]

https://www.milescraft.com/product/metalbushingset-metric

Purchased for use with router templates I've bought from Sautershop.

 

[rvieceli]

Richard what are you going to be doing with the guide bushings?

Ron

 

[Packard]

I also have metric guide bushing sets (though I only needed the 14mm size).  I use them with my CMT jigs for shelf pin holes.  The router makes cleaner holes than the drill does. 

I will look back over my purchase orders to see where I got mine.  I'm thinking it was from Amazon.De (Germany).

 

[Packard]

I cannot seem to find my old order.  But Amazon.com/UK has several options and shipping from Europe via Amazon was quite reasonable.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=router+bush+guide+set&crid=WXZO9QVE92B3&sprefix=router+bush%2Caps%2C147&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_11

Also from Amazon.de (Germany) the Germany site has a language option.  At the very top of the page is a German flag.  Click that to choose the language. 

I don't recall where I got mine, but I am fairly certain it was from Amazon.  You can use your regular Amazon account to order from the European sites.  Funnily, I ordered once from Amazon.de (Germany) and it shipped from Amazon.es (Spain).  Shipping was fast--about one week.
https://www.amazon.de/s?k=router+guide+bushing&crid=1JJ5PF3BLQYQJ&sprefix=router+guide+bushing%2Caps%2C159&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

ADDENDUM:  The shipments arrive by DHL and require a signature.  I had the packages shipped to my office to make that easier.  I am retiring in two weeks, so that is no longer going to be an option.  I don't think I will have much need for international shipments in the future so probably not an issue.  But be aware you have to be there to sign for this.  They will not leave a sticky note for you to sign and then deliver it later.  At least that was how my shipments were handled.

 

[rmwarren]

I should have clarified that I'm looking for the larger bushings going up to 40mm.

[member=74278]Packard[/member] FWIW Axminster ships via DHL and I alway receive an email with the option to waive signature before it arrives. Theft isn't a concern here so I opt out and they just leave the shipment at the door.

I read somewhere that the Trend/UJK bushings are 60mm OD and it stated they fit Dewalt's plunge base. I'm going to check mine tonight because that would cause me to lean towards them.

Thanks for the suggestions.

RMW

 

[Packard]

They did not offer me that option.  Perhaps things are different on international shipments.

 

[rmwarren]

Richard what are you going to be doing with the guide bushings?

Ron

Ron, just use them for misc. jigs with varying sizes of bits. I have the 30 & 40mm bushings for the OF1400 and I keep finding uses, like a jig I made for boring cup hinges. I figured having a full set I can use with any router will open up the possibilities. I work in metric hence the desire for a non imperial set, I've been adding metric collets and bits over time.

I also have the small Porter Cable bushings but don't trust them, they've had a tendency to loosen on me and don't install centered in my routers.

RMW

 

[rmwarren]

They did not offer me that option.  Perhaps things are different on international shipments.

This is the email I receive:

[attachimg=1]

RMW

 

[Crazyraceguy]

The Bosch router bit set that I ordered form Amazon UK actually shipped from DE (Germany)

 

[Michael Kellough]

I saw a larger clearer photo of a Trend bushing and it looks very well made but the screw holes are simply countersunk, not counterbored like the Festool bushings, so it would be hard to adjust the position of the Trend bushing. Hopefully the Axminster mounting holes are counterbored.

 

[rmwarren]

I saw a larger clearer photo of a Trend bushing and it looks very well made but the screw holes are simply countersunk, not counterbored like the Festool bushings, so it would be hard to adjust the position of the Trend bushing. Hopefully the Axminster mounting holes are counterbored.

That's a point I hadn't considered, the UJK are countersunk. No adjustment other than via the base they fit into.

They are cnc turned, unlike the stamped ones for the 1400. As long as the screw holes are concentric to the bushing itself...

Hmmnn...  [scratch chin]

RMW

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I saw a larger clearer photo of a Trend bushing and it looks very well made but the screw holes are simply countersunk, not counterbored like the Festool bushings, so it would be hard to adjust the position of the Trend bushing. Hopefully the Axminster mounting holes are counterbored.

That's a point I hadn't considered, the UJK are countersunk. No adjustment other than via the base they fit into.

They are cnc turned, unlike the stamped ones for the 1400. As long as the screw holes are concentric to the bushing itself...

Hmmnn...  [scratch chin]

RMW

I have never seen one that was extremely off, enough to make a difference anyway. As long as you keep the orientation of the router the same all the time, it doesn't matter a whole lot. It's off a little, but off the same for each half of the inlay. It still fits in to hole. The problem comes when you have to remove the bushing. Does it go back exactly the same way, or in the case of the OF1400, does it move in the mounting? Mine don't move, at least anymore. I had one that wiggled a little, so I tweaked on of the tabs a bit and it's fine now. I like the speed of changing in the OF1400, but it may just be the idea of it? I don't know that it is something that I (or anyone else) would do that often?
My older OF1010 is now somewhat dedicated to a 15mm bushing and a 1/4" up-cut bit. I try to design jigs around that combination, to keep things simple. Though I do have a corded Makita set-up with a smaller bushing/bit for one very specific job that I do frequently. It has been that way for a long time and I don't see the need in remaking the jig.

When I was in the local dealer this morning, I noticed that they had a handful of the older OF1010 in stock. That's not surprising, I imagine they are hard to sell when everyone wants the new model?
They had a few LS130 in stock too. That one did kind of surprise me. I figured they would all be gone from FOMO if nothing else.