OF 1010

[DanMcDan]

Not sure if this is a "problem" but this seemed the best place to ask.

I recently picked up an OF 1010 at the awesome recon sale - my first Festool router.  When I plunge the router, upon release, the router seems to raise very slowly.  It take 2-3 seconds to come back to the top.

Is this normal?  I have loosened the front knob quite a bit and it does not seem to make any difference.  I did notice one of the posts feels smooth when I touch it, while the other feels "sticky" to the touch.  I wiped the sticky one just a bit with a rag, but it didn't help with movement speed.

Thoughts on a remedy?  Thanks much!

 

[nvalinski]

I'd try to wipe down the post and add some oil. Not sure if it's actually recommended, but the oil I put in my nail guns usually works great on the posts of my routers and benchtop planers. They seem to get a little bit sticky as you said, and that glides them right up.

 

[ear3]

This may or may not be the issue, but the knob mechanism on the OF1010 can be a bit deceptive, in the sense that you think you've loosened it all the way up but there is still a quarter or a half turn more to go to fully release the mechanism.  I would also provide some lubrication for the posts and see if that helps, cleaning the sticky one first with some solvent that won't damage the material.

Not sure if this is a "problem" but this seemed the best place to ask.

I recently picked up an OF 1010 at the awesome recon sale - my first Festool router.  When I plunge the router, upon release, the router seems to raise very slowly.  It take 2-3 seconds to come back to the top.

Is this normal?  I have loosened the front knob quite a bit and it does not seem to make any difference.  I did notice one of the posts feels smooth when I touch it, while the other feels "sticky" to the touch.  I wiped the sticky one just a bit with a rag, but it didn't help with movement speed.

Thoughts on a remedy?  Thanks much!

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

Hi Dan,

My OF1010 has always behaved the same as yours since the day I bought it a few years back....!!!  [unsure]
I mainly use it with the LR32 system and the repetitive plunging of holes has always seemed to take an age to complete.

I called Festool UK about it and one of their Technicians lives near me and he popped in to take a look at it. He checked it all over then applied a bit of Silicone spray to the 2 pillars and it improved it for a short time, but has now stiffened up again.

I have just got used to it now.....

Tim.

 

[Sparktrician]

I'd offer the suggestion that you might periodically scrub down the posts with 0000 steel wool to remove any accumulated debris, then wipe the posts with a good silicone spray wiped down afterwards to remove any excess.  I've also used Militec-1 firearm lubricant which impregnates the metal making for a longer lubricant lifetime.  Use it sparingly. 

 

[Cheese]

I'd 2nd Sparky's suggestion. However be sure to use stainless steel wool, bronze wool or Scotchbrite pads as they will reduce the likelihood of rust on the guides in the future.

Also as Edward said, the knob on the front can appear to be loose but sometimes it needs an additional 1/8 - 1/4 turn to fully loosen up.

I use this stuff on my router guides.

 

[tealfixie]

I have a different problem with mine where there seems to be an uneven spring resistance to the plunging action. There seems to be more resistance in the first quarter inch or so, then suddenly the resistance drops and usually causes me to inadvertently plunge down too fast, sometime gouging the work surface. I took everything apart and added some machine oil. It didn't help. Not as smooth and controlled as my PC router I'm sad to say.

 

[broseiden]

Mine has this issue also, possibly ever since I bought it new (pretty sure, but I can't remember for certain). Mine was even slower though -- 15 to 20 seconds if I didn't assist it by hand. It wasn't really an issue until I got the LR32 kit, where it was really annoying. Anyway I tried cleaning the posts and using silicone spray, with no luck. Removed the spring, reassembled, and it was great. Used it a couple days later and it was back to its old ways. I don't have it in front of me so this is just going by memory, but if I recall correctly there is a long hex head machine screw or bolt that runs from the base to the side of the case that surrounds the router itself. Like the posts but much smaller diameter. Anyway I'm thinking that it may be bent just enough to cause problems. I'll try rotating it 1/8th if a turn at a time and seeing if that helps, in my case at least, and I'll post back after.

 

[Ripit]

All I can say is don’t use silicone anything if you are using lacquer based finishes. I don’t spray lacquer anymore but i did for so long that I would never use a silicone based lubricant even in my home shop in fear of contamination, plus early in my woodworking carrere I almost got fired for bringing one into the shop to use cuz i thought it was so great...

 

[mrboult]

I'm sure someone will pipe up with a 'devastating' reason not to do this, but i would just turn it upside down, spray a little WD40 on the  legs  and plunge a few times. This is what I've done on routers for years.

 

[bevans]

Well....here is one more unit that has the same slow return after a plunge. I also bought my router new about 4 years ago and I suspect it was also like that when I got it and just didn't think anything of it because I have little experience with plunge routers and use it so little, about 1-2 times a year. I will be returning to this post to see if anyone finds a solution.

 

[peter halle]

I know that a product called PG2000 is used a lot by those who demonstrate Festools and wear blue shirts but they can't publicly recommend it.  I used some on my router and the plunging action improved.  Also tried it on my Kapex and it too was improved.

Just a suggestion.

Peter

 

[Ripit]

You need a dry lubricant like lps1 od bioshield t9. Stay ayafrom
Silicone based lubricant (finish contamination, your entire shop infact) and wd40(will strip all the lubricant)

 

[Cheese]

I know that a product called PG2000 is used a lot by those who demonstrate Festools and wear blue shirts but they can't publicly recommend it.  I used some on my router and the plunging action improved.  Also tried it on my Kapex and it too was improved.

Hey Peter, curious if you're talking about PG2000 in a hand pump dispenser or PG 2000 in an aerosol can?
The stuff in the hand pump dispenser appears to be no longer available. [sad]

[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]

 

[rljatl]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] Why would the delivery method make any difference?  Same stuff isn't it?

 

[Cheese]

Why would the delivery method make any difference?  Same stuff isn't it?

I don't know, the original PG2000 looks like oil, while the PG 2000 looks like  ????  well like just another spray product.

I'm hoping that Peter says he's used the aerosol spray, because that stuff is still available.

If you go to the ProGold website, the only thing they currently have in the pump dispenser is some bicycle chain lube.

 

[rljatl]

This may or may not have to do with anything, but...

I thought that the spray nozzle was correctly screwed on a brand new plastic bottle of PG2000.  Apparently it was not.  When I picked up the bottle by the spray nozzle, the bottle dropped off and spilled half the contents all over the floor.  [mad]