OF 1400 Base Plate Issue

[rvieceli]

I don't have a 1400 but I think it is mostly the same as mine.

The router base consists of a casting and on the bottom is a phenolic wear/slide plate. Flip the router over. The plate should attached by 5 screws. You could consider using those tapped holes. Get some screws that can be countersunk into the table top and then go through the top to the base. 

You also brace it with a couple of strips of plywood. One end on the top of the base and the other end screwed to the table.

 

[Silverlight68]

Yeah, alright. v-neck hex bolts would likely be the ticket then.

I'm all in for being creative with making my own solutions, but I do have my limits:
- TIME!!!
- SPACE!!!

I have such a list of projects to do here that it leaves little time over to spend on other things like building a router table, although I would have to admit it would be an interesting project. I'm not saying that I won't attempt it, but knowing myself I would most likely make the mistake of trying to make it as solid as a decent quality, manufactured version, and that's going to cost me time and money, however which way one chooses to look at it. The other consideration is the portability and weight of a home-made version in comparison to the Festool model. Making my own would be undoubtedly cheaper, but the time it's going to take me to do it, including all the hours researching designs and stuff.... and that while my other projects are laying still.

On the other hand, that lock miter bit and jig are already ordered, and I don't think I could resist taking a swing at making SOMETHING that would fit the basic requirements until I got enough resources scraped together to get a Festool Table.

 

[downtheroad]

I saw an article in Woodworker's Journal magazine (summer 2013?) by Guido Henn titled "Easy-To-Build Clamp-On Router Table". He mounted an OF1400 using the guide rods to clamp to the table and built an under table lift with a threaded rod crank to adjust the bit height.

EDIT - Found the Guido Henn article here on page 42: Guido Henn's Woodworker's Journal article

On YouTube, there's a guy who mounted an OF1400 in a shop built portable table using the guide rods also. He has the crank mounted on the front. He also has some great ideas ...convert quickly to a horizontal router and interesting fence system. Router Table by Tehdoor

 

[Silverlight68]

Hi Tony!

Oh wow! I like that folding table that the Ukrainian chap made, only I wonder if the guide rails wouldn't get bent by clamping them that way. Looks like he had it all fairly well thought out, though!

Actually (after having just now gotten to the part where he's flipped the thing 90 degrees) this guy is pretty damned clever. This is the kind of innovation that Festool should have implemented in its own router tables. If this guy can do it, the German engineering geniuses at Festool ought to be able to pull it off!

 

[Stone Message]

Here are a couple of pictures of my old (home made) router table. The first shows the way the router was held to the underside of the table. The second picture shows how this was integrated into the MFT3.

I now have my UJK cast iron table - perfect.

By the way - I use lock mitre jointing a lot and there is no way that I would do this freehand - I would not even do a demo of this in a safety video.

Peter

 

[downtheroad]

Oh wow! I like that folding table that the Ukrainian chap made, only I wonder if the guide rails wouldn't get bent by clamping them that way.

The guide rods are pretty stout and I don't see any problem with them bending. Guido Henn uses the same method and he also is considered quite innovative with his designs.

Here is a link to some detailed pictures of Tehdoor's table

 

[peter halle]

I have been looking for a video I remembered that might have some relevance if you think upside down.  Otherwise it is still an informative video.  I have never tried this.



Peter

 

[Silverlight68]

Ooohhhh, you guys are killing me here with video's like that  [big grin]

As if I already have a shortage on hours in a day, now I'll be trying to think up uses where I could use something neat like that!
I'm going to be bookmarking that one for sure, so thanks for kindly posting that!

Hey Peter, once again, all tips and photo's that you've been helping me out with are greatly appreciated. I've also enjoyed watching your video's and I often think what a shame that it not easier to visit one another as everyone seems so friendly and helpful. Then on the other hand, no one wuld ever get anything done, do I suppose every disadvantage has its upsides, too, don't they? haha!

 

[Stone Message]

....
Hey Peter, once again, all tips and photo's that you've been helping me out with are greatly appreciated. I've also enjoyed watching your video's and I often think what a shame that it not easier to visit one another as everyone seems so friendly and helpful. Then on the other hand, no one wuld ever get anything done, do I suppose every disadvantage has its upsides, too, don't they? haha!

We go to The Netherlands every year for the cycling (cycling is good exercise if you are arthritic). This year we were in the south and able to cycle in one direction into Germany and the other direction into Belgium but most of the time we stayed in The Netherlands - a lovely country with very friendly people. We even have Dutch bicycles!

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

Good morning, good afternoon, or good evening (depending where you're all living  ;-)

I have a question about the base plate of the OF 1400 router. I've seen a number of posts about the 1400 and base plate issues but I haven't seen anything that addresses my predicament (yet).

This is the deal: I want to use a lock mitre bit in my router, and I've ordered a jig to calibrate the height and fence distance.

This is the jig:  http://www.infinitytools.com/Lock-Miter-Master-Jig-For-Bits-Cutting-3_8-3_4-Stock/productinfo/LMM-002/

However, I'm NOT using the router in a router table, but handheld. So, in order to use the calibrating jig, I need a base plate that comes as close to the bit possible so the bit jig can rest on it.

I'm thinking I might have to use the Festool 492574 Small bore base plate to accomplish this, although I don't think the bit will pass through it; the 1/2" shank will, but the cutting assembly won't. This means I'll have to plunge and lock the height to attach the bit through the narrow bore base plate.

It would be goofy as heck, but I think it should work.

Anyone here see a problem with this or have some tips?

Thanks!

Hi Everyone

I have just made a short video which I hope will shed some light on the Lock Mitre joint and how to set up the cutter in a router table. I will create a thread about this and post the video there.

Peter