OF 1400 Not For Precise Template Guide Work

[TheTechRunner]

Maybe an unpopular opinion around here but I've made to he decision to return my new 1400 router. I don't have a router that accepts a 1/2" collet so figured this was the no-brainer choice. I was wrong.

My first project to tackle was to use it with the Woodpecker hole boring jig to make a new MFT style top.

Enter problem one: I noticed there was a bit of slop in the cuts. Upon further inspection I realized that the template guide adapter slides around on the router base... Not exactly ideal for anyone doing precision work with a template guide.

Problem two: Man the ergonomics for that application just aren't there for me. Having one hand down, one hand up, constantly plunging... Just didn't do it for me. My right wrist that held the trigger handle was pretty worn out after a bit. It just didn't seem like there was a great way to grip it when using it with templates.

I wanted to love it but at $600 it just wasn't doing it for me. I think that money will be better spent on a DF 500.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Birdhunter]

I used a 2200 for boring the MFT holes. Perfect!

 

[jarbroen]

Sounds like you gave up pretty easily...
Not that everybody is required to like the OF 1400, it's not perfect.
The template guide being loose isn't a fault of the router though.  Either it wasn't manufactured to fit the 1400 or there was some adjustment needed to fit.
I've used the Festool version of the guide inserts and they pop in and have zero wiggle.  And the bit is centered in the template without any farting around.

Not sure why you would have one hand down and one hand up.  If I'm using the 1400 out of the CMS I have one hand on the trigger handle and one on the knob handle.  Or on top instead of one hand on the knob handle.  Seems pretty ergonomic to me.
That one application might not be ideally suited to the 1400, I haven't used that jig.
Pick something using any of the Festool accessories (or just regular routing operations) and the OF 1400 is pretty darn awesome.

 

[Rob Z]

Hello

I didn't love the ergonomics of the 1400, especially compared to some other routers I have used.  Definitely a personal preference thing.

But for the template adapter, I found it to be a solid accessory, well-made, and I used it many times with jigs.  Maybe the one you got was defective?

 

[Svar]

Excessive play in the bushing and bushing not being centered with no easy way to remedy it is not new for OF1400. Has been reported before plenty of times.
The last problem - no centering adjustment, is the worst. Strangely, Festool sells centering mandrel for their routers, which is useless since there is no adjustment in any of them (short of attaching an after market base with after market bushing).

 

[Cheese]

Like Svar said...the bushing issue has been around of a while.
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...centering-guide-bushings/msg582200/#msg582200
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/mft-hole-jigs/msg586434/#msg586434

The OF 1010 is adjustable and that's the reason I prefer using that router instead...along with its small size & light weight.

 

[grbmds]

Like Svar said...the bushing issue has been around of a while.
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...centering-guide-bushings/msg582200/#msg582200
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/mft-hole-jigs/msg586434/#msg586434

The OF 1010 is adjustable and that's the reason I prefer using that router instead...along with its small size & light weight.

How is the 1010 adjustable? I bought one a few months ago and there seems to be no give in the baseplate or the template bushing inserts. I was concerned about this because I was attempting to do some butterfly inlays. However, the router was perfectly adjusted and the inlays had no gaps anywhere. Still interested in the adjustment, though, for future uses.

 

[jeffinsgf]

How is the 1010 adjustable? I bought one a few months ago and there seems to be no give in the baseplate or the template bushing inserts. I was concerned about this because I was attempting to do some butterfly inlays. However, the router was perfectly adjusted and the inlays had no gaps anywhere. Still interested in the adjustment, though, for future uses.

The guide bushing base plate has two sets of screw holes. One set is counter-sunk and the other is counter-bored. If you get some panhead or truss head screws (flat bottom rather than tapered) and use the counter-bored holes, there's adjustment to center the guide bushing.

 

[Cheese]

How is the 1010 adjustable? However, the router was perfectly adjusted and the inlays had no gaps anywhere. Still interested in the adjustment, though, for future uses.

The hole diameter is .199" while the screw diameter is .152". So theoretically there is .047" of slop. However when I measure it it's .053".  That's probably because the counterbored area is thin and it's riding slightly inside of the threads.

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[TheTechRunner]

Hello

I didn't love the ergonomics of the 1400, especially compared to some other routers I have used.  Definitely a personal preference thing.

But for the template adapter, I found it to be a solid accessory, well-made, and I used it many times with jigs.  Maybe the one you got was defective?

Maybe I'm not explaining it quite right. The template guide fits perfect in the adapter but the adapter wiggles in the base plate.

I could definitely see the value if you're pairing it with the LR32 system but outside of that I'm not sure it's much better than a $200 Bosch. In my situation I got better results from a DeWalt sub compact router.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[grbmds]

How is the 1010 adjustable? However, the router was perfectly adjusted and the inlays had no gaps anywhere. Still interested in the adjustment, though, for future uses.

The hole diameter is .199" while the screw diameter is .152". So theoretically there is .047" of slop. However when I measure it it's .053".

The small difference is probably why I didn't notice any movement when I centered the guide with the centering pin. The result was perfect, so, whatever happened made it work the way it was supposed to. I have never had a problem with either my OF1400 or my OF1010 (haven't owned this one very long). I love the marking on the base indicating the center of the bit and the result using this mark has always been "perfect" for me or "perfect" enough that it doesn't matter in the result.

 

[rmhinden]

For the 1010, Leigh makes an adapter that allows some adjustment

[attachimg=1]

Here is the link

Bob

 

[peter halle]

Have some mentioned issues with the 1400 and the template guide here?  Yes.

But I will offer that you are going all in on a project that has many, many variables.  Respectfully, I usually offer the advice that users scale up their projects and uses of the tools.

Peter

 

[grbmds]

Have some mentioned issues with the 1400 and the template guide here?  Yes.

But I will offer that you are going all in on a project that has many, many variables.  Respectfully, I usually offer the advice that users scale up their projects and uses of the tools.

Peter

Peter,

Scale up? Not sure what that means but I haven't ever had a problem with the OF1400 regardless of what I used it for.

 

[jcrowe1950]

Maybe an unpopular opinion around here but I've made to he decision to return my new 1400 router. I don't have a router that accepts a 1/2" collet so figured this was the no-brainer choice. I was wrong.

My first project to tackle was to use it with the Woodpecker hole boring jig to make a new MFT style top.

Enter problem one: I noticed there was a bit of slop in the cuts. Upon further inspection I realized that the template guide adapter slides around on the router base... Not exactly ideal for anyone doing precision work with a template guide.

Problem two: Man the ergonomics for that application just aren't there for me. Having one hand down, one hand up, constantly plunging... Just didn't do it for me. My right wrist that held the trigger handle was pretty worn out after a bit. It just didn't seem like there was a great way to grip it when using it with templates.

I wanted to love it but at $600 it just wasn't doing it for me. I think that money will be better spent on a DF 500.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

    I realize this is late to the game, but if I were doing a 20mm dog hole 96mm on center that was dead accurate in every way, I'd look at using Peter Parfitt's system....does not even require a router and is a brilliant kit. I don't have a need for such but I am sorely tempted to get the system to make something like the Paulk Bench.

 

[Cypren]

I'll second the recommendation for the Parf Guide system. I've tried using the LR32 to do dog holes, and the results just aren't as good; no matter how careful you are, you won't be able to get the same level of precision over a large surface. It just wasn't designed for that kind of application or machined to the same tolerances.

 

[sancho57]

I use the 1010 or the 2200 for the WP hole guide system

 

[fabricem]

I don't think you gave it a fair chance. Every new tools takes time to learn and giving up after one project isn't productive and will likely result in an inaccurate conclusion. It's like dating, you should go on several dates and get to  know the person  before making any judgments : ) I have had a few tools I hated right out of the box and have become some of my favorites over the years. I hated them because they didn't do what I expected them to do, only to find out that I was the problem rather than the tool. I remember when I got my RTS 400EQ, I hated that thing, it took me a while to learn to use it...

 

[Birdhunter]

I used a 2200 for the job with the Woodpecker jig. Worked perfectly once I got the technique down pat.

If I were returning the 1400, I go up to the 2200. It’s a beast, but delightful to use.

 

[Cheese]

If you apply too much side force to the 1400 when using the Woodpeckers fixture this can be the result because of the movement of the template guide. There's a large blip at 9:00 & 1:00 and small one at 3:00.

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