OF 1400 problem with router bit not centered in copying ring

scsmith42

Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2007
Messages
6
I have an OF1400 that I purchased new in early 2009.  I've only used it a couple of times since new.  Yesterday I attempted to use it to route some butterfly inserts, and discovered that the collet is not centered in the copy ring.  It appears to be a few thousands of an inch offset to one side.

The offset is consistent irrespective of how the brass bushing is installed in the Festool copy ring, or how the copy ring is installed in the router base.

The problem is the same one that Dave Royken reported in this post:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/why-use-a-festool-router/

Dave's response is the 5th one down the page.

Can anybody advise me of the process to align the router collet in the center of the copy ring?  I really don't want to solve the problem by grinding on parts...

Thanks much.

Scott
 
Scott,

I got your PM and one of our tech guys will be in touch with you tomorrow to help troubleshoot and resolve the issue. Some of the forum members may also have some advice or insight to share in the mean time. I would appreciate you posting a follow up once it's sorted out for the potential benefit of others.

Thank you,
Shane
 
Shane, thanks much for the assist.  I'll be sure to post a follow up once we get things adjusted.

Scott
 
  The adjustment is done by loosening two screws under the base plate.  The attached pictures should give you a pretty good idea and I'm rushed for time right now so I'll just briefly explain.  First let me say that you should flip the guide around and check alignment.  Almost all of my guides have a way they are aligned and if I flip them around 180 degree's they'll be off some.  So check that and then all guides should be marked on one side and the router marked as well so you put them in the same way each time. 

Remove base plate
slightly loosen the two screws so that the base can be adjusted with slight force but is not loose (should really just check alignment of guides in steps below before adjusting)
Install centering mandrel
Install template guide
lower base until mandrel is near guide and check alignment, if off flip template guide 180 degree's and check again
If adjustment is needed slightly tap template guide with wood or plastic until you're satisfied with alignment of guide to mandrel
tighten the two screws and re-check to ensure nothing moved
check with other template guides and mark their best orientation
re-install base plate

Chris...
 
Is that centering mandrel an accessory or was it supposed to be in the kit? I got my OF 1400 used and don't have one. I also don't see it listed under accessories on the festool site.
 
The centering mandrel that comes with the lr32 kit is not tapered and is a direct fit tor the lr32 plate that the router rides on so would be of little use for anything else
 
That image on the Festool site is wrong. The part is 492187 and it has a stepped shaft so it works with either a 1/4" or 8mm collet.

[attachthumb=#1]

Tom
 
The centering mandrel (which tapers to its narrowest at its end) in Tico's pictures looks like the one designed for use with the OF1010, and supplied with templates used in the VS600. The part referred to by Brice tapers towards the shaft. I think either one will suffice for this centering adjustment.

I have three more of the first type than I need, so if there is any problem getting a suitable one from Festool, I might be able to help. The ones I have are only for 8 mm collets.

Charles
 
Chris, thanks much for the detailed response and photo's.  Between your post and the call that I received from the Festool Tech, I was able to correct the problem.

Festool very kindly offered to fix the problem under warranty, even though the router is 3-1/2 years old.  I explained that I had a machinist background, and was comfortable giving it a shot myself.

In my instance, after checking to confirm that the offset was the same irrespective of how the copy ring was installed, I installed the Centering Mandrel that came with my Whitside Router Inlay kit and used a set of dial calipers to measure the distance from the copy ring to the router base all around.  I discovered that it was .011 offset to one side.

Dave from Festool told me that they simply drilled the pin alignment holes oversize, and then used a special copy ring that had holes in it to allow them to tighten up the screws below it.  I opted not to drill oversize, but instead to elongate the holes .011 in the appropriate direction.  I also had to elongate the screw holes a bit too.

Since I offset the holes in a directional manner, when I reassembled the base all that I had to do was keep keep the insert plate tight to one side as I tightened up the screws, and everything lined up perfectly.

All in all, ten minutes to read Chris's advice, ten minutes on the phone with the Festool Tech and 20 minutes machine time, and voila problem fixed!

Many thanks to all who offered solutions, to Shane for making arrangements for me to receive a call from Festool's technical support team, and to the Tech support team for sharing their insight on how best to correct the problem, instead of requiring me to return the router.

 
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