OF 1400 Speed Control

Here are my quick results on my brand new OF1400.

Speed setting 1: 16100
Speed setting 2: 16100
Speed setting 3: 16100
Speed setting 4: 17500
Speed setting 5: 20000
Speed setting 6: 22100

There was no audible difference between the first three speed settings.

I'll have plots and video in a bit, but these results indicate my of1400 appears to have a speed control issue. I will contact festool on Monday.

*** Note added 2014jan04: Festool has stated, and I was able to confirm, that this is normal behavior for an unloaded US router.  Under loaded conditions, the router does continuously change speeds from 1-6 ***
 
Well I'll be sending mine in too I guess.  Thought it was normal, apparently not.  I heard so many times it was normal, it's not real cool to hear this.  It's really not a big deal for me though as I'm getting the 2200 this spring and plan on using panel bits with it.
 
Here is my data.  For the first three rows (labelled "ascending") I took a speed measurement, then increase the speed setting, going from 1 to 6, then repeating twice.  I followed that up by performing 5 repeated measurements at each speed setting (to check the repeatability of the tachometer, assuming the router remained constant).  overall, pretty consistent results.

Conclusions: my OF1400 produces the same basic speed (about 16krpm) for the first 3 speed settings.  This is consistent with the lack of change in sound.  The speed and sound do change at settings 4 and above.

[attachthumb=#]

I have a US model OF1400, 120V/60Hz, T-Nr 491967

*** Note added 2014jan04: Festool has stated, and I was able to confirm, that this is normal behavior for an unloaded US router.  Under loaded conditions, the router does continuously change speeds from 1-6 ***
 

Attachments

Is there a chance that the speed difference on the first 3 settings is not apparent until there is a load on the bit?
 
Thank You Stoll, your measurements confirm my initial observation that my OF1400 does not change  RPM from #1 -#4.5, and that all of the change in RPM occurs from 4.5 - 6 .  I wonder why the FESTOOL folks have remained silent ??
 
[size=11pt]

Is this a 110v compared to 240v model difference?

Those with 110/120v models in this thread seem to be the ones with no speed diff 1-4,
or 1-3.

Just a thought.
 
Excellent thought. If Festool uses the same value of variable resistor in their 110V and 220V  speed controller the 110V application would require a larger change of resistance to produce an equivalent change in reference voltage. Generally this reference voltage is used to set the threshold for the semiconductor circuitry that reduces or increases the duty cycle of the the AC power source.
 
tjacks66 said:
Is there a chance that the speed difference on the first 3 settings is not apparent until there is a load on the bit?
Click to expand...

That is certainly possible, however, the manual indicates that the circuitry is supposed to keep constant RPM no matter the load.  Additionally, there are Gary's measurements that do show an RPM difference with no load.

Unfortunately, I cannot think of a safe method of testing this theory in a one person shop.
 
I suggest that a call to Festool service on Monday will answer the question. Including the audible non-audible difference, measured lack of speed change, and  load / no load question.

Seth
 
Jaybolishes said:
Well I'll be sending mine in too I guess.  Thought it was normal, apparently not.  I heard so many times it was normal, it's not real cool to hear this.  
Click to expand...

Agreed.  I wonder if ALL 120v models exhibit this behavior and this consistent result is therefore deemed "normal"...this discussion has been raised many times over the years and we were always told it was nothing to be concerned about.  But if the lowest speed setting is generating 16,100 RPM, wouldn't that present a possible safety issue when using large bits, when we assume the machine is at around 10,000 RPM?
 
  8:00am - 5:00pm M- F.    800-554-8741

Seth
 
Curious as to the results of this. I just checked mine and same sound from 1-3.5 and then changes after that. Subscribed and looking forward to the details.
 
But if the lowest speed setting is generating 16,100 RPM, wouldn't that present a possible safety issue when using large bits, when we assume the machine is at around 10,000 RPM?
Click to expand...

Safety is a major concern for me and why I asked Festool if no change in RPM from 1-4.5 is typical for the OF 1400. Operating a large raised panel bit at significantly higher  RPM than recommended by the bit manufacturer is a risky and  would also put more stress on the router bearings. If Stol's measurements are typical for the OF1400 then running a bit that is designed to operate at 10,000 RPM at speed that is 60% more than recommended (16100 RPM) is dangerous.
Equally worrisome is FESTOOL's silence on this question since it does relate to safe operation of their tool.
 
Ed Surowiec said:
Equally worrisome is FESTOOL's silence on this question since it does relate to safe operation of their tool.
Click to expand...

Ed,

I wouldn't assume a lack of response on the FOG translates to Festool being silent about something. The clue is in the name; this is the Festool Owners Group. Although Shane is a Festool employee, he does not work there in a technical capacity related to service. Also, as it is the weekend, he would be unable to ask for feedback from the guys that do know the tools.

I've *never* seen Festool shy away from anything in response to posts on this forum, but for legal reasons, they do have to make sure that the responses they provide are correct and appropriately worded.

I'm sure there is something simple at play here, and that it will be resolved to your satisfaction very quickly once you are able to talk to the experts on Monday.

Let us know how your call goes.
 
I agree with Gary.  I too am concerned with the speed observation, but have refrained from making any comments that I cannot back up with quantified observations.
 
I just looked at the supplemental manual put out by Festool USA for the OF1400 and saw that the max diameter router bit is 2.5".  In looking around on the internet it seems that 16,000 is about the recommended maximum speed for that size.

I can't check my 1400 sound wise due to the fact that it is in the shop 20 miles away and am not saying that those who have questions or concerns aren't justified, I am just pointing out the size limitations of the router bits.  Just because a larger bit might fit the throat opening doesn't mean that the router was designed to spin it.

Peter
 
OF1400 Manual

page 6 of of1400 manual: No load speed 10000-22500 rpm

page 7 of of1400 manual: Speed regulation:
Using the electronic speed control (1.1) the motor speed can be continuously adjusted from 10000 and 22500 rpm. The table below offers a guide to the correct electronic set- ting for various materials. The settings are naturally infinitely variable.

Constant speed:
The selected motor speed is electronically maintained to a constant level. By this means a uniform cutting speed is achieved.

 
This board serves as a place for members to post questions directly to Festool.  Employees of Festool USA will monitor this section of the forum and will post replies to your questions.
Click to expand...

Garry, Stoll and Peter,  Thank you for your replies and especially the measured RPM data. Allow me to put my Jan 29 initial question in perspective.
Before posting I searched and found that "Sta2LT" posted a similar question on Dec 01, 2011. and as of Mar 20 2013 has not received a reply from Festool. Shane made a request to the German engineers but has not posted a reply. As recently as Jan 2014 FOG members were still asking for the same info which is a Festool chart or table that show RPM verse speed # setting. Garry and Stoll  provided measured data, based on a sample size of one each,  that shows conflicting performance . In addition Garry posted a video showing the OF 1400 speed control moved from position #1 to #6 and the continuous audible  increase in motor  "whine" as the speed control was advanced.  This is consistent with my personal experience over last several years with four different routers but my OF 1400 remains at fixed RPM  from #1-#4.5 , similar to Stoll's data.  Notwithstanding  the internet research that Peter did regarding RPM and bit diameter, FESTOOL's silence for more than a year is troubling. Many have asked for this information and the FESTOOL engineers have or should have statistical data of RPM verses speed control setting that they could provide . In my view this information is necessary for safe operation of their OF 1400 router and silence is not an acceptable response.
Thanks again everyone for your help and patience . Please know that my remarks are for Woddworkers safety and not to bash Festool, I own 11 of their tools and think they are excellent.
 
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