OF 1400 Speed Control

[GarryMartin]

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.

That's a very good point Peter.

Maximum router cutter diameters;

OF 1010 - 35mm (1 3/8" *)
OF 1400 - 63mm (2 1/2" *)
OF 2200 - 89mm (3 1/2" *)

* to nearest 1/16"

Bill Hylton worked with some "rocket scientists" (!) who calculated that the maximum safe tip speed is about 130 mph.

This equates to a maximum "safe" speed of 17615 RPM for a 63mm (2 1/2" *) bit in the OF 1400.

However, any number of other variables influence an "appropriate" and "safe" speed as opposed to a theoretical "safe" speed, and it may be that running that 63mm bit slower is required; perhaps to route plastic or similar materials.

I guess for that reason alone, it is important to know whether the US version of the OF 1400 can be run at it's stated 10000 RPM minimum, and how the speed control dial affects actual RPM.

It was a very important point to make in terms of safe use of the router though, so thanks for bringing it up.

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.

You raise a good point there Ed; you did post in the forum section that is specifically for asking questions of Festool. And I'm sure Shane will pick up on this, get the right people involved, and post an authoritative answer soon enough.

In the meantime, I'm really happy to have been able to provide some data, even if it is UK biased.

 

[Stoli]

Here is the video I recorded. Had to rush the editing to beat the Super Bowl.



One point to note is that I have no way to formally calibrate the tachometer. However I was able to get speed readings below 16k on my porter cable router which has 5 specific speed settings (I.e. It is not continuous)

*** 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 ***

Here is the video of the test where I put the router under load:

 

[SuperDodge]

Tagging along on this thread.  My newly acquired OF 1400 demonstrates the same behavior (no speed change until 4 on the scale).

 

[Jaybolishes]

Just tested under load.  ABSOLUTELY NO CHANGE UNDER LOAD.  I had the wood engaged and kept pushing as I turned up the router speed.  So Huston, we have a problem.  I have all the faith in the world in the repair department.  They said they'll get it working correctly, but it seems they thought this issue was normal.  I hope I don't get it back and find it's the same issue still there, as I have to pay for shipping and such.

 

[SuperDodge]

Just tested under load.  ABSOLUTELY NO CHANGE UNDER LOAD.  I had the wood engaged and kept pushing as I turned up the router speed.  So Huston, we have a problem.  I have all the faith in the world in the repair department.  They said they'll get it working correctly, but it seems they thought this issue was normal.  I hope I don't get it back and find it's the same issue still there, as I have to pay for shipping and such.

This is NOT the update I was hoping for.

 

[Jaybolishes]

Update, festool service is covering the shipping.  So I'm very pleased with that.

Does anyone in the US have an of1400 that displays a change in rpm throughout the whole range? Any one at all, and if so when did you purchase your router?

 

[Stoli]

Anyone in the Tucson/Phoenix area want to get together on Friday to help me quantify the speeds under load? 

Anyone have access to a 2 man shop that can test this safely?  I'll gladly ship my tachometer.

 

[promark747]

He also said the bit is free spooling when not under load.  So if someone wants to test under load with their digital rpm readers that would be great.  But it appears our routers are different than the euro ones if he's correct.  And it seems like they wouldn't have a fix if it were found our US routers were not functioning correctly from 1-4.  

Do other Festool routers "free spool" when not under load?  None of my OF2000 routers do, but it's an older model.

 

[DobieG]

Hello Everyone. First things first, I wish to thank all the FOG members who post regularly and share their knowlege and experience. I have yet to gain either but recently retired and hope to get back into woodworking now that I have the time.

I received an OF1400 for Christmas of 2011. Since I lost some hearing in my younger days when I was invincible and before OSHA, I wasn't sure if I was hearing my 1400 correctly so I had my wife listen after explaining what I was trying to listen for. She indicated there is no discernible change in the sound from settings 1-4  and then from 4-6 there is a smooth noticable run-up.

A review of the manual indicates, for an amateur like me, it would be mainly in the plastic, aluminum, and plasterboard materials with most bit sizes and the larger (40mm-63mm) bit sizes for wood and panels that the lower speeds are used.

Looking forward to reading how this comes out.

 

[Stephen B]

Just to throw in another spanner in to the 'speculation', I have read elsewhere on the FOG that Euro/Aus models have an auto brake (mine does), NA models (ie 110v) do not. This might be related?

 

[dltflt]

I just received my OF1400 last week.  I will run a speed test on it tonight and report back tomorrow.

Stoli I'm in Phoenix and would be willing to run the test with you.  I personally don't think put it under a load  is going to make work correctly.  That just does not make sense to me.

 

[grbmds]

Not being disrespectful or anything, but I'm not sure what any of this speed and rpm talk has to do with actually using the router. My only question would be whether the router works for the uses to which you are going to put it. I have several routers of different makes which I used for different purposes. However, I would be hard pressed to find that any of them don't do the job for any task I have used them for. I have one Makita that is now 35+ years old and is mounted in my router table. It isn't even variable speed as that wasn't probably even available when I bought it. It has never failed at a task. New routers are great, but they all do about the same thing. The Festool 1400 is great because it works in concert with the guide rails and seems to have better dust collection than any other router I have. However, all the others will do the same jobs. I have never measured the speed of the routers; only know that they do the job they are designed for. With any router, variable speed is great, but to know if it is a precise variable speed or not seems a bit irrelevant to the fact that it does it's job (unless it doesn't run at all or it's speed is so slow or completely uncontrollable). I'm just mystified at the need to know this.

 

[GarryMartin]

Not being disrespectful or anything, but I'm not sure what any of this speed and rpm talk has to do with actually using the router.... With any router, variable speed is great, but to know if it is a precise variable speed or not seems a bit irrelevant to the fact that it does it's job (unless it doesn't run at all or it's speed is so slow or completely uncontrollable). I'm just mystified at the need to know this....

With respect, knowing what speed you are spinning a bit at has everything to do with actually using the router "safely". Bits of various sizes, for various purposes, and in various materials, have a rotational speed for which they are optimised and safe, the all important "tip speed".

Assuming that a US specification OF 1400 is running at 10000 RPM on Speed 1 when in fact it may be running at 16500 RPM, could lead you to run a large bit at a high RPM which would be unsafe.

 

[dltflt]

Mine starts adjusting at about 3.5

 

[wow]

I think I'm gonna hold off buying one until this gets answered. I don't like the idea of having to ship a new product in for service, no matter how good the warranty service is.

And I suspect that if this turns out to be a real problem as some have indicated, this will demand a recall as it's a definite safety issue. Not good!

 

[grbmds]

Just wondering if this alleged speed problem causes any problems when using the router? Seems to me that the true measure of any tool is its performance in use for a variety of tasks. Again, I have an older Makita router, still operating great in regular use with no speed control; just one speed. Because is does not have any control to maintain speed when under load, I set its depth and use it based knowing that too deep of a cut is not going to yield acceptable results (nor probably be safe although I've never had any safety problems). I know that the Festool OF 1400 operates better than this old Makita router, with acceptable speed control and maintenance performance under load. I would try the router in service and see how it performs. I still say that is the true test. For those of you who have other brand routers with speed control . . . do these routers perform as well as the Festool - Better? - Worse? Just curious. All of mine, including the Festool, perform the way they are designed and I haven't yet found a job that they can't do (if a router is the appropriate tool for the job).

 

[SuperDodge]

Just wondering if this alleged speed problem causes any problems when using the router? Seems to me that the true measure of any tool is its performance in use for a variety of tasks. Again, I have an older Makita router, still operating great in regular use with no speed control; just one speed. Because is does not have any control to maintain speed when under load, I set its depth and use it based knowing that too deep of a cut is not going to yield acceptable results (nor probably be safe although I've never had any safety problems). I know that the Festool OF 1400 operates better than this old Makita router, with acceptable speed control and maintenance performance under load. I would try the router in service and see how it performs. I still say that is the true test. For those of you who have other brand routers with speed control . . . do these routers perform as well as the Festool - Better? - Worse? Just curious. All of mine, including the Festool, perform the way they are designed and I haven't yet found a job that they can't do (if a router is the appropriate tool for the job).

This mentality is like buying an Italian sports car with a 7-speed transmission and convincing yourself that it's OK that only 4 gears work because you can still move down the road and your old truck only has a 3-speed, which is even less gears than the new sports car.

 

[Ed Surowiec]

Just wondering if this alleged speed problem causes any problems when using the router? Seems to me that the true measure of any tool is its performance in use for a variety of tasks. Again, I have an older Makita router, still operating great in regular use with no speed control; just one speed. Because is does not have any control to maintain speed when under load, I set its depth and use it based knowing that too deep of a cut is not going to yield acceptable results (nor probably be safe although I've never had any safety problems). I know that the Festool OF 1400 operates better than this old Makita router, with acceptable speed control and maintenance performance under load. I would try the router in service and see how it performs. I still say that is the true test. For those of you who have other brand routers with speed control . . . do these routers perform as well as the Festool - Better? - Worse? Just curious. All of mine, including the Festool, perform the way they are designed and I haven't yet found a job that they can't do (if a router is the appropriate tool for the job).

FESTOOL clearly states in their owners manual  page 9 , SPEED REGULATION; some router bits in certain material should be run at #1 setting and FESTOOL states a "WARNING"  ABOUT defective speed control. If this is a simple issue someone from FESTOOL should post a reply and state that it is SAFE TO OPERATE  their router  at some unknown RPM regardless of bit or material  selection. WHY HAS FESTOOL IGNORED THIS QUESTION FOR MORE THAN A YEAR and remained silent......    Frustrated .

 

[promark747]

Just wondering if this alleged speed problem causes any problems when using the router? Seems to me that the true measure of any tool is its performance in use for a variety of tasks. Again, I have an older Makita router, still operating great in regular use with no speed control; just one speed. Because is does not have any control to maintain speed when under load, I set its depth and use it based knowing that too deep of a cut is not going to yield acceptable results (nor probably be safe although I've never had any safety problems). I know that the Festool OF 1400 operates better than this old Makita router, with acceptable speed control and maintenance performance under load. I would try the router in service and see how it performs. I still say that is the true test. For those of you who have other brand routers with speed control . . . do these routers perform as well as the Festool - Better? - Worse? Just curious. All of mine, including the Festool, perform the way they are designed and I haven't yet found a job that they can't do (if a router is the appropriate tool for the job).

If the router is unable to spin at less than 16,000 RPM, then it cannot perform as advertised...period.

There are a few possible scenarios here:

1.  There is an isolated group of defective* 110v units, and Festool can repair them.  We haven't yet heard from anyone here with a 110v OF1400 that does NOT exhibit this phenomenon, so I'm thinking it's not isolated to a certain batch of units.
2.  All 110v models are defective*, and Festool can repair them.
3.  All 110v models are defective*, and Festool cannot easily repair them due to the electronic design.
4.  The observed phenomenon is not a defect, and Festool can explain why this model operates differently than all other variable speed routers, including its own other models.

* When I day "defect," there are two interpretations.  Less-serious would be that it turns out that the stated minimum RPM of 10,000 is achieved at speed setting 3.5 or 4, and the problem is just that the speed control dial is miscalibrated.  More-serious would be that the router starts at 16,000+ RPM and cannot go lower.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Hello Shane , today I pulled the trigger on OF 1400. This evening I plugged it in and moved the speed control from #1 through #6 setting with no load or bit in the router. Moving from position 1 to 4 there is no change in RPM from 4.5 through 6 the RPM increase. Is this performance typical for the 1400 router???

This is completely normal. I'm quite sure it's been discussed on the forum before. Put a bit in it and run it with a load and the variable speed will adjust as expected.