OF 1400 Speed Control

Sounds like you call Festool support back, ask to speak to people higher up the line until you are satisfied that either you have the correct answer or Festool takes the tool back to test it? My experience with Festool so far has been that the company is very responsive and would rather make the customer happy and satisfied than possibly have a tool out there that isn't working properly. I would call Customer Service again and tell them what the problem is; start there. Then, if you don't get satisfaction ask to speak to the person at the next step up who could authorize a return. At worst,  I believe the router has a total 3-year warranty and you would pay the shipping to Festool for repair, if even needed. It would be worth it for your peace of mind. Have you used it for the PVC jobs and it doesn't work as expected? Has it caused other problems in other work you've done? The proof to me of a tool's worth is that it does what you want it to. If that isn't the case, then you should definitely keep after Festool to resolve it for you.
 
Since I just got my router I will be returning it until the problem is fixed. If it does not work as advertised I have no need for it.
 
I was away from the forum for the most part last week, traveling. I let the moderators know this in advance and think I referenced it in a couple of posts. So, I have not been able to monitor the forum as closely as I normally do. I just got a PM this morning from someone pointing me to this thread, which I had previously not seen. I'm just making my way through all of the posts. So, my lack of a response (as suggested by someone) was because I was offline, not because I was ignoring a "known issue" or some other reason.

Jay, I'd be happy to speak with the service department to see what was communicated during your conversation. Please PM me the name of the person with whom you spoke.

If there is indeed a problem, we will take care of it. But, please be patient until I can research and get more information. My previous reply was before I starting reading all of the comments in the thread.

Shane
 
Here are two other threads that I was referencing.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/speed-control-on-of1400/
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/new-of1400-router-doesn't-increase-rpm-until-4-on-the-dial-is-that-normal/

Also, here is a technical document from a colleague.

Some of you may have noticed that the speed control adjustment in the Festool routers does not seem to have the effect of slowing the machine down when it is set on number 3 or below. The setting of 1 or 2 runs the machine at the same speed as setting 3. This is normal behavior for the routers when they are not under load.

The speed control is synchronized at 60 times a second to send either short or long pulses of current. When there is no load on the spindle, the mass of the armature acts like an energy collecting flywheel, and even the shortest pulses add energy to the free spinning armature. It is much like pedaling a bicycle down hill.

As soon as the router is put under any load, the slower speeds will lock in under the control of the tachometer. Sometimes mounting a large cutter in the spindle will produce enough load to change things. By the way, if our TS55 saw is run without a blade, the same thing will happen… the speed control seems to have and effect only after the setting is more than half way.

Shane
 
Ok, so I had our repair department do a test using a digital tachometer, much like the one shown by Stoli, except measuring while the router was under load. At speed setting 1, it ran right at 10k RPM. While moving through the material and adjusting the speed setting, there was a noticeable change in RPM, which you can test yourselves.

Shane
 
Shane Holland said:
Here are two other threads that I was referencing.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/speed-control-on-of1400/
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/new-of1400-router-doesn't-increase-rpm-until-4-on-the-dial-is-that-normal/

Also, here is a technical document from a colleague.

Some of you may have noticed that the speed control adjustment in the Festool routers does not seem to have the effect of slowing the machine down when it is set on number 3 or below. The setting of 1 or 2 runs the machine at the same speed as setting 3. This is normal behavior for the routers when they are not under load.

The speed control is synchronized at 60 times a second to send either short or long pulses of current. When there is no load on the spindle, the mass of the armature acts like an energy collecting flywheel, and even the shortest pulses add energy to the free spinning armature. It is much like pedaling a bicycle down hill.

As soon as the router is put under any load, the slower speeds will lock in under the control of the tachometer. Sometimes mounting a large cutter in the spindle will produce enough load to change things. By the way, if our TS55 saw is run without a blade, the same thing will happen… the speed control seems to have and effect only after the setting is more than half way.

Shane
Click to expand...

Interesting, but confusing. Garry Martin posted his results in post #10. Why does it work in GB and not here? I have to feel for the person working with plastics because the bit will be spinning way faster than desired when he first touches the material if indeed it needs to be under load to work. I assume that would also be the case for a bit that a manufacturer stated should be operated at, lets say 12000rpm max. If that bit is turning at 17000rpm when it first makes contact....

Cheers,

Peter
 
Peter Durand said:
Interesting, but confusing. Garry Martin posted his results in post #10. Why does it work in GB and not here? I have to feel for the person working with plastics because the bit will be spinning way faster than desired when he first touches the material if indeed it needs to be under load to work. I assume that would also be the case for a bit that a manufacturer stated should be operated at, lets say 12000rpm max. If that bit is turning at 17000rpm when it first makes contact....
Click to expand...

Peter, I am (obviously) not an engineer, so I don't know the reason right off hand. First, we operate on a different power system that most of the rest of the world. So, the electronics are unique to NA. Also, as was already mentioned, the 1400 has an electronic brake in most of the rest of the world which could play a role.

Regarding potentially moving into a piece of material at a higher RPM, as I posted the 1400 is monitoring and adjusting speed at a rate of 60 times per second. So, the adjustment in speed happens extremely quickly.

Since its introduction in 2005, I have never heard of a single instance where there was an issue with the 1400 being using in any application or with any bit due to speed issues.

We're talking in hypothetical here. No load, no bit, etc. Use the machine and if it doesn't work properly in actual real world applications, then there may be a problem that needs to be addressed. My video showing the speed changing at 1-4 under load is proof of that.

Shane
 
Shane thanks for the video, mine doesn't exhibit the videos operation at all.  Mine must be just a fluke I guess.  I would really like to see a video of the speed turned up without a load on it, if that's not too much to ask. But clearly by the video, my speed controller is broken, and that would be great news.
 
Jaybolishes said:
Shane thanks for the video, mine doesn't exhibit the videos operation at all.  Mine must be just a fluke I guess.  I would really like to see a video of the speed turned up without a load on it, if that's not too much to ask. But clearly by the video, my speed controller is broken, and that would be great news.
Click to expand...

Jay, what would a video showing no load provide? We already have videos from members showing that.

If you think there's a problem with your router's speed control, our service department has already offered to bring your router in for inspection and service. I would advise that you follow that route if you feel it is not operating properly.

Shane
 
Well why don't you guys Change the manual so it   matches with its actual operation.  All this mumbo jumbo you stated contradicts the manual for crying out load.
 
Jaybolishes said:
Well why don't you guys Change the manual so it   matches with its actual operation.  All this mumbo jumbo you stated contradicts the manual for crying out load.
Click to expand...

I'd be glad to request a change to the manual if it's warranted. I'll admittedly have to give the manual a read to see what it states to make sure it's accurate. My apologies if it has caused any confusion.

Jaybolishes said:
I want to return the router for a 2200, but I really like my dealer, and feel they shouldn't take a hit for the false advertising by the tool manufacturer.
Click to expand...

The money back guarantee is for 30 days. It's my understanding you've had your router for 1½ years according to your conversation with our service department requesting an upgrade to the 2200. Like I said, we'd be happy to get it in and make sure it's working properly under warranty. There's no false advertising, however.

Again, apologies for my absence from the forum, which contributed to an investigation by members and unnecessary debate.

Shane
 
Also, since the point of buying a router is to use it in actual work that you do in your shop or on the worksite, maybe the decision about whether there is a problem should be made after actually using the tool.  I know people get satisfaction from a variety of things, including being precise, design, sharpening tools, the way a tool operates, the final product, and even sanding, so I'm not criticizing. I just believe that tools, especially power tools, are made to be used and it's use in the workshop and on a job site plus the result is the key to whether a tool works, is a good purchase, and is safe. I have paid a lot of money for tools for which the result doesn't justify the cost and the tool sits in its case or on the shelf more than it's used.
 
Shane Holland said:
I'd be glad to request a change to the manual if it's warranted.
Click to expand...

page 6 of OF1400 Manual:

No load speed 10000-22500 rpm

The explaination givne above states to expect a constant speed setting until the synch pulses are shorter than 60Hz width which contradicts this line in the manual since it won't go 10krpm with no load.

page 7: Constant speed:
The selected motor speed is electronically maintained to a constant level. By this means a uniform cutting speed is achieved.

This line is ambiguous.  I don't see any qualifications on the speed control, so would assume it applies with or without load.  I think the intent is to say that during varying (but greater than zero) loads, the speed is maintained.
 
I have submitted a request to change "no load speed". Just to explain, the same manual is distributed around the world. So, everywhere except US/Canada, the manual is correct. That's not an excuse, but an explanation for why the manual says what it says. Again, sorry for any confusion that presented.
 
Good enough for me also. I have run big bits in my CMS with this router and had it at the lowest speed and it whines until you put wood to it.

For the plastics comment, I have never run them through my router but I wouldn't worry about the initial contact speed, it is going to slow to the correct speed as soon as you touch it with the material.

I never thought about sending mine in as I feel safe around it and my CMS.

Thanks for the info Shane.
 
Shane has provided great information, visual and written. Corrections in the manual seem warranted and most likely will come.

Very happy this is behind us (at least for me it is a resolved matter).

I had been holding off ordering the OF 1400 and the CMS set, but will do so pronto with this settled.

Regards to all. The FOG is a terrific source of information on equipment, how-to-do-it information, and projects--all in an envelope of professionalism and international fellowship.
 
I found it pretty amazing that once the thread was noticed by someone who could offer information, information was obtained in multiple formats and distributed.  That doesn't happen everyday.

Peter
 
Thank You Shane for the video.  I am more comfortable with this now.  Thanks again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
A confession, down the rabbit hole and European tools on USA power (Mafell LO55)
2
Replies
36
Views
2K
RoboDoc
R
M
At the small end of Shaper Origin
Replies
7
Views
688
Michael Kellough
M
M
Behold! Desktrosity!
Replies
7
Views
835
Crazyraceguy
Crazyraceguy
M
Bosch cordless jigsaw GST18V-60BCN
Replies
0
Views
49K
Michael Kellough
M
B
Plunge Router Inaccuracy?
2 3
Replies
54
Views
5K
tdlinton
T
Back
Top