OF 1400 Speed Control

[Stoli]

I have just confirmed Shane's comments: under load, there are audible changes continuously through the full speed range.

My test setup was to insert a 3/8 spiral bit and plunge 5mm.  Here is the video 

As one of the people that pushed this issue further than it should have, I am grateful that Festool was able to supply the answer (this is expected behavior for the US models), even if it was not understood by everyone.  

I feel this question has been answered to my satisfaction, Festool provided a video demonstration, and I have also provided an independent observation.  I may still try to quantify the RPM under load with my tachometer, but this is way down on my priority list.  I have gone back and edit my posts with a link to the new movie so that people searching in the future will see the complete story as early as possible.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Guys, thanks for the follow up posts and independent verification of my explanation and video. I'm just here to try to be a resource and answer questions to the best of my ability. Hopefully if there's a next time it's not when I'm away from the forum...  [smile]

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Wow.  I usually just use the tools, not try to reevaluate the engineering and design. 

Off to go study the stick-fix pattern on my rotex pad to see if I can find an issue....

 

[promark747]

Wow.  I usually just use the tools, not try to reevaluate the engineering and design.  

Off to go study the stick-fix pattern on my rotex pad to see if I can find an issue....

To each his own.  Some of us marvel at cutting edge technology and are inquisitive when things don't appear to make sense.

Shane,

Thanks for explaining what's behind the unique design of the OF1400.  I have two follow-up questions:

1.  If the spindle is at 16k+ RPM with no load at settings 1-3, and the bit encounters a very light load, will the resistance be sufficient to bring the RPM down to 10k or is there a chance the RPM will still be higher?
2.  Out of curiosity, is the OF1400 the only Festool router that was designed this way, or do the other three models operate in similar fashion?  If not, why?  I'm trying to think of any advantages to this "free spooling" design...seems that it would just be easier to have the servos maintain 10k right from the lowest speed setting.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

1.  If the spindle is at 16k+ RPM with no load at settings 1-3, and the bit encounters a very light load, will the resistance be sufficient to bring the RPM down to 10k or is there a chance the RPM will still be higher?
2.  Out of curiosity, is the OF1400 the only Festool router that was designed this way, or do the other three models operate in similar fashion?  If not, why?  I'm trying to think of any advantages to this "free spooling" design...seems that it would just be easier to have the servos maintain 10k right from the lowest speed setting.

1. The video I posted was using a 3/4" straight bit at 1/2" depth of cut in pine. So, that's a pretty light load and you saw the results. Was there a particular application you had in mind?
2. As far as the routers, I believe the 1400 is the only one that behaves this way, but I'm not 100% sure on the MFK without testing. I don't know the reasons because I'm not an engineer and do not work in Festool HQ R&D. Sorry, I just don't have an answer.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Obviously, this topic is more important for some than others, and that's fine. Let's be polite and do our best to help each other out. Group hug. [wink]

 

[Jaybolishes]

This discussion helped me figure out my router was broken, which explained the issues I had with it.  If the manual was correct in explaining how the speed dial works like Shane explained so eloquently, these questions would have never have come about, and I would have been able to decide mine was broken without coming on here.  Nobody questioned if the engineering was bad wherever that notion came from, just what exactly is the engineering as it's not explained anywhere in the literature.  Furthermore this discussion verified mine wasn't working right, with careful treatment of the tool. The forum is here to settle and answer questions, not scores out of left field. Thanks for the help Shane, you serve the forum well with your  knowledge and dignity to sometimes frustrated customers.  

 

[promark747]

1.  If the spindle is at 16k+ RPM with no load at settings 1-3, and the bit encounters a very light load, will the resistance be sufficient to bring the RPM down to 10k or is there a chance the RPM will still be higher?
2.  Out of curiosity, is the OF1400 the only Festool router that was designed this way, or do the other three models operate in similar fashion?  If not, why?  I'm trying to think of any advantages to this "free spooling" design...seems that it would just be easier to have the servos maintain 10k right from the lowest speed setting.

1. The video I posted was using a 3/4" straight bit at 1/2" depth of cut in pine. So, that's a pretty light load and you saw the results. Was there a particular application you had in mind?
2. As far as the routers, I believe the 1400 is the only one that behaves this way, but I'm not 100% sure on the MFK without testing. I don't know the reasons because I'm not an engineer and do not work in Festool HQ R&D. Sorry, I just don't have an answer.

1.  No particular application...just a theoretical question.
2.  No problem if you don't know.  That the OF1400 (or more specifically, the 110v version of the OF1400) is unique in the Festool router universe was just part of the mystery.

Thanks again.