OF-1400 w/Leigh Templates and VRS

[bgm1911]

For 3 days I've been making test cuts with my OF-1400 and new Leigh D4R w/VRS and F3 box template. Every aspect of the cut has been a struggle: depth changes from front of board to back (VRS), adjusting the 1400 depth (already posted about that), fingers not consistent widths.

So, off to the internet to get answers.  There are posts on FOG about the OF-1400 not being concentric.  Besides repeated test cuts that never turn out, is there a way to measure if my router is centered to the bushing?

IRT the Leigh VRS, the dust extraction is adequate and IMO required.  However, the support brackets are lacking in proper support.
I've set and reset the VRS level to the template.  I've made many attempt to minimize the weight placed on the VRS.  Has anyone else experienced this with the VRS, and do you have a fix?

 

[Harvey]

I would contact Leigh Tech support. It's part of price and they want you to get the most out of their products.

 

[jtwood]

What you need is what Bosch calls a "Router Subbase Centering Pin and Cone" which is used to center the base plate of the router.  This gets inserted into the collet of the router, and then, with the screws holding the router's baseplate loosened, center the baseplate over the cone and tighten the screws.  This will help with the alignment of your Leigh guide.

Festool used to offer one in the US, because I have one, but I don't see it in the accessory section for the router on the festoolusa.com website.  Maybe it is in EKAT, the parts section.  I would call Festool USA and ask them about it.

Stev

 

[Corwin]

Festool makes a Centering Mandrel. It fits into either a 1/4" or 8mm collet.

Do a search on "Leigh OF1400" to view other threads here that discuss ways to modify your OF1400 to allow for proper centering. Same issue with the OF1010, but requires a different solution.

 

[rst]

I'm not a big fan of the centering cones.  I had a machinist make me 1/2" shank mandrels for each size template guide that I use.

 

[bulubuluplopplop]

you need to use a centering cone to perfectly center the bushing.
For the finger joints, the fit is adjusted with the leigh bushing which is slightly oval shaped