Porter Cable Type Guide Adapter

[grbmds]

Is the adapter in the foreground of the above picture the adapter for Porter Cable type guides? I haven't used the 1400 for template routing but plan to. Just wanted to make sure that the adapter shown was to mount PC guides to be sure didn't need to buy one.

 

[luvmytoolz]

If you're meaning the template guide rings that screw into each other, no. That's a standard 30mm template guide or copying ring (flange underneath).

You want this one if so:

Copying Ring for Screw In Guides for OF 1400

Copying ring for screw in guides for both the 493566 & 494627

www.festool.com.au

 

[grbmds]

If you're meaning the template guide rings that screw into each other, no. That's a standard 30mm template guide or copying ring (flange underneath).

You want this one if so:

Copying Ring for Screw In Guides for OF 1400

Copying ring for screw in guides for both the 493566 & 494627

www.festool.com.au

Actually, what you describe is what I have. I tried my PC guides with the threaded collar and they fit. Possibly I bought that separately when I bought the router. I just haven't used it.

 

[rmhinden]

There have been many discussions on the FOG that the OF 1400 is not ideal for template routing. As I understand it, the way the template attaches means it can't be reliably centered. The OF 1010 is much better for template routing because the template guide can be centered.

Bob

 

[grbmds]

I'm aware, but, based on some experience a friend of mine had, it didn't seem to be a problem, although I guess for some it has.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

If you're meaning the template guide rings that screw into each other, no. That's a standard 30mm template guide or copying ring (flange underneath).

You want this one if so:

Copying Ring for Screw In Guides for OF 1400

Copying ring for screw in guides for both the 493566 & 494627

www.festool.com.au

This is one of those situations where it is beneficial that members fill in the location section of their profile.
The scope of delivery is different in North America. The PC bushing adaptor is supplied as standard here, whereas the 30mm unit is standard in Europe (and probably the rest of the world)

I would add a bit of a caution for @grbmds ....Be aware of the possibility that the collet nut can make contact with the inside of the PC type bushings. This depends a little on the brand of bushing. The "specific dimensions" are about the OD and thread/nut, not the ID. Some brands are smaller inside and a deep plunge can make contact. This will loosen the bushing, as it spins out of the nut. It doesn't happen with all bushings, but look out for it.

 

[grbmds]

@Crazyraceguy So, now you have confused me. The attached pictures are what I have and have had since I bought the OF1400 (either came with or I bought separately - too long ago). I have an interest in making some table saw jigs for Microjig's Matchfit fixtures. They have a template which fits on the bottom of, they say, almost every router, which will locate the router cuts. However, the router must be able to use PC guide bushings. I have used the guides bushings once (I remembered last night) with no problems at all. Microjig will not really verify whether theit Grid Router Guide will fit on the OF1400 but indicates that, with the correct guide adapter it will. This leads to me trying to verify that the adapter in the pictures attached is the adapter Festool sells to use PC type guides. It seems obvious to me that it is what I need, but what seems obvious is sometimes not the correct answer. In case it matters I live in Illinois and bought the router from a Woodcraft in Wiscconsin so it is whatever the North American version of the router is.

 

[luvmytoolz]

For us in OZ the OF1400 ships with the 30mm copying ring and a 1/2" and 1/4" collet. If the NA version sells with the guide bushing adaptor plate as CRG said then that's really useful! More so than the copying ring to me.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I'm sorry @grbmds, sometimes there is such a thing as too much information.

Hopefully, this doesn't make it worse, but the pics below are the stamped style copy rings. These are the ones for an OF1010, so the mounting is different, but otherwise similar.

@luvmytoolz that's another thing that is different in the NA scope of delivery. For some reason, we get the 8mm collet too. I'm not totally sure why? but ok, I'll take it. I would guess that most OF1400 users will never use it. Not just because 8mm shanks are not the easiest thing to get, but they probably already have 1/2", for bigger bits.
It is worth using 8mm on an OF1010 though.
In NA the F1010 comes with a PC adaptor too. Do you get a smaller copy ring instead?

 

[Jim_in_PA]

or some reason, we get the 8mm collet too. I'm not totally sure why? but ok, I'll take it. I would guess that most OF1400 users will never use it. Not just because 8mm shanks are not the easiest thing to get, but they probably already have 1/2", for bigger bits.
It is worth using 8mm on an OF1010 though.

Folks who own the Leigh Dovetail fixture will enjoy having the 8mm collets as the "official" Leigh tooling set is 8mm shank. Heavier and stronger than .25" shank but still fits into the standard dovetail profiles where a .5" shank tool will not. I owned that set of tooling back in the day when I still had the Leigh fixture. Sold them with it when I decided that using it once every three or four years didn't justify having it in the shop taking up space and collecting dust.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I'm sorry @grbmds, sometimes there is such a thing as too much information.

Hopefully, this doesn't make it worse, but the pics below are the stamped style copy rings. These are the ones for an OF1010, so the mounting is different, but otherwise similar.

@luvmytoolz that's another thing that is different in the NA scope of delivery. For some reason, we get the 8mm collet too. I'm not totally sure why? but ok, I'll take it. I would guess that most OF1400 users will never use it. Not just because 8mm shanks are not the easiest thing to get, but they probably already have 1/2", for bigger bits.
It is worth using 8mm on an OF1010 though.
In NA the F1010 comes with a PC adaptor too. Do you get a smaller copy ring instead?

Our OF1010 kit only comes with the light and fence, and a 1/4" collet. No copying rings, which is a bit of a shame.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

@luvmytoolz really? No 8mm collet? or the guide rail adaptor (they call it stop)?
Is it at least the newer edge guide? the one with the movable fences?

 

[luvmytoolz]

@luvmytoolz really? No 8mm collet? or the guide rail adaptor (they call it stop)?
Is it at least the newer edge guide? the one with the movable fences?

It does have the adjustable fence, but unless it's a specific EU import such as a couple of the smaller Virutex routers from a sole Aussie distributor, no routers sold in OZ come with an 8mm collet as standard. In fact it can be real difficult to track one down if you did want an 8mm collet. Not really much in the way of 8mm cutters on the market here however apart from the Leigh dovetail jig ones.

 

[peter halle]

It always struck me as odd that when Festool changed their items in the scope of delivery for the routers in places other than North America they deleted at least in some packages the 8mm collets yet kept them in places like NA when 8mm is not as prevalent yet.

I'm sure there was a reason and better minds than mine will understand that.

Peter

 

[Dr. P. Venkman]

It always struck me as odd that when Festool changed their items in the scope of delivery for the routers in places other than North America they deleted at least in some packages the 8mm collets yet kept them in places like NA when 8mm is not as prevalent yet.

I'm sure there was a reason and better minds than mine will understand that.

Peter

Just a thought that may be completely off base:

If they’re confident they can sell a good number of the 8mm collets separately in a given market (somewhere where 8mm is already commonly used), I could see them opting to try to pick up that additional revenue.

But they also like to sell router bits, and maybe they think including the 8mm collets in NA could help open up that market to their bits.

 

[Cheese]

Just a thought that may be completely off base:

1. If they’re confident they can sell a good number of the 8mm collets separately in a given market (somewhere where 8mm is already commonly used), I could see them opting to try to pick up that additional revenue.

2. But they also like to sell router bits, and maybe they think including the 8mm collets in NA could help open up that market to their bits.

1. Agree...

2. However...to sell router bits you have to offer router bits for sale. For example, in the Festool 2012 UK catalog they offered 250+ router bits, while in the Festool 2012 US catalog, they offered 10 router bits all for the MFK 700. You have to go back to 2009 and earlier to find Festool offering a large assortment of router bits for sale in the US and even then it was only around 120 different bits.

The only reason I'm familiar with this is over the years, I've been forced to order the Festool 8mm bits I need from Europe.

 

[grbmds]

After initially not seeming to have an anwer, Microjig was able to provide a direct yes answer to my question about the accessory I asked about in this post. I appreciate the informational answers on the FOG which addressed my question. However, like most posts, the responses quickly began to provide information that wasn't beyond the scope of my question.

 

[PaulMarcel]

I tried the guide adapter for PC guide bushings awhile ago when making too many trays/drawers with a Leigh dovetail jig. You can insert the adapter in two positions (2 tabs so you can rotate it 180º and insert it again). I tried mine both ways. One way was not centered. A centering mandril definitely showed an error I wouldn't want. Rotated the adapter 180º and it was perfect. I put a dot of whiteout on one adapter tab and a dot on the corresponding mount point so I could easily repeat it.
What led me down trying this was noticing that the base has screws you could use to adjust its position. Likely this is done in the factory as I don't recall ever seeing instructions on calibrating it. So that meant one way it installed was likely gold. YMMV, but give it a try. If you don't have the centering mandril, put a 1/2" ID bushing into the guide base and a 1/2" spiral in the router. If it drops through, you're good.