Router Circle Jig

[kclark]

I am in need to do some circle routing on some square blocks using a round nose bit that will accept a glass dome. I have been wanting to add the festool router to my growing festool collection  [big grin]. However when I look at the router selections, I like the OF1400 as it is capable of using the 1/2" shank bits (what my bit collection is mostly now about 80% 1/2") as well as the 1/4" shank. But it seems that it does not have the circle cutting accessory as it seem to only fit the OF1010. Does anyone know of another option other than making my own trammel. I will need something pretty easy to make fine adjustments on? If I can find something aftermarket, I may at least for this project use a current yellow router that is in my collection already.

 

[Wuffles]

Make your own or use the one for the OF1010 and put one of the spare rods from your 1400 in the other side of the router to give it something to bite to and it fits just fine.

Hard to explain.

I bought my trammel when it was still marked up as compatible with both, afaik it hasn't changed design since then.

 

[greg mann]

There are so many different ways and accessories to rout circles, ranging from highly engineered units like MicroFence to some very reaonably priced universal ones you could pick up from Rockler, Woodcraft or Amazon, etc. Many of these will work with just about any router but will not fine adjust like a MicroFence. You could also do arcs with an MFS setup. In the end, if you presently only have one size arc needed to do your project I would suggest making a jig, and there are multiple ways of doing that. YouTube is probably loaded with them.

If you want fine adjustment and versatilityand are willing to pay for it I would go MicroFence or invest in an MFS setup. The MFS would also give you othe flexible solutions to many jig oriented tasks.

Or what Wuffles said. [not worthy]

 

[Stoli]

I have seen people replace the bolt in the guide rail attachment:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/festool-of-1400eq-circle-jig-35319/msg348155/#msg348155

You should be able to use both guide rail attachments if you need microadjust capability.

 

[kclark]

Has anyone used the MicroFence jig? I'm looking hard at that since it can cut much smaller holes and the project that I have going I will need between 3" & 7" rings in the wood.

 

[stvrowe]

Has anyone used the MicroFence jig? I'm looking hard at that since it can cut much smaller holes and the project that I have going I will need between 3" & 7" rings in the wood.

I used one two weeks ago routing a 90mm radius curve for a jig.  The Microfence jig is extremely high quality and is something akin to an erector set when changing from large radius to small radius arcs.  It did a wonderful job.  I don't use a circle cutting jig often but this one really excelled at small radii which was much better than I expected.

 

[teocaf]

I originally got the MFS 700 for my OF 1400--I got it mainly for the other uses that it offers.  That size is a bit ungainly for circles but it does them quite well.  When I needed to do ellipses, I originally tried to get the jig that Infinity tools sells.  They were backordered and I can't speak for the quality since I never got the product and I cancelled the order.  I picked up the Microfence circle and ellipse jigs direct from the maker at a woodworking show and am very pleased with the quality and precision.  It sets you back a few bucks but it really is top notch and I started designing more projects for it now that I have it.

 

[rustym]

Check out the Pat Warner site (patwarner.com).  On his home page there is a circle cutting base, it is fully adjustable and can make circles as small as a couple inches.  The listing for it is here on the home page.

 

[moody]

What about the M-Power CRB7, anyone tried it? http://www.m-powertools.com/CRB7-MK3-combination-router-base.htm

 

[Alan Smith]

I just received my CRB-7 MK3 and so far, so good. I used it to cutout circles for a dog food stand and it worked really well. The positioning rods are adjustable in width in case you use different routers and they supply 3 pairs of different sized rods to match the holes in your router base. There are no screws however to tighten on the rods so if your router doesn't have them you'll have to get some. I purchased the full accessories kit from Woodpeckers for approx $130 and I'm happy so far. And so is Lily...

 

[Michael Kowalenko]

Hi Big Al. I see you have commented on using the CRB 7. Today I posted a question about using the CRB7. Perhaps you could take a look at it and let me know how you use the tool (with a central locking knob, and not individual locking knobs for each guide rod) with your Festool router.

Thanks, Michael

 

[ben_r_]

MicroFence user here. Their circle jig is second to none, but it is pricey. Good part it however it can be adapted to any router. You just need the correct mount for it. So its a nice system to invest in. I have quite a bit of their product line and it's nice stuff.