Small Tip when using the Router Aid ( the Perspex one)

[sicd_steve]

Hi guys I recently bought the "clear Router Aid" so I can trench into the sides of panels and doors. It's a really nice set up to use and have always wanted to be able to that better and more accurate. But I found it was off in my first trench [huh]and I found there was a little bit of play when screwing on the router to the base to centering. This "play" adjustment was my error. Then I found if you put your router 30mm copying ring on the router it fits perfect into the "hole in the router Aid" then tight your screws ....and now perfect alignment to the dead centre. Didn't seem to find this anywhere in the the piece of paper they call a "manual". Yet again the Festool SYSTEM works again everything thing fits into something else. I LOVE IT!!!

 

[peter halle]

Thanks for the reminder Steve.  I received that accessory for Christmas a couple of years ago and haven't used it.  I never bought the 30 mm copy ring, so every reminder is great for me.

Not meaning to seriously get you off track in your topic, but what are your impressions after using it?  Not much is written and based on the price I suspect that it is not one of the most popular accessories.

Peter

 

[waho6o9]

Which router did you use with it and how was the

dust extraction?  TIA

 

[sicd_steve]

Thanks guys for your questions......

Firstly let me say it's a great unit really stable and the dust extraction is perfect it glides really good and is very accurate now I installed some recessed wheels into a window frame for a sliding glass window and worked a treat, no dust and was spot on my measurements, it turns a difficult job into one of ease. I have all the routers but in this case I used my 1400 and was a nice size, easily cope with my  2200 as well. The vac works really well as you trench the unit encase the timber door so the dust has nowhere to go other than in the vac. It really is one of those Great Festool add ons not used all the time but when you need it nothing does as good it so easily.

 

[Brent Taylor]

I had made a jig for my 3 Hp. Makita years ago (25 years ago ) to do door and mortiseing work, in fact I just add a vac attachment after seeing the Festool unit you have just bought. Once you get it tuned-up you will wonder how you did without it. Mine is nowhere near as nice, but I love it just the same. I am hoping to get a 1400 in the next few weeks, so that I can swap out routers to use for work. My 3 Hp. is getting heavy for my old body, when I'm doing door work only [wink]. Have fun with your new toy. B

 

[sicd_steve]

Thanks Brent I am getting more into routing lately as a result of all these guides I am very fortunate to have all the trimmers and routers in the Festool range and a Kreg bench with a Big Triton unit dedicated in the bench. I also just love my MFS 400 700/1000 set up as well. I can do anything in routing now, I was so weak in that area before of routing, now I am as accurate as one could get.

 

[wow]

I'm still a newbie in some ways, so help me out here?

I did a search for 'clear router aid' and came up empty, but based on Peter's comment about cost I paged through the options and I'm thinking you mean this?

Plexiglas® Template Routing Aid - 495246 - $317.00

If so, yeah - that seems like a LOT of money for a few of pieces of Plexiglass. Now, I'm sure they are very carefully designed, precision-cut and assembled pieces of plexiglas if Festool is offering them. I'm gonna go see if I can find a manual or video on it so I can get edumacated.

Since have never seen one - let alone used one - I too would like to hear more about  usage that justifies the price? I'm not doubting that there is some... I just need somebody smarter to 'splain it to me?

[unsure]

 

[sicd_steve]

Hey here is a small present for Thanksgiving that you homemade guys who want a good router slider...now if I was going to make one for myself I would find these attachments very helpful, the rest is up to you. [wink].

You could adapt any router really, the trick to centre it is either a router anvil or a 30mm copying ring on your router and then work out the require screw positions to screw the unit to your router base. The one I bought is for the 1010/1400/2000/2200 Festool routers with the fixing holes already done to suit.
I would make it from perspex as it does slide nice but you could make a clear top and say thick ply sides, but better in perspex. All you need is some DIY knock down dowel style fittings and some thread knobs to suit  you need around 30mm length of the threaded rod.

So good luck the drawings are full size on A3 paper to help out.The plans are the PDF file as listed last.

 

[sicd_steve]

Also this is what you can do on the edge of a door or in my case a window so I could further recess the rollers for the track on the window sill. Yes you can do this with a "side fence only " but it is quite difficult to hold the router dead square and also not have it move around due to lack of flat plane of say the 40mm and tech a 19mm trench. I have tried before and often second rate finish.
This method is extremely accurate and darn darn easy and very very stable.

Just wanted to help you guys, have only used it a couple of times but it really is fantastic unit FOR WHAT IT DOES

 

[wow]

sicd_steve:

WOW! Great information, and thank you for the time that must have taken to lay out and photograph. It is VERY MUCH appreciated!

Since your photography skills are admirable, would you mind if I asked for one more picture? It might be helpful - if you have three hands [wink] - to see it in action? Or at least set up and in place?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Pixel]

I'm still a newbie in some ways, so help me out here?

I did a search for 'clear router aid' and came up empty, but based on Peter's comment about cost I paged through the options and I'm thinking you mean this?

Plexiglas® Template Routing Aid - 495246 - $317.00

If so, yeah - that seems like a LOT of money for a few of pieces of Plexiglass. Now, I'm sure they are very carefully designed, precision-cut and assembled pieces of plexiglas if Festool is offering them. I'm gonna go see if I can find a manual or video on it so I can get edumacated.

Since have never seen one - let alone used one - I too would like to hear more about  usage that justifies the price? I'm not doubting that there is some... I just need somebody smarter to 'splain it to me?

[unsure]

317$, surely not, they are around 110£ in the UK.

 

[Thistleman]

Have never used the edge routing guide. Instead replaced the nylon blocks on two fences with 12mm birch ply about 200mm square. One on each side of your board/door holds the router really well and certainly prevents tipping. (I can not claim credit for the technique - think I saw it in one of Paul Marcel's videos)

 

[pettyconstruction]

Tom silva on this old house used one a few years ago on a door.
Looked real slick and easy.

 

[promark747]

Have never used the edge routing guide. Instead replaced the nylon blocks on two fences with 12mm birch ply about 200mm square. One on each side of your board/door holds the router really well and certainly prevents tipping. (I can not claim credit for the technique - think I saw it in one of Paul Marcel's videos)

I think Paul Marcel also suggested a cheaper solution was buying an extra edge guide and then using the two of them on either side of the workpiece to achieve the same stability of the plexiglass aid.

 

[wow]

Plexiglas® Template Routing Aid - 495246 - $317.00 [unsure]

317$, surely not, they are around 110£ in the UK.

Just checked again and 'surely so'.  [scared]

http://www.festoolusa.com/power-tool-accessories/routers/other-accessories/plexiglas-template-routing-aid-495246

 

[Kev]

They're just under $300 in Oz. I'm opposed to them simply because of the price - I much prefer a second fence for the router (which is something I try to have for every router).

I'd be interested to know how scratched up they get from anyone that's been using one for a while!

 

[sicd_steve]

Hey Kev easy mate...... just polish them with perspex polish and jobs done...I paid $230 for it at Just Tools, but had I had the info I would have made easy enough Bunnings sell thick acrylic now.

I don't think its necessary to have the see through especially on the sides but the acrylic glides really nice on the timber it is a delight to use.

Anyway mate make one with my attached plans

 

[Pixel]

Plexiglas® Template Routing Aid - 495246 - $317.00 [unsure]

317$, surely not, they are around 110£ in the UK.

Just checked again and 'surely so'.  [scared]

http://www.festoolusa.com/power-tool-accessories/routers/other-accessories/plexiglas-template-routing-aid-495246

Your right the full up list price including taxes in the UK is £190 but they are discounted by 28%

 

[dicktill]

Hi guys I recently bought the "clear Router Aid" so I can trench into the sides of panels and doors. It's a really nice set up to use and have always wanted to be able to that better and more accurate. But I found it was off in my first trench [huh]and I found there was a little bit of play when screwing on the router to the base to centering. This "play" adjustment was my error. Then I found if you put your router 30mm copying ring on the router it fits perfect into the "hole in the router Aid" then tight your screws ....and now perfect alignment to the dead centre. Didn't seem to find this anywhere in the the piece of paper they call a "manual". Yet again the Festool SYSTEM works again everything thing fits into something else. I LOVE IT!!!

Hi Steve,

Thanks for posting this great thread, and for all the trouble you went to to measure and draw the plans. What do you suggest to use for the dust port elbow? Festool USA does not show that part as being available separately.

Regards, Dick

 

[Brent Taylor]

I had used a small brush attachment and removed the brush and part of the outer ring. Drilled a hole inline with the router opening just large enough to insert  the inner ring ( that way it will swivel ). Hope that helps and makes sense, it's been awhile since I install it into my homemade unit. I will see if one of my kids can photograph it later this week. B