Speed Control on OF1400

[bluehaze013]

Hello everyone,

First post here, Love the site I think it's great that Festool owners have a place to congregate and discuss the tools! I have recently fallen down the slippery slope myself starting with a CT22 I purchased from Ebay leading to an TS55 and MFT1080 combo and onto the OF1400 all in the last couple days. Having a Festool dealer 5 minutes from my house is going to be very bad for my bank account because these tools/system are very addictive. 

Anyway on to my question a couple of them actually. First is regarding the OF 1400 when adjusting the speed control there is no change until I reach around 3 or 4 on the dial and then the speed quickly ramps up from there until 6. I was wondering if anyone could check thier router to tell me if this is normal? I have a Dewalt that the speed changes immediately as soon as the dial is moved so something doesn't seem right here but I thought perhaps it had to do with the electronic load adjustment of the Festool so figured I would ask before exchanging the router brcause perhaps this is normal.

Also I ran across a post here describing a new version of the TS55 that comes with some black strips over the inside of the thumbscrews you adjust to tighten the TS55 to the rail. Is this version available in the U.S. or is this only on the European saws? Reason I ask is because my local dealer just got the saws in stock they seem to sell them like crazy so I know the one I have is fresh from Festool but it does not have those black strips!

Thanks in advance for any help and advice!

 

[ccmviking]

Just checked my 1400 and it behaves exactly like what you are seeing.  There might be a slight change in speed but it's not very noticeable until around 4 on mine then it really ramps up.  Runs very smooth and I generally just use it on 6 so never noticed.  I'm sure it would be different under load as you mentioned.  Anyhow it seems normal and congrat's on the new stuff.  As for the lower friction base it's not currently available in the U.S.  You should be able to retro yours once they are.  It's not a huge deal anyway as long as you keep the Empire dry lube handy.  It will make some improvement when available but not worth the wait in my opinion. 

Chris...

 

[bluehaze013]

OK thanks for checking! Still seems kind of strange to me. I tried playing with the speed control and routing some dadoes and it didn't seem to have any effect so not sure if this has anything to do with the load control. Still contemplating wether to exchange it. I love the router it's very quiet and a pleasure to use but surely the speed control should work as well as the one on my much cheaper Dewalt router. Anyone with an OF1010 know if it has this same issue with the speed control? I have been contemplating returning the 1400 and getting the 1010 also because of the fact that with the dust control attachment in place on the 1400 you are limited to around 3/4 inch diameter bits and if you remove the DC attachment well then it defeats the purpose of buying the router for me because it has no dust collection at all without the attachment. Seems the 1010 would do everything the 1400 does with only using 3/4 inch bits or am I overlooking something here?

 

[semenza]

Hi,

      You can use the DC hood with larger bits by putting the shank up through the DC hood and then tightening it. I find this to take a little finegling. Generally made easier by leaving the DC hood loose until the bit is in. And also placing the bit in the collet then screwing it unto the router. I believe someone on the FOG enlarged the hood for this purpose which seems like the way to go. I will have to try that soon.

Seth
     

 

[Eli]

The collet of the 1400 has a flat spot at the top that the dust hood fits over, so you can put it on ABOVE the bit once the bit is installed.

You should DEFINITELY hang on to the 1400 for a little while. Get used to it. It is a really awesome router. If you are using larger bits, you'd want more power, not less. Tool-less copy ring changes, as opposed to the 1010. I think the speed change you're talking about is very similar to the grinding gears on the TS55 that alarm some early users. The 1400 controls the speed to maintain the setting under load. I'd be 90 percent sure your router isn't broken or unusual.

 

[bluehaze013]

Good idea! Never thought about putting the bit under the dust shroud before installing, learn something new everyday. However given past experiences I can see myself not thinking and releasing the plunge only to take out the shroud on the upswing LOL Tough call I will think about this for a couple days, thing is I have a really nice router table, it's a complete Jointech setup that can swing the larger bits. I can live with the speed control of the 1400 it really doesn't bother me so much I was just curious about it but I am kind of hung up on the dust collection setup of it, the 1010 seems like a much better design. I don't have a large collection of bits. Most of the bits I have are for cabinetmaking which would go in the table regardless so before I start ordering more bits I guess I need to make this decision, don't want to start ordering 1/2 inch bits and then exchange the 1400 for a 1010.

Any more advice to help with the decision is much appreciated! Have learned some good things already.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Jim McFarland]

Welcome to the FOG!

I checked the speed control of the 1010 vs. 1400 and found similar results.  I have no way to measure actual speed, but I heard no pitch change from 1-3 on the 1010 and then continuous change from level 3.  Similar with 1400 except change happens from level 4.  My very old hearing tells me the 1010 is a little quieter than the 1400 but my cheap Radio Shack sound meter doesn't show any difference.

I bought the 1010 because the smaller size makes it a little easier to use with a dovetail jig.  I use 8mm dovetail bits most of the time so a 1/2" collet is not really a requirement.  For most every thing else I prefer the 1400.   

In addition to what the others have told you --- the 1400 Systainer 4 with the router inside has a fair amount of storage space for template guides, setup gauges, etc.  The 1010 systainer with the router inside is a lot more cramped.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

      Perhaps someone hwo has both the 1010 and 1400 will chime in here. But I ampretty sure I remember reading that the 1400 DC is better than the 1010. If that is true then it may be an important factor to you.  Also I have started using the D36 hose on the OF1400. It is a noticable improvement  for the dust collection over the D27 hose. I don't think the D36 will work on the 1010.

Seth

 

[Jim McFarland]

I've never used both 1010 and 1400 for the same task so I can't compare dust collection.  I use the 1010 on a Leigh jig and not really worth the bother hooking up the vacuum as the chips fly out below the dovetail guide template.  I'm anxious to try the Leigh VRS if it ever comes off "backorder" status.  Festool offers a 1010 chip collector for use with the VS600 but I don't know if it will work with a Leigh jig.

I'll try a test dado using both on some scrap if someone else doesn't chime-in in the next couple of days.

 

[bluehaze013]

Thanks for the advice everyone, no need to compare the dust collection. When I said the DC was better on the 1010 I was referring to the fact that the DC is built in to the base so you can remove the collar that goes around the bit and still have dust collection whereas on the 1400 once you take off that collar there is no DC at all. That is my biggest disappointment with the 1400 although it is still a very nice router, the smoothest and quietest i've ever owned. Still not sure what i'm going to do though LOL Seems like the 1400 would be better on the rails and with the MFS and the 1010 would be better suited to freehand jobs. I wish I could afford to just buy both of them!

 

[Christian93117]

The speed control adjustment in the Festool routers does not seem to have the effect of slowing the machine down when it is set on number 3 or below. The setting of 1 or 2 runs the machine at the same speed as setting 3. This is normal behavior for the routers when they are not under load.

The speed control is synchronized at 60 times a second to send either short or long pulses of current. When there is no load on the spindle, the mass of the armature acts like an energy collecting flywheel, and even the shortest pulses add energy to the free spinning armature. It is much like pedaling a bicycle down hill.

As soon as the router is put under any load, the slower speeds will lock in under the control of the tachometer. Sometimes mounting a large cutter in the spindle will produce enough load to change things. By the way, if our TS55 saw is run without a blade, the same thing will happen? the speed control seems to have an effect only after the setting is more than half way.

Christian Oltzscher
Festool USA

 

[Eli]

BH-
Also don't neglect to include the ratcheting bit change in your calculations for ultimate router choice. The 1010 doesn't have this feature.
(still championing the 1400)
Eli

 

[bluehaze013]

Thanks for the explanation Christian, makes sense, I had initially thought that was the case but wasn't certain after testing it under load. Good to know.

Eli, thanks man I am keeping the 1400 no need to champion it LOL it is a great router, the only think that would make it better IMO is if the dust collection was built in similiar to the 1010 but with the trick of installing the bits below the adapter it's really not that big of an issue, I would rather deal with that and still be able to use 1/2 inch bits than to be limited to 1/4 inch bits with the 1010 so that was the deciding factor for me.

Did I see a post about you working in the film industry? I work in the industry as well as an electrician/bestboy/gaffer and sometimes as a grip.

 

[Eli]

Yes! I've been a Grip for twelve or thirteen years and loved it (except at one in the morning, on the thirtieth take of every stupid music video),http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0326701/

But I don't know if I'll get back to it. We sold our house in LA and moved to Australia. The film business here in Melbourne is quite a bit smaller (but growing), and I'm still working out my permanent residency. I'm sure I'll be doing some work once I get legal , but I now have so many other things going on, and enjoying being around my two boys, that, well, who knows. I have to go back stateside for sure in the next two years or so to work a show and get enough hours for my last calendar year for the pension (I have a big chunk of money sitting there and need 1 year to be vested). Sometimes I really miss it. It's like being a carny or something, it gets in your blood.

 

[bluehaze013]

LOL One in the morning, the videos are just getting started...worst part is wrapping when the sun comes up! That's funny you worked on Dukes of Hazzard. I almost went up to Louisiana to work on it as well but got a movie down here (Miami) so ended up staying. Small world! I've been doing this for about 20 years now took a few years off because I was really burned out but am now back at it again, I did end up missing it. It's hard to hold a 9-5 after working in the movie biz. Nice to meet ya man!

 

[Eli]

email sent....