Trend T4 Router Not Centre!

[WelshWood]

Hey there guys,

So I ordered a Trend T4 router on monday to use this weekend for a job hanging some doors. I've had a T4 previously, but sold it as I wasn't using it much after my last door-hanging job.

I set up as normal, using it in combination with a Trend hinge jig (which by the way, would definitely recommend to anyone pondering over purchasing one!), I set up as I normally do, routing out one leaf on the frame. To my dismay I quickly noticed that the hinge recess was 3mm out of its overall length! Usually I get flawless results with the hinge jig so double checked all my markings and setting out of the jig.. Everything spot on.

However, when I checked the router and compared it to the guide bush, I found it was 1.5mm out, causing the 3mm gap on the hinge.

Some of you may say I should have checked the router before hand, but to be honest I was so happy with my previous usage of the router I didn't think I needed too!

Is there anyway I can remedy this, or will I have to send it back?

Thanks in advance,

~WW

 

[SittingElf]

That'll teach you not to stray from our Green Goodness!! [big grin]

Can't be certain, but it sure looks like time to go back for repair. [sad]

Good luck!

Cheers,

Frank

 

[SMJoinery]

Hi WW

It looks like the bits off centre?, did you use a mandrel to set up the bush?, this might be the issue?
If it's not the issue, maybe you can adjust the packer (mine is 4mm) that you use to set up hinge in the jig recess and reduce it accordingly as a fix for this weekend?

 

[WelshWood]

Hi WW

It looks like the bits off centre?, did you use a mandrel to set up the bush?, this might be the issue?
If it's not the issue, maybe you can adjust the packer (mine is 4mm) that you use to set up hinge in the jig recess and reduce it accordingly as a fix for this weekend?

To me it looks like the collet insert is misaligned to be honest, tried it with various bushes and none line up correctly.

I really don't like the idea of adjusting the packer, it shouldn't be done that way, so I'm not happy with it  [dead horse]

Had to go back to the old chisel and mallet.. oh how I don't miss those for hinges!

Is there anyway I can adjust the collet alignment? or is it a case of sending the router back?  [sad]

~WW

 

[Mr Heavy]

Sorry to hear of your problem.
I don't know the T4 but I'm quite intimate with the bigger Trends. (T9, 10, 11) These have an adjustable sub-mount for the guide bushes, and once it is set in position by aligning it with a centering mandrel, changing guide bushes is a doddle as they all self centre to the sub mount, in my experience very accurately.

The T4 seems to have a non-adjustable bush mount, straight to the guts of the machine which therefore has to be properly - factory - aligned - or you're screwed.

The advice here - More of the same seems to be to use a mandrel and elongate the holes on the bush to give a range of adjustability. In my opinion this is completely wrong. The Trend guide bushes are very accurate, and if one is aligned - self aligning with countersunk screws - then all subsequent bush fitting is also aligned whether it's a totally different size bush or simply removing and replacing the same one. Elongating the holes is a complete bodge and ruins the bush's self-centering ability when it's dropped onto a different router.

I'd say return the router for one that is fit for purpose as defined by whatever trading standards apply in your area.

Trend's quality control seems to have gone down the pan recently and I've heard folk muttering about the quality of their bits, which is quite shocking.
Apart from the jolly green giant, Trend's routing kit has always been top of the pile but something unpleasant seems to be happening with the brand. Most of their power stuff has been Italian, Swiss or German manufacture, at least in my understanding, though some assembly and accessory component building has been British.

Does the T4 carry a country of origin mark?

I suspect they've gone the way of most manufacturing for this millennium which needn't be a quality handicap but usually is as the decisions on QC setting points are made by accountants, not engineers.

Best o'luck.

 

[WelshWood]

Sorry to hear of your problem.
I don't know the T4 but I'm quite intimate with the bigger Trends. (T9, 10, 11) These have an adjustable sub-mount for the guide bushes, and once it is set in position by aligning it with a centering mandrel, changing guide bushes is a doddle as they all self centre to the sub mount, in my experience very accurately.

The T4 seems to have a non-adjustable bush mount, straight to the guts of the machine which therefore has to be properly - factory - aligned - or you're screwed.

The advice here - More of the same seems to be to use a mandrel and elongate the holes on the bush to give a range of adjustability. In my opinion this is completely wrong. The Trend guide bushes are very accurate, and if one is aligned - self aligning with countersunk screws - then all subsequent bush fitting is also aligned whether it's a totally different size bush or simply removing and replacing the same one. Elongating the holes is a complete bodge and ruins the bush's self-centering ability when it's dropped onto a different router.

I'd say return the router for one that is fit for purpose as defined by whatever trading standards apply in your area.

Trend's quality control seems to have gone down the pan recently and I've heard folk muttering about the quality of their bits, which is quite shocking.
Apart from the jolly green giant, Trend's routing kit has always been top of the pile but something unpleasant seems to be happening with the brand. Most of their power stuff has been Italian, Swiss or German manufacture, at least in my understanding, though some assembly and accessory component building has been British.

Does the T4 carry a country of origin mark?

I suspect they've gone the way of most manufacturing for this millennium which needn't be a quality handicap but usually is as the decisions on QC setting points are made by accountants, not engineers.

Best o'luck.

I too have had extensive use of the larger models of routers that trend do, and this one has been my main go to router for recessing hinges.

I contacted the supplier of the router, FFX, and they were more than happy to issue me either, a replacement router or a free refund, as well as collecting the router from my door for no cost.

Can't fault them!

~WW

 

[sancho57]

Nothing a nice hammer couldn't adjust

 

[Mr Heavy]

trend do, and this one has been my main go to router for recessing hinges.

I contacted the supplier of the router, FFX, and they were more than happy to issue me either, a replacement router or a free refund, as well as collecting the router from my door for no cost.

Can't fault them!

~WW

That's jolly splendid news!
"Result!" as they say on sports panel discussions on the picture-wireless.

A good dealer's worth its weight in gold. Looks like you've got one there. It'd be nice to hear that the replacement is cock-on. Keep us informed?

 

[foos.david@gmail.com]

Sorry to hear of your problem.
I don't know the T4 but I'm quite intimate with the bigger Trends. (T9, 10, 11) These have an adjustable sub-mount for the guide bushes, and once it is set in position by aligning it with a centering mandrel, changing guide bushes is a doddle as they all self centre to the sub mount, in my experience very accurately.

The T4 seems to have a non-adjustable bush mount, straight to the guts of the machine which therefore has to be properly - factory - aligned - or you're screwed.

The advice here - More of the same seems to be to use a mandrel and elongate the holes on the bush to give a range of adjustability. In my opinion this is completely wrong. The Trend guide bushes are very accurate, and if one is aligned - self aligning with countersunk screws - then all subsequent bush fitting is also aligned whether it's a totally different size bush or simply removing and replacing the same one. Elongating the holes is a complete bodge and ruins the bush's self-centering ability when it's dropped onto a different router.

I'd say return the router for one that is fit for purpose as defined by whatever trading standards apply in your area.

Trend's quality control seems to have gone down the pan recently and I've heard folk muttering about the quality of their bits, which is quite shocking.
Apart from the jolly green giant, Trend's routing kit has always been top of the pile but something unpleasant seems to be happening with the brand. Most of their power stuff has been Italian, Swiss or German manufacture, at least in my understanding, though some assembly and accessory component building has been British.

Does the T4 carry a country of origin mark?

I suspect they've gone the way of most manufacturing for this millennium which needn't be a quality handicap but usually is as the decisions on QC setting points are made by accountants, not engineers.

Best o'luck.

I too have had extensive use of the larger models of routers that trend do, and this one has been my main go to router for recessing hinges.

I contacted the supplier of the router, FFX, and they were more than happy to issue me either, a replacement router or a free refund, as well as collecting the router from my door for no cost.

Can't fault them!

~WW