What NOT to use with the OF 1400

[HowardH]

My stupid tax bill grows every day.   I was going to use my router to remove some waste area for a half lap joint and thought the 1400 would work well for this.  My first mistake was using an upcut spiral bit.  Just had a brain lock moment.  It plugged up the dust hood so fast that the hood actually broke.  Well, maybe that wasn't the official cause but I'm sticking to it.  Better get on uncle bob's website and order another.  Learn new things everyday, even if it is the hard way...

 

[Brice Burrell]

I've used up-cut bits with no real trouble. Were you using the D27 hose, if so, the D36 is a much better choice.

.....Well, maybe that wasn't the official cause but I'm sticking to it.

  I hope you aren't giving people the wrong idea, remember newbies come to this forum to get actuate information. Lets not let people believe the OF1400's dust hood is that prone to breakage. I would warn folks that releasing the plunge lock and letting the router fly up with a bit that won't fit trough the hoods opening can break it.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Boy that's a strange one.  I use upcut spirals all the time, never had a problem with the dust hood.  Was the hose clogged?  Bruce is right about heavy duty material removal clogging the small hose, happened to me after three hours of cutting dovetails.

 

[clintholeman]

I have to agree with Brice and Jesse - I use my 1400 all the time and with upcut bits - no problem at all, ever.

I have had the hose plug and yet have never had the dust hood break.  I have shaved it down - but that is a whole different kind of issue [like dumb operator error  :-[ ;D ].  I think, despite its fragile appearance, it is a pretty touch piece of equipment.

 

[gkeas]

  I hope you aren't giving people the wrong idea, remember newbies come to this forum to get actuate information. Lets not let people believe the OF1400's dust hood is that prone to breakage. I would warn folks that releasing the plunge lock and letting the router fly up with a bit that won't fit trough the hoods opening can break it.

I tried to break my hood in this very fashion, but I failed.  It was NOT for lack of effort.  I am now slightly more careful.

 

[HowardH]

As I was using the 1400, I noticed that the dust began flying everywhere.  That's when I stopped to see what was occurring.  The dust hood was plugged solid.  packed tight.  I had to dig the shavings out of it.  All kidding aside, I really don't know why it broke.  I can't imagine it was because of the bit but with my CT22 attached, it wasn't sucking up anything.  I double checked the bag to make sure it wasn't full.  That's why I came to the conclusion it must be the upcut bit that was plugging up the collector.  It most probably broke when I was trying to get it off while it was still plugged up.  I couldn't see what was going on.  Fortunately, it's only a $14.00 fix.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I've plugged my upper dust shroud, even when using a 36mm hose, and I have made the mistake of releasing the clamp handle from a plunged position.  In neither case did any damage occur, except to my ego for being so forgetful!  I do wish the plunge return springs were not as strong.  Frankly, I don't often use the plunge festure and am quite comfortable using my 1400 as if it were a fixed-base router (preset bit depth, them lower into the workpiece, let the bit stop, then lift off).  I agree that using a 36mm hose is definitely better than using a 27mm hose for many cuts. 

Dave R.