Which accessories to concentrate on more for OF 1400 & TS 55

[dinkjs]

Right now I have the OF 1400 Router and last week bought the TS55....So here are the accessories that I have my wishlist on....is there certain ones I should push forward to the top or what is your opinion?

Guide Rail Accessory Kit
Parallel Guide Set
Guide Stop
Systainer Cart

 

[mouppe]

I think the most useful accessory for the OF1400 is the edge guide, #492636, often used in conjunction with the guide stop on your list. The other accessories that you mentioned are unimportant to me so I could not comment (the guide rail accessory kit has a bit of a bad rap here on the FOG).

Richard.

 

[ccarrolladams]

When using any router guided by a rail, it is vital to clamp that rail. Personally I usually take the time to clamp my guide rail when using a saw, especially if the sheet goods are not flat.

So, my suggestion is to buy pairs of several kinds of Festool clamps. My primary style is the Quick Clamp cat 491 594, but there are situations where I find the screw clamps more useful. I actually use my long screw clamps cat 489 571 more than the shorter ones.

A pair of the shorter screw clamps 489 570 are included with the Guide Rail Accessory Kit cat 496 657. I bought this kit at the same time as my first TS55 with CT22 and have never regretted spending that money. Unlike some people, I never had problems with the Angle Unit 491 588 which is included with the kit. It has its uses and it is what it is.

The old saying in woodworking is you can never have too many clamps. The good news about Festool guide rails is that they never need more than a clamp at either end, and those do not always need to match. Many people only clamp the finish end of a rail when using a saw. Of course some rarely clamp a rail. My own practice is to clamp both ends. In calculating the job estimate I include the extra time for clamping.

Other good woodworkers I know admit spoiling some cuts because an un-clamped rail moved. I did not want that happening to me when I first used guide rails with my TS55. By the time I met other woodworkers who seldom clamp, doing so was such a habit with me I had gotten fast enough I did not think I was wasting time. Later I asked a friend who is a time and motion expert to observe me in action so I could have a number for the extra clamping time. This is part of my formula used to calculate my labor on every job estimate.

 

[GPowers]

Guide Rail Accessory Kit --- Not needed plus the angle guide has gotten unfavorable reviews here on the FOG
Parallel Guide Set --- If you are breaking down plywood this should be your number ONE!!!!
Guide Stop --- I assume this is for the OF1400, I would buy the Edge Guide first the these
Systainer Cart --- If for the job site it is up to you, if for your home shop build a DIY Sysport.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Like most things in life, it depends...

If you are routing circles or arcs, the MFS is brilliant.

If you are using templates for routing, try the Festool template guides.  The template guide to accept Porter Cable styles bushings comes with the 1400 (or at least it used to), but the Festool guides are way better.

Try a couple of 8mm router bits - they are much sturdier than 1/4 inch and don't take up as much space as the 1/2 inch shanks.

Personally, I like to use end mills instead of router bits.  The 3/8 inch collet for the 1400 will let you fit a 3/8 end mill on the 1400 - great for mortising, just run the router at the lowest speed.  End mills are much cheaper that router bits, especially for long ones.

I was skeptical about the router bit systainer, but loved it once I got it - really helps with keeping those bits organized and handy.

An extra limit stop for the guide rail makes routing flutes or stopped dadoes a cinch.

As for the TS55, the parallel guides are pretty much all you need.  Maybe get a back up blade to use while the first one is being sharpened.  I haven't found the need for any of the other blades, but I don't cut much aluminum, plastic, or laminates.

Hope this helps.

 

[mouppe]

Try a couple of 8mm router bits - they are much sturdier than 1/4 inch and don't take up as much space as the 1/2 inch shanks.

Jesse,

I don't get this at all, unless the shanks are the widest part of your router bits!

[scratch chin]

 

[dinkjs]

Alright alittle update from me....I have a couple clamps for the rail....bought these about 2 weeks ago in anticipation of buying the TS55...I just figure it a no brainer to clamp the rail down....As for the bad vibes with the angle finder thingie for the rail, I have yet to see those posts,  I am a lurker on here and not much a poster.  If someone can throw me a link to a post that would be awesome so I can research more...it would be greatly appreciated.  As for the systainer cart in my head its a no big deal right now but it would be nice to get my two items off the floor and mobile  ( I do all my destruction at home).  As for the guide stop it would be nice to clamp my router to the rail...but this item I could probably live without for a period....The router bit systainer is also on my wishlist but I have a board with holes in it holding my bits in a drawer, this works good for right now.

But anyways that is just alittle update from me

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Try a couple of 8mm router bits - they are much sturdier than 1/4 inch and don't take up as much space as the 1/2 inch shanks.

Jesse,

I don't get this at all, unless the shanks are the widest part of your router bits!

[scratch chin]

No, you got it.  Guess I'm a wimp in that way but most of my bits are straight bits < 1/2 inch, dovetail bits, flush trim, etc.  I agree that for big edge forming bits, panel raisers, etc. half inch shank is the way to go, but I don't use those very often and keep them in a cabinet, not in the router bit systainer.