Why are Duro-Form Bits only recommended for the OF1400/OF2200 Routers?

[MrToolJunkie]

Can they be used in the OF1010 or MFK?  The 2009 catalog shows compatibility with the larger routers. 

Scot

 

[tbellemare]

Scot:

If you look on the bottom of page 104, you'll see the bits that Festool recommends for the MFK. Three of them, 491670, 491671 & 491672 are Duro-Form bits.

I don't see any reason, other than maybe power, that you couldn't use any 1/4" or 8mm shaft router bit with a 1010.

Tom

 

[ccarrolladams]

Scot:

If you look on the bottom of page 104, you'll see the bits that Festool recommends for the MFK. Three of them, 491670, 491671 & 491672 are Duro-Form bits.

I don't see any reason, other than maybe power, that you couldn't use any 1/4" or 8mm shaft router bit with a 1010.

Tom

Obviously our beloved pal Tom B has a different Festool 2011 catalog than was sent to me. In my copy page 104 is a full-page photo of the working end of a Domino. The bottom of page 93 of my catalog is devoted to bits for the MFK700. Those are all 8mm shanks, shorter than average to work best in the MFK700.

Although I own several each MFK700 and OF1010, I have never tried using any of those trim bits in the OF1010. All of them will fit in the OF1010.

 

[tbellemare]

Carroll: Scot was referencing the 2009 catalog. Festool left almost all of the router bits out of the latest, 2011 - 2012.

Tom

 

[Brice Burrell]

I remember talking with Festool trainers and they recommended the Duro-Form bits in the MFK for production work.  I'm sure they'll also work in the 1010.

 

[ccarrolladams]

I remember talking with Festool trainers and they recommended the Duro-Form bits in the MFK for production work.  I'm sure they'll also work in the 1010.

I have participated in many Festool training classes, with both Steve Bace and Brian Sedgeley. During these classes everyone agreed that the Duro-Form bits intended for the MFK700 are ideal for production work. In my shop this has been my own experience since the MFK was introduced.

During these same classes all of us have discussed the reasons why Festool does not supply the OF2200 with 1/4" and 8mm collets in the USA. I agree that when a task requires the power of an OF2200 the best bit design calls for a shank larger than 8mm.

Personally I see no reason to apply the power of an OF1400 to a bit designed to run on a 700 watt router, namely the MFK700. Chances are the extra power would not be a problem when the base of the router is well supported. However, the combination of extra power and horizontal over-hang when trying to use an OF1400 as a trim router could be problematic.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Personally I see no reason to apply the power of an OF1400 to a bit designed to run on a 700 watt router, namely the MFK700. Chances are the extra power would not be a problem when the base of the router is well supported. However, the combination of extra power and horizontal over-hang when trying to use an OF1400 as a trim router could be problematic.

That should be no problem. If safety tolerances were this small the bits would have never been cleared for release. When you talk about pieces of sharp iron spinning around at the unimaginable speed of 25000 rpm,  the concern for the applied power becomes secondary. If a bit can withstand the forces of a 700 watt machine while spinning around at 25000 rpm, it can also take the forces created by a 2200 watt machine because they're actually not that big of a difference at such speeds.

A bit can only be released to the market if it's safe in any machine an unsuspecting user could possibly put it.

During these same classes all of us have discussed the reasons why Festool does not supply the OF2200 with 1/4" and 8mm collets in the USA. I agree that when a task requires the power of an OF2200 the best bit design calls for a shank larger than 8mm.

Since in Europe the OF2200 is released with every possible collet between 6 mm and 1/2'' the lack of those collects in America is probaly better explained by marketing reasons rather than safety concerns.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Personally I see no reason to apply the power of an OF1400 to a bit designed to run on a 700 watt router, namely the MFK700. Chances are the extra power would not be a problem when the base of the router is well supported. However, the combination of extra power and horizontal over-hang when trying to use an OF1400 as a trim router could be problematic.

That should be no problem. If safety tolerances were this small the bits would have never been cleared for release. When you talk about pieces of sharp iron spinning around at the unimaginable speed of 25000 rpm,  the concern for the applied power becomes secondary. If a bit can withstand the forces of a 700 watt machine while spinning around at 25000 rpm, it can also take the forces created by a 2200 watt machine because they're actually not that big of a difference at such speeds.

A bit can only be released to the market if it's safe in any machine an unsuspecting user could possibly put it.

During these same classes all of us have discussed the reasons why Festool does not supply the OF2200 with 1/4" and 8mm collets in the USA. I agree that when a task requires the power of an OF2200 the best bit design calls for a shank larger than 8mm.

Since in Europe the OF2200 is released with every possible collet between 6 mm and 1/2'' the lack of those collects in America is probaly better explained by marketing reasons rather than safety concerns.

I believe you are correct, because I seem to recall Festool posting that on here as the reason quite a while ago.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Carroll: Scot was referencing the 2009 catalog. Festool left almost all of the router bits out of the latest, 2011 - 2012.

Tom

When did the 2011-2012 catalog come out and why didn't I get one?  [eek]

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Carroll: Scot was referencing the 2009 catalog. Festool left almost all of the router bits out of the latest, 2011 - 2012.

Tom

When did the 2011-2012 catalog come out and why didn't I get one?  [eek]

atogrf1 must have run out of them (see POST 19)  ;D
mobile Festool catalog service

 

[tbellemare]

When did the 2011-2012 catalog come out and why didn't I get one?

Early in the year.

I generally put one in every order unless I've already sent one or more...

Tom