Thread: Centring template guides?

You can buy a festool one for $40. This one will however also make coffee, tea etc.
Centering Mandrill 6.35mm & 8mm - Festool Australia

Les

Thanks Les - that's exactly what I'm after.....but I might try to find a cheaper version that isn't made of solid silver (hallmarked)

I didn't even know Festool offered such a thing, and if I can't find any other suppliers I might have to fork out for this one.

Cheers

Just checked the US price for this rare trinket, and its around US$30 - so just for once, the local price isn't a rip off. Would cost more to get it here.

Amusing to note that the clear base plate, plus a complete set of brass template guide inserts (all from McJings) cost less than this single Festool item.....

I know it's too late, but you can get Dewalt compatible router template guides from Axminster in the UK, like these ones here I just got for my D26204K compact, and are available in imperial and metric sizes. I got an 8mm collet from them too.

My router came with Dewalt's centering pin & cone for compact routers, available for a few $$ from Amazon (perhaps locally?), and maybe compatible with your machine. However, I don't find it of any use for centering smaller diameter guides, though it works fine for centering the base plate. The Festool "precious metals" job seems the best locally. Another one I found was this one from Highland Woodworking in the US, which is only USD9.00 but not sure how much to get posted.

If you have any metalworking mates with a lathe, they could knock one up in a few minutes, might cost you a 6 pack.

Could you not turn one up put of a bit of scrap hardwood? Cost pennies and would do the job i would have thought.

Thanks Marwood - I agree the DeWalt one looks a bit clunky, but that Highland Woodworking version would do the job nicely. There are a couple of other things I'm after at the moment (cheap mortise chisels), so there might be enough to make up an order with them provided they will use standard USPS air mail for freight.

Its looking like none of the local outlets can supply what I'm after, so I'll have to send my $$$ offshore.....

Cheers

I could try turning one up out of timber - not sure how long the shank would stay at 1/4" though. Worth a try though before resorting to ordering one.

Or you find a piece of 1/4 od tube (model shop brass) and turn the wood to sleeve into the pipe.
I hate buying things when there is a way to do it myself

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

Just checked the US price for this rare trinket, and its around US$30 - so just for once, the local price isn't a rip off. Would cost more to get it here.

Amusing to note that the clear base plate, plus a complete set of brass template guide inserts (all from McJings) cost less than this single Festool item.....

Just think about it. If you own one of these from Festo - you're in the club .
I have one made of brass, and just cannot remember where I got it from. You want the item to be true, and the cone shape will give a true centre of the guide bush. No point skimping on this item as you will only be frustrated by bad results.
Les
btw. I notice that most universal plates come with one of these centering mandrels.

Les - I'm already a fully paid up, card-carrying member of the Festool club...... Have to say I was very disappointed not to see an exclusive "Festool Lounge" at the WWW show, serving free drinkies and nibblies - as if we haven't paid enough for membership !!

I'll tinker about on the lathe next week and see what I can come up with, and try it on the router to see how well it centres the guides. If it isn't up to scratch, then its time to look at buying a proper one. Its becoming obvious that none of the cheaper local outlets sell the bit I'm after - McJings certainly don't give you one with the plate !

Thanks for all the suggestions

PM sent....

Thanks for the very generous offer - PM sent in reply.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

Thanks for the very generous offer - PM sent in reply.

Cheers

Posted this morning.....