Thread: Questions on hand-me-down BOSCH GOF 1300 ACE router

1. Yes you need a spanner but it doesn’t have to be a flat pressed steel jobby. Inserting the bit is no different to your palm router; but removing it IS. These are two-stage collets so to remove the bit first you loosen the collet nut until it is free. Then you have to keep unwinding it until it becomes tight again. Put the spanner on it again and give it another turn then and only then will the bit be able to be removed.

2. The existing collet will only take 1/2” bits; to use other sizes you need to either use an adaptor (cheap) or purchase additional Bosch collets (expensive but better).

3. Sounds like maybe the plunge rods are corroded and/or packed with dust/gunge. The black garters are supposed to protect the rods from dust ingress and moisture but they do make it hard to keep an eye on them… if they are just gummed you can clean them with any solvent and lubricate them with a drying silicone lubricant. If they are corroded them hit them with fine steel wool. Worst case you might need to strip the machine down to get to them. In a pinch you can just throw WD40/Inox at them until they free up but oils attract dust.

4. Yes you can table mount it.

HERE is a manual for your machine

I have one of these beasts, bought sometime in the 90's.

It's a half-inch collet, not sure if you can get other sizes to suit, but reducers are easy to come by for 1/2 down to 1/4 or 8mm, 6mm, etc.

Spanner - I think they are a 5/8'ths, but you're right that the lever locks the mechanism while you tighten. Remember not to tighten it up at all unless there's a router bit in there.

Your 3rd and 4th questions are kind of related. I had mine mounted in a Triton router table for about a decade, and I *think* that's why it then suffered all kinds of stickiness woes, both on the plunge mechanism (might just be down to the dust over the years) and also the depth locking mechanism (which meant that it would slowly slip down (up?) while in the table.

I recall trying to find some advice on repair for this several years ago, and that's when I discovered plunge, and locking mechanisms were renowned for losing their will to live on this model, plus many people complaining about runout (it wasn't clear if this was a wear over time thing, or quality on the original manufacturer, or a change in expectations since the 90's). There was some chap out near Parramatta (NSW, AU) IIRC that had a good reputation for servicing them, but it wasn't cheap, convenient (for me to get to), and basically just questionable economics. There were some guides online for DIY disassembly, but again, between part costs plus my woefully under-skilled labour ... ; )

Anyway, I'll defer to better informed people on this forum, but my use case for it now is hand-held, and only when I need to use some >8mm bits that I can't fit in a smaller tool.

If you do try mounting upside down, watch carefully for slippage. I believe you can get or make jigs to lock the body in place, rather than relying on the locking clamp - though I expect that quickly becomes soul-destroying if you're changing bits or fine-adjusting heights regularly.

I have one of these too and find it a very smooth running machine. Mine hasn't had a lot of use as I use a Triton in the Router Table so the Bosch is only for handheld use which I don't do a lot of.
The spanner required is a 24mm and as Chief says just get any open end spanner you can, nothing special.
If you intend to mount it in a table and want to use reducing collets in it for 1/4" shanks try to get a collet with a collar on one end. The collar stops the reducer from falling down inside the 1/2" collet when you release the nut. Below are a couple of samples.

Collets.jpg

My Bosche 1300 ACE also was getting to the point of being sticky on using the plunge function .I stripped it down & gave the plunge posts a light rub with WD40 & 1200 sanding paper.Been ok since doing that.

Ok finally got around to cleaning up the plunge arms. Rubbed on some WD40 and then sanded with 400grit paper. Now it’s nice and plungey

I recently bought some 1/2" bits to fit into the Bosch router to hog out the material in these shallow dishes that I'm making, since I don't want to do the hogging out on four dishes with my palm router (I've done that before and it's time-consuming and probably not good for my palm router's motor as the temptation is to take out more material than I what should with each pass).

I must say ... what a difference the extra power - and a bigger bit - in the larger Bosch router makes!

What I quickly learned, however, is that I have to painstakingly avoid running the 1/2"bit into the dish's lip that I created. It was at this moment that I finally understood what bushings can be used for

So my next question, since the Bosh have their own quick-lock-release system, where in Australia sells the bushings? I can only find a set via Amazon UK; or would I be better off getting this Leigh adaptor from Carbatec (actually, I would just need the adaptor ring) so that I can attach non-Bosch bushings?

More generally, since this was a hand me down unit without accessories, where's a good place to source accessories for it?

IMG_5604.jpg

The Bosch template bushes are unique as they are a bayonet fit into the base; but you can buy aftermarket base adapters to take other brands. Timbecon used to sell Milescraft adaptor sets.

But if you just want one or two buying genuine Bosch is probably the most cost effective and definately easier. THIS PAGE gives you all the part numbers and you can buy them from any decent tool retailer; Trade Tools, Total Tools, Sydney Tools; even Bunnings from the Special Orders desk.

Excellent resource. Thanks for linking.