1/4" router Festool or cheaper?

A

andyman

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May 23, 2012
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I need a small router for hinges small round overs etc. was thinking OF1010 but now thinking Trend T4, looks similar to old diy bosch router I bought when I was 15 [cool] now that was 20 odd years ago and has had a lot of abuse it was an awesome router but seen better days.  Anyway I'm thinking I could buy 4 trend for the price of 1 fes any thoughts
 
seen this one and looks good, or is it trying to wear too many hats,  I'm just thinking Trend T4 £70.00 Festool £279.00 & put the saving towards a of1400
 
I know a lot of guys who really like that model, more so then the ultra popular Bosch Colt. It has the extended base which is nice. I don't even think it has DC. You will really like the OF1400 as an all around router, but if you played with the 1010 and 1400, you would see the need for both. It's good to have a few routers so that certain ones just do one thing. They compliment each other well. The Makita is a true one handed tool. Eric
 
Whereas you asked on a Festool forum, based on what you are talking about the OF 1010 would seem to work well.  Although it is more expensive than other brands it has very good dust collection and it really shines as your needs grow.  The accessories that compliment it are pretty amazing in scope and its size allows it be be a hybrid.  It's downfall is that it does not accept a 1/2 collet, but that may not be needed in your current situation.

Peter
 
have a 2 no 1/2" makita 1 in a table, but other is showing its age I loved the little bosch so easy to view the work, light only downside no dc, I cant see me using a 1/4" router with the guide rail etc,  nearly bought an of1400 last week when buying domino xl but managed to say no JUST
 
I have a 1400, 1010, two Bosch Colts (one was given to me), an ancient Elu (Model 77?) and a Trend T4. I like each one for varying reasons. The Colt is great for one-hand use, but has no plunge base. Bosch has since released one, but I do not have it. The offset base for the Colt is quite handy. I picked up the Trend T4 for its plunge ability. Got the 1010 some time later. If I had already had the 1010, I probably would have passed on the T4. Dust collection on the T4 is not that good, but the router performs well. I have used it a couple times with the motor removed from the base with a carving burr, it worked well, but was a little unsettling to use that way. I hate to say it, but the Elu is still kinda my favorite, maybe just because I have done so much with it. I retrofitted the dust kit to it, had to use a tube from on old Dust Devil hand vac to make it work. The DeWalt 625 is basically the same router.
 
I have the PC 690 and havent touched it since Ive gotten the ten ten. Even though it can use 1/2 shank bits Id rather buy 1/4" shank bits then use the 690.

Its just a nice router. Plus the dust collection is awesome. No sweeping up afterwards. I havent even used my table mounted router as I can do most things I used to need a table mounted router to do with a ten ten hand held.
 
1010 is a great router but hugely overkill to use for hinges.  Make a lot more sense to buy a trimmer (I like the new Makita as well as the new Dewalt) for $79-100 US and dedicate it to a bit and leave it.

Another option is the Dewalt 621 2HP model.  Has very similar built-in dust collection like the 1010, plunge as well and accepts 1/2" bits to boot.  I'm not a big Dewalt promoter, but the 621 and 625 routers are old ELU designs and I think are still European made.

Had both the 1010 and the 1400, sold the 1400: the 1010 is the Festool router to have.  There are plenty of good quality midrange (2-2 1/4HP) routers that have cheesy clip on dust ports like the 1400, so the dust collection advantage is somewhat compromised in my opinion.  Sure, it's the best thing since sliced bread, but it's mucho costly and there are other good choices imo.

JT

 
To my understanding, the Makita is quite the modular system.  In one review I read, every single part and attachment fits on all the different bases.  I've only seen the fixed based version at a Home Depot, but it seems pretty solidly built.

I've never understood the appeal of the Colts, other than possibly when they were introduced, they were really the only new styled lam trimmer on the block.  Now though, especially with the cheesy height adjustment and possible lingering issues with the arbor lock, there's no compelling reason to buy them.

I'm pretty impressed with the new Dewalt I recently picked up, the LED lights are very handy.

JT
 
^^^^+1
Never saw the attraction to the Colt.  Not a Dewalt fan, but I got the palm router a year or two ago and really like it. As mentioned the LED is great.

John
 
andyman said:
I need a small router for hinges small round overs etc. was thinking OF1010 but now thinking Trend T4, looks similar to old diy bosch router I bought when I was 15 [cool] now that was 20 odd years ago and has had a lot of abuse it was an awesome router but seen better days.  Anyway I'm thinking I could buy 4 trend for the price of 1 fes any thoughts
Click to expand...

Just buy the festool and be done with it. With the £50 off voucher it comes in at just over £300 and that includes the guide rail adaptor. Picked mine up yesterday to replace my 4 year old T4 and there is no comparison. If you don't like it you've still got 15 days to get a refund.
 
that makits router looks killer I read that the guide rail adapter is compatible with festools guide rail. can anyone confirm this?
 
Ye I think I read the same, I'm heading towards it as have found it for 200 pounds including vat, and being able to use it with a rail is a plus
 
I've got 5 routers - Bosch, DeWalt, Triton a 1400 and a 1010, and I just love the 1010.  The edging accessories work brilliantly and it's just a delight to use.

I know Makita have a good reputation, but I can't imagine not having the 1010.

Andrew
 
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