1400 Router Pros and Cons

[Shadow]

Considering purchasing Festool 1400 Router and CMS Router Table and would appreciate any comments Pros or Cons.

Thanks,

 

[Vondawg]

Try the FOGs search..., it is full of great testimonies and examples....one of the best !
And from all over the world...YouTube has countless visuals of the router in action as well....

 

[mouppe]

There are loads of pros, but it's biggest con is its inability to take large diameter bits without a work-around. Also, the OF2200's base switching is much easier than the OF1400's with all the screws involved.

 

[Holmz]

Considering purchasing Festool 1400 Router and CMS Router Table and would appreciate any comments Pros or Cons.

Thanks,

Pros: a good router for use outside of a router table.

Cons: you can get a PC router or a bunch of other routers with a lot more power... As well as a good lift like the Jessum for the same amount of money and have a better system for a exclusive table use.

You still may want the 1400 or a smaller router for hand held use, but for a table it is hard to beat raw power and a good lift.

 

[bobfog]

The pros are many, it's one of Festool's crown jewel tools. The only real shortcoming is the handle isn't to everyone's liking and some people  simply can't get used to it and revert to more traditional handled routers from other manufacturers.

 

[Birdhunter]

I think it would be a waste to hide such a great tool under a router table when a simple PC motor will suffice in some great retail router tables. Unless you need the portability of the Festool router table, I just don't see the value.

I have all 3 Festool routers plus the little 700. The 1400 gets most of the usage.

I agree the 2200 is a better designed router, but it's a beast to handle. The 1010 is fun to use for light duty tasks, but its 1/4" shaft limitation is significant.

 

[fignewton]

It's the smoothest running router I've used (including PC, Triton, Craftsman).  The dust collection is superb.  And the LR32 system for doing shelf pin holes is amazing.

 

[ScotF]

It is a good router with power, smooth, versatile, etc. The DC is its weakness...shroud only works with smaller bits and seems like an after thought. DC on 1010 and 2200 is much, much better and works with all bits each can hold.

 

[Holmz]

It's the smoothest running router I've used (including PC, Triton, Craftsman).  The dust collection is superb.  And the LR32 system for doing shelf pin holes is amazing.

How does one use the LR32 with the router in a router table?
There is nothing amazing

 

[Iceclimber]

I dont see any cons. Its a great machine.

On the other hand i am not very frugal nor am i practical.

If we are taking performance and overall design its a ten..

If we are talking overall value well most all Festools dont much fit that criteria. Sure some more than others like my new Domino. Being Festool is the only one to make such a tool and the increase in productivity its unique or well not so unique but well improved design over a traditional biscuit machine its a exceptional value.

My oppinion is if you want the 1400 just purchase it. If you dint really have your heart set on the 1400 specifically most any rounter will probably make you happy.

 

[fignewton]

It's the smoothest running router I've used (including PC, Triton, Craftsman).  The dust collection is superb.  And the LR32 system for doing shelf pin holes is amazing.

How does one use the LR32 with the router in a router table?
There is nothing amazing

since the LR32 depends on the holey rail, you obviously can't use it on a router table.  And compared to every other way I've tried to layout and drill shelf pins with other jigs for the past 20 years, it was amazing to me.

 

[mcooley]

Pros: Great control, runs smooth, enough power and good power control, track friendly, etc.

Cons: No grip on the handle, no light, some parts like the router plate and dust shrouds are a bit cumbersome, depth gauge is mildly non-intuitive and plastic cam levers for tightening don't always feel robust (similar to Domino cam levers), etc.

Verdict: I actually like using it because of the control and ease of use despite some of the things I listed as drawbacks. But again, it's strength is away from the router table. I give it 8 out of 10 when compared out of the Festool line. In the Festool line I don't know because it's the only Festool router I own. 

 

[ear3]

Note too that Jesse makes a lift that fits the 1400, so you aren't necessarily locked into the cms
http://www.jessemdirect.com/mobile/Product.aspx?id=380

 

[grbmds]

If you are going to use the 1400 merely as a table mounted router, I wouldn't spend that kind of money on a router/table combo. I purchased the Incra table/fence/lift/under table dust collection, and the PC motor for under table mounting. The whole setup is amazing. It's fairly easy to assemble, setup, and use and is extremely accurate both vertically and the fence. I looked at the Festool router table and have used it a couple of times in Festool classes. While the dust collection is probably the best, I don't like the fence. It can't compare to Incra for accuracy and precision. Also, the Incra table with either Incra's stand or one you would make yourself is much more solid than the Festool table. If you need to fold up the table and take it with you to job sites, then I'd say it may be the one for you. If you use in your shop exclusively, then I'd recommend the Incra combo.

The 1400 excels as a handheld router, so if that is what you will use it for, I can see no downsides. Dust collection is fantastic. It's accurate. It works on the guide rails and t hat is a great feature. Also, the lineup marks on the base of the router are for the center of the bit which allows easy setup to match your layout. I love it as a handheld router.

 

[Shadow]

Thanks for your information, since I plan to use the router in a table I decided to go with an Incra System.

 

[Holmz]

Thanks for your information, since I plan to use the router in a table I decided to go with an Incra System.

What router are you stuff in there?

 

[grbmds]

Thanks for your information, since I plan to use the router in a table I decided to go with an Incra System.

[member=63199]Shadow[/member] For me, that was a great choice. Don't want to get the thread off track, but I wanted to be sure you understood about the router that you plan to use in the table. I don't think the OF1400 will work with the Incra (actually a Jessem I think) lift. It might, but I chose to buy the PC7518 motor that is sold on the Incra store site (incramentaltools.com). The Jessem lift is setup out of the box for that lift and mounts very easily.

If you compare prices, I would guess that you would find their site is probably at least as good as any other for Incra. Unless they changed their policy, the first purchase from them will result in 10% off their prices (if you sign up for their preferred customer list). The only problem is that their shipping costs are high and the 10% might just pay for shipping.

 

[grbmds]

Since I posted last I saw in another thread that Jessem does make a router lift that works with the OF1400. However, Incra doesn't list that router as one that can be mounted in their lift. This would be one thing you'd have to verify if you wanted to go with the OF1400. However, it is nice to have a router mounted in the table dedicated to the  table as it isn't that quick a job to mount and unmount the router.

 

[Holmz]

There are few good choices for the router table the PC is of them.

For hand held the 1400 makes more sense than using a 3HP/2kW beast of a router with less than optimal dust collection.

Stuffing the 1400 in the table makes no sense compared to using a beastly router with double the power.

You probably eventually need two routers anyhow, if we assume that one stays in the table and you also need a hand held one.
Luckily those two routers are not exactly the same.

 

[DiscoStu]

I have a 1400 and use it outside of a table and it's a great bit of kit. I have the Triton TRA001 in my table and that seems to be a sensible move. Very powerful and able to be adjust from above it's a great option but for anything outside of the table I use the 1400.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk