1400 Router Versus 700 Router

[pjblues]

Let me first state, I am a home hobby person. I have the Festool 1400 Router mounted in my Festool table and am thinking about purchasing another router to use so I do not have to unmount the 1400 when I want to hand route or cut dados not on the Festool table. Is the 700 router heavy enough to do dados? Should I just invest in another 1400? A person near me has a 2200 for sale for $425, brand new without the attachments. Would this be a better investment? Some insight by you folks that are much more experienced than me would be appreciated.

Like most of you, I have went all in with Festool.

Thanks.

Pat

Festool, 55 Saw, 1400 Router, Carvex, Router Table System, MFT Table, 18 Drill, 500 Domino

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

The 700 is best suited to edge work. You can probably cut grooves with it, but you will need multiple shallow passes. If you think you'll be doing a lot of light edge profiles though the 700 is awesome!

If you want a solid free hand router, but want something a little more nimble than the 1400, you may want to consider the OF 1010.

$425 for a new condition 2200 is a killer deal, just make sure it's not overkill for your needs.

 

[gsdvorak]

+1 on Tom's comments- I have one of each Festool routers and based on your description, a 1010 might fit the bill.  However, a 2200 new for $425 is too good of a price if you have the $$$.  I got my 2200 as a demo for $550 and thought that was awesome.

Best of luck on your purchase.

Regards,
Gerald

 

[waho6o9]

Tom has some solid advice.

I say get the 2200 and the 1010 and you're good to go.

A person near me has a 2200 for sale for $425, brand new without the attachments. Would this be a better investment?
Yes, and without a doubt.

If possible, mount the 2200 in the table and you'll have the 1400
for other tasks.

 

[Sparktrician]

Tom has some solid advice.

I say get the 2200 and the 1010 and you're good to go.

A person near me has a 2200 for sale for $425, brand new without the attachments. Would this be a better investment?
Yes, and without a doubt.

If possible, mount the 2200 in the table and you'll have the 1400
for other tasks.

Concur on all points, HOWEVER, be aware that Festool does not support the use of the OF 2200 in the CMS anywhere in North America.  They say further that use of the OF 2200 in your CMS may/will void your warranty.  Not saying it CAN'T be done.  Just making you aware of the potential implications. 

 

[wow]

...mount the 2200 in the table and you'll have the 1400
for other tasks.

The OF2200 mounted in the CMS is used safely all over the world - just not in NA. Even with the caveats from Festool about warranty, this is exactly what I'd do.

But I'd never admit it publicly!

[wink]

 

[pjblues]

The router for $425 is a new OF2000, sorry, I got the model wrong. I think this will make a difference as far as mounting it in the CMS Table. I don't think it can be done.

 

[grbmds]

Just a quick commen . . . I don't own the 1010 but I believe it does not accept 1/2" bits. Based on my experience I try not to use 1/4" bits when dadoing, if at all possible (except when the dado is 1/4" maybe). I've broken bits and, while this is not common, it does make me take much shallower cuts with 1/4" diameter shanks. So, if dadoing is one of your uses I know I'd use a router which can accommodate 1/2" shanks. That's me though.

 

[ear3]

The 1010 only accepts 1/4" and 8mm shanks.  I was going through the same decision over the previous week and I decided to get the 1010 rather than the MFK700.  First off cost: the MFK is ideal for edge banding, but to get the horizontal 0 degree base you have to spend another $125.  You spend basically the same amount for the accessories to do horizontal routing on the 1010, but the base price is almost 100 less.

Since I don't own the MFK and have only started using the 1010, I can't make apples to apples comparison, but the other reason I got the 1010 rather than the MFK (I already have the 1400) is for versatility and compatability with guide rail.  The MFK doesn't hook into the guide rail system.  And it's also spec-ed for a maximum cutting length of 5/8".  As I sometimes put hardwood caps on plywood in excess of 5/8", the MFK wouldn't have worked for that trimming operation.  And then there's the operation I'm going to do tonight which I couldn't do with the MFK, which is to profile the edge of a face frame that's already attached to the cabinet.  The 1400 would be a bit bulky for this operation, riding on edge that is 1 3/4 wide (doable with edge guide, but risky).  But the 1010 is perfect -- light, but powerful enough to cut a substantial edge profile.

If you have lots of veneer work to do, I would say get the MFK.  If you're looking for more  versatility, I would say the 1010.

 

[Birdhunter]

I'm embarrassed to admit I own each of the Festool routers. I am a serious hobbiest that sometimes does commission work.

The 1400 and the 1010 get all of my work. The 2200 is wonderfully engineered, but is a beast to handle. I don't do much edge banding so rarely use the MFK.

The 1010 is delightful to use if the job can be done with a 1/4" shank bit.

The 1400 has the power to do 90% of the routing I do and its ergonomics are very good.