Best way to use the OF1400

[Lancashire Fusilier]

As a relative novice when it comes to woodworking I would like to ask how I should practice using my new 1400. I have some timber that I can rout away with but wondered what bits should I play with first etc because I want to be safe and it is a bit of a scary machine when you haven't used one before. I have used a router in a table to cut ogees with but never hand held so any help appreciated please.

 

[Eli]

For just play, no specific reason? Roundover bit. If you're really freaked set it very high (don't plunge deep), and it won't take much off, making a ridiculously easy to control router even easier.

Don't Fear the Router
Router Feed Direction

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Lancashire,

I agree with experimenting with a roundover (quarter round) bit on some edges.  And to experiment with the plunge function, a straight bit and some sort of guide (one of Festool's edge guide #492636 or guide stop #492601 together with guide rail, or simply any straight board clamped to your work piece) to make some practice dados.  Your experience is the reverse of mine.  I did not have a decent router table until I had been woodworking >20 years!  And instead of using an ogee bit, I used a combination of coving and quarter round bits with an edge guide to create molded edges on many early American styled pieces that I built.  Just remember to keep both hands on the 1400 when under power, and have fun!

Dave R.

 

[Eli]

I still don't have a router table, I hope to make the CMS my first.

 

[Qwas]

Start with some edging bits that have ball bearings on the bottom. The ball bearings help in controlling the router.

Next, you might try some straight bits for making dados. Start with smaller diameter bits like 1/4, 3/8 inch cutting diameter. Set up a board on top of the work to act as a straight edge or use the guide rail system if you have all the parts. Only cut about 1/8  inch deep to get a feel for it. Then try 1/4 inch. Next you might try the same bit to make a rabbet on the edge of a board. The bit will feel different since there isn't wood on both sides of the bit.

After this, try your luck at free hand. Draw a curvy line and see how well you can follow it. Again, start by only taking 1/16 to 1/8 inch off the wood.  The deeper you cut, the harder to control. Likewise, larger diameters can be harder to control depending on the bit's function.

I suspect you will have no problems with a little practice and will be glad you made the plunge into routing. (Pun intended)

 

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Thank you all very much for that help. I will tackle a piece or two of Tasmanian Oak. To be clear I don't have a table router but used my Father-in-law's triton setup to make a display cabinet one summer from the Aussie Woodsmith magazine which turned out great. BTW I took him to the Festool dealer in Melbourne and he came home, put his Triton 2000 on eBay and then purchased the CS50 trimming saw set!

I have converted one over to Festool at least!