Considering the of 1400

[Tecjunkie]

I am looking at the of 1400 as my main router, I will be using it for edge profiles, dados, and some small slab flattening. I just bought the new 1/2 inch 18v Milwaukee combo kit but I’m thinking of returning it and getting the of 1400. Looking for any advice on this.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

The OF1400 is my primary, go-to handheld router for everything other than those times when a fixed base with a lower center of gravity is the better functional choice. I find the OF1400 to be comfortable to use and the dust collection capability is pretty good for the nature of the tool. I had the pleasure years ago of playing with a pre-production one for a week and ordered my own the minute it was available. While I also own the OF1010, I tend to pull out the OF1400 more often, even for small tasks. (I also don't have much .25" or 8mm tooling other than what I use with my CNC)

 

[Coen]

Depends on what you use it for. I also own both 1400 and 1010, but I use the 1010 more. It's just a bit easier to handle due to height and weight. When I use the CMS I tend to put the 1400 in there to leave the 1010 free for handheld use. For edges I bought an MFK 700 some time ago and I love it.

Some bigger bits (12mm shaft ones) don't fit the 1010 so that is automatic 1400 use. In reality all that I do with the 1010 can be done with the 1400, but 80% of what I do can be easier done with the 1010 and 10% cannot be done with the 1010 at all.

I only have 8mm and 12mm bits. Where I live, those are the only collets provided with in the Systainer by default.

 

[luvmytoolz]

The 1400 is an absolutely sensational router, you will love having it.

The 1400 is a bit more manoeuvrable as others have mentioned, which makes a nice go to router for most jobs. The amount of plunge depth is really good too.

 

[nvalinski]

Depending on how small your slab flattening is, the OF 1400 may be enough. For edges/detailed template routing/dovetails/nearly 70% of my routing work, I use the OF 1010. For larger work including slab flattening and larger dados, the OF 2200 has become my favorite. I find the OF 1400 to be a little bit too top heavy for big work but too large for small work, so it doesn't get much use unless I have multiple routing steps going on at once.

 

[cpw]

I think the OF2200 is the best router out there.  I find it more ergonomic than the 1400.  I bought a 1400 on Recon, but never find myself reaching for it instead of the 2200.  The 1010 and MFK700 definitely have their place and I use both of those regularly, but if I want something bigger it is always the 2200.

 

[Sparktrician]

I think that the OF 1400 is the ideal router in the OP's use case.  It sure is a sweet router for almost anything. 

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I see the OF1400 as perfect for this situation. It is big/heavy enough for some slab flattening, with the horizontal handle being very ergonomic for that purpose. I would not necessarily use it for heavy removal, on large slabs, every day. The OF2200 would be better for that more intense use.
As a few of the others have said, I also use an OF1010, probably more often, because I have a decent selection of 8mm shank tooling to compliment it.
The OF1010 hits the sweet-spot for me, since I do quite a bit of template work with it, though I would not subject it to flattening.
MFK700 is a completely different thing. They are fantastic, for edge work, but limited beyond that.

 

[smorgasbord]

I would not necessarily use it for heavy removal, on large slabs, every day. The OF2200 would be better for that more intense use.

I would think jigging up a hand-held planer would be better for slab flattening. Yeah, it costs more to buy another tool than many woodworkers wouldn't otherwise own, but when you consider that companies are selling slab flattening router jigs for more than $1,000, buying a $150 planer and upgrading to a spiral cutterhead for another $150, seems to make more sense to me.

Here's one way to jig up a hand-held planer:

 

[Crazyraceguy]

[member=77266]smorgasbord[/member] those are great for knocking down high spots and getting the whole thing more "smooth" or "even" but that's not necessarily "flat" (as in all in the same plane) They are just too short to actually flatten. Bench-top jointers suffer from this too.
Commercially made flattening jigs are indeed expensive, but it's not really hard to make one yourself.

 

[smorgasbord]

[member=77266]smorgasbord[/member] those are great for knocking down high spots and getting the whole thing more "smooth" or "even" but that's not necessarily "flat" (as in all in the same plane) They are just too short to actually flatten. Bench-top jointers suffer from this too.
Commercially made flattening jigs are indeed expensive, but it's not really hard to make one yourself.

I agree on all points. But, if one is going to mostly dedicate a router for slab flattening, I think a hand-held planer might be the better option, though. Cheaper, can take deeper cuts and wider cuts for speed, cuts with the grain, and with a spiral cutterhead can leave at least as good a finish if the jig is rigid enough.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I’m with smorgasbord on using a planer for planing.

And thanks for posting the video.
That guy is brilliant and the video has no blather to listen to.

 

[Coen]

My OF-1400 worked just fine to flatten an old oak table.
[attachimg=1]

The bit is a CMT 922.034.11
I considered the Festool 492701 before buying this CMT bit, but the CMT had a 23.5mm longer shaft which helped with facilitating a fatter jig.

 

[Tecjunkie]

Thanks for all the information, I’m planning to return the Milwaukee tomorrow and pickup the 1400. I thought the Milwaukee would be good with having both bases so I could set one in a table and use the plunge base for everything else. I know it has a little more power but I tested the 1400 in a store today and I feel like the ergonomics of the handle feels better to me and the dust collection will be a lot better. I also should have clarified the slab flattening aspect, I plan to mostly go over some end grain cutting boards and flatten some small line edge pieces. I do have a planer and jointer if needed for standard milling.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[simonh]

I like the OF1400. It's a jack of all trades and can tackle most things even if its not the most specialized for a task. Obviously, if your flattening slabs all day or cutting worktops then you might want a OF2200. Or, if your mainly doing just lightweight stuff with 1/4" shank cutters the OF1010 will probably suffice. Or, just edge work then an 700. They all have their place, but the OF1400 is pretty flexible with 1/4 and 1/2" collets and available accessories for the rail or MFS.

 

[luvmytoolz]

[member=66875]simonh[/member] I agree with the slab flattening, I flattened an English Oak slab last week taking off 50mm wide by around 8mm deep passes using my old 1850W ELU router, and it was a bit of a push at times.

I'd be concerned using the OF1400 rated @1400W for that sort of work on anything more than rare basis. The OF2200 would absolutely be the better one as you say in that case. Not putting it down as I love my 1400, but to put it another way, the OF1400 is less than twice the power rating of the MFK700 trimmer.

 

[smorgasbord]

50mm wide by around 8mm deep passes using my old 1850W ELU router, and it was a bit of a push at times.

8mm deep at 50mm wide is a lot of material to remove in one pass! That's quite impressive, both for the old Elu router as well as the rigidity and controllability of your sled setup. I wouldn't even try that depth with a sledded hand-held planer (whose blades, of course, are about 85mm wide).

 

[luvmytoolz]

50mm wide by around 8mm deep passes using my old 1850W ELU router, and it was a bit of a push at times.

8mm deep at 50mm wide is a lot of material to remove in one pass! That's quite impressive, both for the old Elu router as well as the rigidity and controllability of your sled setup. I wouldn't even try that depth with a sledded hand-held planer (whose blades, of course, are about 85mm wide).

So long as I kept a steady pace it handled it really well without labouring too much. The sled itself is embarrassing, I sold my linear rail sled years back thinking I wouldn't need it, so had to make a quick and dirty one from some scrap fence pickets! Did the job admirably though! I do also find with the big 55mm x 30mm spiral insert cutter on the 1400 that it labours a bit at times, whereas the 2200 just laughs at it.

[attachimg=1]

 

[smorgasbord]

I think this is a bit overkill, but the links to the linear guides and bearings seem good for the price:

I think it's pretty amazing what 3D printing and CNC routers have done for linear rails and bearings in terms of quality and pricing. Heck, the whole 2020 extrusion market has made all sorts of jigs and fences better. I used a 30150 extrusion (30mm x 150mm) as the basis for my router table fence, which turned out great.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I think this is a bit overkill, but the links to the linear guides and bearings seem good for the price:

I think it's pretty amazing what 3D printing and CNC routers have done for linear rails and bearings in terms of quality and pricing. Heck, the whole 2020 extrusion market has made all sorts of jigs and fences better. I used a 30150 extrusion (30mm x 150mm) as the basis for my router table fence, which turned out great.

Being heavily into CNC I've actually got an assortment of 2.7m/1.6m/0.8m rails and bearings, just need to dig them out and build it. I think this will move up my extensive list of things to do as I'm getting into wood/resin charcuterie boards in a big way!