cordless router?
- Thread starter treesner
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ear3
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Who knows, but I would doubt it for the near future. There's no way they would do it with the current, slim form factor of the 700 (unless they were to completely redesign the battery). That would make the 1010 as the next likely candidate, but there again, the pistol grip/knob design would have to be reconfigured for battery placement.
treesner said:
Jiggy Joiner
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treesner said:
The cordless Makita 1/4” router is a gem of a tool. I bought one a while back with all the extra bases, and a guide rail adaptor. It gets used so much, we wonder how we managed without it.
pingvinlakrits
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The OFK500 edge router is a given for a battery platform. With the new sander battery style it would ergonomic sense too. I would get one even though I would prefer the regular style batteries.
This would be great, but I wouldn't want Festool to release a cordless version of the MFK, not with it's limitations as a small form factor router (granted it has other strengths). I want the option for a plunge base, longer bits, template routing, etc. I would want something similar to the routers released by Dewalt and Makita. I have a low level of confidence Festool would even consider it...unfortunately.
Looking at the other options, I haven't been a fan of the height adjustment on the Makita fixed base. It's crude (can't easily microadjust it). So even though I have the corded Makita, I gave the cordless Dewalt a shot. I do like the height adjustment better and the D base gives me a little more stability which I like. As soon as I sort out the dust collection connection to the Festool hose (something that's straightforward with the Makita), I'll give it a whirl. It does sound like it has less power compared to the corded Makita. Shouldn't matter for edge profiling, but for plowing grooves/dados, it might prove to be slightly underpowered.
Looking at the other options, I haven't been a fan of the height adjustment on the Makita fixed base. It's crude (can't easily microadjust it). So even though I have the corded Makita, I gave the cordless Dewalt a shot. I do like the height adjustment better and the D base gives me a little more stability which I like. As soon as I sort out the dust collection connection to the Festool hose (something that's straightforward with the Makita), I'll give it a whirl. It does sound like it has less power compared to the corded Makita. Shouldn't matter for edge profiling, but for plowing grooves/dados, it might prove to be slightly underpowered.
I switched over to the Makita cordless router about a year ago. I bought one in the morning and was so impressed with the test results that I picked up a second at lunchtime. It would be a top-notch trim router if it was corded; the cordless ability is icing on the cake.
WastedP said:
Uh, isn't it available corded as the Makita RT0701/0700?
Or do you mean with the brushless motor which the battery units have?
Aren't there adapters which take the place of the battery and allow one to use an 18V power supply to drive the units directly?
DeformedTree
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JimH2 said:
While this is often true, some tools are a bit different. If you have a dust hose pointing straight up and a cord coming off a router horizontally, then getting rid of the cord makes things work much better. My current router setup would work much better with a battery powered router as the hose and cord are very hard to manage together as they really are not design to work well in that setup. It's not like most your Festool Tools where they made the 2 come off together.
The new batteries that trigger the CT's to run also make the overall idea work much better.
martin felder
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If I need dust collection then being cordless is of little use to me. The hose is far more bulky than the power cord so I really don't see any advantage if dust collection is involved other than knowing I may need to swap batteries.
That is how I always thought of routers and sanders and biscuit jointers and the domino. If I had any of those tools battery powered, I would be tempted to use them without the dust collection and I would not want that temptation. Moreover, I would have to have battery chargers everywhere with a charged spare on hand. I could see a battery powered router an attractive option for people who want to do things like a roundover on trim or mortise hinges etc. I would think those who work on job sites vs in a dedicated shop would have way more interest in battery powered tools. Just an opinion. I also think it would be nice for Festool to have those options available for those who want these tools so they can keep things Festool which has some advantages.
That is how I always thought of routers and sanders and biscuit jointers and the domino. If I had any of those tools battery powered, I would be tempted to use them without the dust collection and I would not want that temptation. Moreover, I would have to have battery chargers everywhere with a charged spare on hand. I could see a battery powered router an attractive option for people who want to do things like a roundover on trim or mortise hinges etc. I would think those who work on job sites vs in a dedicated shop would have way more interest in battery powered tools. Just an opinion. I also think it would be nice for Festool to have those options available for those who want these tools so they can keep things Festool which has some advantages.
GoingMyWay
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My cordless Makita router is setup as my dedicated roundover router. It is nice to be "untethered" with no cord or dust collection hose, but I wasn't crazy about all the dust and shavings that were left behind. As a result, I just recently bought the Makita dust port accessory so I can have some dust extraction. I do like having the option of being completely cordless if I just need to make a real quick roundover.
If you're going to buy into another battery platform - I'd suggest this little guy:
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/palm-routers-gkf12v-25n-196784-p/
It's a gem and punches well above it's weight. Though not as versatile as the makita or dewalt , I subscribe to the "you can never have enough routers" school. Which means I have another unit that's more suited for that task and don't really need the versatility.
As far as Festool is concerned; don't hold your breath. :
They have been behind the market on cordless tools from the get go, especially compact / 12v versions. Part of it cultural. Their leaders didn't gauge the wind correctly decades ago and I suspect they just don't have the resources to devote to catching up.
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/palm-routers-gkf12v-25n-196784-p/
It's a gem and punches well above it's weight. Though not as versatile as the makita or dewalt , I subscribe to the "you can never have enough routers" school. Which means I have another unit that's more suited for that task and don't really need the versatility.
As far as Festool is concerned; don't hold your breath. :
They have been behind the market on cordless tools from the get go, especially compact / 12v versions. Part of it cultural. Their leaders didn't gauge the wind correctly decades ago and I suspect they just don't have the resources to devote to catching up.
HarveyWildes
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Just used my Milwaukee M18 trim router for the first time, and I love it. It's silky smooth and had plenty of power for what I was doing. It comes with a dust attachment that works with my Festool dust extractor, and virtually eliminates dust for surface work. I haven't tried it for edge work yet. I'm looking forward to taking some of my routing outside this summer and it seems perfect for the job.
I just ordered the Lee Valley clear base plate and trim router fence. If they work well, I'll consider their small trim router table as well, as it looks mobile enough to cart outside as well.
I just ordered the Lee Valley clear base plate and trim router fence. If they work well, I'll consider their small trim router table as well, as it looks mobile enough to cart outside as well.
xedos said:
I got one of those (chosen, in part, because I already had a few other tools that used the same batteries), I think it works well - although dust collection is non existent.
I've been wondering about making my own base for it from acrylic sheet, to which I might attach the dust catcher from something else for dust collecting from below - though the size and weight of the hose compared to the router would negate some of its compactness and convenience.
