Dewalt DCW620 vs Festool OF1400

[Windows]

Can I get some perspectives on the Dewalt DCW620 as it relates to Festool and the OF1400 in particular? I’ve never used a Dewalt tool, but I’m in the market for a router and there are some appealing features notably the kickback protection and battery operation and Dewalt are claiming good dust collection which seems to be backed up by a thoughtful design at leat (and I’m not completely price insensitive). Any opinions on the Dewalt? Anyone used both the Dewalt and the OF1400? Is this a machine that will put pressure on Festool to change its router lineup or is this just another router that simply looks good in demos and on spec sheets?

 

[Packard]

I have the DeWalt 611 combination (two bases, one is fixed; the other is plunge).  Mine is the compact, corded version. 

I can say that DeWalt has an eye on compatibility with Festool.  They sell an adapter that works with Festool’s track.  I have that, and it works fine. 

Bit changes are easy.  And the 110 volt router that I have is compact and light enough to be easily maneuvered. 

I believe it came with both a 1/4” and 1/2” collet.  I have larger routers, so I have never tried using 1/2” in my router. 

Cordless is handy if you are doing a lot of on-site work.  But it is heavier and bulkier than the corded router.  I only use my routers in my shop so I don’t miss the greater portability of the battery-powered version.  I prefer the convenience of not dealing with batteries.

I have an older Porter-Cable 690, which for many years was what I considered the industry’s do-all standard.  I think the the compact DeWalt is filling those shoes nowadays.  Not fancy, but thoroughly competent.

My shop gets messy when I am in the middle of a project.  I like that the yellow color quickly catches my eye.  The P-C router is all black and aluminum and blended in with all the machinery and other tools.  A small point that my only apply to my situation, but for me, an advantage.

 

[glass1]

The dewalt 621 is an elu design. It’s an excellent lightweight router with good dust collection that excels when a guide bushing is needed as it’s a solid center-able connection. That being said quality has dipped a little over the years and accessories are wanting. The of 1400 is high quality good at many things router with a plethora of attachments. But routers are always what I call plus 1. You can always use another. Just buy both.

 

[jensbodal]

Did you end up trying one or the other? I’m strongly considering going with Festool purely for the sake of being able to turn on my vacuum, but the DewAlt dust collection looks really nice.

 

[wworker]

My journey with Festool routers started with the OF 1010, then the OF 1400, and finally the OF 2200.

Like many on this forum, I initially believed the OF 1400 was the best of both worlds if you could only have one router. However, after using it extensively, I found it to be the worst of both. It was too big and cumbersome for small tasks, yet underpowered for heavy work. Its ergonomics were also poor—the base is too small relative to the height, making it feel unstable, especially for edge profiling.

That instability actually caused me problems on an expensive project, which led me to buy the OF 2200. After using the OF 2200, the difference was night and day. The wider, heavier base provided incredible stability, and the added power made routing effortless. That’s when I realized I had no real place for the OF 1400 in my shop—it wasn’t strong enough for heavy tasks, too bulky for light ones, and just felt awkward to use. So, after testing the OF 2200, I sold the OF 1400 and never looked back.

I kept the OF 1010 for light work, but I’ve always disliked its pistol grip—it never felt stable, and there’s no good way to hold it. It seems designed mainly for routing grooves and dados on a guide rail. While I love the dust collection shroud for edge profiling, I can’t stand that it has to be screwed on. And it should really be cordless by now. Some argue that since you already have a dust hose, adding a power cord doesn’t make much difference, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Removing the cord makes the system at least 50% more nimble. The rubber cord constantly snags, whereas using only the hose feels significantly smoother, even with added battery weight.

For long, I wished Festool would release a compact version of the OF 2200—same ergonomics, same handles, same stability—just smaller, with an easy on/off dust shroud and a battery-powered option for better mobility.

Then, Dewalt came out with the DCW620 and checked every box on my wish list! With a 5Ah Powerstack, it’s an absolute workhorse. As a test, I routed a 13mm deep ballpoint groove in a single plunge (I would do such a thing as a test), and it powered through without an issue—not as smooth as the OF 2200, but it got the job done. Edgework is effortless, it’s not too heavy, takes both 1/4” and 1/2” bits, has a click-in dust shroud, and has a bright LED. It doesn’t control the dust collector but with Bluetooth remotes, starting and stopping the vacuum is literally just the press of a button.

For my needs as a furniture and cabinet maker, the OF 2200 and Dewalt DCW620 make the perfect combination. So much so, that I sold my OF 1010 as well.

If I had to choose between the OF 1400 and the DCW620, I’d pick the new Dewalt every time. And as a bonus, I no longer have to worry about my router wobbling off the edge of my workpiece like it’s trying out for a circus act.

 

[luvmytoolz]

[member=81366]wworker[/member] I think it's a very common misconception that the OF2200 is some sort of unmanageable beast that's only suitable for extremely heavy duty work, the reality is that aside from being an incredibly powerful router, it's also one of the smoothest and highly ergonomic routers available in that class making it extremely easy to control and use.

The OF1400 is a mighty fine router, and I very frequently use it with a spiral bit to trim edges and for template work as it has plenty of grunt for that task, but I do think the handle design is a bit lacking.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

The OF1400 is a mighty fine router, and I very frequently use it with a spiral bit to trim edges and for template work as it has plenty of grunt for that task, but I do think the handle design is a bit lacking.

It does take some getting used to, especially initially. I find that a lot of it has to do with my body's relation to the tool. It seems to work best for me, when I am somewhat above it. This puts my wrist in a better position.
I have found that over time it feels much more natural. Muscle memory needs to be overcome/retrained.
It helps that I have OF1010s too. They function effectively the same.

 

[luvmytoolz]

[member=58857]Crazyraceguy[/member] When I say I think the handle is lacking on the 1400, I mean to say purely from the perspective of using it one handed. The handle is too thick and tapers down too much near the cable end. After using my OF900, the handle of which is superbly designed being not too thick, and with a raised lip at the end of it so you can securely grip and use/guide it one handed.

Even simple finger indentations would have improved the 1400's handle grip.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

[member=58857]Crazyraceguy[/member] When I say I think the handle is lacking on the 1400, I mean to say purely from the perspective of using it one handed. The handle is too thick and tapers down too much near the cable end. After using my OF900, the handle of which is superbly designed being not too thick, and with a raised lip at the end of it so you can securely grip and use/guide it one handed.

Even simple finger indentations would have improved the 1400's handle grip.

I hadn't really considered that, because it takes a second hand to work the depth lock knob anyway.
Since it is a plunge router, I usually work with it in that way too. I usually use both hands on the Milwaukee 5615 too, even with the hand strap. About all I ever use one-handed is a trim router, and not even always with those.

Yes, the grip could be better shaped. I really thought you meant the horizontal orientation. That is the part that amazes most people, having never seen any other router like that.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Yes, the grip could be better shaped. I really thought you meant the horizontal orientation. That is the part that amazes most people, having never seen any other router like that.

For most work I love the horizontal handle on the 1400, the only exception being for dovetail work I far prefer my old ELU177 with the dual side angled handles set low down, as it gives amazing control nice and low for this fiddly work.

 

[wworker]

The issue for me is that, for heavier routing needs, the OF 1400 has been somewhat lacking. I can hear the electronics engaging and the motor struggling to maintain speed. In comparison, the OF 2200 is so powerful and smooth that, on many occasions during the first cut, I have had to stop and check whether I actually plunged—it’s that seamless. I may have simply grown accustomed to the power of the OF 2200. That said, the OF 1400 certainly works well for some users. Personally, I would skip it and save up for the OF 2200 instead.

I do think the handle design is a bit lacking.

It does take some getting used to, especially initially.

Regarding the handle, I really dislike the pistol grip, as it is not well-suited for most routing needs. However, I believe it is an excellent design for tasks like cutting dados, as demonstrated in this video. In that specific application, there is nothing better. For edge work, general routing, template guides, and similar tasks, I find that the double-handle design of routers like the OF 2200, the DeWalt DCW620, or the previously mentioned ELU 177 is simply unmatched.

I'm curious—what did you end up doing, OP? Maybe you should just buy both! I feel like there are no wrong answers here.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

The issue for me is that, for heavier routing needs, the OF 1400 has been somewhat lacking. I can hear the electronics engaging and the motor struggling to maintain speed.

I don't think that is the case at all. The electronics are just restricting the amp draw, when the tool is under minimal load. As the load on the bit increases, the regulating electronics allow more power to be applied. The amperage rating is what it is capable of under maximum load, but it does not draw that much power at all times. That is what you are hearing.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Yes the OF2200 is a most spectacular beast that simply laughs at anything you throw at it and makes it look trivial, but I routinely use 30mm diameter spiral cutters in my OF1400 to aggressively trim edges, and have never felt or noticed any lack of power.

 

[wworker]

The electronics are just restricting the amp draw, when the tool is under minimal load. As the load on the bit increases, the regulating electronics allow more power to be applied. The amperage rating is what it is capable of under maximum load, but it does not draw that much power at all times.

The electronics do not, in fact, restrict the amp draw. In reality, the opposite occurs—under heavy loads such as deeper cuts, harder woods, or rough passes, more power (measured in watts, the product of voltage and current) is required to maintain the bit's rotational speed –but we all know this.

What I mean to convey is that with the OF 1400, I have repeatedly noticed when the electronic control system engages to compensate for the increased load. However, I have never experienced this effect with the OF 2200. As luvmytoolz correctly points out:

the OF2200 is a most spectacular beast that simply laughs at anything you throw at it[...]

Ultimately, that is my suggestion in response to OP's question: DeWalt DCW620 vs. OF 1400? I would say DeWalt 100% and save up for an OF 2200 if you want arguably the best handheld router available.

Also, can we talk about the dust collection port on the OF 1400? Is it just me, or is it incredibly frustrating? You have to remove it to fit the router in the Systainer, and for larger-diameter bits, you must remove it and rotate a small hatch to reinstall it after plunging. And don’t forget not to unlock the plunge turret before removing the dust cover again, or you risk damaging it. I truly wish it had a fixed dust collection port like the OF 1010 and OF 2200.

Fun discussion! For further information, one of my YouTube woodworking idols, Peter Parfitt, has a great video comparing all their routers. Check it out here.

 

[mino]

The electronics do not, in fact, restrict the amp draw. In reality, the opposite occurs—under heavy loads such as deeper cuts, harder woods, or rough passes, more power (measured in watts, the product of voltage and current) is required to maintain the bit's rotational speed –but we all know this.

What I mean to convey is that with the OF 1400, I have repeatedly noticed when the electronic control system engages to compensate for the increased load. However, I have never experienced this effect with the OF 2200.
...

The OF2200 does have bit a faster to respond and more granular electronics.

It does not change CRG being correct here.

These routers have full-wave electronics. Festool was one of the first to come with that to the market in the 1990s. The older design tools tend to have slower and more "steppy" electronics where its function can be noticed. This can confuse someone used to traditional induction motors as those have a continuous speed/power curve.

How the electronics works is that with some tools it only measure the motor speed. When under load the speed drops, it reacts by increasing the power to the motor. That "increase" is from the default 10-20% power the motor operates at when idle or at low loads. In your case you probably noticed transitions between 20-50% of power available from the motor. At even higher loads these transitions are smoother - adding 10% power to 60% or 70% already engaged is less noticeable than adding it to 20%.

The more expensive/newer tools (like the 2200) actually do also measure the load directly, do it faster and have more increments programmed so they *seem* to operate like "simple" induction motors while the complete opposite is the case.

The concern is similar to someone being concerned when their automatic gearbox "revs up" the engine*) when going up hill with a trailer. Which how the gearbox is supposed to operate.

*) instead of keeping it in the low-rpm-low-torque range for fuel economy

I have a Festool DR 20 monster drill (100 Nm soft torque ..) which has the first-gen 1990 style full wave electronics with a speed sensor. Under load at low speeds (in the 200 rpm range) the motor is "power-pulsating" as it is trying to maintain the set rpm and the electronics adjustment response is just too slow. But it in no way indicates it "struggling". That motor and gearing is capable of breaking one's hand, were it indeed at full power ..

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Also, can we talk about the dust collection port on the OF 1400? Is it just me, or is it incredibly frustrating? You have to remove it to fit the router in the Systainer, and for larger-diameter bits, you must remove it and rotate a small hatch to reinstall it after plunging. And don’t forget not to unlock the plunge turret before removing the dust cover again, or you risk damaging it. I truly wish it had a fixed dust collection port like the OF 1010 and OF 2200.

Yes, that is a bit of a frustration at times, but I would rather deal with that than to have the abysmal dust extraction of most other brands. Dewalt does at least make an attempt, but the hose extending out the top is not so ergonomic. I had one of those, years ago, it does work to some degree, but not as well as what Festool does. And, to be fair, that is not the only extraction fitting that is supplied with the OF1400.
I do like the way the chip catcher snaps into the base. It is far more convenient than the screws required for the OF1010. That screw mounting style does provide the adjustability for centering bushings though, so I'm good with the differences.
The table widener for the OF1400 also includes a wider chip catcher, with is far better with big bits. It is also very easy to attach/detach with a magnetic ring.

 

[luvmytoolz]

When I first saw the plastic clip-on dust attachment for the 1400 I thought it looked flimsy and awkward, and would end up broken in no time. But it's actually quite a good compromise on usability and practicality and works really well, especially when the chip catcher is used as well.

Using it inside the house while working on panelling without billowing clouds of dust everywhere absolutely blew the missus's mind.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Yeah [member=75933]luvmytoolz[/member] it works surprisingly well, even with MDF. I did a bunch of mitering today, on parts that did not have parallel edges. That meant no table saw. I supposed I could have done it with a TS, but the parts were cut to exact size on the CNC, so it seemed easier to me to use a router and straight edge. Clamping to a partial sheet of Corian works really well. Of course, this depends on having a 45 degree bevel bit with enough cut length, which I do. I cut a lot of parts, all MDF, with very little dust.