Gordon Bombay
Member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2015
- Messages
- 73
I wanted to provide a short review of two routers from the perspective of a beginning woodworker. I read a number of reviews from experienced folks on which to get, and wanted to provide my perspective to others that are in the same boat as me (relatively new to woodworking; looking to buy one router; unsure of what to really look for; etc.).
A few disclosures:
- I am a beginning woodworker and picked up the hobby about a year or so ago. This was my first router purchase, and i do not have any other routers to compare the 1010 and 1400 against. I recognize that I have no expertise and will likely make scores of mistakes along the way in learning about the new tool.
- I did not buy the 1010 and 1400 with thoughts of returning one or both. I purchased one online, but because of a shipping error, I ended up with both tools. I decided to take a look at both of them and then ship back whichever one I liked less.
- I have spent far more on tools in the past year than I care to admit, and "buying both" was not an option.
- I do not have a router table, so this was going to be my one-and-only for at least a while.
- I did not actually use both routers in wood. I only actually used the router whose ergonomics I preferred. I didn't want the vendor to have a "used" tool because of a shipping error.
- I had zero bits before purchasing the router so was not committed to 1/4", 1/2", 8 mm.
- I am a low-skilled hobbyist. I am not a professional; I don't claim to be one.
- I used the router to build the Ron Paulk Workbench (modified slightly for my needs).
With those disclosures out of the way, the tl;dr version: I preferred the 1400. To me, the router seemed far more developed than the 1010, and the ergonomics seemed more fitting to my use. Also, I was afraid that the 1400 was going to "feel" much bigger, but in reality, it did not feel all that much bigger than the 1010.
Full Review:
To me, the 1400 felt like a much higher quality router. Here were the things that stood out to me on the 1400 vs the 1010:
- The bit replacement mechanism on the 1400 felt much higher quality and was much more intuitive to use. The 1400's ratcheting mechanism seems far more developed than the single-button operation in the 1010. It was also far more intuitive an "idiot-proof" with the pictures on the toggle switch to show which button to press if you are inserting or removing a bit. As a new user of routers, I knew that I would end up screwing up a bunch of times without the simple pictures. Also, the ratcheting mechanism was much quicker to use on the 1400 than inserting and removing bits in the 1010.
- I had read a lot about the 1010's inability to use 1/2 bits but thought that I could just stock up on 8 mm bits and end up with a similar setup to what I could get by purchasing 1/2 bits. I had not, howerver, realized how hard it is to track down 8 mm bits in the US. They are not nearly as common as I had assumed they would be.
- Perhaps this is not a big deal, but to me it was. The plate for guide bushings on the 1010 is plastic, and the 1400's is metal. Don't believe the Amazon photograph--it shows metal but is plastic. (Also, I believe that the 1400's guide-bushing plate comes with the router vs purchasing the plastic piece for the 1010 for $26 separately--so the cost difference is offset somewhat).
- The guide bushing plate was also phenomenally easier to put on and remove on the 1400. The 1400 has 2 green clips that allow you to put on and remove attachments in seconds. The 1010 requires you to use screws. This may not seem like much but it really adds a lot of time to the process. On the 1400, I push the buttons and the guide bushing plate is off. On the 1010, I think where did I leave that #$% screwdriver; I walk around my garage and track down the screwdriver; I come back and I remove a screw, which inevitably falls of the table; I then . . . You get the drift, the process is much simpler and "more thought out" on the 1400.
- The 1400's chip catcher is also simple to install and remove because it just clips in, and you can rely on those 2 green clips to take it off.
- I did not get an edge guide for the 1010, but the pictures online make the 1400's seem much more robust.
- I had read some reviews or comments online that expressed concerns about the 1400 because the "dust extraction isn't integrated." I loved the 1400's extraction sleeve. The ergonomics on it are really cool how it clips in just perfectly and out of the way. I ended up showing my wife how neat it was (she was, surprisingly, not impressed).
- The LR32 attachment process is also much easier on the 1400 vs. the 1010.
- The 1400 did not seem all that much bigger than the 1010.
To me, the 1400 was the easy choice. I also liked the fact that, although I am not experienced enough to know when I will start to need them, I can use 1/2 bits in the 1400.
As for the review of the 1400 iteself, I could not be happier! Again, I can't compare it to any other router, but it is a phenomenal tool and is my favorite tool in the shop. It was surprisingly intuitive to use. I hooked up a bushing to the plate and was able to make the sides of the Paulk table in no time. I was a little disappointed in the amount of shavings that ended up on the table after routing. I am not saying that the 1400's collection wasn't great or better or worse than other routers, I am just saying that I didn't expect that much dust.
In building the Paulk table, I didn't read the instructions as thoroughly as I should have and ended up with a bit of overhand on the plywood top and bottom. This gave me a chance to test the edge trimming of the router and its dust collection. I got home from work and debated whether to change out of my business casual garb or just go to it. I thought to myself that I should change out of my business-casual work clothes, but once I get in the house, I often cannot get back into the garage. So I figured it would give me a good chance to see what the dust collection looked like, and no worries if my navy pants got covered in dust. I hooked up a flush trimming bit to the router, attached the chip catcher and went to work. I was amazed at theresults. There was no dust on my navy pants or gingham shirt. I walked into the house, and the family didn't even know I had been out in the garage.
Again, I couldn't be more pleased with the 1400. For those who are new to woodworking and deciding between the 1400 and 1010 as their go-to router, I can't say enough great things about the 1400!
A few disclosures:
- I am a beginning woodworker and picked up the hobby about a year or so ago. This was my first router purchase, and i do not have any other routers to compare the 1010 and 1400 against. I recognize that I have no expertise and will likely make scores of mistakes along the way in learning about the new tool.
- I did not buy the 1010 and 1400 with thoughts of returning one or both. I purchased one online, but because of a shipping error, I ended up with both tools. I decided to take a look at both of them and then ship back whichever one I liked less.
- I have spent far more on tools in the past year than I care to admit, and "buying both" was not an option.
- I do not have a router table, so this was going to be my one-and-only for at least a while.
- I did not actually use both routers in wood. I only actually used the router whose ergonomics I preferred. I didn't want the vendor to have a "used" tool because of a shipping error.
- I had zero bits before purchasing the router so was not committed to 1/4", 1/2", 8 mm.
- I am a low-skilled hobbyist. I am not a professional; I don't claim to be one.
- I used the router to build the Ron Paulk Workbench (modified slightly for my needs).
With those disclosures out of the way, the tl;dr version: I preferred the 1400. To me, the router seemed far more developed than the 1010, and the ergonomics seemed more fitting to my use. Also, I was afraid that the 1400 was going to "feel" much bigger, but in reality, it did not feel all that much bigger than the 1010.
Full Review:
To me, the 1400 felt like a much higher quality router. Here were the things that stood out to me on the 1400 vs the 1010:
- The bit replacement mechanism on the 1400 felt much higher quality and was much more intuitive to use. The 1400's ratcheting mechanism seems far more developed than the single-button operation in the 1010. It was also far more intuitive an "idiot-proof" with the pictures on the toggle switch to show which button to press if you are inserting or removing a bit. As a new user of routers, I knew that I would end up screwing up a bunch of times without the simple pictures. Also, the ratcheting mechanism was much quicker to use on the 1400 than inserting and removing bits in the 1010.
- I had read a lot about the 1010's inability to use 1/2 bits but thought that I could just stock up on 8 mm bits and end up with a similar setup to what I could get by purchasing 1/2 bits. I had not, howerver, realized how hard it is to track down 8 mm bits in the US. They are not nearly as common as I had assumed they would be.
- Perhaps this is not a big deal, but to me it was. The plate for guide bushings on the 1010 is plastic, and the 1400's is metal. Don't believe the Amazon photograph--it shows metal but is plastic. (Also, I believe that the 1400's guide-bushing plate comes with the router vs purchasing the plastic piece for the 1010 for $26 separately--so the cost difference is offset somewhat).
- The guide bushing plate was also phenomenally easier to put on and remove on the 1400. The 1400 has 2 green clips that allow you to put on and remove attachments in seconds. The 1010 requires you to use screws. This may not seem like much but it really adds a lot of time to the process. On the 1400, I push the buttons and the guide bushing plate is off. On the 1010, I think where did I leave that #$% screwdriver; I walk around my garage and track down the screwdriver; I come back and I remove a screw, which inevitably falls of the table; I then . . . You get the drift, the process is much simpler and "more thought out" on the 1400.
- The 1400's chip catcher is also simple to install and remove because it just clips in, and you can rely on those 2 green clips to take it off.
- I did not get an edge guide for the 1010, but the pictures online make the 1400's seem much more robust.
- I had read some reviews or comments online that expressed concerns about the 1400 because the "dust extraction isn't integrated." I loved the 1400's extraction sleeve. The ergonomics on it are really cool how it clips in just perfectly and out of the way. I ended up showing my wife how neat it was (she was, surprisingly, not impressed).
- The LR32 attachment process is also much easier on the 1400 vs. the 1010.
- The 1400 did not seem all that much bigger than the 1010.
To me, the 1400 was the easy choice. I also liked the fact that, although I am not experienced enough to know when I will start to need them, I can use 1/2 bits in the 1400.
As for the review of the 1400 iteself, I could not be happier! Again, I can't compare it to any other router, but it is a phenomenal tool and is my favorite tool in the shop. It was surprisingly intuitive to use. I hooked up a bushing to the plate and was able to make the sides of the Paulk table in no time. I was a little disappointed in the amount of shavings that ended up on the table after routing. I am not saying that the 1400's collection wasn't great or better or worse than other routers, I am just saying that I didn't expect that much dust.
In building the Paulk table, I didn't read the instructions as thoroughly as I should have and ended up with a bit of overhand on the plywood top and bottom. This gave me a chance to test the edge trimming of the router and its dust collection. I got home from work and debated whether to change out of my business casual garb or just go to it. I thought to myself that I should change out of my business-casual work clothes, but once I get in the house, I often cannot get back into the garage. So I figured it would give me a good chance to see what the dust collection looked like, and no worries if my navy pants got covered in dust. I hooked up a flush trimming bit to the router, attached the chip catcher and went to work. I was amazed at theresults. There was no dust on my navy pants or gingham shirt. I walked into the house, and the family didn't even know I had been out in the garage.
Again, I couldn't be more pleased with the 1400. For those who are new to woodworking and deciding between the 1400 and 1010 as their go-to router, I can't say enough great things about the 1400!
