Festool 1010 vs Bosch Colt

[Dan Clark]

Hi.  I have a Festool OF1400.  It's a GREAT router.  But it's pretty big for the really small stuff.  I've been pondering getting a smaller trim router - either the Bosch Colt PR20 or the Festool OF1010. 

There's no question that the Festool is higher quality with a lot more horsepower, and it has dust collection.  But it's much bigger and heavier than the Bosch (3.3 vs 6 lbs), and it's three times the cost.  Even with the bases option package, the Bosch is about 1/2 the cost of the Festool.

I keep thinking that the 1010 would be be a great addition, but I already have the OF1400 for more robust portable routing (and a Hitachi M12V to swing the really big bits in a router table).  And the Bosch would be nice for smaller trim routing, getting into very tight spaces, door hinges, and the like. 

Any opinions on these the OF1010 vs the Colt? 

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[greg mann]

I love my 1010 but I am guessing the things you want the Colt for are going to be handled easily by the Colt. You seem to understand the concepts of tool application overlap and tool specialization. For what the Colt, or a facsimile thereof, will cost it is a relatively cheap experiment.

 

[Dan Clark]

Greg,

"Tool overlap"...  Nicely put.  You explained it much better than I did.  The OF1400 and OF1010 have a lot of overlap in the middle portion to lower portioin.  With the OF1400 and Colt, there's much less.  The bottom end of the OF1400 is in the upper end of the Colt.

Last weekend, I was building a small block of wood out of three pieces of Cedar.  The middle piece was an expander piece that I added to increase the height.  Since I wanted quick and flush, I decided to add a wider piece in the middle and just trim it flush.  I used my OF1400 and it worked nicely with a bottom bearing flush trimming bit.  But...

The OF1400 was overkill and a bit tippy on the narrow block (only 2-1/4 inches wide).  This job was at the bottom end of the OF1400's range.  The OF1010 would have been in the lower middle of its range.  A Bosch Colt could have handled it nicely and only be in the higher end of its range. 

Maybe what Festool needs is a Colt-level product with dust collection!  Better overall product range with Festool quality.

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[Dan Clark]

Well, I stand corrected.   I said that the Colt doesn't have dust collection.   Also, of course, it's not plunge router.   Unless you add this Micro-Fence plunge base with dust collection:http://www.microfence.com/pages/Plunge/Zoom12.html.   Of course there's the modest issue of the $550 package price!  (http://www.microfence.com/pages/Packages%20and%20Prices.html)  Note that this price does NOT include the router.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Lou Miller]

Dan, check the reviews on the Colt before getting one. When they first hit the market, they had tons of problems with quality issues. I went through three of them before giving up on it. I thought it would have been a nice router if they ever got things in order. Maybe they have, but I had a bad enough experience that I won't be trying again.

I ended up with this one:http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-...14-9352625?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1190238351&sr=1-6

Compared to the Colts I had, there's a night and day difference. The PC worked perfectly right out of the box and its a much better build quality too. I don't use it much at all though. Usually only for really small taks where a big router would be too cumbersome. Its my second least used router. The least used one for me just happens to be the OF1010. Just my opinion only, but I don't care much at all for that router. I do like the OF1400 though.

 

[Ned]

Well, I stand corrected.  I said that the Colt doesn't have dust collection.  Also, of course, it's not plunge router.  Unless you add this Micro-Fence plunge base with dust collection:http://www.microfence.com/pages/Plunge/Zoom12.html.  Of course there's the modest issue of the $550 package price!  (http://www.microfence.com/pages/Packages%20and%20Prices.html)  Note that this price does NOT include the router.

So what's the equipped price of the Colt vs. the equipped price of the 1010?

I seem to remember others who have both the 1010 and the 1400 saying that the 1010 was always their first choice for anything within its capacity.

Ned

 

[Dan Clark]

Ned,

The equipped price for the basic PR20EVS router with Fixed Base, Straight Edge Guide, and case is $99 at Coastal Tool.  The OF1010 with Guide stop, Side stop, Guide bushing adaptor (469625), Chip catcher, 1/4" and 8 mm collets, and Systainer is $330.   

Remember that I have the OF1400 (with all the accessories).  I love it.   The only way you can get it away from me is by prying it from my cold, dead hands yada, yada.   I'm looking for an additional router.   

So the question is not whether the Colt is better than the OF1010.  It is whether the OF1400 + Colt is better than the OF1400 + OF1010.   

Regards,

Dan.

p.s. I like Systainers so much that I might get a Sys 1 Vari or Sys 2 Vari for storage if I get the Colt.

 

[Ned]

Dan,

You mentioned $500 add-ons for the Colt.  If that accessory was important to you, then it would be part of what I meant by equipped.

Ned

 

[Dan Clark]

Dan, check the reviews on the Colt before getting one. When they first hit the market, they had tons of problems with quality issues.
...

Lou,

I've read about some issues with Bosch Colt routers.  I believe it had something to do with the collet or wrench.  Also, I wasn't sure if the issues were with the original PR10 or the newer PR20.  Which one did you have?

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[Dan Clark]

Dan,

You mentioned $500 add-ons for the Colt.  If that accessory was important to you, then it would be part of what I meant by equipped.

Ned

Ned,

Hi.  My post about the add-ons was a little tongue in cheek.  The add-on I was referring to was the Micro-Fence plunge base.   The plunge base looks VERY nice, but it's kind of like sticking a Volkswagon engine in a hand made Ferarri body.   Sure, it will work, but it just seems out of kilter to me.   And you're adding a lot of weight and size.   Kind of defeats the purpose of a small, light trim router.  There's no way I rationalize that kind of expense.

OTOH...  If you're doing heavy production work, maybe that base with a nice router would be a good idea.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[jonny round boy]

If you're just after a small, light trimmer router, why not go for the OFK500? It's about 2/3rds the price of the OF1010, too.

Or is it NAINA?

 

[mysterium]

As much as I love my OF 1400 & OF1010 routers, there will always be trim routers in my shop with round over bits mounted ready to go... 

I can't speak for the Colt but the two models of PC trim routers have given me trouble free service for years.  Of the two the "production" model (#310?) is the one I'd grab first, however the other is more flexible since I have the fixed base, off-set base, and tilting base plus the laminate splitter.

I will say of the doz. or so routers I own that the OF1010 has become my favorite.  I just wish it had the snap in guide bushes & ratching collet like the OF1400.

jim

 

[Lou Miller]

Dan, check the reviews on the Colt before getting one. When they first hit the market, they had tons of problems with quality issues.
...

Lou,

I've read about some issues with Bosch Colt routers.  I believe it had something to do with the collet or wrench.   Also, I wasn't sure if the issues were with the original PR10 or the newer PR20.   Which one did you have?

Thanks,

Dan.

I can't remember for sure. However, I bought it when it first hit the market, so I guess it would have to be the older version. The problems I had with the router was getting the base square to the bits. It was virtually impossible, and I thought it was a pretty crappy design on Bosch's part. I can only assume they've fixed the issues since then because there appear to be a lot of people with them now that are relatively happy.

My past experience with anything from Bosch is that you're gonna get what you pay for. The Colt is only $99...

 

[Dan Clark]

If you're just after a small, light trimmer router, why not go for the OFK500? It's about 2/3rds the price of the OF1010, too.

Or is it NAINA?

Jonny,

As per usual, you guys get the good stuff that we can't get.  I.e., NAINA!  :'(

Dan.

 

[Dan Clark]

Dan, check the reviews on the Colt before getting one. When they first hit the market, they had tons of problems with quality issues.
...

Lou,

I've read about some issues with Bosch Colt routers.  I believe it had something to do with the collet or wrench.   Also, I wasn't sure if the issues were with the original PR10 or the newer PR20.   Which one did you have?

Thanks,

Dan.

I can't remember for sure. However, I bought it when it first hit the market, so I guess it would have to be the older version. The problems I had with the router was getting the base square to the bits. It was virtually impossible, and I thought it was a pretty crappy design on Bosch's part. I can only assume they've fixed the issues since then because there appear to be a lot of people with them now that are relatively happy.

My past experience with anything from Bosch is that you're gonna get what you pay for. The Colt is only $99...

Lou,

I'm not a big fan of Bosch.  I have their Miter Saw and it's pretty decent, but I'm not happy with a few things (thus my interest in the Kapex).  That said, the Colt has gotten good reviews in general, so I'm "sniffing".  I'll check with some current owners about base squareness.

Regarding your Colt, the PR20 is variable speed while the PR10 is fixed.  Do you remember if they were fixed or variable speed?

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[Lou Miller]

IIRC, it was fixed. I could be wrong though, I didn't have them very long and it was about two years ago. Sometimes I can't remember what I did 5 minutes ago and you want me to remember something from 2 years ago  ???    ;D

 

[womackdesign]

I hate my bosch colt. Chad

 

[Dan Clark]

Chad,

I hear you, but could you be a teensy bit more specific?   What model?  Why do you hate it?   What did you hate?   (And no, I don't expect it to be Festool quality.)

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[greg mann]

Dan,

The MicroFence base seems pretty cool and Richard's fences are first rate, but I feel a trim router in a MicroFence base has little to offer over the 1010. The base expands the overall package too close to a 1010 so you lose a bit of the agility you were looking for in the first place, and, the 1010 will have power and smoothness in spades over any trim router. Lastly, the trim router with the MicroFence base wold cost as much as the 1010. All of which you have probably figured out for yourself.  :

 

[Kevin Johnson]

I have a 1400 and a Bosch colt that I bought about 3-4 months ago.  I love that little router.  I also have the Dewalt laminate trimmer and I prefer it a lot over the Bosch.  I have never tried the PC.