Festool 1400 EQ Router vs. Router Table

[TheHobbyist]

Okay, before anyone jumps on the title and my question please understand I'm a Rookie at woodworking.  What I lack in experience I make up for in zeal. 

My ultimate goal is to build bathroom vanities for the house and, if at all ever possible, kitchen cabinets as well.  Other projects my wife would like include building a laundry room in the basement with storage and cabinets, organization shelving for the closets, etc. 

I've been told by a friend I'll need to consider 3 new items in addition to what I have already: a router table, a planer and a jointer.  I was considering the Milwaukee router with a Bench Dog router table but after seeing the Festool 1400 EQ and guide attachments I was wondering the practicality in pursuing the latter in lieu of a router table (for now).  While ultimately I'm sure I'd purchase a router table, I'm wondering if perhaps their router might suffice for now, with what look to be fantastic guide attachments.

Would appreciate your constructive comments.

Thanks!

 

[mouppe]

For what you have in mind, it's not really an either/ or situation, but more a "both" requirement.

I think you should start with a router table as it's safer whilst you learn the ropes, but the plunge router is one of the core tools in the shop and vital in almost every project. The quandary is that in the US you cannot easily put the OF1400 in a router table, so you would need two routers if you go down the table route.

You're going to get several different answers to your question, good luck filtering them!

 

[Alan m]

[welcome] to the fog
the problem with your question is that it is very user specific.
you really nead both if not more [eek]. therfor  the question is which first.
the only  (safe) solution i see is to use the same motor for both jobs. you could get an extra base for your router motor.
your next problem is that a router table st up could cost you more than the festool router

 

[ScotF]

If you are going to raise panels, then a table mounted router is a must.  If you think you will initially be applying edge treatments and cutting grooves, then a hand-held router will suffice.  You really need both to have options for all types of projects.  I started with a hand-held only initially, added a router table (now have two for certain set-ups) and more routers.  I find that I am doing more hand-held projects in my recent round of projects and I have not pulled out either table for months.  You can accomplish a lot with specific jigs and fixtures. 

Good luck with shopping and research - it is a fun process!  Also, welcome to the FOG!!

Scot

 

[JeromeM]

Okay, before anyone jumps on the title and my question please understand I'm a Rookie at woodworking.  What I lack in experience I make up for in zeal. 

My ultimate goal is to build bathroom vanities for the house and, if at all ever possible, kitchen cabinets as well.  Other projects my wife would like include building a laundry room in the basement with storage and cabinets, organization shelving for the closets, etc. 

I've been told by a friend I'll need to consider 3 new items in addition to what I have already: a router table, a planer and a jointer.  I was considering the Milwaukee router with a Bench Dog router table but after seeing the Festool 1400 EQ and guide attachments I was wondering the practicality in pursuing the latter in lieu of a router table (for now).  While ultimately I'm sure I'd purchase a router table, I'm wondering if perhaps their router might suffice for now, with what look to be fantastic guide attachments.

Would appreciate your constructive comments.

Thanks!

in my case I got the router first then built a simple table for it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nui-jerome/4625797605/#in/set-72157624105291152

Building a router table is a very simple job here is the sketch up model and the table built from it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nui-jerome/sets/72157624105291152/

when I found that for some jobs the top was too short I built an extension http://meekings.selfip.net/nui/Groups-of-photos/Wood_work_etc/Pages/Router_table.html

building your own is good practice and a chance to try new stuff.

YMMV

 

[ccarrolladams]

Okay, before anyone jumps on the title and my question please understand I'm a Rookie at woodworking.  What I lack in experience I make up for in zeal. 

My ultimate goal is to build bathroom vanities for the house and, if at all ever possible, kitchen cabinets as well.  Other projects my wife would like include building a laundry room in the basement with storage and cabinets, organization shelving for the closets, etc. 

I've been told by a friend I'll need to consider 3 new items in addition to what I have already: a router table, a planer and a jointer.  I was considering the Milwaukee router with a Bench Dog router table but after seeing the Festool 1400 EQ and guide attachments I was wondering the practicality in pursuing the latter in lieu of a router table (for now).  While ultimately I'm sure I'd purchase a router table, I'm wondering if perhaps their router might suffice for now, with what look to be fantastic guide attachments.

Would appreciate your constructive comments.

Thanks!

[welcome]

Here in the USA Festool offers 4 different routers. The MFK700 is an ideal trim router, but it can also be used for other purposes where a 700 watt moter is enough power.

The 3 Festool plunge routers are the OF1010; the OF1400 and the OF2200. "OF" is short for "router" in German and the number in many Festools is the wattage.

As others have stated Festool USA does not sell the CMX system which is available in Europe, Australia and other places outside the USA and Canada. One of the CMX modules accepts the OF1400 and the OF2200, although not at the same time.

The commercially made router tables sold in the USA nearly always are designed to accept just the router motor part of conventional machines, the kind where the router motors screws into the base and is easily removed from those bases.

With a whole lot of practice and experience it is possible to use really large router cutters in such plunge routers as the OF2200.

Still, when making cabinets, it is a whole lot easier and safer to use panel raising and other large bits on a router table. Perhaps it is possible to power such bits with just 1400 watts. However, most of us prefer a router motor with 2200 watts. In my own router tables I only use PC7518 motors with 1/2" collets.

The bearings and other features make the OF1400 and the OF2200 marvelous hand and rail guided routers. The mass of the OF2200 make them a joy to use because there is so little vibration. But with a router table the dust collection is a function of the table and that also takes care of the vibration.

I prefer the OF1010 for drilling adjustable shelf holes, was well as the hinge and other hardware holes needed for modern cabinets. For this the various guide rails with hole every 32mm (LR32) along with the connecting plate are very handy. With a different attachment plate the OF1400 can be guided by the rail for dadoes and similar grooves.

You mention wanting a joiner and a planer, yet you did not mention a table saw. Personally I love using my big shop equipment, but for years when I had limited shop space I build thousands of cabinets without them. The Festool TS55 on a guide rail with a decent blade makes glue-ready cuts, especially in sheet material where hardly anyone would use a joiner.

 

[jtwood]

I have 3 routers I use for different purposes.  I make furniture and cabinets for myself and friends -- not for commercial use -- so, similar to what you are looking to do.
1,  I have a Milwaukee 5625 mounted in a router table for doing raised panels and large edge detailing.  The router table is great for stability and repeat-ability on cabinet pieces.
I built the cabinet myself from Rockler's metal frame pieces, finishing it with cheap 1/4" MDF to enclose it.  I hung a self-built cabinet off of the side for bits and accessories.  I got a Rockler top, and have gradually modified it to fit upgraded equipment:  I started with a Craftsman router, and upgraded to the Milwaukee.  I recently added a router lift, which required enlarging the aperture for the router plate.
2.  I have a Festool OF1400 which I use for freehand routing.  I would have loved to use it rather than the Milwaukee in the bench, but, as others have already posted, its not very easy here in the US.  Besides, it is a lot easier to have two routers so that you don't have to keep taking the router out of the table.  The Festool has plenty of power and great dust collection for a router that is not mounted in a table.
3.  I have a DeWalt 613 plunge/fixed base kit for doing small detail work, and it is the router I use the least, so I couldn't justify the price of the smaller Festool 700.
Which you start with will depend on what you have to do first:  if you are going to do raised panel work early on, I would definitely start with the router table.  If you are going to be doing edge shaping, roundovers, etc., on smaller pieces, you can start with the freehand router (I haven't used the OF2200, but didn't figure I needed the heavy freehand router with the large Milwaukee in the table).
Eventually, as was posted above, you'll find you  want/need both.
Good luck.

 

[semenza]

Hi TheHobbyist,

Welcome to the FOG !  [smile]

Lots of good advice  above. Table mounted or hand held?  While there is some cross over the two also do quite a few different jobs that would require a lot of tedious set ups and jigs to accomplish with the other. The best way to go is both. Which can be done with one router if you don't mind swapping it in / out of the table mount.

A couple of additional thought on the recomended tool purchases...... it is possible to use a sled to flatten (face jont) boards in a planer, and it is possible to edge joint  with a router table. But an actual jointer will do it more easily.

Seth

 

[Kevin Stricker]

Routers are like screw drivers, while there are some that can do most everything they mostly can't do everything very well.  You want variety, as in several.  I have 6 and could use a few more, each serves a certain task.

For an alternative idea, you might want to check out the PC 890 series.  The router comes with two bases and accessories that allow you to attach one base to a plate and get above table adjustment ( i.e. router lift) and a separate plunge base.  So you can make yourself a simple router table and slip the motor out and do some plunge routing as well.  Also you need a laminate trimmer, for doing small profiles.  You will want to use one for any edge profiles where you need to route in place and cannot bring the work to a router table.  You should be able to buy both routers, a base plate, and the materials for making a simple router table for less than any of the Festool routers. 

Once you get a few projects under your belt you will want to upgrade and will be truly impressed by how much nicer the Festool routers are and their dust collection.  Even with three Festool routers I still break out my old standbys for certain tasks.  The 890 still gets use as my backup router table.  It is really nice in certain projects to have multiple routers set up with different cutters/profiles so you don't have to change bits and re-dial in the settings.  While some people might "upgrade" routers and sell their old ones most just buy more as the need arises.

 

[fdengel]

I currently own the Ridgid brand router, which I got in a kit with both the fixed base and a plunge base.

I keep the fixed base mounted to a table.  I can switch the router between table and handheld by slipping the motor part out of one base and into the other, it's fairly quick.

Eventually, I'm hoping to pick up an OF/1100 for most of my handheld routing chores, and keep the Ridgid for use in the table, and any other tasks which are too much for the OF/1100, or which require use of a 1/2" bit.

The MFK 700 would be a nice addition later on down the road, but it's not really appropriate as a first or only router for a woodworker.

If you have no other router at present, you might want to look at the OF/1400.  If I didn't have the Ridgid, I'd be going for that one rather than the OF/1100.

 

[RC]

Thanks JeromeM for posting your own router table for the OF1400 - was the table mounting module home made or is there a commercially available one outside of the CMS-module for the OF1400?
Does your one have above table router lift functionality?

Has anyone bought just the CMS-OF 1400 router mounting module without using the related MFT-attachment or the free standing CMS-table? Is there a good reason that this mounting module should not be attached directly into a tabletop?

I was just eying the Axminster router lift (www.axminster.co.uk) and I was wondering could that be somehow conveniently be used to house an OF1400?

And as an afterthought I'd be interested in your insights on what Festool perks would an OF1400 stuck into a table have over another make of router in a table ???

Dust extraction probably, but would there be any other real advantages of getting for instance a CMS base + CMS-OF for my OF1400 vs. for example just getting the package deal from Axminster of their router lift, router table and the Bosch swappable base router for about two thirds of the price of just the Festool accessories for my current router and use the OF1400 only as a handheld router and have the Bosch one as a dedicated table router and occasional fixed base router for fiddly work which the OF1.4k isn't?

 

[hrrb]

Reiska

You ask if anyone has bought the CMS module and mounted it in a table top.

I believe I've seen a few threads on this forum where various solutions has been presented. But right now I can only find the thread with my own setup.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/cms-of-unit/

...wonder if this link works. I've never tried to put in a hyperlink before.  [unsure] If not please copy and paste. (or the moderator is welcome to fix the bug!)

Kind regards
Henrik

 

[bonesbr549]

Well first welcome to the craft. I've been doing since I was in highschool and took my first shop class and that was over 30 years ago.  From what you have you have a good start. It's important to be able to get rough stock (saves money) and get it square and flat.  For me after that dimensioning it comes next, so either a cabinet saw or a tracksaw like the TS55.  However small stuff is really better done with a TS IMO.  If you are going to be breaking down a lot of ply the track saw is great.  I have a thick 2" piece of insulation laying on the floor and I lay my ply on that and cut it down works great. 

I have a router table that gets a ton of use and I have multiple routers.    I built my router table from Norm's plans over at NYW with a woodpecker lift with casters under the table to move it around.    Since table work really needs a workhorse of a router I'd reccomend the PC7518.  You can have one to do it all but I'd not do it unless abloslutly required.  the PC7518 is the tried and true monster on the block Its a beast best suited for the table.  I also have the OF1400 that is my choice of hand held routing.  DC is great and its got lots of power.    Handheld routing is a differnet beast and requires a diff tool.  If cabinets are your main work then I'd also invest in the kreg jig they tie face frames together on cabinets well.  I have the domino but that's expensive.  You can make your raised panel doors on either the TS or the router table and both have their plusses and minuses.    It's all good in the end.  Enjoy and make some sawdust and remember the mark of a true craftsman is his/her ability to cover their mistakes effectivly. 

 

[TheHobbyist]

Thank you all for the welcome and thorough responses.  The consensus seems clear - it will be necessary to get a table router in order to do the work I want. 

Based on the feedback received I'm thinking of a Porter Cable 7518 for the table router.  As for the hand-held router I'd like to get the Festool 1400 EQ but am also considering the Milwaukee 5616.  If practical, my preference is to buy what I believe is what I'd ultimately end up buying in the end as opposed to incremental purchases.  In the long-run I've found this a more prudent, and many times, cheaper approach.

I already have a Dewalt circular saw, Bosch table saw, Makita sliding compound miter saw, small drill press, Makita drills/impact driver, bits, etc.

Any thoughts on the CT 36 vac when used with a router other than the Festool? 

 

[semenza]

Thank you all for the welcome and thorough responses.  The consensus seems clear - it will be necessary to get a table router in order to do the work I want.  

Based on the feedback received I'm thinking of a Porter Cable 7518 for the table router.  As for the hand-held router I'd like to get the Festool 1400 EQ but am also considering the Milwaukee 5616.  If practical, my preference is to buy what I believe is what I'd ultimately end up buying in the end as opposed to incremental purchases.  In the long-run I've found this a more prudent, and many times, cheaper approach.

I already have a Dewalt circular saw, Bosch table saw, Makita sliding compound miter saw, small drill press, Makita drills/impact driver, bits, etc.

Any thoughts on the CT 36 vac when used with a router other than the Festool?  

The PC7518 is one of the classics for a router table, and a great choice.

From my experience the OF1400 is head and shoulders above the competition for hand held use. I also think it the best Festool offering if you will be going with a single router for hand held use.  

Using a Festool vac with other brands  will depend on how easily adaptable the dust port is on the non-Festool router. Or you can use a non-Festool shop vac hose that fits the router since most vac end  hoses will fit the Festool CT vacs.

Personally I wouldn't bother,  considering the additional features and handling characteristics of the 1400.

Seth

 

[JeromeM]

Thanks JeromeM for posting your own router table for the OF1400 - was the table mounting module home made or is there a commercially available one outside of the CMS-module for the OF1400?
Does your one have above table router lift functionality?

The router table is home made, a inspired by 'Oak-Park' and that one does not have above table adjustment. I now have a Trend T11 which does and as the mounting plates are the same size I can use the best one for the job

Has anyone bought just the CMS-OF 1400 router mounting module without using the related MFT-attachment or the free standing CMS-table? Is there a good reason that this mounting module should not be attached directly into a tabletop?

I was just eying the Axminster router lift (www.axminster.co.uk) and I was wondering could that be somehow conveniently be used to house an OF1400?

And as an afterthought I'd be interested in your insights on what Festool perks would an OF1400 stuck into a table have over another make of router in a table ???

none other than the ratchet bit change.

Dust extraction probably, but would there be any other real advantages of getting for instance a CMS base + CMS-OF for my OF1400 vs. for example just getting the package deal from Axminster of their router lift, router table and the Bosch swappable base router for about two thirds of the price of just the Festool accessories for my current router and use the OF1400 only as a handheld router and have the Bosch one as a dedicated table router and occasional fixed base router for fiddly work which the OF1.4k isn't?

There is one point to bear in mind. That is that any router with a swappable base has to be built to a much higher degree of accuracy to just match any dedicated plunge router. Also that all plunge routers can also act as a fixed router. The only times I have used a fixed depth router out of a table are for dovetails, though trimming to a pattern would be another use.

YMMV