Festool OF 1400 EQ Router question

[Thompmd]

In my rush last summer buying equipment I bought a Bosch router/table(ra1171). Short story is I have the table and wondered if anyone here knows if the Festool 1400 would fit in the Bosch table?

I didn’t own any Festool Stuff until Xmas last year and I really like CT36 dust collection which would be the main reason for switching over.

 

[jaykojc]

As far as I know, this won't work without some rigging on your part.  The Festool routers clamp into the CMS (the Festool router table solution), whilst most routers screw into a base like your Bosch.  The CMS isn't a great option as an alternative to a small table that costs a few hundred dollars at most.

Easiest answer?  Look for a PC 690 or Bosch 1617 or something to mount into the table.  The Festool is great and you should 100% keep it, but it'll probably save you a lot of headache to just spend $100 on a router that works in the table easily.  Most have 'good enough' dust collection solutions available, albeit nowhere near as good at the OF1400.

 

[jeh]

The OF 1400 will never work or even if you could get it to work, it would not be an enjoyable experience. The issue is the motor cannot be separated from the plunge mechanism. Festool's CMS has what is a marginal solution at best. Save yourself the thinking and some money and buy a motor that will fit. There are several that will.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Bosch has a base that is designed to be mounted under a table. It allows the elevation of the router to be adjusted from the top of the table. Just get that router and base and save the portable plunge router for portable plunging.  [wink]

 

[CHDinCT]

I have both the Bosch ra1171 router table and an OF 1400.  As JimH2 states, you would need to leave the OF 1400 in it's plunge base and somehow rig up a means to raise and lower it via the plunge base mechanism.  This is different than a traditional router lift which is part of the router plate and that the router motor mounts into.  I leave my old Bosch 1671 in the table and have the OF 1400 and a Makita trim router for freehand routing (though I just picked up a CMS router table used, so not going to use the Bosch table too much anymore.).  It's very convenient to have one router permanently mounted in a table and another one or two set up for freehand routing.  I hated having to mount and dismount my 1671 when switching between the two. 

Also, you can use the OF 1400 with a guide rail and the optional Festool 492601 guide stop.  A lot cheaper set up than buying a CMS router table. 

 

[Thompmd]

Sorry I wasn’t more clear, I have the Bosch 1617evspk and the ra1171. Was just curious if I purchased the Festool EQ 1400 if it would fit and it won’t without some kind of adapter(I’m not even going to try and go that route).

I like the idea of using my guide rail.

I’m wanting as many festool(s) that I can use because of the dust collection System I already have.  This is minor and picky but I would also prefer they match everything else.

At some point I plan to build some storage with full extensions pullouts and it looks better with everything the same.

As always thanks to all!!

 

[xedos]

I'm reading between the lines, so what I offer might just be disregarded out of hand.

Seems like you're sold on "the system" Festool is selling.  It's not the be all, end all and is far from perfect.  OF1400 is a solid router in an SUV sort of way, but it has some drawbacks in certain areas.  You've stumbled on one already.  Second, Its integrated dust collection isn't really an advantage when mounted upside down in a table.  The majority of dust will be captured by the fence shroud and the 26 won't really support a large collection point there and a smaller underneath at the same time. You should prob. read the 1400 vs. 1010 thread that recently took place here.

Lots of routers incld. your 1617 have dust shrouds that put them in close company with festool's offerings.  So, if at the source dust capture is what's driving you - there are plenty of options that can hook up to your ct26.  RA1173at will do you right for the 1617. 

There's a school of thought that a single SUV type router is bad investment because you'll eventually end up with multiple routers for specific tasks.  Best to get on that's tailored to meet the need at hand rather than a compromise.  I'm an emeritus of this school.  If you have a table , get a motor for that and leave it there.  If you need a small trim router for cutting laminate or putting a roundover on miles of edges - get a small comfortable handheld.  Hogging out mortises or making countertop cutouts ?  A big 3hp that's very stable is going to be the ticket.  Of course the 1617 and 1400 will handle all the tasks I've mentioned - with varying degrees of sanctification.  Many a router or kit have been sold with the thinking that "I'll get one good router and be done with it " only to later realize that just isn't going to work out.

 

[jarbroen]

Thom - sounds like you figured out the OF 1400 won't work in that Bosch table.  I'm sure you could get a reasonably priced Bosch router and leave it in the table.
Doesn't mean you can't buy the OF 1400 though.
It works really well with the rails for doing dados, inlays, etc.  And the edge guide is super handy.
The dust collection is decent on the 1400.  Like mentioned - not as well under the table.  I have the CMS with the OF 1400 and it makes a huge mess - especially with dados.  However, the setup does work really well, even better with an Incra LS