Festool OF 1400 vs OF 1010 and 2200 Combo

[m8]

I've pushed my little Dewalt DWP611 to its limits.  The Dewalt trim router is currently my only router and I'm looking to purchase a router that will be able to handle more strenuous tasks.  I originally was looking at only purchasing the 1400 but am now considering purchasing the 2200 followed by 1010 in the future when the budget allows.  Does the 1010/2200 combo make sense or is it best to go for the 1400?  I guess another possibility is the 1400 with 3 1/4 hp router in a table.  As always I appreciate everyone's help.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I started with the 2200 and added a 1010, like you say. I eventually ended up with a 1400 and use them all. The 2200 is the best router I have ever used. The 1010 is my most used router and if I could only have one, it would probably end up being the 1400 just for size and versatility. How is that for an answer, LOL? You cannot go wrong with any of them.

 

[MikeGE]

I can't help you on the logic of why I did this, just tell you what I did.  I bought the OF 2200 as my main router.  I have a Triton TRA001, but was going to put it in my router table. 

The OF 2200 is a beast, but sometimes I don't need a beast, so I bought the OF 1010.  I was going to buy the OF 1400, but my Festool dealer told me the OF 1010 would be a better fit for my requirements.  I'm glad I listened to him, because after thinking about it, the OF 1400 would have been good, but I would have likely been back for the OF 1010.
I changed my mind on the Triton for the router table and went with the Incra Mast-R-Lift II and the AUKTools V3 2.4HP router.  This router is the largest router I could find in Europe that would fit the Incra lift.
Overall, I am very happy with my current choice of routers.

 

[semenza]

Either way works. I am sure the 1010 will do more than he trim router you are using.  But unless you plan to keep using the trim router in addition to the 2200 I'd get the 1010 first.  The 2200 is a great router but it is big, heavy and not something you will want to be using for edge work if you can help it.

The 1400 is really quite powerful and also quite handy.

Seth

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I started with the OF1400 and added the OF1010 later. I mostly use the OF1400, honestly, and pull out the OF1010 when the smaller size is an advantage and I don't want/need the fixed base benefit that my DW618 brings for certain tasks.

The OF2200 is a wonderful machine, but I have no interest in using something that large, heavy and powerful hand-held. But that's a subjective thing and what's right for me might not be right for you.

 

[Cypren]

One thing to consider when looking at this decision is that the OF1400 still has a long-standing issue with precision when using guide bushings. Unlike the 1010, the guide bushing adapter is snap-in, not screw-in, and there's no way to manually adjust the offset of the guide ring. This leaves you entirely at the mercy of the manufacturing process: you may get one which is perfectly centered and has no play in the adapter, and you may not, and the difference is often very subtle and only becomes noticeable when trying to route smooth circles. See this thread (starting at post #40) for more details:https://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?pretty;board=other-tools-accessories;topic=mft-hole-jigs.30

If you don't intend to use guide bushings, this is a non-issue and the 1400 is a fantastic router with great ergonomics, power and incredible dust collection. But it's a design flaw worth knowing about in advance if you're thinking about making it your only router.

 

[ear3]

If you're thinking for the longer term, then yeah, I would suggest the 2200 + 1010 combo over just the 1400.  There are all sorts of operations where the lighter footprint of the 1010 can be the difference between success and failure I've found, like running a rabbeting bit on a the back of already assembled casing, or a profiling bit on narrow stock, operations for which the 1400 would be unwieldy.  I have also found that the edging plate, which allows you to do horizontal routing, works better with the 1010 than with the bulkier 1400.  The 2200 is kind of in a league of its own in terms of adjustability and dust collection, and despite its size, is actually fairly nimble for hand held operations, provided of course that the base is supported correctly.  Plus it's super powerful, and has a range of different interchangeable bases available through the base accessory kit.

 

[Roseland]

I have both the 1010 and 1400.
If you do edging, the accessories for the 1010 are excellent.  They do fit the 1400 (although there is no chip deflector) but that router is too heavy to hang on its side.
I've had no problem with guide bush accuracy on my 1400, so when I'm using them I first go for that.
The fence and rail guide on the 1400 are better than those on the 1010.
I've never felt the need for more power than the 1400 can provide.
I'd say go for the 1400 unless you do edging:http://greenanddarkblue.blogspot.com/2012/06/festools-edge-routing-accessories.html

Andrew

 

[cpw]

I have a DW611, DW618 (x2), 3hp PC in the table, and the OF1010 and OF2200.  If I were to keep one hand held router it would be the 2200.  I barely touch the 618s now.  I use mostly the 611 and the 2200.  The OF2200 has great dust collection (still expect a huge mess depending on the operation) and is extremely well balanced.

 

[HarveyWildes]

I love my 2200.  It is silky smooth and the dust collection is awesome.  As other posters have noted, it needs to be well supported because of its weight.  As examples, I've used mine for cutting large (2'-4' diameter) circles for frames and with the Festool MFS and Woodpeckers variable router jigs.  An example of an application where I think neither the 611 or the 2200 is a good match is cutting dovetails with a Leigh or DeWalt dovetail jig, as a lighter router is a bit under-powered and lacks support, and there is a higher risk of slightly tipping a heavy router over the edge of the jig.

In choosing between the 1100 and 1400, I finally settled on the 1400 because it comes with a 1/2" collet.  Since you currently have a 611, that's probably not a big deal for you, but a 1/2" shank is almost a necessity for larger diameter (1" or greater) bits.  I've seen at least two larger diameter 1/4" shank bits break in my life.  Both times the router was in a table and the head of the bit came out the bottom of the table and did not cause any injury, but did ruin the cut.  Once a shank is torqued out of round by over-stressing it in a cut, it doesn't take long to beat itself into breaking.  The only 1/2" shank bit that I have ever seen break was a dovetail bit that broke at its narrowest point.  I use 1/2" shank bits whenever possible.  I only use my trim routers for lightweight tasks that don't put a lot of stress on the bits - chamfering, laminate or other light trimming jobs, light dadoing, inlay, hinge mortising, and so on.  I think I only have one 1/4" bit with a diameter of more than 3/4", a Whiteside 45 degree chamfering bit with a guide bearing, and I never use the full size of that bit.  So if you see yourself also using larger bits, take that into account when picking a router.  I feel more comfortable using the 1400 with a dovetail jig because I can use 1/2" bits.

 

[m8]

I really appreciate everyone's help and hate to keep asking more question but after reading everyone's response I probably have more questions than when I started.  One of my questions is what should be my realistic expectations of the capabilities of the 1010?

 

[RussellS]

I'll add an opinion.  I have the big 3 HP Porter Cable plunge router.  Its similar to the 2200 router in size, power and everything else.  Except dust collection.  I use it handheld on edges and lots of other stuff too.  Its great.  But for edge work I also have the 1010 router.  But it only does take 8mm and 1/4" bits.  I have lots of 1/2" bits for edge work.  So...I don't know what I would recommend.  Other than the big 2200 router can work perfectly fine for edge work.  Littler routers are better for edge work, but the big 2200 will also work perfectly well too.  Especially 1/2" bits.

 

[blues]

1400 is the absolute best if you must have just one router.  It has enough power and is not that heavy so it's easy to handle. It can take 8mm 1/4" and 1/2" bits. It would cover about 85% of most requirements.  Certainty the 2200 and 1010 have their place. It is my philosophy to have the least number of tools of the best possible quality to get most of my work done. In my opinion the 1400 is an absolute gem. It has tons of accessories that makes the usability of the router ideal for handheld use.

 

[m8]

Just as a quick update I ended up going with the 2200.  I've had the chance to use it for a few hours over the past week or so and I do have to say that its a incredibly powerful but smooth router.  Time will tell but for me I'm happy with my decision.  Thank you for everyone's help.

 

[jcrowe1950]

Just as a quick update I ended up going with the 2200.  I've had the chance to use it for a few hours over the past week or so and I do have to say that its a incredibly powerful but smooth router.  Time will tell but for me I'm happy with my decision.  Thank you for everyone's help.

  I have only used the 2200 in Festool classes as we don't have a demo model in the store. That said, I was super impressed with how agile it was in use and how non-intimidating it was for such a large machine. If you are going to do a lot of edge routing with it, which it does well, you should probably look at the "table widener" base (494682). It makes for a more steady edge routing experience. You will discover all sorts of German engineering features that are not obvious upon initial use. The motor is smooth, the plunge lock is easy and there is an esoteric fine tuning feature that Sedge explained to me one time but I never did properly understand. I doubt you will be disappointed with your choice.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Congrats! It is a great choice and was my first Festool router and only Festool router for a few years. Still my favorite, although these days the 1010 has become my most used.