Festool OF1400 - Video Review and Demonstration

[Stone Message]

Hello Everyone

My family were very kind to me this year and have given me an OF1400. I had given some hints that this was the router that I needed!

I had taken a slight risk because I had not even held one before and I was a little worried about the side handle. Silly me - it is perfect; typical Festool.

My research, done partly here on the FOG, indicated that it can be swapped between tasks quickly and should be ideal for use with the Leigh dovetail jig. In the video I demonstrate all of this. For those who spoke about the spindle not being concentric with the guide bush - mine is perfect. I am going to invest in some more guide bushes (copying rings) as this is the ideal machine for template work.

I cannot fault this machine.



Peter

 

[Rocky]

I want one...

 

[Stone Message]

I want one...

Get one - you will not be disappointed.

I have owned and used many routers over the years and this one beats all of them except its big brother, the OF2200. I would say that the OF1400 and OF2200 are equal in my mind as they each share so many brilliant design ideas but I use them for different tasks. If I get the CMS-OF then I will put the OF2200 into that and use the OF1400 for everything else. At the moment I have two router tables designed for different types of work, but the CMS-OF would take over from both.

Peter

 

[Glenn in Shailer]

...great review Peter, and you are spot on, one brilliant router.
I bought one 6 months ago, couldn't wait for Xmas.

One really great feature of this router, that I only just found out, is it's ability to trim solid edging with the help of This and this.
All should work well according to Paul Marcel on his blog.
These 2 items have saved me a heap of dollars by not having to purchase a MFK 700 [unsure] don't know if that is a good thing or not [unsure].
Haven't tried it yet as the parts are en route.

Cheers

 

[bellchippy]

Great video Peter as always but!!!!! I think you should have the fence on the other side of the router so the rotation of the cutter pulls the fence tight as opposed to trying to push it away.

 

[Stone Message]

Great video Peter as always but!!!!! I think you should have the fence on the other side of the router so the rotation of the cutter pulls the fence tight as opposed to trying to push it away.

I know what you mean - it was safe in the video as it was a cut down the centre. It was setup for the camera.

Peter

 

[Kev]

Nice video Peter - thanks!

Something I'm intending to get is a second fence ... It'll make Festool's "perspex box" a bit redundant too.

Nice little dovetail demo you snuck in there ... I'm still on the fence about which dovetail jig to get (ironically I grabbed a 1010 with the intent of getting the VS600 and then became uncertain about the jig)

cheers,

Kev.

PS HAPPY NEW YEAR  [big grin]

 

[Wooden Skye]

Peter,

Good video, hopefully if I keep my new years resolution I will have the OF1400 in February.

 

[Vi_k]

Great review Peter! I really enjoyed watching it, Thanks!  [thumbs up]

I was on the fence between this router and the OF 2200 and your video totally helped me make up my mind!  [cool]

Have a good one,

Vi_k

 

[medicusdkfz]

Hi Peter,

this is a real good review of one of the best routers at the market. I like especially the part with the Leigh D4R pro.
I wish you and the other woodworkers worldwide the very best for the new year 2013.

Pierre

 

[Tinker]

Peter,
As with all of your reviews, I enjoyed your review of the 1400.  I agree it is a great router.  For me, it resides in my CMS table.  With chucks for the three differnt sized router bits, I will seldom see it out of there.  My 1000 takes care of the hand help needs.

BTW: I see the HL 850 on your wish list.  I have had that toy in my shop for three or four years and gave it little use.  Last spring, i brought home the mounting frame and the fence and I now go to it for many jobs i shied away from in the past.  A great little jointer, especially for small projects. What works for me is I can move it to anywhere in my small shop space.  It works on any flat surface I can clamp it onto.  For the times i need a hand held planer, it is only a few seconds and it is ready for that as well.
Tinker

 

[stvrowe]

As usual Peter, another excellent review! 

I purchased the OF1400 when it was introduced and was also very impressed by its capabilities.  I was so impressed, that I ordered another one while the introductory special was still going on.  The only Festool router I do not have is the OF1010 and I want that one too.  The only problem is that I have run out of hiding places and budget for one.  It is so hard to justify another router when you already have 10. 

BTW - Festool, my wife hates you   [wink]

 

[Tinker]

As usual Peter, another excellent review! 

I purchased the OF1400 when it was introduced and was also very impressed by its capabilities.  I was so impressed, that I ordered another one while the introductory special was still going on.  The only Festool router I do not have is the OF1010 and I want that one too.  The only problem is that I have run out of hiding places and budget for one.  It is so hard to justify another router when you already have 10. 

BTW - Festool, my wife hates you  

Steve, whenever you come home from the Festool toy store with only one Festoy in your hand, just tell her how many 1000's of dollars you actually saved.  I'm sure she will feel sooo much better. [poke]
Tinker

 

[Stone Message]

As usual Peter, another excellent review! 

BTW - Festool, my wife hates you  

Steve, whenever you come home from the Festool toy store with only one Festoy in your hand, just tell her how many 1000's of dollars you actually saved.  I'm sure she will feel sooo much better. [poke]
Tinker

No, No guys...

There are so many marvellous competitions run by Festool USA that all you need to do is say that you were the winner - for a small fee I am sure that Shane would send you a congratulatory email!

The other way is to make her something with the new tool that she will treasure for the rest of her life...

Peter

 

[Deansocial]

Peter, get them screw heads lined up!

 

[stvrowe]

As usual Peter, another excellent review! 

I purchased the OF1400 when it was introduced and was also very impressed by its capabilities.  I was so impressed, that I ordered another one while the introductory special was still going on.  The only Festool router I do not have is the OF1010 and I want that one too.  The only problem is that I have run out of hiding places and budget for one.  It is so hard to justify another router when you already have 10. 

BTW - Festool, my wife hates you  

Steve, whenever you come home from the Festool toy store with only one Festoy in your hand, just tell her how many 1000's of dollars you actually saved.  I'm sure she will feel sooo much better. [poke]
Tinker

Unfortunately for me the nearest Festool toy store is over a 3 hour drive away and in another state.  Actually, the statement was in jest (as indicated by purple highlighting) and my wife is very supportive of my Festool purchases as I am of her sewing machine purchases.

 

[stvrowe]

No, No guys...

There are so many marvellous competitions run by Festool USA that all you need to do is say that you were the winner - for a small fee I am sure that Shane would send you a congratulatory email!

The other way is to make her something with the new tool that she will treasure for the rest of her life...

Peter

The gears in my wifes' brain were turning on this long before I ever thought about it.  It was about 33 years ago she decided I needed a Shopsmith to make a bunch of stuff.  Oh, what a monster she created. [eek]

 

[Stone Message]

Peter, get them screw heads lined up!

I actually used to do that but was told to look at some antiques and see if any of them had the screws all neat and tidy - but I do make the stays, by hand, out of solid brass.

But back to the OF1400...

I have been playing with it again today and it is the most wonderful thing to handle. I still love the OF2200 but this new one is superb.

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

Peter,
As with all of your reviews, I enjoyed your review of the 1400.  I agree it is a great router.  For me, it resides in my CMS table.  With chucks for the three differnt sized router bits, I will seldom see it out of there.  My 1000 takes care of the hand help needs.

BTW: I see the HL 850 on your wish list.  I have had that toy in my shop for three or four years and gave it little use.  Last spring, i brought home the mounting frame and the fence and I now go to it for many jobs i shied away from in the past.  A great little jointer, especially for small projects. What works for me is I can move it to anywhere in my small shop space.  It works on any flat surface I can clamp it onto.  For the times i need a hand held planer, it is only a few seconds and it is ready for that as well.
Tinker

Yes, I saw one demonstrated and the really nice chap pointed out how good those accessories are. I think I am going to have to start robbing banks or something if I am to get everything that I want.

Peter

 

[Tinker]

As usual Peter, another excellent review! 

BTW - Festool, my wife hates you  

Steve, whenever you come home from the Festool toy store with only one Festoy in your hand, just tell her how many 1000's of dollars you actually saved.  I'm sure she will feel sooo much better. [poke]
Tinker

No, No guys...

There are so many marvellous competitions run by Festool USA that all you need to do is say that you were the winner - for a small fee I am sure that Shane would send you a congratulatory email!

The other way is to make her something with the new tool that she will treasure for the rest of her life...

Peter

Actually, that's what i do >>>  after I tell her how much i saved by leaving all of "those toys in the store."
Really, one can never be to careful.

Tinker