Festool Offset Router Base?

alltracman78

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Are there any Festool router bases along the lines of something like this?

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I couldn't find anything which kind of blows my mind, you don't use it all the time, but when you need it it's pretty indispensable.
 

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The offset base is essentially a laminate trimmer only thing. They are very limited as to bit selection/fitment too.
I know what you mean about handy. I work in a commercial cabinet shop and leave one set-up at all times. I probably use one more than most, but like you said, it still not every day.
I actually have two of them, but don't use the Makita one. It came as part of an "installer's kit" which has several bases. The main one I use from it is the plunge base.
The one I do use is the Bosch version. I wouldn't say that either is better than the other, they are fairly simple and work well.

I think the belt is the real limiting factor. Just how much of a load could it really take? I would assume that this is why they have never been adopted  to the larger machines, and I would bet that most people have never even seen one, much less have a reason to use it.
 
I have the same Makita kit. It was my first router. Got it for like $125 on Amazon years ago.
I haven't touched it since I got my Milwaukee cordless (picked up a second one a week later). I have the plunge and offset base for those too. And I picked up the Woodpeckers teardrop shaped trim base.
It's one of my favorite tools to use.
It probably isn't a completely fair comparison because the Milwaukee is newer tech, but I definitely prefer the Milwaukee. I have a load of Milwaukee cordless tools and it's the only one I prefer to a corded tool (aside from quick convenience).

I was mainly thinking about dust collection. Though I guess it would be very difficult to cram that in there too.
 
To my knowledge Festool does not make one. I have one for my Milwaukee cordless trim router.
 
Question:
As CRG noted, the belt drive is a bit of a limitation ... probably why Festool did not go for it.

Is anyone aware of a geared version out there? Or an angled one - using angle grinder-style gearbox?
 
Take the cut closer to a perpendicular blockage. Think trimming an already installed countertop where the edge meets a wall.
 
alltracman78 said:
Take the cut closer to a perpendicular blockage. Think trimming an already installed countertop where the edge meets a wall.

The thing is, it still won't get 100% of that cut either.

I use mine the most in reception desk type situations where there is a slot for a countertop that gets laminated. Most of it can be trimmed with a normal trimmer, but the area around the built-in support brackets cannot. The off-set base works perfectly in that case.
 
Yeah, a better way to describe it would have been to say that it moves the edge of the router base much closer to the edge of the bit so it can fit into tight spots.
It also can fit underneath a much lower overhang than the full router can.

It does have a bit more chatter, probably because of the belt. Some kind of gear driven one would be fantastic but I've never seen one.
 
alltracman78 said:
Take the cut closer to a perpendicular blockage. Think trimming an already installed countertop where the edge meets a wall.

Hmm, yes, fair point. But why not just trim the countertop before installing??
 
Coen said:
alltracman78 said:
Take the cut closer to a perpendicular blockage. Think trimming an already installed countertop where the edge meets a wall.

Hmm, yes, fair point. But why not just trim the countertop before installing??

Sometimes people do it as reskinning in place. I generally am against it. Laminating over existing laminate is more likely to have adhesion issues. It's more of a homeowner/DIY thing and they are far less likely to have the proper tools anyway.
 
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