Festool Router Dilemma

[duburban]

As a new of1400 owner I can't help to feel a little disappointed, sure it's a nice machine but the price is very steep. You can easily buy 2 high end BOSCH routers for the price of 1 festool.

As I see it what sets my of1400 apart from the rest is

- better dustcollection
- ratcheting action
+ systainer

I love festool but routers and dust collectors... I don't know

Your missing the accessories. Better edge guides and ability to throw it on a track.

 

[Kev]

As a new of1400 owner I can't help to feel a little disappointed, sure it's a nice machine but the price is very steep. You can easily buy 2 high end BOSCH routers for the price of 1 festool.

As I see it what sets my of1400 apart from the rest is

- better dustcollection
- ratcheting action
+ systainer

I love festool but routers and dust collectors... I don't know

Just to clarify, are you also questioning the value of Festool's dust collectors?

 

[BMH]

Ian,

I started with the 1400 and many of it's accessories and it has served me well. I did start to build a lot of cabinets and started to use the LR 32 with the 1400. I found out that the 1010 was easier to use because of it's weight and the plunge mechanism was not as stiff as the 1400 and after a couple of hundred plunge easier on the arm. So added it to my collection.

Now my 1400 lives in the CMS table and only come out when needed with 1/2 bits or using the accessories I bought. None of them are compatible with the 1010. I also have the 700 that is my go to for many jobs other then trimming.

If you are going to get the CMS my first choice would be the 1400 and then I would add later the 1010 and would buy the accessories for it instead for the 1400. Routers have become indispensable to my shop and I enjoy all three of them. Maybe one day I will be able to justify the 2200.

Bruce

 

[jacko9]

Ian,

If your taking on larger jobs and doing things like raised panels, you might want to do a little more research on the best solution for you.  One suggestion is to take a look at Fine Woodworking "Tools & Shops" annual issue where they do a review of Router tables and Lifts.  You might be able to find a solution to your needs at a lower overall cost.  I have a light duty shaper and a large assortment of carbide cutters but after discovering Festool Dust Extractors, that tools sits unused.  I'll be looking at a new way to use my cutters and 1/2" router bits but, only with good dust collection.

Jack

 

[ccarrolladams]

After the CMS with the OF1010 and OF1400 was approved for North America, Festool End User classes began teaching the use of vertical panel raising bits which work very well in an OF1400.

In my shop we use a shaper to raise door panels. That is an approach I have long used and the one my specialist in door making also uses. Between us we already own all the panel raising shaper knives we have needed.

The first time I took the End user door class in Henderson, NV the CMS was still pending approval for NA. We did use the OF2200 for the panel raising using a horizontal cutter. That worked well, but no better than the OF1400 with a vertical cutter the second time I took the door class. If I did not already own a sophisticated shaper I would buy a CMS with the OF1400 module.