How do you use your Festool OF1400 or OF1010?

Bugsysiegals

Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2016
Messages
908
I'm a hobbyist who rarely gets time in the basement wood shop but like nice tools available when I'm ready to work on anything.  That said, I bought an OF1400 several years ago and tried to use it to flush trim 3/4" edge banding which didn't work out well.  I then figured I'd either buy the MFK700 or OF1010 and figured even with modifications to the MFK700 that it would be limited in use and that the OF1010 would be a better choice.  I bought it, the adapter plates, etc., and trimmed the same edge banding which worked out better but I still have to hand plane and had a small gouge where I wasn't supporting the weight of the router while interrupted. 

Besides wondering if I shouldn't have just bought the MFK700, I'm wondering whether I should even keep the OF1400/OF1010.  I've a 3HP Porter Cable mounted in a Bench Dog extension wing to my table saw.  It has an Incra lift, the Incra wonderfence, Woodpecker coping sled, etc., etc.  I've asked about using the routers for cutting dado's and several people said it's faster to setup the Table Saw and batch it out than to use a router. 

So ... what do you use these routers for in your projects?  I'm wondering whether to sell both or one of them and if I should pick up a MFK700 for edge trimming.
 
The OF 1400 is used for dados and rabets that the router table cannot handle. I also use it in conjonction with th LR32 system, and pattern cutting. Small trim flush is made with corded trim router from mini router table or cordless trim router. Heavy trim flush is done on the router table when feasable. The only time I use the OF 1400 to trim flush is when the other options are not working well. Personally if I own the OF 1010 it would have the same use of the OF 1400.
 
I find the OF1400 great for large mortises, heavier trim and trammel work, bowl cuts etc. essentially everything that isn’t light trimming (use Makita trim router) and can’t be easily done on the router table.

Large mortises is the main reason I originally bought it. I started out using a chisel mortise machine but I find I prefer using the router.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
There are plates / adapters for the 1010 that allow you to flush trim edging.

But take a look at this -https://www.fastcap.com/product/little-lipper

I think it does a better job with better consistency.

That said, I have the 1010, 1400, and MFK700.  1010 and 1400 mostly for LR32 holes, round over, chamfer, pattern routing, mortises, etc.  MFK mostly for edge trimming.

You likely don’t need the 1010 if you have the 1400.  MFK works great for edge trimming but a cheaper and potentially easier approach for edge trimming is the Little Lipper above.  And it’s less than 10% the price of any of the FT routers.

 
With that nice table mounted router set up like you have, I'd keep one of the two Festools - whichever one you decide is more useful for you - then sell the other and buy a dedicated lipping planer. So much better than stuffing around with a router.
 
I’ve heard good things about fastcap little lipper. I have the small Dewalt I can’t remember what I paid but it was cheap. The beauty of cheap routers is that you can dial in a bit and leave the bit in until your finished with the project(s). I was looking at routers and I like the versatility of the 1010 and for hand routing but the 1400 accepts 1/2 shanks. I have a fastcap tool that has carbide blades for cleaning up edge banding. It was around $50? I’m planning on getting 2 dedicated routers for a router table. I want a portable router table so I was thinking something like the Veritas design out of 5/8” or 3/4” Baltic Birch (BB). I’m looking at getting aBosch 1617 evs with a fixed base. If your needing is to flush trim, pickup a cheap Dewalt or Bosch and stick a bit in there and mostly dedicate it to that. There are WW that have a dozen routers because they don’t want to spend the time changing bits and adjusting.
 
Thanks guys!  I’d heard of the Little Lipper but figured the OF1400 would be to heavy with it ... not sure which they use in the video ... so I got the 1010 with adapter plate.

I wonder if the LL would work we with OF1400?  I could always buy a smaller Dewalt but then I’d have to setup some sort of area so I don’t have a huge mess.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Is it this video you saw? -  That's the 1400 in the video, and Paul mentions he's using a 1/2"  shank bit.  But I think either should work with it with a hole drilled in the base.

 
Little lipper - put your hand nice and close to the spinning bit. Looks like a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Little slipper.

They could at least have mounted a handguard.
 
Bugsysiegals said:
I'm a hobbyist who rarely gets time in the basement wood shop but like nice tools available when I'm ready to work on anything.  That said, I bought an OF1400 several years ago and tried to use it to flush trim 3/4" edge banding which didn't work out well.  I then figured I'd either buy the MFK700 or OF1010 and figured even with modifications to the MFK700 that it would be limited in use and that the OF1010 would be a better choice.  I bought it, the adapter plates, etc., and trimmed the same edge banding which worked out better but I still have to hand plane and had a small gouge where I wasn't supporting the weight of the router while interrupted. 

Besides wondering if I shouldn't have just bought the MFK700, I'm wondering whether I should even keep the OF1400/OF1010.  I've a 3HP Porter Cable mounted in a Bench Dog extension wing to my table saw.  It has an Incra lift, the Incra wonderfence, Woodpecker coping sled, etc., etc.  I've asked about using the routers for cutting dado's and several people said it's faster to setup the Table Saw and batch it out than to use a router. 

So ... what do you use these routers for in your projects?  I'm wondering whether to sell both or one of them and if I should pick up a MFK700 for edge trimming.

Hi [member=60777]Bugsysiegals[/member]

The OF1010 is the router that I use most as it can do all but the big stuff (panel raising and lock mitres).

I made a pair of videos about the router which may help inform your decision. Edge trimming is at about 10 minutes 50 seconds into the first video:

Part 1:


and Part 2:


I hope that this helps.

Peter
 
neilc said:
Is it this video you saw? -  That's the 1400 in the video, and Paul mentions he's using a 1/2"  shank bit.  But I think either should work with it with a hole drilled in the base.


Yes, this video and I see they updated the design to include a guard.  It seems to work with the 1400 but seems it would be most accurate with a lighter router ...

View attachment 1

That said, the guy who invented this was pretty careless and got dangerously close in his demo ... see 3:21

Little Lipper Demo

 

Attachments

  • littlelipper-1-370x336.png
    littlelipper-1-370x336.png
    31.3 KB · Views: 148
I have the 1010, the 1400 & the 700 along with a 3 1/2 HP Milwaukee in a table. I have used the Festool lipping accessories on both the 1010 & 1400. On the 1010 they worked pretty well, while on the 1400 it was a struggle because of the router weight. That's the reason I purchased the 700 and strictly use it for edging.

I originally purchased the 1400 because I had a complete stash of 1/2" diameter bits. Over the years however I really started to appreciate the lightness & handling of the 1010. Slowly I've acquired a selection of both 1/4" & 8 mm diameter bits and the 1010 is now my most used and favorite router. The 1/2" bits seldom get used any more and the 1400 also gets little to no use.

For me my choice is the 700 specifically for edging, the Milwaukee for the big stuff and the 1010 for everything else. I just may order the Little Lipper and try it on the 1010, that may be interesting.
 
I use the MFK 700 for laminate work and edging.  The favorite bit here is the Amana No-File bit (#47150) for use as the finisher for laminates.  The OF 1010 is the go-to router in my shop for use with the LR 32 and for doing dovetails using the Leigh Super Jig 18.  The OF 1400 is the portable one for use when the bit is vertical.  It's too unwieldy for use horizontally due to the weight.  The OF 2200 is my portable shaper, but generally lives in the CMS where it really shines (despite Festool's admonitions to the contrary). 
 
Cheese said:
I have the 1010, the 1400 & the 700 along with a 3 1/2 HP Milwaukee in a table. I have used the Festool lipping accessories on both the 1010 & 1400. On the 1010 they worked pretty well, while on the 1400 it was a struggle because of the router weight. That's the reason I purchased the 700 and strictly use it for edging.

I originally purchased the 1400 because I had a complete stash of 1/2" diameter bits. Over the years however I really started to appreciate the lightness & handling of the 1010. Slowly I've acquired a selection of both 1/4" & 8 mm diameter bits and the 1010 is now my most used and favorite router. The 1/2" bits seldom get used any more and the 1400 also gets little to no use.

For me my choice is the 700 specifically for edging, the Milwaukee for the big stuff and the 1010 for everything else. I just may order the Little Lipper and try it on the 1010, that may be interesting.

I'd love to buy the 700 and do the mod so it can cut wider edge banding but then wonder if the LL will make the 1010 perform as well making it unnecessary.  The edging adapter for 1010 works well if you're careful but still had a few spots I wanted to clean up with hand plane.  Not sure if the Little Lipper would be the same or not...
 
[member=7493]Sparktrician[/member] ..Well......you fixed the problem (2200/table) .....and I thank you very much for sharing it! I’ve been happy with it for some time now
Thx again
 
Sparktrician said:
The favorite bit here is the Amana No-File bit (#47150) for use as the finisher for laminates. 

The OF 2200 is my portable shaper, but generally lives in the CMS where it really shines (despite Festool's admonitions to the contrary).

Thanks for the tip on the Amana No-File bit Sparky...I noticed they offer bits for .025"-.038" thick laminate and for .042"-.052" laminate.

Your current situation is where I want to eventually be.  [big grin]  My 1400 is currently in the CMS but eventually I want to place a 2200 in the CMS and then I'd off the 1400, the big Milwaukee and the router table. Fewer tools and more room.  [cool]
 
Vondawg said:
[member=7493]Sparktrician[/member] ..Well......you fixed the problem (2200/table) .....and I thank you very much for sharing it! I’ve been happy with it for some time now
Thx again

Most welcome, [member=41086]Vondawg[/member] !
 
Cheese said:
Sparktrician said:
The favorite bit here is the Amana No-File bit (#47150) for use as the finisher for laminates. 

The OF 2200 is my portable shaper, but generally lives in the CMS where it really shines (despite Festool's admonitions to the contrary).

Thanks for the tip on the Amana No-File bit Sparky...I noticed they offer bits for .025"-.038" thick laminate and for .042"-.052" laminate.

Your current situation is where I want to eventually be.  [big grin]  My 1400 is currently in the CMS but eventually I want to place a 2200 in the CMS and then I'd off the 1400, the big Milwaukee and the router table. Fewer tools and more room.  [cool]

I should have mentioned that I also use an Amana flush-cut bit (MR0102) with the MFK 700 to get the laminate pieces to fit tightly, then use the No-File bit to put just enough of a finish round-over on them that they look right and don't tear up one's hands/wrists/forearms.  [smile]
 
have the 2200, 1010 and 700, I use the 1010 primarily for the LR 32 and bits I cant use in the 700.  The 2200 is mostly table mounted but used when i need to use big bits.  I use mostly the 700. If the 700 could be used with the LR32 Id prolly sell my 1010.
 
Back
Top