I have a Bosch Trim Router, Festool OF 1400 and a Triton 3 1/4HP. I use the OF 1400 the most. I really don't have strong router skills yet and because of that, my first choice to route something is my router table which has a Hitachi router in itThompmd said:
How many Routers do you have and why?
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DeformedTree
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afish said:
Thanks, this is really good to know about.
woodferret
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afish said:
I'm actually surprised they have a 8mm for the DW611. Thanks for the link.
I have 4:
OF1400 as primary router, useful with LR32 as well
MFK700 for trim work like roundovers. Both have exceptional dust collection, which I love. For example, did roundovers on a bunch of pieces for a large table I’m building yesterday, and no need for cleanup afterward. With my old Bosch Colt, it would have taken me 20 minutes to clean up all of the chips
Porter Cable 890 series with both bases. I kept this one after buying the OF1400, to wait until I did some dovetails. I have the 24” PC dovetail jig, and had gotten the D handle base to use on the 890. After trying the OF for dovetails, I decided that I liked the PC with D handle much better from a control and watching the bit perspective.
Triton 3.5 hp in my Sommerfeld router table/cabinet. May upgrade this one to a newer model with the top-adjust for height.
OF1400 as primary router, useful with LR32 as well
MFK700 for trim work like roundovers. Both have exceptional dust collection, which I love. For example, did roundovers on a bunch of pieces for a large table I’m building yesterday, and no need for cleanup afterward. With my old Bosch Colt, it would have taken me 20 minutes to clean up all of the chips
Porter Cable 890 series with both bases. I kept this one after buying the OF1400, to wait until I did some dovetails. I have the 24” PC dovetail jig, and had gotten the D handle base to use on the 890. After trying the OF for dovetails, I decided that I liked the PC with D handle much better from a control and watching the bit perspective.
Triton 3.5 hp in my Sommerfeld router table/cabinet. May upgrade this one to a newer model with the top-adjust for height.
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Four ..........
700, 1400, 2200. PC 7518 motor in table. Different routers / sizes for different tasks.
1400 was first and only for years. If only keeping one this would be the one.
Added the 700 to trim solid edge banding, but now use it for other light routing jobs such as small roundovers. Plus it is handier for small pieces.
Added 2200 when I needed to spin a large bit handheld. It is awesome for dados too.
All of them have good DC. The 2200 DC even cleans out dados on the go.
Seth
700, 1400, 2200. PC 7518 motor in table. Different routers / sizes for different tasks.
1400 was first and only for years. If only keeping one this would be the one.
Added the 700 to trim solid edge banding, but now use it for other light routing jobs such as small roundovers. Plus it is handier for small pieces.
Added 2200 when I needed to spin a large bit handheld. It is awesome for dados too.
All of them have good DC. The 2200 DC even cleans out dados on the go.
Seth
Three:
1. Porter Cable PC 690 with 3 bases. First router - not used much anymore unless I need to use a 1/2 inch bit.
2. Bosch 1617 EVS. Sits in the router table - perfect for this task.
3. Festool OF-1010. Used for all handheld routing unless I need to use a 1/2 inch bit.
Still plan to get a OF-1400 one day.
Doug
1. Porter Cable PC 690 with 3 bases. First router - not used much anymore unless I need to use a 1/2 inch bit.
2. Bosch 1617 EVS. Sits in the router table - perfect for this task.
3. Festool OF-1010. Used for all handheld routing unless I need to use a 1/2 inch bit.
Still plan to get a OF-1400 one day.
Doug
gsdvorak
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Well, I have too many of some and not enough of others:
- 2 PC7518s in router lifts
- 4 PC690s. 2 are setup for the dovetail jig and 2 are currently not used.
- 2200 in the CMSGE
-2 OF1400s
-2 OF1010s. 1 is always setup for the LR32.
-1 MFK700.
-1 Bosch Pony. Really like this but hate there’s no dust collection.
Someday would like to get another of each OF2200 and MFK700 but other priorities first. I wouldn’t mind selling the 2 PC690s that I haven’t been using, so if you are interested, send me a PM.
Regards,
Gerald
- 2 PC7518s in router lifts
- 4 PC690s. 2 are setup for the dovetail jig and 2 are currently not used.
- 2200 in the CMSGE
-2 OF1400s
-2 OF1010s. 1 is always setup for the LR32.
-1 MFK700.
-1 Bosch Pony. Really like this but hate there’s no dust collection.
Someday would like to get another of each OF2200 and MFK700 but other priorities first. I wouldn’t mind selling the 2 PC690s that I haven’t been using, so if you are interested, send me a PM.
Regards,
Gerald
DeformedTree
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woodferret said:
Indeed, just having any of the options is nice, but this was a good find.
I have a PC7518 in my router table and I also have a fixed base for it if I want to use it that way. I've used smaller routers for router table use before and the PC7518 is far superior. It has speed settings that are rpm, not meaningless numbers, and it has real power.
I use a Bosch colt for little roundovers and chamfers. I use two PC690s (4 bases) for everything else. Right now one of the motors is in a fixed base with a dovetail bit for half blind dovetails set up in it and the plunge base holds the other motor with a 3/4 straight bit to make dados. I cut dados using the router attachment for my DeWalt track saw track.
The router table has decent dust collection but the hand held routers make messes.
I use a Bosch colt for little roundovers and chamfers. I use two PC690s (4 bases) for everything else. Right now one of the motors is in a fixed base with a dovetail bit for half blind dovetails set up in it and the plunge base holds the other motor with a 3/4 straight bit to make dados. I cut dados using the router attachment for my DeWalt track saw track.
The router table has decent dust collection but the hand held routers make messes.
contendernut
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afish said:
Is there any source for 8mm shank bits in US other than the few festool?
woodferret said:
happy to help I can vouch that it is a great collet. I just ordered one for my dcw600 which is basically the cordless version of the 611. Just be careful when ordering there is only one letter difference between the full size dewalt collets and the trimmer sized ones. I messed up my first order. Also just FYI the shipping is somewhat slow so plan ahead. takes about 8 days or so for them to get me a collet from ohio to florida with standard shipping.
contendernut said:
If there is they are few and far between... I purchased the 8mm collet specifically to run in a dcw600 with a festool 499811. I trim flush with the mfk and follow up with the dewalt cordless with the festool roundover. both bits live permanently in each. No thinking no adjusting just pick up and go. While im sure festool routers are nice at the end of the day its just a router and I would rather have 8 dedicated routers that I dont have to mess around changing bits, guides and such then 1 or 2 expensive routers that I would need to change each time. The Mfk is the only expensive router I have but its pretty specialized so its worth the price if you are going to trim a lot of edge banding. My favs are DW621 for plunge (even though the trigger is a little funky) but the DC was ahead of its time. PC D-handle and dewalt cordless trim router ( the makita is good too but I already have a bunch of Dewalt batteries) so the dewalt is my go to cordless.
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I believe Lee Valley has some 8 mm bits.
Peter
Peter
All of the Festool Routers, a Bosch 1617EVS (both bases), Porter Cable 7518 (router table), Bosch Colt (set), and the Dewalt DCW600B(cordless compact router). These were purchased over a period many years or so. I have had others that burned up or failed. All time favorites: OF 2200 and the Dewalt.
You cannot have too many routers.
You cannot have too many routers.
yup ! Rob Lee has just about everything you could want. If he doesn't, you probably don't need it. [tongue]
Not easy to search or filter though - you gotta do a bit of sleuthing:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/search?query=8mm+router+bit
I think the only mm shank bits here are mostly festools and I think some of the dovetail jigs (leigh) use a metric bit. However I think the dovetails might be also available in imperial (not 100% on that as I dont use one). Just about every other bit I have ever needed OTHER than the Festool 1mm round over was available in a comparable imperial shaft. Its odd Amana makes a 1/16 (1.5mm) and a 2mm but not the 1mm. Just out of curiosity is there any router bits out there that you couldnt find with an imperial shaft? Oh, I just thought of another one the 5mm or any of the boring bits always have a 10mm shaft regardless of who makes it.
There are lots of 8mm shank bits to be had here. Festool has not cornered the market.
I believe Leigh was using 8mm bits with an adapter long before FT started peddling router bits. Leigh does offer some of their line in 1/2" shank, but that usually means a larger router. 8mm will fit in some compact routers that won't accept 1/2" shank. The smaller routers are more comfortable to use with their jig. 8mm shanks afford a much beefier cutter.
On a 1-3mm diameter cutter, a larger diameter shank doesn't really bring much to the party. It's those medium to larger diameter cutters that benefit to those that can't accept a 1/2 collet. Like a t-slot, drawer lock or large radius roundover bit.
Anyone notice that PC has quietly discontinued most, if not all, of their routers ?
I believe Leigh was using 8mm bits with an adapter long before FT started peddling router bits. Leigh does offer some of their line in 1/2" shank, but that usually means a larger router. 8mm will fit in some compact routers that won't accept 1/2" shank. The smaller routers are more comfortable to use with their jig. 8mm shanks afford a much beefier cutter.
On a 1-3mm diameter cutter, a larger diameter shank doesn't really bring much to the party. It's those medium to larger diameter cutters that benefit to those that can't accept a 1/2 collet. Like a t-slot, drawer lock or large radius roundover bit.
Anyone notice that PC has quietly discontinued most, if not all, of their routers ?
Cheese
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Vortex Tooling have some.
https://www.vortextool.com/wood-tooling.html
Onsrud have a few.
https://www.onsrud.com/Series/52-400.asp
CMT has a ton of them in their European Catalog.
https://www.vortextool.com/wood-tooling.html
Onsrud have a few.
https://www.onsrud.com/Series/52-400.asp
CMT has a ton of them in their European Catalog.
woodferret
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afish said:
The only non-Festool bit I ever looked at was a D=8mm upcut so I could cheap out and rout 8mm mortises without a DF500. That said, Lee Valley sells imperial 5/16" tenon stock so this is low on my priority and more curiosity-sake. Mostly though, if I get a 8mm collet, it'd more likely be for the FS hinge boring and 5mm stop bits.
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