How many routers

[DanielOB]

I just got of1400 in Canada. Got also nearly all accessories for it from amazon.
It is not heavy nor large unit and is easy on dado too and small grooves...
Many here have and of1010. Why both?

Might be two routers is a must? I am a beginner in the trade...
If need two is not better to have two of1400 than 1010 + 1400 (accessories sake)

 

[Jesse Cloud]

The OF1400 is my go to router and gets 90% of the router work I do, however, the 1010 gets used for some niches: it works great with the LR32, its light weight makes it great for jig work where I have to lift the thing up and down many, many times, and sometimes I need a small router to fit in confined spaces.

In any case, having at least two routers is a good idea.  Sometimes I need one setup (bit, depth, edge guide setting,etc) and then another shortly after, and then back to the first.  Being able to keep the settings saves time and minimizes errors.

Then again, if you do a lot of heavy plowing with a router, the OF2200 might be worth a look.

 

[DanielOB]

What you use routers for?
Are you make cabinets and similarities...

 

[grbmds]

How many routers depends on what you do with them to some extent. If you do a lot of repetitive jobs that require the same setup, then it's a great thing if you can dedicate one router for that purpose so you don't have to regularly redo the setup. I would think that, if you're a hobbyist, a second router of a different type would be best, especially when your first is the 1400. That router should do most everything that you need. Having a smaller router, like the 1010, would be useful. I don't own it, but my understanding is that it also has a lot of power for a smaller router and, while you would normally use it for edging and things like that, I've seen it demonstrated doing smaller dados and other heavier work. With those two, I would assume you would be able to do almost any routing task you'd encounter. I wish they would have been around when I started. I'd only own those 2 right now.

 

[rljatl]

It's convenient to have multiple routers set up to do different things.  That's why I like standard router plates.  For example, pull out the dado router and drop in the round over router.  It's easy to find cheap second hand routers.

 

[sancho57]

I have 2 routers. The 2200 and the 1010. They are all I need

 

[Gary in Texas]

Daniel,

The router is a very versatile tool, and can be used extensively in the hobby workshop environment.  You are already familiar with their ability to dado, rabbet, etc...  Many use them with dovetail jigs or in a router table.  People that use the router with a dovetail jig, for instance, may use two routers dedicated to cut the pins or tails, as each requires a different bit, and it saves on set up time having dedicated routers to cut each. In a router table, the router is very useful, and safer, in many applications.  Routing dados or rabbet is simple, making raised panels, finger joints for boxes, etc...  Besides my OF1400, I have many other routers (two dedicated to router tables), other routers with fixed or plunge bases, all used dependent upon the job, small routers for trim work, medium sized for dovetail jigs, or the heavy duty (3HP) for raised panels.  There are numerous great books available on routers, router tables and router use that goes into detail on how to use the router.  I would suggest you check out some of these books to provide you with an overview of how to use the router (and use it safely)...

 

[r cash]

In my one man professional shop the time it takes to change set ups adds up way to fast. My solution 4 trim Bosch colt routers always set for edge treatments. 1 mfk 700 used mostly on site door template work. 4 Bosch 1617vs general shop and site work.
2 of2000 just got the second one recon sale primarly router table set ups.
And 2 of2200 for all heavy work on site and shop work like large stairway tread mortises these two also do a lot of template work with mfs 400 and mfs700.
The mfs sys works so well it cut out time spent making specialty templates an then tossing away.  [smile]
Rc

 

[nclemmons]

Daniel

You said you are a beginner.  Work with the 1400 for awhile.  It's a great router and probably the most versatile in Festool's line due to the range of chuck sizes, weight, and power.  You made a great choice.

If you find it does what you want, stick with it alone.  When I was starting out, I built an entire kitchen with a table saw and one router and a cordless drill.  That was awhile back of course, but my point is to learn technique and then buy more tools.

If there are times when you need more than one bit for a project and you find yourself swapping bits on the 1400 router, that might be a signal you need a second router.  I love the 1010 personally as my go-to even thought I have a 1400 and other routers as well.  Great power in a small package and very versatile as others have suggested with accessories.

A common time when you want a second router is in a router table, where you can leave a unit captive while still having a hand held unit.  Porter Cable, Trion, Bosch, and many others are great choices for a non-festool router table that can be dedicated for not a lot of money.  And they support 1/4 and 1/2 inch bits and work in a lot of different router tables, even if you choose to make your own, which is a great start and very cost effective till you find the features you want and need.

I most frequently use two routers when routing edge profiles or through dovetails where I need more than one bit and I don't want to have to change them in the middle of a work stream.

The right number of routers is based on your work style and projects.  Start cutting and you'll learn when you need a second, third, or fourth!

neil

 

[Roseland]

I have both the OF1010 and OF1400.  I use the 1400 more, but the 1010 excels at trimming hardwood edging; there is no chip deflector for the 1400 when used with an edging plate.
I also have a Triton router in a table, which is excellent for that application, as well as legacy Bosch and DeWalt ones.  But the Festool are used 90% of the time.

Andrew

 

[epicxt]

I've got the 1010 and 2200 plus a few Bosch Colts. I find this assortment covers my needs extremely well. If I were doing more production work instead of one-off stuff I'd probably invest in more routers to save setup time. 

 

[Mickfb]

I have a 1400  a Trend T11 permanently set up in the router table and a Dewalt DW612 which us a nice light little router.

 

[TomGadwa1]

There are two sayings about a woodworkers shop. Number one is you can never have too many clamps. Number two and the one that pertains to this thread is that you can never have too many routers. That being said I have two Porter-Cable 3.5 hp units for my two router tables. As mentioned above when making rails and stiles for doors it is handy to have each table set up for the specific bit. I.E. one for the rails cope cuts and then the other to run the profile on the stiles and the length wise profile on the rail pieces. I also fell victim to the Festool router family. I say family because I bought them all. The OF2200 is great for running rabbits and dadoes and does not even break a sweat when doing so. The OF1400 is great for use with the LR32 hole drilling setup for adjustable shelves. Also it works great with the guide stop for making accurate dadoes and rabbits. The OF1010 is one sweet little router. It can be used for things like running profiles on the edges of boards, milling recesses on stock or milling corners out to fit out displays as I do. Having one set to do corner work and the other set to dado work saves time by not having to change the cutter in the router. The MFK700 is really nice for doing round overs and trimming edge banding. All the Festool routers have very good dust collection as well. The last router in my arsenal is a Craftsman D handle router which I use to cut dovetails in conjunction with my PorterCable 24 inch Omnijig. I am fairly certain that I am covered for routers with what I have. Good luck and the OF1400 was my first Festool router too. Careful as you may wind up with the family of Festool routers as well.

 

[DanielOB]

As I know it is the most expensive to learn on own experience.
I learned from you guys a lot and certainly I will use your knowledge. Thanks to you all.

The dilemma was 1010 or 1400. As I already have all accessories available for 1400 I think it is the best to get one more 1400, and I have two routers 0.5" included.

Any comment on the choice.

Now I will have
1400
1400
Colt (Bosch) with modified base for guide bushing I already have for 1400
Dewalt 2.25 hp fix and plunger for the router table (this also accepts the same guide bushings as 1400

 

[rst]

Ditto regarding TomGadwa1's comment about # of routers.  I have my first router which one of the first Makita 3+ HP plunge routers, still have it to use for routing aluminum.  I have two two PC-7518s, one in a router table and one for template routing heavy plastics. I have two PC 860s (these are great and the dust collection is almost as good as Festools) and all three available bases, one dedicated to my Leigh dovetail base and two PC trimmers, one old style and one of the newer with the plunge base.  I won three Boschs, a 3 hp plunger, the 1617 with two bases, and the trimmer.  I recently bought the Festool 1400 so I could utilize the LR 32 system.  While I have never used them all on the same job, not having to reset depths and bits is very efficient, or I'm just crazy.

 

[ifit]

I have 4 routers for onsite use

1 is set up for my hinge jig
1 is set up  with a round over which i use a lot
1 is set up for worktops
1 is set up for lock jigs ( I also use it to cut intumescent grooves)

 

[wow]

I have 4 routers for onsite use

1 is set up for my hinge jig
1 is set up  with a round over which i use a lot
1 is set up for worktops
1 is set up for lock jigs ( I also use it to cut intumescent grooves)

Gotta ask - what's an 'intumescent groove'?

 

[bkharman]

I have 4 routers for onsite use

1 is set up for my hinge jig
1 is set up  with a round over which i use a lot
1 is set up for worktops
1 is set up for lock jigs ( I also use it to cut intumescent grooves)

Gotta ask - what's an 'intumescent groove'?

Fire protection.