Is the Festool OF 1400 the right upgrade from a Dewalt DW618

[Dusty.House]

Hi All,

I'm looking to upgrade my DW618 and I think the OF 1400 is the right one to pick. The jobs that are top of mind right now are:

- Dogholes in a custom MFT top
- Dados for installing T-Track
- Installing a SOSS invisible hinge
- Cutting out a router plate hole

I also have a Router Table and a Dewalt DW611 trim router.

Does OF 1400 sound right?

Thanks

Ben

 

[tallgrass]

The 1400 is a great router. I would say it is a great upgrade to what you are using.

 

[dankerst]

I have both. The biggest advantage with the OF1400 is obviously the dust and chip extraction. Cleaner workplace AND lungs are worth the price. The OF1400 has better ability for fine tuning the measurements too. Quality tools make for a quality job.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Yes, the dust extraction alone is worth upgrading too. I have lot of routers, non Festool that I dearly love, and they perform great but, I think eventually I change over to the full set of Festool routers. Mainly for the superb dust extraction.

 

[peter halle]

I will offer for thought why I bought my 1400 years ago.  I already had two routers and a laminate trimming router.

1.  Smooth operation of plunge.
2.  Variable speed
3.  Expandability thru accessories that nobody else had!
4.  Ability to use a guide rail for routing
5.  Ability to lay out routes based on a center line and the marks on the base
6.  Dust collection if desired

Peter

 

[bwehman]

I will offer for thought why I bought my 1400 years ago.  I already had two routers and a laminate trimming router.

1.  Smooth operation of plunge.
2.  Variable speed
3.  Expandability thru accessories that nobody else had!
4.  Ability to use a guide rail for routing
5.  Ability to lay out routes based on a center line and the marks on the base
6.  Dust collection if desired

Peter

Number 5 is literally the reason I ran out to a Festool dealer and bought this as my first non-Dewalt router. Something so simple yet SOOO helpful.

 

[Dusty.House]

Thanks all! I have placed an order for the 1400

——————————
dusty.tools

 

[Mario Turcot]

Great choice  [thumbs up], I like the shank versatility of the OF 1400. The router have some serious accessories and is a charm to work hand-held. It took me no time to get used of the new style handle and I love it.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I have the DW618 kit and both the OF1400 and OF1010. They are all complimentary, IMHO. Sometimes, I prefer the fixed base and low center of gravity of the DW518 for something, even though there's no dust collection comparable to the Festool routers. Most of the time, however, I pick up the Festool tools.

 

[mickmick]

I love my OF1400.
No led was disappointing but the dust collection is amazing.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I will offer for thought why I bought my 1400 years ago.  I already had two routers and a laminate trimming router.

1.  Smooth operation of plunge.
2.  Variable speed
3.  Expandability thru accessories that nobody else had!
4.  Ability to use a guide rail for routing
5.  Ability to lay out routes based on a center line and the marks on the base
6.  Dust collection if desired

Peter

Number 5 is literally the reason I ran out to a Festool dealer and bought this as my first non-Dewalt router. Something so simple yet SOOO helpful.

I agree with number 5 too...makes layout that much easier. Not sure why other manufacturers do not do it for their routers. I think Makita's palm router plunge base and DeWalt 621 have marks and maybe the big Bosch plunge, but I love that all Festool routers have this.

 

[RNEMTP]

It was for me. I bought the OF1400 to replace my DW618 with all the bases. I found I never used the fixed base. I always used the D handle and the plunge base. The OF 1400 has the best of both worlds built in without switching bases and the dust collection is superb.
The ratcheting bit changes and the smooth plunging action are awesome. After taking the plunge so to say, I found out why it's a 600 dollar router.