I am a new woodworker and I am in need of a general use router set up. I am on a tight budget as I am just starting out and have lots to acquire. I have a ts75 and an mft/3 that I just picked up and I am using a Ridged shop vac with a clearview cyclone separator lid with a gore hepa filter. I will likely get a ct eventually but this unit works quite well for the meantime. I am wondering if I would be served by buying an of1400 or going with one of the bosch 2plus hp kits and a basic router table setup. Any advise would be much appreciated.
New user router advise
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mouppe
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It's a good question, and you will get various answers.
My first router experience was with a PC router (893 if I recall correctly) and I used it as a plunge router and with its fixed base in a small Freud table. Yes, they are cheaper than a CMS table and an OF1400, but way lower in quality and in the long run, I think you will regret it.
I sold my PC kit and table for half their purchase value. I sold my OF1400 after several years for almost what I paid for it.
I would buy the OF1400 and save up for the CMS table.
My first router experience was with a PC router (893 if I recall correctly) and I used it as a plunge router and with its fixed base in a small Freud table. Yes, they are cheaper than a CMS table and an OF1400, but way lower in quality and in the long run, I think you will regret it.
I sold my PC kit and table for half their purchase value. I sold my OF1400 after several years for almost what I paid for it.
I would buy the OF1400 and save up for the CMS table.
I'm a huge Festool fan; everything I've bought of theirs has exceeded my expectations. Having said that, I don't think the OF1400 is particularly well suited for use in a table. If I were you, I'd go for an OF1010 as a handheld and aim to get an 1/2" router for table use down the road.
I think Triton make the best table routers - they have through the table height adjustment as standard, and when the cutter is raised for changing, the armature is locked so you don't have to fiddle with ratchets or second spanners.
Why the OF1010? As a handheld it's easier than the OF1400, which is a bit of a lump. But above all, the edge trimming accessories on the OF1010 are better - they include a chip deflector.
And just accept the fact that in a couple of years you'll have both the OF1010 and the OF1400 anyway ;-)
Andrew
I think Triton make the best table routers - they have through the table height adjustment as standard, and when the cutter is raised for changing, the armature is locked so you don't have to fiddle with ratchets or second spanners.
Why the OF1010? As a handheld it's easier than the OF1400, which is a bit of a lump. But above all, the edge trimming accessories on the OF1010 are better - they include a chip deflector.
And just accept the fact that in a couple of years you'll have both the OF1010 and the OF1400 anyway ;-)
Andrew
You won't be disappointed; it's a great router. The OF1400 was my third router (after a DeWalt 621K, and a Triton MOF001). The OF1010 was my fourth, and bought because of the better edge banding trimming capabilities. Oh, and I inherited a Bosch palm router as well.
Have fun!
Andrew
Have fun!
Andrew
evilcat said:
That's what I did earlier this year. I got the 1400 and have been very happy. Rails and the 1400 have worked quite well for me. Researching which CMS to get now. Since I have an MFT/3 and could connect to that to save a little money.
I was checking those out as well. I think it may be a while before I can justify the cms. I also have to decide what to do for cutting curves. I have a Milwaukee barrel grip jigsaw but I am considering a carvex or a bandsaw. Not sure what way to go. The carvex fills my need (more of a want than a need)of keeping things portable but the bandsaw can do things I can't do with the jigsaw. Also I am trying to see if I can get by without a table saw with my ts75 and mft/3. The bandsaw may aid in this thought. Right now I am thinking I might get a bandsaw and use my Milwaukee when needed for portability. The bandsaw could help make ripping narrow stock easier in the absence of a table saw. Does this make sense?
packratpop
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Yep. Bandsaw is a great tool. However it does not yield a smooth cut like a ts so you typically need a jointer as well.
Ok I think I am ready to pull the pin and get an of1400 and the guide stop for rail use. My other option that I am now considering for budget reasons would now be a Triton tra001 and a kreg table. Pricing would be very close. Just want to get opinions if the festool is the better way to start for general routing needs. Please give me your 2 cents.
ccarrolladams
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evilcat said:
Without question Festool lovingly designed the OF1400 as their "All-Around" router. Although I also own a lot of other routers, including the MFK700, OF1010 and OF2200 from Festool, when nice folks new to woodworking ask me, I suggest the OF1400 as a very good starting place.
Since you told us you are new to woodworking, I am going to assume you have limited experience using any sort of router.
If this is correct, then I strongly discourage you from buying any form of router table, until you are confident using your router from above, where you can see what you are doing and the direction from which you feed your router has become instinctive. Every woodworker I have known since 1946 has found that once the basics of router operation are instinctive then adding the additional skills of using a shaper/router table are fairly easy to master, even considering you generally cannot see the cutting action and generally the feed is in the opposite direction.
Nobody I know well owns a Triton router, but on-line people who do own Triton products consider them a good value. Kreg has a fine reputation in woodworking. A whole lot of folks use Kreg tables and router lifters. Triton makes a router which serves as its own lifter, but I have not seen one of those being used. It sounds like a swell idea.
Besides a sophisticated Felder tilting arbor shaper with a power feed, I own 5 Woodpecker tables with their lifters and PC 7518 router motors. That could well be over-kill for the home shop. I have been making money with PC7518 for decades, My experience is that it is much faster to change the set-up of a router table than a shaper, but some tasks are far better done on a solid and powerful shaper.
sancho57
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Unless you are planning on doing anything heavy or bench mount the router the 1010 will do everything you need. For hand help routing and routing with the guide rail.
Plus 1/4" bits are less expensive in most cases. I havent had a need to take my 2200 out of the CMS as the 1010 does it all
Plus 1/4" bits are less expensive in most cases. I havent had a need to take my 2200 out of the CMS as the 1010 does it all
I think that the balance of advice is towards the OF1400 - a good choice. I have reduced the number of routers over the last couple of years (and destroyed one - a Dewalt 625) and now have just five. The OF1400 is certainly my 'go to' router. I have a CMT in one router table and the brilliant OF2200 in the CMS. I think that I will pick up an OF1010 later this year.
So, Mr Evilcat - OF1400 is a great choice.
Peter
So, Mr Evilcat - OF1400 is a great choice.
Peter
stvrowe
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Over the years, I have owned 6 different brands of routers. I currently have three different brands and the Festool OF-1400 is by far the router I reach for the most. It is a great choice for a general use router. Other than trim routers, I would shy away from any router that does not give you the ability to use 1/2" shank bits.
The OF1010 is hard to beat for handheld use in my opinion. But it really does depend on what you use it for. I have a 1/2" Trend T11 mounted in a table and use that a lot too. This combination works for me. I don't like using big routers hand held - too easy for things to go wrong. But if I had to do kitchen worktops everyday I'd have to get used to it I suppose! I have other routers that never get used but just can't part with them 
!
!MrToolJunkie
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RL said:
Richard -- did you go with a different router?
Scot
You have a track and MFT so you'll be able to get the most out of a Festool router. I use the Bosch 2.25HP plunge router as my handheld of choice. While it is a fine machine that has some dust collection, the cost savings over a Festool have been somewhat illusory when you add in the system advantages that Festool offers. I have 4 different routers and will keep my comments general, since I can't speak directly about the Festool routers. I prefer more power to less. It's nice having the on/off switch at your fingertips. I use the plunge feature in a handheld router all the time and wouldn't want to be without it. I prefer 1/2" shank bits; I have bent a 1/4" shank bit taking too big a bite with my underpowered Colt. (I should have known better, but it was still scary.) A great way to save money on bits is to buy a big carbide tipped set on ebay. They won't be top quality, but will give you a great range of capability starting out and you can replace the ones you most use with higher quality ones on an individual basis at a later time.
NYC Tiny Shop
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I have the OF1400 and only use 1/2" bits. It's a great machine and expect it to last my lifetime. As a hand-held router, I wasn't impressed with it's dust collection and didn't care for the weight/balance. Now, it's permanently in the CMS-GE Set. Dust collection is excellent and the router has plenty of zip.
If I had to do it all over again, I would get a MFK700 or OF1100 and a cast iron router table with an OF2200. With routers, I feel that the of quality and sharpness of the bits are what make or break a router's performance, as long as it spins with an acceptable tolerance and has enough power. You can count on Festool routers to have a very high level of precision. They are all great machines!
If I had to do it all over again, I would get a MFK700 or OF1100 and a cast iron router table with an OF2200. With routers, I feel that the of quality and sharpness of the bits are what make or break a router's performance, as long as it spins with an acceptable tolerance and has enough power. You can count on Festool routers to have a very high level of precision. They are all great machines!
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