OF 1010 EQ router

[Toolpig]

Who has this router and what do you think of it?  I'd be using it primarily for dadoes and rabbets in cabinets with the guide rail.  I know it doesn't take the 1/2" shank bits, so I'm stuck using the 8mm straight-cutting bits that are not commonly available.  Is this really an issue in my case?

I like the handy size and price better than the 1400 and I've already got a couple of other non-Festool routers for other jobs (one plunger and one fixed).  Please weigh in.

Thanks.

TP

 

[Bob Marino]

  I prefer to use the lightest tool (that works well) for a job. The 1010 is my go to first, because of it's light weight, small size and lower center of gravity. Yes, it does not take 1/2" bits - that's by design, but for most applications it has all the power I need. Larger jobs -the 1400.

Bob

 

[The Dude]

TP, indeed the Festool Router OF 1010 EQ is my "go to router" in the shop.  Once we get past the "not being able to use the HUGE 1/2 shank router bit collection (bigger ain't always better dude) that we have accumulated, the 1010 is a sweet little router.  It does come with the 8mm collet if you feel the need to go a bit bigger, shank wise that is.  Festool makes some solid bits.

Like Mr. Marino, I really like the weight and feel of the 1010. PC guide bushing fit into the sub-base and I use that with the 4212 dovetail machine for production; the chip collection aspect in this application is killer.  Hooking into guide rails is a piece of cake.  Line Boring a snap.  All in all it is just a handy little dude.  I actually have the luxury of having two 1010's; their names are Hans and Frans.  Hans is set-up specifically for the dovetail aspect; I am a lazy guy, and hate to take time to reset every time I use 1/2" stock for drawers.  Frans gets the rest of the action.

My contention is the 1400 is the most versatile; but, my 1010's get 80% of the router workload in the shop.

Have a great weekend and Throw Chips for me, gotta tend the store all weekend.  No time to play for me!

Peace Dude!

Timmy C

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Who has this router and what do you think of it?  I'd be using it primarily for dadoes and rabbets in cabinets with the guide rail.  I know it doesn't take the 1/2" shank bits, so I'm stuck using the 8mm straight-cutting bits that are not commonly available.  Is this really an issue in my case?

Maybe I've mis-understood you, but the OF1010 can take 8mm or 1/4" bits, and comes with collets for both. Although Festool produces a range of 8mm bits, there should be no problem using the much larger range of 1/4" bits from other manufactuers in this router, so long as the 1/4" collet is used. There is even a 6mm collet available for this router, should you have some 6mm bits hanging around.

Forrest

 

[Bob Childress]

I haven't run across a hand-held task the 1010 couldn't do (though I'm sure I will). It is a great little router and so easy to handle.    Runs like a dream on the guide rail as well. Go for it.

 

[Toolpig]

Personally, I would never use 1/4" shank router bits for plowing out 3/8" deep dadoes or grooves (and as I stated, that what this machine would be doing in my shop most of the time).  Too much vibration, chatter, etc.  Even with the Festool, I'd only feel good about the larger shank size (8mm or 1/2").

TP

Who has this router and what do you think of it?  I'd be using it primarily for dadoes and rabbets in cabinets with the guide rail.  I know it doesn't take the 1/2" shank bits, so I'm stuck using the 8mm straight-cutting bits that are not commonly available.  Is this really an issue in my case?

Maybe I've mis-understood you, but the OF1010 can take 8mm or 1/4" bits, and comes with collets for both. Although Festool produces a range of 8mm bits, there should be no problem using the much larger range of 1/4" bits from other manufactuers in this router, so long as the 1/4" collet is used. There is even a 6mm collet available for this router, should you have some 6mm bits hanging around.

Forrest

 

[Brice Burrell]

Personally, I would never use 1/4" shank router bits for plowing out 3/8" deep dadoes or grooves (and as I stated, that what this machine would be doing in my shop most of the time).  Too much vibration, chatter, etc.  Even with the Festool, I'd only feel good about the larger shank size (8mm or 1/2").

TP

With two passes a 1/4" bit will be fine, that's my experience with the 1010.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Personally, I would never use 1/4" shank router bits for plowing out 3/8" deep dadoes or grooves (and as I stated, that what this machine would be doing in my shop most of the time).  Too much vibration, chatter, etc.  Even with the Festool, I'd only feel good about the larger shank size (8mm or 1/2").

Fair enough, but I'm with Brice on this one. If I only had 1/4" collet bits at my disposal, then I'd just make several passes in order to cut 3/8" deep grooves, and/or alter feed speed accordingly. Of course it wouldn't be as quick as using the larger bits, but I wouldn't say that I was stuck, which was the word you used.

Forrest

 

[Brad Evans]

Agree with Bob...

I have the OF1000 (the OF1010 predecessor) and it get's used a lot.

Brad

 

[Toolpig]

I only used the word "stuck" because 8mm-shank bits aren't the easiest to find.  I'm sure they do a very fine job.

TP

Personally, I would never use 1/4" shank router bits for plowing out 3/8" deep dadoes or grooves (and as I stated, that what this machine would be doing in my shop most of the time).  Too much vibration, chatter, etc.  Even with the Festool, I'd only feel good about the larger shank size (8mm or 1/2").

Fair enough, but I'm with Brice on this one. If I only had 1/4" collet bits at my disposal, then I'd just make several passes in order to cut 3/8" deep grooves, and/or alter feed speed accordingly. Of course it wouldn't be as quick as using the larger bits, but I wouldn't say that I was stuck, which was the word you used.

Forrest

 

[Frans]

I actually have the luxury of having two 1010's; their names are Hans and Frans.  Hans is set-up specifically for the dovetail aspect; I am a lazy guy, and hate to take time to reset every time I use 1/2" stock for drawers.  Frans gets the rest of the action.

Do you name all your tools after me and my family? My father's name happens to be Hans...



Frans

And no, I'm Dutch not German

 

[The Dude]

Frans, do you have relatives named Gertrude, Gerhardt, Heidi, Johanne, Brunk, and of course, Hansel and Grettle, Jonas, Tobias, and Katharina.

Timmy C

;D

 

[Frans]

Just a nephew called Tobias. I do know a Heidi and a Jonas, but they're not relatives. And no, I will not post pictures of Heidi, and she doesn't wear dirndl dresses...  ;D