OF 1010 vs OF 1400 for hinge pockets

[handcarver]

Hello, new to this site I am looking to purchase a Festool router for dedicated hinge pocket mortising, and the 1010 seems like the way to go but, I have always used 1/2" collets and am wondering if the 1/4 will be enough for this simple task. again it will be a dedicated router with 1/2 router bit with guide for pocketing hinges on both exterior and interior doors.

thank you for your time

Gerry

 

[peter halle]

Hi Gerry and welcome to the FOG.  Hinge recesses are fairly shallow and don't tax a bit quite to the degree as other deeper mortises might.  I am a long time 1400 owner but when I do hinge mortises I actually pull out a limb ate trimmer.  Between your two choices I would go for the 1010 due to size and weight.

Peter

 

[Sparktrician]

Hi Gerry and welcome to the FOG.  Hinge recesses are fairly shallow and don't tax a bit quite to the degree as other deeper mortises might.  I am a long time 1400 owner but when I do hinge mortises I actually pull out a limb ate trimmer.  Between your two choices I would go for the 1010 due to size and weight.

Peter

Hey, Peter, what's a "limb ate" trimmer???  [big grin]

 

[RKA]

A trimmer that has a history of biting fingers.

 

[peter halle]

Good catch!  Great responses!  How about laminate trimmer?

Peter

 

[jeh]

I would recommend a laminate trimmer. Much easier to control and just as effective as the 1010. The 1400 is too big and heavy to be useful. I assume you have a template you are using. If it is not homemade then it probably will not have enough surface area for you to be able to control anything but a laminate trimmer. You can pick up the Bosch Palm Router or similar model from DeWalt and others for around $100. You just need to make sure the base can use template guides. No need to spend more than that on a small router. The Festool version is $435 and you will need to purchase the 0 degree base which is another $135.

 

[handcarver]

Thanks for the replies, I decided to go with the 1010, the trim routers just don't last long with me, I do quite a bit of doors and windows, my other routers are just too heavy for using all day.

again thanks for the input