OF1010 or Bosch GOF 1250 ICE

[Aidex]

Hi Everyone

I've not seen much posted anywhere on the Bosch router so thought I'd rack your brains! 

I'm looking at a new 1/4" router and had pretty much decided on the OF010. At this stage with the (DIY) work I'm doing I like the ability to add the edge trimming accessories. But then I stumbled upon the Bosch router which in many ways seems similar to the OF1010 but with a few improvements?

I could do with your advice please. It seems that other than the ability to edge trim (which is important to me) the GOF is overall a better router - round v oval dust port, digital depth gauge, deeper cut, more power, can be used on festool guide rails, Bosch version of LR32 much cheaper (not important to me at this stage though). They both have pistol grip.

Ideally if Festool were updating the OF1010 I'd wait and get that but there's no rumours of that being in the pipeline that I've found.

So my dilemma... if the Bosch is the better router should i get that and try to make a jig for edge trimming (the digital depth gauge should help with this type of jig -https://www.canadianwoodworking.com/plans-projects/flush-trim-router-jig)

OR

Is the OF1010 a better choice overall?

Many thanks for your help!
Aidex

 

[bobfog]

The Bosch does look like a more capable machine, though I think it's not strictly a fair comparison. The Bosch is 1Kg heavier than the OF1010.

 

[Holmz]

This could be another my "get a bike posts"...

What are you flushing down?

This could be relevant...http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/mfk-700-or-other-trimmer/msg454423/#msg454423

 

[ear3]

This is the first I've seen of this router -- we don't have access to many of the Bosch Professional tools in the US.  The design of the Bosch looks very similar to the Festool routers in terms of its one handle construction and "open" plunge base.  It has more power than the 1010, and obviously, the digital depth gauge is an awesome addition.

Keep in mind that the edging plate will allow you more flexibility than a shop-made jig.  You can use it comfortably on narrower boards (I suppose you could build two jigs for the Bosch, one for wide and one for narrow edge-banded boards), and it's not harrowing to run it vertically when flush-trimming built-ins.  Keep in mind, too, that you can use the edging plate for more than trimming edge-banding.  Although I've never done it, there are other FOG members who have used it to do sliding dovetail joints , for example.

 

[blaszcsj]

Ill second Edward on the 1kg lower weight of the 1010. I think its the real reason to get this router. Its not a trim router and not a 2.5hp router. It is a little hot rod router that lets you do both. Personally I have never been able to bog the 1010 down and it will do datos fine; so no complaints on power so far. Dont get me wrong, I love my bosch stuff, but I would try and get my hands on both before I buy and get a feel for them. I am considering the 1400, but have not really had a reason to move up to it just yet.

 

[drax]

Hi Aidex I have the 1010 and have tried the Bosch at an Axminster demo. I will put my cards on the the table and say that if I had the choice again I'd probably stump for the Bosch. The aforementioned advantages are slight (LCD bit of a gimmick IMO) but what tipped it for me was the LED lights a mod. which would enhance the Festools. Insignificant maybe but its neck and neck overall with performance, build quality (Swiss made) features etc. Either choice you can't go wrong except maybe getting sucked into the Festool vortex!

 

[jplemons]

I don't think we have access to the Bosch here in the U.S. If we did, it'd be a good competitor against the 1010. However, diving into it a little more, the 1010 still seems to be a better deal overall. It looks like the Bosch only includes an 8 mm collet. Pricewise, they are close.

 

[Aidex]

Thanks guys.

They do seem very similar.

While useful the digital depth gauge might be a bit gimmicky or as my dad would say "another thing to break".

The light is a very good thing to have but it was concerns about the 1010s dust port and dust collection that worried me (although I'd need to check of the Boschs dust collection).

The most I need to edge trim at the minute is 0.5-3mm wood edging. The MFK would easily do this but I need a new 1/4" general purpose router and I feel the MFK is a bit more niche. Similarly with the flush planers... I don't do enough of any of these tasks to warrant the investment in such a niche tool. I was pretty much set on the 1010 (having discounted the 1400 because of its weight ) when the Bosch router showed up.

Thanks again!

 

[Staniam]

I'm sorry but how does the digital depth guage seem gimmicky? I just picked up the OF 1010 a few months ago and absolutely love it but after watching a video of this Bosch on youtube, I sure as heck wish the 1010 had the digital depth guage and LED lights.

Ever since I saw the little Dewalt trim router with a LED light I've been trying to figure out a way to put a light on my 1010. The visibility can really suck sometimes.

 

[Aidex]

Still not sure which one to get! If the 1010 had a couple of Boschs extra features it would be a no brainer. Basically I want to get the 1010 but feel I should get the Bosch  [unsure]. Do you guys reckon a DIY edge trimming plate for the Bosch would be reasonably simple to put together?

I wonder if the extra weight would make edge trimming or routing butt hinge door mortices on door frames tricky...

 

[Holmz]

It is probably hard to go too wrong either way.
Easiest if there was an Axminster type of place that had both on site to look at nearby where you are located.

Another option is a 6-mm, 1/4", 8-mm router.
The 8-mm bit are a nice size for strength, and in the UK they should be more available than in other parts of the world. They are not a trip to the shops for me locally, so I have a couple of sets.

It also depends on whether you like a twin knob and a router that has a handle.

 

[drax]

I chose the 1010 because of the edge trimming capability with the expensive add ons (edging plate, angle arm and chip collector) another £95+. They work well. What I don't like about the router is the vac hose falling off occasionally and blocks from large chips due to its shape. Adapted with use. Plastic depth indicator can be loose (both were on mine) easily remedied. Its a extremely good and capable machine nevertheless.
If your prepared to pay for the extra expense for the edge trimming then its a no brainer go for it.

 

[rljatl]

Did you see this?  Nothing to do with edge trimming, but...Says it works with any commercially available guide rail. 
Bosch Guide Rail Plate

 

[ear3]

Are all the rails (Bosch, Mafell, Festool, Dewalt, Makita) basically the same thickness, such that one could achieve a plumb cut using this adapter no matter which rail one is using?

I think Festool should get on the ball and make a sub-base for the 1010 as well as the 1400 that allows rail guided routing without need for the support foot, like they do for the 2200.   

Did you see this?  Nothing to do with edge trimming, but...Says it works with any commercially available guide rail. 
Bosch Guide Rail Plate

 

[bobfog]

Are all the rails (Bosch, Mafell, Festool, Dewalt, Makita) basically the same thickness, such that one could achieve a plumb cut using this adapter no matter which rail one is using?

I think Festool should get on the ball and make a sub-base for the 1010 as well as the 1400 that allows rail guided routing without need for the support foot, like they do for the 2200.   

Did you see this?  Nothing to do with edge trimming, but...Says it works with any commercially available guide rail. 
Bosch Guide Rail Plate

It doesn't actually matter.

The base plate of the adapter sits on the piece being routed. The adapter then sits on the rail and the groove for the Bosch rail or rabbet for the Festool style rail has been engineered to the appropriate depth so it sits properly on either rail type.  The way the rail engages is in such a way that it doesn't "bottom out" so basically no matter what rail it's on, the base plate will always stay flat on the piece being routed.

 

[Holmz]

Did you see this?  Nothing to do with edge trimming, but...Says it works with any commercially available guide rail. 
Bosch Guide Rail Plate

(I have the part) I think only works with the good rails. 8)

If one is doing routing then then it all makes sense.
If one is doing flush cutting it seems like a lot of parts, when a used flush cutter is about the same price a spec'ed-out 1010.

Of course a flush cutter will not do even a single 32-mm spaced hole. and the 1010 and the Bosch will both do it... Depends on whether one has any rails (And is they need rails).

Are all the rails (Bosch, Mafell, Festool, Dewalt, Makita) basically the same thickness, such that one could achieve a plumb cut using this adapter no matter which rail one is using?
...

FT = 6-mm
Mafell/Bosch = 5-mm

For a router that is normal to the base it may not matter.
For a plunge saw articulating at an angle it matters.

 

[greg mann]

I think I would like the plunge lock on the Bosch a bit better than the locking knob on the 1010. It is the one feature on the 1010 and the 1400 that I feel is not equal to the other features on these two routers. The lock up seems a bit too spongy to me and it is sometimes awkward to flex my wrist to lock the column, only to find I did not really have a positive lock and the router drifted back up. Other than that I do like my 1010 a lot. It will be interesting to see how Festool will respond to the Bosch as it has some nice features that folks have been asking for. The digital readout is nice but I would like to be able to read it from the top. I don't think I would like to be bring my head down to get my eye level lined up to a good reading height. I would need to think my way through how I would use it. Most often I just use a spacer to set the height, a hinge to set a mortise depth as an example, and when I do that I want the router upright. To use the readout I would need to measure the thickness of the hinge and then move the readout an equivalent amount. Not an improvement in technique for me.

On the other hand, I sometimes set a final depth and then retract from that and start taking shallower cuts to waste away material. Having a readout I could look down on from above would let me know just what increment I am feeding down by without having to use the depth turret, which never seems to be set anywhere near the increments I want to use. With the readout I could work down to a half inch depth in .1" increments x 5 passes, or two passes at .2" with a finish pass at .1", or whatever combination I wished. I would not, however want to bend over to look at the readout to use it in that manner. Hope that makes sense. 

 

[Aidex]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

Tbh I'm still on the fence. There is an Axminster shop a short drive away so when I get an afternoon free I'll pop over and hopefully get to try them both out side by side.

If it wasn't for the admittedly costly edging accessories and the draw of the Green Eyed Monster I'd likely go for the Bosch...it just seems to address some issues I've read in other posts users of the 1010 are unhappy with which I might become frustrated with too.

It would really help if a festool insider could give a heads up on whether a revamped 1010 is in the pipeline as could wait a little (not too long mind!)...? [eek]

 

[DanielOB]

1. Is Bosch tools really Bosch? You better check
2. Bosch is a large company, beware of them.
3. Check is it made in Germany or Switzerland. If neither, see no .1

Just friendly advice
( I just dropped in garbage Bosch circular saw, made in china ...  and kept only battery 36V...)

 

[Peter_C]

Are all the rails (Bosch, Mafell, Festool, Dewalt, Makita) basically the same thickness, such that one could achieve a plumb cut using this adapter no matter which rail one is using?

I think Festool should get on the ball and make a sub-base for the 1010 as well as the 1400 that allows rail guided routing without need for the support foot, like they do for the 2200.   

Did you see this?  Nothing to do with edge trimming, but...Says it works with any commercially available guide rail. 
Bosch Guide Rail Plate

I just run my router down the backside of the rail. Just make sure the bit is climbing/pulling towards the rail. The OF1010 router has a flat side section. My OF2000 is used as such all the time, but I leave a plate mounted to the bottom. *shrugs* Works for me.

Edit: And yes I do have the guide rail adapter for my OF2000, but find it clunky.

1. Is Bosch tools really Bosch? You better check
2. Bosch is a large company, beware of them.
3. Check is it made in Germany or Switzerland. If neither, see no .1

Just friendly advice
( I just dropped in garbage Bosch circular saw, made in china ...  and kept only battery 36V...)

Yeah I am not happy with most of my Bosch tools either