OF1010 or OF1400

[bigfella]

Assuming you already have a track saw I would suggest the guide rail adaptor.  The edge guide also.

Peter

I think it comes with the side fence and rail adapter - http://justtools.com.au/festool-plunge-router-plus-574337-of1010ebq-plus

 

[bigfella]

Depending on whether it's available in your location, the 10-bit Festool Router set is AWESOME!  Expensive, but AWESOME! [big grin]
(Pretty good savings over individual purchase, and these are the most common used bits, all 8mm shanks)

Does not look like they are available in Australia or the US (where I travel frequently) unfortunately.

 

[SittingElf]

You might float some inquiries amongst some of the German Dealers. Some might be willing to ship to USA or Australia...and you wouldn't have to pay VAT if the sale is going out of the country.

You could try a dealer like this:
http://www.aw-tools.de/Festool-Fraeserbox-Box-OF-HW-S8-Mix-498979

They ship all over Europe...even to non-EU countries, so I would think they might go further. Don't know though.
(Use Google Chrome Browser for instant web page translation... or just use translate.google.com.)

Good luck,

Frank

 

[Northernlight]

I opted for the of1400 as I only intend to ever own 1 router. Also it has some nice features missing from the 1010.

 

[Locks14]

Depending on whether it's available in your location, the 10-bit Festool Router set is AWESOME!  Expensive, but AWESOME! [big grin]
(Pretty good savings over individual purchase, and these are the most common used bits, all 8mm shanks)

Does not look like they are available in Australia or the US (where I travel frequently) unfortunately.

I suspect that's no great loss.

There's "you get what you pay for" and there's just plain being ripped off! For example you can get:

Trend SET/SS12X1/4TC Router Cutter Set 12 piece set made from carbide and molybdenum steel for £55 in the UK instead of the £160 for the Festool set. Still made by a high quality and recognised manufacturer and 12 pieces instead of 10, all for 1/3 the price.

http://www.powertoolsuk.co.uk/trend-set-ss12x1-4tc-router-cutter-set-12pce.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwm-aqBRD39YPqhbzthzYSJACFj-AtTjGbeVHbDqUiLoMWdLQn6JpHas7HtLiV-RM2X4Zn8BoClzHw_wcB

You can even get a 30 piece set for £110...

http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Trend%20Tresetss3014Tc%205027654037829%2030%20Piece%20Cutter%20Set%201%204In

 

[Stone Message]

I suspect that's no great loss.

There's "you get what you pay for" and there's just plain being ripped off! For example you can get:

Trend SET/SS12X1/4TC Router Cutter Set 12 piece set made from carbide and molybdenum steel for £55 in the UK instead of the £160 for the Festool set. Still made by a high quality and recognised manufacturer and 12 pieces instead of 10, all for 1/3 the price.

http://www.powertoolsuk.co.uk/trend-set-ss12x1-4tc-router-cutter-set-12pce.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwm-aqBRD39YPqhbzthzYSJACFj-AtTjGbeVHbDqUiLoMWdLQn6JpHas7HtLiV-RM2X4Zn8BoClzHw_wcB

You can even get a 30 piece set for £110...

http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Trend%20Tresetss3014Tc%205027654037829%2030%20Piece%20Cutter%20Set%201%204In

You are right to point out the higher price of the Festool set but I have that set and also the 30 piece set from Trend.

The Trend kit is quite useful with a very well thought out selection but would not stand up to professional use for more than a short time. Just try taking one of the Festool cutters in one hand and any one of the Trend ones in the other hand and you will know which you expect to last the longer.

The Festool cutters may be pricey but you do get what you pay for.

Peter

 

[Locks14]

I suspect that's no great loss.

There's "you get what you pay for" and there's just plain being ripped off! For example you can get:

Trend SET/SS12X1/4TC Router Cutter Set 12 piece set made from carbide and molybdenum steel for £55 in the UK instead of the £160 for the Festool set. Still made by a high quality and recognised manufacturer and 12 pieces instead of 10, all for 1/3 the price.

http://www.powertoolsuk.co.uk/trend-set-ss12x1-4tc-router-cutter-set-12pce.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwm-aqBRD39YPqhbzthzYSJACFj-AtTjGbeVHbDqUiLoMWdLQn6JpHas7HtLiV-RM2X4Zn8BoClzHw_wcB

You can even get a 30 piece set for £110...

http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Trend%20Tresetss3014Tc%205027654037829%2030%20Piece%20Cutter%20Set%201%204In

You are right to point out the higher price of the Festool set but I have that set and also the 30 piece set from Trend.

The Trend kit is quite useful with a very well thought out selection but would not stand up to professional use for more than a short time. Just try taking one of the Festool cutters in one hand and any one of the Trend ones in the other hand and you will know which you expect to last the longer.

The Festool cutters may be pricey but you do get what you pay for.

Peter

I also own the trend cutters.

Now, I confess I haven't used or handled the Festool.

However, whilst my Trend set doesn't receive daily nor sometimes even weekly use; at the same time I have had them for quite a while can't see where there could possibly be that much room for improvement, especially to justify a 3x cost for the Festool.

They're carbide and molybdenum, they stay sharp, the bearings are solid, etc, plus I can lose two sets and still buy a replacement and have not spent more than a single Festool set.

I respect your opinion, Peter, but for me I can't possibly see the cost-benefit of this particular offering. Even if I were to handle them, I can't see what could possibly be so drastically different with such a non-complex product to change my mind.

 

[weekendwarrior]

A 8mm shank bit will always feel a bit more substantial than the same 1/4" shank bit if they're made of similar materials.

 

[Locks14]

A 8mm shank bit will always feel a bit more substantial than the same 1/4" shank bit if they're made of similar materials.

Yes, you are absolutely correct.

Though for the intended purpose of less than 1/2" cutters I don't think it's a huge concern/consideration. Especially when one has an OF1400 to utilise/step up to 1/2" bits. 

If one only owned an OF1010 then I confess I can see the advantage of the 8mm Festool bits to give a bit more "reach" in terms of what tasks you could tackle.

 

[SittingElf]

A 8mm shank bit will always feel a bit more substantial than the same 1/4" shank bit if they're made of similar materials.

That's because it is .064961" thicker! [big grin]
[popcorn] [popcorn]

Frank

 

[SittingElf]

A 8mm shank bit will always feel a bit more substantial than the same 1/4" shank bit if they're made of similar materials.

Yes, you are absolutely correct.

Though for the intended purpose of less than 1/2" cutters I don't think it's a huge concern/consideration. Especially when one has an OF1400 to utilise/step up to 1/2" bits. 

If one only owned an OF1010 then I confess I can see the advantage of the 8mm Festool bits to give a bit more "reach" in terms of what tasks you could tackle.

And the OP plans to buy the OF1010....so....... [blink]

 

[Stone Message]

The 30 piece set from Trend also has an 8 mm shaft option.

If one does not use any cutter very often then they do tend to stay sharp longer. I wonder how many people will use all 30 of those cutters - on the other hand I bet a lot of the owners of the Festool set would love to have one or two more of the same quality.

If you only use cutters once in a while then of course it is silly to spend too much on them. If you use them daily and want consistent high quality results then you might choose Festool rather than that particular Trend set.

Peter

 

[AlexThePalex]

I respect your opinion, Peter, but for me I can't possibly see the cost-benefit of this particular offering. Even if I were to handle them, I can't see what could possibly be so drastically different with such a non-complex product to change my mind.

Not visible to the eye, what is different is the hardness of the material, making the Festool bits a lot more durable.

There is quite a difference between the occasional user who uses a bit every few weeks and a professional shop where the bits are used all day long. The cheap bits would loose their edge fairly quickly while the Festool bits will go on and on.

It is normal that professional bits cost €40 and up a piece, this Festool box of 10 for only €168 is an absolute bargain for the quality received.

 

[Acrobat]

Hi Big Fella
Getting back to your orig post, I see you're leaning on getting the 1010. It's a nice router for hand use. Light and easily manouvered. Of course it has it's own quirks, like fitting/unfitting the router bits. It goes tight then you have to keep going as it then has more to go before it fully locks/unlocks the bit. A safety mechanism I believe. Also, no ratcheting on it either like the 1400-bummer.
Get the chip deflector it's very useful. (The big one that looks like a swivelling cup.). A small but annoying thing with the 1010 is to fit attachments/bases they all require screws, so no click in and go like more modern routers e.g. 2200 does.
Ensure you get the 1/4" collet, mine was missing when I got my order, just had an 8mm collet and I don't have any 8mm bits.
Get the rail attachment too.
I have the extras like the attachments for trimming edging laminate but to be honest I find it a cumbersome contraption to set up and prefer a little trim router for that task. They work ok once you get the gist of it, but many pieces and time to fit and adjust so I found hardly worth it for me.
I love the 1010 just wish it had snap on/off bases and a better way to tighten bits. Even my old triton has better spindle access than this router. It has plenty of power to do most day to day jobs and a good size to handle all day and good dust extraction with the d27 hose. Despite its flaws I think its the best router I own so you shouldn't have any misgivings getting one.

 

[Holmz]

I respect your opinion, Peter, but for me I can't possibly see the cost-benefit of this particular offering. Even if I were to handle them, I can't see what could possibly be so drastically different with such a non-complex product to change my mind.

Not visible to the eye, what is different is the hardness of the material, making the Festool bits a lot more durable.
...

Are comparing HSS (High Speed Steel) or carbide?
Are the Festool ones really better?
I cannot imagine that their carbide is a different carbide from others carbide.

 

[Stone Message]

I respect your opinion, Peter, but for me I can't possibly see the cost-benefit of this particular offering. Even if I were to handle them, I can't see what could possibly be so drastically different with such a non-complex product to change my mind.

Not visible to the eye, what is different is the hardness of the material, making the Festool bits a lot more durable.
...

Are comparing HSS (High Speed Steel) or carbide?
Are the Festool ones really better?
I cannot imagine that their carbide is a different carbide from others carbide.

I can assure you that there are different grades of TC and they range from "perfection" down to "rubbish". I am sure that many people will relate to this...

I used to go to a lot of shows and in the old days I used to be a bit silly and buy those cutter sets that you see - 16 cutters in a box, all TC and only £27. Then, I would come home, and after using one of the cutters in a 1.5 m piece of mahogany the damn thing would be as blunt as anything. The next time the cutter gets used it is overheating and making a total mess of the work.

There must be kitchen fitters out there who will admit that in the back of their vans you will find all sorts of cheap and cheerful "big" kitchen cutters, all as blunt as anything and all thrown in a box because they are useless.

You really do get what you pay for in the woodworking world and no manufacturer could ever get away with "hype" or exploit "brand groupies" - collectively people are just too savvy.

Peter

 

[Holmz]

Yeah - I hear you. But I would assume that FT units are made by someone else, so there are likely some decent options out there which are branded as Festool. (Maybe the CMT are OK?)

I guess unless one knows how to separate the wheat from the chaff then maybe it makes sense to get the FT kit.

I looked at an off-brand forstner set today, so the "Cheap and Cheerful" rang true. It was so obviously dodgy I felt disgusted with myself just picking up the set to look at.

 

[SittingElf]

Yeah - I hear you. But I would assume that FT units are made by someone else, so there are likely some decent options out there which are branded as Festool. (Maybe the CMT are OK?)

I guess unless one knows how to separate the wheat from the chaff then maybe it makes sense to get the FT kit.

I looked at an off-brand forstner set today, so the "Cheap and Cheerful" rang true. It was so obviously dodgy I felt disgusted with myself just picking up the set to look at.

If I remember correctly, Festool Forstners and other bits are made in Switzerland, and the company 'may' be a subsidiary of Festool.

Cheers,
Frank

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Frank,

You are right, Swiss, and they are as good as you can get.

Peter

 

[Cheese]

I can assure you that there are different grades of TC and they range from "perfection" down to "rubbish". I am sure that many people will relate to this...

You really do get what you pay for in the woodworking world and no manufacturer could ever get away with "hype" or exploit "brand groupies" - collectively people are just too savvy.

Peter

There are well over 50 different grades of carbide available. It's like baking a cake, lots of different recipes. They combine different sizes of carbide particles, with different binders and then they add other elements/metals, nickel, tantalum, cobalt etc, to provide the different physical characteristics they want to achieve in their product. It's all tungsten carbide but it's not all the same.