OF1010 Use

[wcmlutz]

I was wondering if anyone uses their OF1010 router for all their freehand routing. I have convinced myself to get one, but it will probably have to wait until summer. I like the size better than the 1400. What wouldn't you use it for?

I have a PC 7518 in a table and a PC 690 kit also. I don't really like the PC 690 and would use it only when I absolutely need to use a 1/2" bit. I would keep it until I have a replacement for it. I would like to have 2 freehand routers due to ease of use on the Leigh dovetail jig cutting through dovetails.

Mike

 

[Brice Burrell]

Mike, you can use the 1010 for just about anything you would do with 1/4" and 8 mm shanks bits, within reason. As for freehand work, it's not the best at that because it, like all Festool routers, doesn't have great visibility of the cutting area.

 

[wcmlutz]

Sorry Brice, I meant handheld routing instead of freehand routing.

The handheld routing would be edge work, dadoes, grooves, and maybe small mortises.

Mike

 

[Warrior]

Mike,

The 1010 is by far the most comfortable router I have ever used. it is super light and very easy to adjust. I have the 1400 as well but since adding the 1010 the 1400 mostly stays in its systainer. The talk at all the tool shops I go to is that the 1010 is by far the best router to use for dovetail jigs. The 1010 has plenty of power to handle all tasks regularly done by a small to mid router.
One of the best plunge actions around. If you get the 1010 make sure and get the edging plate.

My only problem with the 1010 is that the edge guide is just not up to par with the rest of the router. Totaly not worth it. Save some pennies (20,000 of them) and get the micro fence edge guide.

Eiji

 

[Brice Burrell]

Sorry Brice, I meant handheld routing instead of freehand routing.

The handheld routing would be edge work, dadoes, grooves, and maybe small mortises.

Mike

In that case Mike I believe Eiji pretty much covered it, best router for all but jobs that require big muscle. It will handle everything on your list with ease. Remember, if you are in the US you've got 30 days to try it out. Good luck and let us know how what you decide.

 

[ronhokenson]

Mike,

The 1010 is by far the most comfortable router I have ever used. it is super light and very easy to adjust. I have the 1400 as well but since adding the 1010 the 1400 mostly stays in its systainer. The talk at all the tool shops I go to is that the 1010 is by far the best router to use for dovetail jigs. The 1010 has plenty of power to handle all tasks regularly done by a small to mid router.
One of the best plunge actions around. If you get the 1010 make sure and get the edging plate.

My only problem with the 1010 is that the edge guide is just not up to par with the rest of the router. Totaly not worth it. Save some pennies (20,000 of them) and get the micro fence edge guide.

Eiji

Eiji....Will you give me a part # on the micro fence edge guide as well as any additional parts that need to be ordered to make it work ? I just purchased a 1010 and have experienced poor dust collection using the edge guide(489427) when doing edge work. I didn't know about the chip guard that went with it at the time I ordered it. The picture in the catalog looked like it came with some kind of enclosure to capture dust. I am not all that happy with the 1010 because of this and may send it back. Will adding the chip guard (437307) make it so I will get almost total dust control when doing edge work?

thanks in advance, ron

 

[Warrior]

ron,

You are not doing to get total dust capture when routing. No matter what router you get. Especially when edge routing. The dust cup helps alot but can only do so much, especially when you are removing alot of material like rabbetting. When edge routing the dust collection is the best when the dust cup is installed and when the plastic shroud is installed. If you leave out any part of the system the DC will be compromised. Another thing I have noticed when edge routing is that the DC only works well when the cut is in the left to right direction but not so good when climb cutting.

 

[Warrior]

http://microfence.com/router-model-reference-chart-i-19.html

 

[wcmlutz]

I had been thinking of the microfence edge guide. I was going to try the Festool one first, but I may reconsider and save the $40. The microfence edge guide doesn't have any provisions for dust collection as far as I could tell. So Eiji, how much worse is the dust collection with the microfence guide vs. the Festool with the little cup on it.

Mike

 

[nickao]

I normally can understand websites fairly easily, but that Microfence site is a jumbled mess.

I still have no idea exactly what to purchase to get everything I want and get it to work with the Festool routers and rail.

It seems like it cost closer to 289.00 than 200.00 to get it to work with the Festool stuff, actually well over 300.00.

It looks like you need a mounting stabilizer bar A, 39.00, a Festool Slide Interfacer, 89.00, the edge guide 199.00. Plus shipping.

 

[wcmlutz]

Nick,

Based on perusing the microfence website you would need the following items:

Microfence edge guide  $200
Festool interface $90
Circle guide $160
Model A attchment bars $40
Stabilizer bar $40

So this is not an inexpensive proposition. It is only $200 for the edge guide which Eiji mentioned. You can still use your guide stop with the rails since you already have it.

Mike

 

[nickao]

Well no you do not have to have the edge guide as it states you need only  the edge guide OR "Circle Guide Complete"(200.00).

You can not use the circle guide simultaneously unless you have the guide rail complete, which to me is imperative. So I would need the circle guide complete and the edge guide with the Festool interface, which is even more than your stated options. by another 40.00.

They have a package with then edge guide and circle guide, but not the circle guide complete. With the package you basically get the stabilizer free, but I see no where to buy the pieces to make the circle guide a "complete" kit.

I guess I will call to see the bottom line.

 

[wcmlutz]

The difference between the circle guide complete and the circle guide attachment is the router specific mounting bars. So if you only want to use the guide with the of1010 you wouldn't need to get more than one attachment for the router.

Mike

 

[sw1211]

I suggest calling for prices, I inquired as to what exactly I needed and was quoted prices that were lower than what were on their web site.  He also said there might be package deals even cheaper.

 

[sw1211]

Nick,

Based on perusing the microfence website you would need the following items:

Microfence edge guide  $200
Festool interface $90
Circle guide $160
Model A attchment bars $40
Stabilizer bar $40

So this is not an inexpensive proposition. It is only $200 for the edge guide which Eiji mentioned. You can still use your guide stop with the rails since you already have it.

Mike

Here's what I was quoted, earlier today
Edge Guide 179.95
Circle Jig 139.95
Festool Interface with Model A Mounting Bar 109.95

 

[nickao]

Okay I just talked to a friend and I guess you really do not need the Festool adapter for 89.95, thats only if you want to use their stuff instead of the Festool stuff I already have.

He directed me to this on Sawmill Creek

"But here is what I have learned and just love. This setup(micro fence) allows the OF 1400 router to be used in conjunction with the festool guides without the purchase of the festool interface device. True, the unit made by festool to get the router to work with guides is the official item, the fact is, the micro fence kit is massively better made and massively more accurate". (sorry guys I just did not get what Eli meant now I do).

So I guess you can spend the 200.00 as stated here and use it with the Festool rail.

I actually want it for circles more than anything. I need a Circle jig complete and an Edge guide complete, you save money when you get the edge guide with the circle jig becasue parts overlap, but I want to  use them simultaneously, one for the OF 1400(circle jig) and one for the OF 1010(edge guide), so I guess I have to spend a little more.

Steve-Co It seems like you were quoted prices less than stated on the web site which sounds good to me. That stuff is Festool expensive!

 

[Steven in Iowa]

It is Festool expensive but waaay more accurate IMHO.  You do need the Interface which is the piece pictured that rides on the guide rail.

 

[nickao]

Is that plastic piece the only thing you get for 89.00?  Doesn't the router base come with that interface kit?

If it is I can make an identical one for nothing from the stock I already have.

 

[wcmlutz]

You get the that the router sits on and the uhmw block that slides on the rail. They sell the uhmw blocks for something like $20.

Mike

 

[nickao]

The router sits on a black phenolic base plate, not the uhmw itself, the jig sits on the uhmw, just like Steve's picture shows.

I am confused as to what you are saying.

The interface does include the router base plate as in the blurb below off their web site.

"Our Festool UHMW Slide combines with our  Universal Router Plate Pkg. to become the Festool Slide Interface Package. The UHMW slide mounts on the underside of the Circle Jig trammel bar (the one with the Micro Fence micrometer) and fits the extrusion of the Festool Guide Rail.

The set-up allows micrometer-adjusted cuts (dadoes, rabbets, flutes, etc.) using the Festool Tool Guide as a straight edge. Adjustments to the dimension of your cut can be achieved without moving the clamp".

REQUIREMENTS: Circle Jig (Attachment or Complete) & Model A Mounting Bar.