OF1400 Must have accessories and Router table options

[Dan Clermont]

Before I order my OF 1400 I'd like to know which accessories are mandatory for this router.

I plan on cutting sliding dovetails, dado's, mortises and edge profiles.

I already own wo 55" guide rails and have yet to buy any clamps so I'd like to know which clamps also work best.

I'd also like to know if anybody has had any success with the OF 1400 in a router table? I know it isn't the perfect setup but it may work just as well as my Porter Cable plunge router.

TIA
Dan CLermont

 

[mysterium]

Dan,

I was one of the lucky ones to get the OF 1400 with the edge guide included.  You will want the edge guide 492 427 @$52.50 to use the OF 1400 with the rails.  And the the universal guide bush for PC style guide bushes, I think Festool USA now includes this but check for sure. 

Eventually you'll want the Hole Drilling Set  for cabinets 583 291 @ $369.  So in the future as you add rails pickup a 1080mm rail with holes instead of the 1400mm.  I do wish that this rail with holes was offered in 1400mm length as it would make adding rails a "no brainer" for a few extra $$$.

Unfortunately Festool USA does not import the router table insert.  Personally I think putting this in a router table is a waste of one of the best two hand held routers on the market.... the OF 1010 being the other.  That's coming from a guy, who currently has more than 14 other routers....  There are cheaper routers that are designed to invert, like the Aussie Triton (sp?) or Freud, or Hitachi or the new Milwaukee.  Or send the $$ and get a PC 3 1/4 hp & a good lift. 

Hope this helps, jim

 

[JayStPeter]

What Jim said.  1/4 and 1/2" collets, edge guide, and universal guide bushing adapter are my most used accessories.  I also use the large guide bushing that came with the router a lot.  Most of my home made jigs use that.  I don't know what is and isn't included anymore though.  It doesn't seem like a good router for table use, but I haven't tried it.

 

[Mirko]

Jim,

I also wish a 1400 long guide rail with holes was avaliable, that way it could sit long ways on the 1080 MFT. This set up would be ideal, giving you more room and flexability, this along with the ajustable fence, could really produce some speedy 32mm hole production runs of kitchen gables.

 

[mjg]

I'd agree with what's been stated already but, to clarify, I'm sure the 1/4" collet is an accessory (the router comes with 8mm and 1/2" collets).  I'll also note that I've chosen to use the MicroFence system, that I had already purchased before the OF1400 became available, instead of buying the Festool guide.  I think this is a very viable alternative.
Hope this helps.
Mark

 

[LaserGecko]

Quick question, do you want the OF1400 for its weight or design? Is there some other reason why you'd rather have it instead of the OF 2000?

OF 2000 E - $475
Edge guide included
3.5HP, 11.2lb

OR 1400 - $395
Edge Guide $52.50
Total $447.50
2.25HP 9.9lb

It looks like the $27.50 difference for an equivalent setup buys you an extra 1.25HP at the expense of 1.3 pounds of weight.

 

[Dan Clermont]

Quick question, do you want the OF1400 for its weight or design? Is there some other reason why you'd rather have it instead of the OF 2000?

OF 2000 E - $475
Edge guide included
3.5HP, 11.2lb

OR 1400 - $395
Edge Guide $52.50
Total $447.50
2.25HP 9.9lb

It looks like the $27.50 difference for an equivalent setup buys you an extra 1.25HP at the expense of 1.3 pounds of weight.

Dunno why I haven't considered the OF 2000 except everybody seems to speak highly of the OF 1400 as a good mid size router.

I have read several places it is a bit big and cumbersome to use and more for production work. The problem with living where I live is we don't have any store presence of Festool gear and our Canadian "Exclusive Distributor" has no interest in selling the products to the general public nor do they stack them with our local distributor.

Last I read the OF 2000 did not have a systainer and allot of the accessories are not included as well.

Dan Clermont

 

[Lou Miller]

Dan,

Unless you plan to use the OF2000 for production work, I wouldn't bother. IMO, the OF1400 has the perfect combination of power, size, weight, etc. For most handheld usage, the OF1000 or the OF1400 are perfect and you really don't need anything larger.

 

[Bob Marino]

I'd agree with what's been stated already but, to clarify, I'm sure the 1/4" collet is an accessory (the router comes with 8mm and 1/2" collets).  I'll also note that I've chosen to use the MicroFence system, that I had already purchased before the OF1400 became available, instead of buying the Festool guide.  I think this is a very viable alternative.
Hope this helps.
Mark
[/quote

Mark,

The 1400 does come with the  1/4" collect.

Bob

 

[Bob Marino]

Quick question, do you want the OF1400 for its weight or design? Is there some other reason why you'd rather have it instead of the OF 2000?

OF 2000 E - $475
Edge guide included
3.5HP, 11.2lb

OR 1400 - $395
Edge Guide $52.50

The OF 2000 is no longer available as a complete set, but is availble as the OF 2000 BASIC - OF 2000, no edge guide, 8 mm collet or systainer. Item 574 268. $425.00.

Bob
Total $447.50
2.25HP 9.9lb

It looks like the $27.50 difference for an equivalent setup buys you an extra 1.25HP at the expense of 1.3 pounds of weight.

 

[LaserGecko]

Either their online catalog is out of date or BTI Supply still has them in stock.
http://www.btisupply.com/FestoolDetail.aspx?ID=1421

 

[Mirko]

Can somone clarify, on the OF 2000, are the copy rings quik release like the 1400? from the pics it looks like three screws??

Mirko

 

[Bob Marino]

On the OF 2000, it's the screws, not quick release.

Bob

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I was fortunate to get the edge guide with my 1400 router that I purchased about one year ago; I also have the guide stop for use with the Festool guide rails.  The edge guide is well made and precision adjustable, and there is a dust collection nozzle that snaps into the bottom of the edge guide.  Dust collection with that arrangement is not nearly as good as when the top mounting dust extraction hood or self-aligning chip catcher are used.  I also purchased the dust extractor hood (Item No. 492 585) for use with Festool's dovetail jig, but have not used it yet, so I have no comments on its effectiveness.

Last Spring I conferred directly with a Festool USA's technical representative about using the 1400 in a router table; his advice was to purchase a router designed for use in a table because the 1400 was not.  He advised against removal of the plunge return springs because that would void my warranty.  During a call much later in the year, he indicated that Festool was working on bringing its CMS to the USA in Spring or summer 2007 into which the 1400 could be fitted.

Triton's 2 1/4 Hp  or 3 1/4 HP router may be the best value offered today (approx. $200 US) for a router that can be used hand-held as a plunge router and also inverted in a table; shaft lock and above table top bit removal and height adjustment features are designed in.  Having said all the above, I couldn't resist buying a Freud 1700 (13 A) router for inverted use in a table at $150 which included a mail-in coupon for a plunge base which they quickly honored.  Both 1/2 and 1/4 collets are included as well as the topside adjustment knob for use when installed in a table.  It can swing bits at least as large as the Festool 1400, and the collet nut extends above the table for easy bit removal with a single wrench since the shaft is automatically locked when in this position.  And the Freud is guaranteed for 5 years.

 

[Dan Clermont]

Nobody mentioned the guide stop? Don't you guys use it for Dado's or am I missing something?

I think I might use that more then the edge guide. This is getting expensive  :'(

Dan Clermont

 

[Mirko]

Dan, i believe the  guide stop is the part that holds the router on the guide rail? If so I have one and I never see the need to use the edge guide. IMO you do'nt need it if you have the guide stop. save some cash. You may want one of the  LA-OF 1400 Item # 492574 Its good when running small bits, it will give you more support on the base.

Mirko

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Dan, i believe the  guide stop is the part that holds the router on the guide rail? If so I have one and I never see the need to use the edge guide. IMO you do'nt need it if you have the guide stop. save some cash. You may want one of the  LA-OF 1400 Item # 492574 Its good when running small bits, it will give you more support on the base.

Mirko

Mirko,

I have both the guide stop and the edge guide for my OF 1400 router.  You are right about the function of the guide stop, and most of the time choose because the side forces created by the router bit a controlled assuring a straight line cut.  But if you need to make a cut at or near the edge and there is no space to position the guide rail, the edge guide saves the day and allows the cut line to be positioned back a preset distance relative to the edge.  If you are doing a bunch of workpieces, using the edge guide might be faster since you do not have to position the workpiece under the guide rail before each cut - acting like the opposite of using a router in a table.  I recently used my edge guide to help me control the depth of cut avoid snipe at the ends of a long board from which I was creating molding using a rather large bit with my router.  Once the edge guide was setup, all I had to do was adjust the depth of cut of the 1400 router for successive passes.  Festool's edge guide for the 1400 has a very precise fine adjustment mechanism.  If your router bit does not a bearing, or the workpiece has no edge for the bearing to bear against, the edge guide enables you to still use that bit, or if the bit has a bearing but you don't want to cut the full profile, you can set the edge to whatever you choose and repeatedly route that profile on an edge.

Feb. 2, 2007 update.  Instead of changing the base on your (OF 1400) router, you can simply snap-in the PC bushing holder and fill-up the hole with a flat bushing that does not project below the base.  Here is a link to one source. http://pricecutter.com/product.asp?pn=400-1510

 

[Dan Clermont]

Thanks guys!

I'll get the Guide stop and the edge guide along with  LA-OF 1400 Item # 492574 . Somebody also mentioned a systainer for router bits which would sure be nice but for the life of me I can't find it. I hate getting things mail order and then finding out you "need" an accessory.

Cheers
Dan Clermont

 

[Bob Marino]

Thanks guys!

I'll get the Guide stop and the edge guide along with  LA-OF 1400 Item # 492574 . Somebody also mentioned a systainer for router bits which would sure be nice but for the life of me I can't find it. I hate getting things mail order and then finding out you "need" an accessory.

Cheers
Dan Clermont

Dan,

It is item # 487-925.

Bob

 

[Mirko]

Thanks guys!

I'll get the Guide stop and the edge guide along with  LA-OF 1400 Item # 492574 . Somebody also mentioned a systainer for router bits which would sure be nice but for the life of me I can't find it. I hate getting things mail order and then finding out you "need" an accessory.

Cheers
Dan Clermont

So Dan, seems we did'nt have to twist your arm to much! What are you getting next ;D
The OF 1400 is great you won't be disapointed!

Mirko