OF1400 or OF1010 + router table?

[noughtme]

After purchasing a TS75, I'm looking at routers so I can get started on some furniture projects. Deciding between the TS55 and TS75 was pretty simple since I wanted something that would allow me to rip sheet goods AND thick hardwood, but I can't quite determine the performance limitations of the OF1010.

My specific requirements are pretty few and simple:

-drilling shelf pin holes and hinge boring with the LR32
-making box joints, hidden dados, and mortise and tenons in 1" - 2" hardwood (oak/maple/beech) for bookshelves and tables
-routing tongue and groove edge joints

The light weight and maneuverability of the 1010 are very appealing, so one option might be to get the 1010 now, if it's up to these task, and add a cheap router table later if I get into more complicated things like chairs in the future. I'm not fond of raised panels, so I won't be doing those, and I also have no plans to acquire a table saw or other stationary tools.

I realize that this is a topic that keeps coming up, but maybe because there's no definite answer as so many members claim to use the OF1010 for "90%" of their router work.

 

[AlexThePalex]

but I can't quite determine the performance limitations of the OF1010.

The limitation of the 1010 comes down to the fact that it can only take 1/4'' and 8mm bits and not the 1/2'' bits like the 1400.

The 1400 can do more than the 1010 because it supports bigger router bits. On the other hand, if you don't need the bigger 1/2'' bits, the 1010 would be just fine. When you're actually routing you'll find that most of the time you'll just route with a small bit (rounding over or a small dado) so that's why people say they use the 1010 95% of the time. A 1/2'' router is better at its place when you want to route special profiles and they don't come up that often for most people.

You also mentioned a router table. Of course the lighter 1010 only has an advantage when you use it by hand. If you're gonna put it in a table the 1400 would best.

 

[noughtme]

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear. I didn't mean I was going to put the OF1010 IN a router table, I would get an additional (cheap-ish) router specifically for table use only.

Also, I know the OF1010 can only take 1/4" or 8mm and the OF1400 can take 1/2" bits, but seeing as I don't have any bits at the moment, I wouldn't mind getting a few 8mm bits, even if they're a little more expensive. Looking through the Festool Catalog, it seems the only bits that aren't recommended for use on the OF1010 (and come in 1/2" only) are the ones for machining solid surface countertops. I was wondering more what people felt the 1010 was simply not capable of, bit size aside.

 

[EcoFurniture]

I sold the OF1010 and got myself the 1400.... Although a lot of people like the smaller router because of it's lighter weight, I found that cutting dados with the small one is a pain in the butt. The 1/4 bits created to much vibration for my taste and cutting was slow. The 1400 together with a nice 3/4 bit does the job better. But I have to agree, if you just want to do some round overs and other light routing the 1010 should be fine for you.
Anyhow, a little while ago I got myself a MFK700 for edgetrimming and other light router work--I love it love it love it!

 

[noughtme]

I found that cutting dados with the small one is a pain in the butt. The 1/4 bits created to much vibration for my taste and cutting was slow.

That's what I was curious about since I plan to do a lot of dados. Would this also be the case for multiple passes? I'm guessing you never tried an 8mm bit?

 

[EcoFurniture]

I found the 8mm bits hard to come by and are too expensive. Moving up to the 1400, I can now do dados in one pass with a bit that cost me only half of a festool one.... I have to admit that I'm owning quite a few festool specialty bits and they are great, but why pay $80 for a simple straight bit if I can buy 3 for the same price from a different brand.

 

[Wim]

I'm planning to move to the USA permanently from Holland. I started to buy Festools already during my visits to the USA. I will sell my "European" tools because of the difference in voltage/frequency. I have an OF1010 in Holland (in a CMS-table) and I love it. It uses 8 mm bits. In the USA I will buy an OF1400 just because the 1/2" bits are widely available, the 8 mm bits are expensive and hard to get and the 1/4" bits are a little weak to my opinion.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I found that cutting dados with the small one is a pain in the butt. The 1/4 bits created to much vibration for my taste and cutting was slow.

That's what I was curious about since I plan to do a lot of dados. Would this also be the case for multiple passes? I'm guessing you never tried an 8mm bit?

Yes, you can cut dados with multiple passes using the 1010 with 1/4" or 8 mm shank bits. Eco is a professional furniture maker so he needs to be efficient with his time so the 1400 with pass for dado is the way to go for his needs. Once your skills improve passed the novice level you'll want a larger router for more demanding routing tasks. The question is do you think ahead and buy the larger router now. This can save you some money down the line. I say can because most woodworkers end up with numerous routers, remember the potato chip commercial, you can't have just one, routers tend to be the same way.

I love my 1010, it is certainly my most used router but the 1400 might be a better choice for the guy getting started or the guy that needs to be frugal and can only buy one. Like Eco I've found the Festool bits to be of the highest quality but pricey. Spending more on the 1400 you can quickly recoup the cost difference buying quality 1/2" shank bits over Festool's 8 mm.

If you can go to a dealer and try them both. Good luck.     

 

[noughtme]

Thanks for all the advice. The difference in cost between the 1010 and the 1400 wasn't the primary concern since, thinking ahead, it would be between a 1400 OR a 1010 + table mounted router + router table. The 1010 seems to be more ideal for use with jigs beacause of it's size (and also some of the concerns on the board of concentricity of the 1400 collet/base).

I definately don't want to make the investment in both set-ups right away, so it's too bad the 1010 didn't have just a bit more power. Like everyone else, I'll probably go with the 1400 as my first Festool router.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I got an 8mm DeWalt router and I'm pretty satisfied about it's overall capabilities but yet there have been countless times I wished I had a 1/2'' router also. I'm pretty sure you're gonna like your new OF1400.