Question for OF 1400 AND Leigh FMT Owners

[Steven in Iowa]

I treated myself to an early Christmas present today, courtesy of my former Employer's bonus check.  I've been wanting to buy an FMT for 2 years and thought, "What the heck"

Do any of you that own an FMT and the OF 1400 use them together or do you use a dedicated router of the other persuasion?  I'm not sure I want to go through the zeroing process each time, but I like the 1400 so much, that I hate to not use it.  What's the general consensus?

 

[TomCrawford]

I used a PC at first on my FMT.  If I wasn't very very careful the PC would shift, twist, slightly on the plunge shafts resulting in a poor tenon to mortice fit.  After a discussion with Jerry Work I bought the OF1400 - WHAT a difference!  It works great. The zero process is simple and quick.

 

[Tim Sproul]

The zero process is simple and quick.

I'm assuming this is refering to the process of getting the router armature centered at the correct point on the FMT subbase....and if so, I agree the process is very fast and easy so don't worry if decide to use your router elsewhere between FMT uses.

That said, I use a Dewalt 621 in my FMT.  Great router, IMO.  Remember to turn the depth stop turret to allow you to plunger ever so slightly deeper when routing mortises....otherwise you'll run into the occasional joint that won't close completely  :'(!

 

[Bob MN]

I use my 1400 with my FMT with great results. Of course, I've never used another router with the FMT, so I have no frame of reference.

 

[Steven in Iowa]

Okay, now you guys are 50/50 and really have me waffling.  In reading the setup for the 1400 on the FMT, it looks like you just run in 2 screws, and that's it, no lining up?  If that's the case, I may be tempted.  Tom, I also have a 621 which is what I was thinking of dedicating.

 

[Bob MN]

Steven:

I don't think you need a dedicated router IMHO. It doesn't take that long to attach the base plate from the FMT. Then again, if you have a dedicated router you might get to buy a new tool; which isn't all bad 

Bob