Review of OF 1400

[waltwood]

I got. the OF 1400 about a month ago and was disappointed with it. I want to qualify myself as I have 8 routers and 35 years of experience using them. I have several routers dedicated to one task and this was going to be my general use router such as edge forming and flush trimming. I was  excited about it because of how good my other Festools are and a joy to use.

Here is what I thought about it:
(1) It was too heavy but moreso top heavy, the uppermost part of it had the most weight and I think that is the worst place to be heavy. The center of gravity should be lower.

(2) The base shape was odd too me. I would prefer it round without the flat spots. I assume that is for the guide usage.

(3) Throat opening is too big in the base and the insert is akward to remove.

(4) Racheting bit removal was nice but still takes 2 hands.

(5) Not as much power as I was expecting.

(6) Not being able to remove the entire base was unusual.

(7) Handle was not ergonomic at all. I feel like I have better control with a handle that is vertical rather than horizontal like this one. Also the other handle is 180 degrees from the handle that controls the switch. I have 2 routers where the second handle is positioned 120 to 130 degrees away and it is more comfortable.

(8)The collets are well made.

My 2 biggest complaints were the top heavy feel and the handle. I returned it before the 30 day period and bought a Makita RD  1101.
 

 

[peter halle]

Glad to hear that you tried it out and used the return policy when it didn't measure up to your needs or expectations.  That is what Festool wants.

Peter

 

[jamste]

Did you look at replacing it with the OF2200? It is obviously much more powerful and has the handle shape you prefer. Unfortunately it is more expensive than the OF1400 and does not address your concern with it being top-heavy.

...Might be a little too big for a general purpose router now that I come to think of it.  [unsure]

James

 

[waltwood]

Did you look at replacing it with the OF2200? It is obviously much more powerful and has the handle shape you prefer. Unfortunately it is more expensive than the OF1400 and does not address your concern with it being top-heavy.

...Might be a little too big for a general purpose router now that I come to think of it.  [unsure]

James

Thanks for the suggestion. I did think it would be too big for general purpose but I did not know about the handle.

I don't have a store where I can check them out before buying so I bought one without ever seeing one.

 

[Roseland]

Sorry to hear you didn't like the OF 1400.  I have one (and 4 other routers) and I love it, especially the dust collection and the ease of fitting guide bushes.

I'm struggling to see what provision the Makita has for connection to an extractor.

Good luck with it!

Andrew

 

[waltwood]

Sorry to hear you didn't like the OF 1400.  I have one (and 4 other routers) and I love it, especially the dust collection and the ease of fitting guide bushes.

I'm struggling to see what provision the Makita has for connection to an extractor.

Good luck with it!

Andrew

I was really excited about the dust extraction with this router but did not make it that far.

Walt

 

[pjblues]

I have a 1400 and so far, I think it is going to be great. I am thinking of purchasing the Festool table system as I sold my Wood Pecker table system.

 

[WoodWhisperer]

I was in the same boat with my 1400.  After using it for a while, it's my favorite router!!  Glad I kept it.
Sean

 

[GBCarpentry]

I was in the same boat with my 1400.  After using it for a while, it's my favorite router!!  Glad I kept it.
Sean

Me too! I'm finding it hard to put it back in the tloc. I just can't bring myself to putting it away, yet I don't need it right now [huh]

 

[rrmccabe]

I agree with some of your comments. I have the 1400 and there are a few things that are awkward about it. I dislike the base shape as well.

But it functions extremely well and dust collection rocks.

It just doesn't feel as good in my hands as some routers but its still the main router I use.

 

[VW mick]

I spent 20 odd years using elu/dewalt routers and the MOF177 was the standard as far as I was concerned

But I got a OF1010 and then an OF1400 and the OF1400 is my go to router .just love it .it's so smooth and powerfull

A lot of my guys can't get used to it .but I can't fault it .dont think I've even used it to its full potential yet

Will defiantly get a OF2200 eventually

 

[woodwreck]

Waltwood, thanks for posting. I pretty much resembled your remarks from top to bottom more or less, and bought mine in a flurry of gearing up activity a couple of years ago. The base flat is good straight edge guide routing but can be a nusiance otherwise. The horiz. handle is quite troublesome. The dust collection is prohibitively cumbersome to attach when frequently changing bits.

Then extraneous problems struck, such as substantial surgery and the issues fell by the wayside in which I was distracted or asleep at the switch with more pressing matters beyond the 30 day period. I'm not terribly unhappy with it, but in hindsight should probably have stayed with my main line of Porter Cable routers.