I found a Akeda DC16 dovetail jig and all the extras for half price at my local Woodcraft store on Sunday. [drooling] Now I need a good router to use with it. I only have one router in my shop, Tritan 2 1/4 horse, it spends most of it's time in the router table. I'm looking for something smaller and lighter to use with the dovetail jig. Have any of you guys used the Akeda with a Festool router? Which would you recommend, the 1010 or would the 700 do the job?
Router Advice Needed
- Thread starter sl_1800
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Chuck Kiser
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The OF1010 is the Festool router of choice for that application. The MFK700 is a fine tool but more limited in its application.
sl_1800 said:
Don't forget that as long your router bits are either 8mm or 1/4", the smaller routers would be fine although I don't know how the 700 would work for this application. If you have 1/2" shanks you are SOL. You will have to use your Triton or get a third router.
Frankly, as much as I like my Festool 1400, I find that most applications will either work only with a Porter Cable or other routers with some modification. You can pick up a P-C 690 variable speed plunge router for about $160 or so. It will also take virtually all collet sizes (comes with 1/4" and 1/2") but you will have to buy an 8mm insert if that is the size you need.
Neill
Brice Burrell
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sl_1800 said:
Yes, the 1010 comes with an insert for PC bushings.
Bob Marino
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Chuck Kiser said:
Ditto.
Bob
sl_1800 said:
Don't know about your bushing question but I would bow to Brice's experience. [not worthy]
Sounds like the 1010 would be just the ticket. For the difference in price though, might the 1400 be a better choice? It gives you more options in a handheld router. Many posters to this Forum feel that the 1400 might be the best router in Festool's line-up. They are certainly all good. I cannot recall a negative post to this Forum about the 1400.
Good luck with your decision. I am sure that you will make the right one.
Neill
An important consideration for choosing a router to use on a bench top type dt jig is the handle configuration. I find that the asymmetrical type handles (barrel and knob?) on the OF1010 and OF1400 are not designed well for this application, Iv'e tried it. The ergonomics don't work well at all. The classic (symmetrical knobs) configuration provides much more balance and control for holding a router in front of you at chest/ gut level. Don't get me wrong, the of 1400 is my favorite router, right now mine is bolted to a Leigh FMT.
A plunge is of no real advantage for a dt jig, but if you are not a cabinetmaker and your router will spend most of it's life off the jig, a plunge would be rec'd just because of their versatility. Better yet pick up one of the combi kits like the Bosch EVS. PC and Makita make combi sets also.
In my opinion, 700w is too small for making dts in anything over 1/2". I'm not sure what the capacity is on the Akeda, but on the Leigh D4R I can run 1-1/4" dts, out of the question for a 1/4" shank bit. For big dts in tables/countertops etc. I use an OF2000, which is a bit of overkill, but it has the symmetrical handles, better to much power that too little.
Just my opinion...
Bill
A plunge is of no real advantage for a dt jig, but if you are not a cabinetmaker and your router will spend most of it's life off the jig, a plunge would be rec'd just because of their versatility. Better yet pick up one of the combi kits like the Bosch EVS. PC and Makita make combi sets also.
In my opinion, 700w is too small for making dts in anything over 1/2". I'm not sure what the capacity is on the Akeda, but on the Leigh D4R I can run 1-1/4" dts, out of the question for a 1/4" shank bit. For big dts in tables/countertops etc. I use an OF2000, which is a bit of overkill, but it has the symmetrical handles, better to much power that too little.
Just my opinion...
Bill
Bill thanks for your input. I was beginning to think the same thing about the handles. I'm not a professional just mess with woodworking as a hobby. I was considering the Festool for other applications as well but I have seen several people using two routers for dovetailing so they don't have to switch bits. And to be honest I can get two PC routers for less than one OF1010. I may get the OF1010 first and give it a try cause I really like what I see in that router.
TOOLMAN169
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Hey guy's I tryed using my festool 1400 router on my akeda dovetail jig. It did ok. I think the plunge router was hard to micro adjust my bit depth. My solution was 2 porter cable D-handle router with a fixed base. They worked great for me. I will use my 1400 for everything else.
