Router bits.

[AlexThePalex]

Alex can i just say that we in England are part of Europe even though i dont want to be    and we use mainly 1/4" or 1/2" like i already said we dont use much 8mm stuff. Do a search of any Uk tool website you will see.

joiner, before I started to write this I had in my head that I wanted to say 'mainland Europe' because I knew you English folks use Imperial. I simply forgot. Thanks for immediately setting me straight, as any good Englishman would.

And as for not wanting to be part of Europe, tsk tsk, you're just being silly. What, you guys think you're living on an island or something? 

 

[greg mann]

I don't think it is a power issue for not using Festool not making the 1010 capable of using 1/2 bits.

I think it is, because I haven't seen one single 1/2'' router below 1300 watts.

Festool is matching spindle size and power. In this case, I think the spindle size, mainly bearing and shaft diameters are probably more of an issue than the missing 200 watts.

The 1010 is designed to robustly handle 8mm bits and they know it will perform for many trouble-free years within that range. Ironically, the MFK700 can also use 8mm bits and that fact is almost universally overlooked when people evaluate that router. Festool has engineered it to handle a significantly more rigid range of tools than any other 'trim' router. Compared to the rest the MFK is a brute.

Greg, you're thinking too much 'America only'. Like Job said above, here in Europe we hardly have any 6mm (1/4'') bits. All smallest routers here are designed with 8mm bits in mind. The 1010 is one of the high end 8mm routers since most 8mm routers here go from 650 to 1000 watts power. The average is 800 or 900 watts. My DeWalt router has only 800 watts and it can do anything I want it to. The 1010 with it's 1010 watt power is an absolute beast compared to that.

It's not me thinking too much 'America only'. I'm fine with the way Festool has divided their range. I am only making the observation that others want the 1010 to have 1/2 capacity. I agree, the 1010 is a very powerful router for the 8mm class. People should quit citing its lack of 1/2 capacity and celebrate it for what it is. As far as the MFK is concerned I am pointing out the lack of vision here in the States that exists by only comparing it against 1/4 capacity trim routers and failing to recognize it is so much more than those tools, even if that is just average in Europe. I think we are really in agreement on all counts..

Now when you talk about the trim router MFK700, that's more average around here, for a trim router. Again, it's designed for the 8mm bits and therefor must be a bit stronger than the trim routers for 1/4'' bits Americans are used to. But here it's just the standard. Hardly anybody uses 1/4'' bits here.

See above.

If one wants 1/2 capability they shouldn't bemoan the fact that the 1010 doesn't have it because they would run the risk of abusing the machine. Festool listened when folks said would like 1/2 capacity in the 1010. The 1400 is what Festool believes a 1/2 capacity 1010 should look and perform like.

Yup.

 

[jvsteenb]

Greg,

I see your point, and I totally agree with you that you that there are limitations to take into account like spindle sizing, etc.
Maybe I didn't make myself clear. I said I hated the fact that my OF1010 doesn't take 12mm bits,
but I immediately stated that it makes sense.

When I purchased my OF1010, I wass fully aware of the fact that it didn't take 12mm bits, and wasn't designed to take them either.
I was aware of the availability of the OF1400, and although the step/up in price is rather steep, that wouldn?t have held me back.

I want to be able to do a lot of thing with my routers, ranging from edgetrimming to profiling and using heavy jointer bits.
The way I see it, my needs can be accomplished with just two routers.

I?ve often heard the statement "one can never have too many routers".
While this may be true, financial constraints may apply, especially when we're talking Festool routers.
I don't have the financial means to buy all the routers I need, and especially not all at once.

So I have to make a compromise, and the OF1400 - however appealing as a router - wouldn't be a good compromise FOR ME.

And if I seem unappreciative of the qualities of my OF1010 then I'm certainly NOT getting my point across.
I know you can't have your cake and eat it too - but it would be nice, wouldn't it ?
And the versatility of the OF1010 certainly doesn't help, as it seems to beg you to throw anything at it, no matter what.

So actually, I'm not yelling at the OF1010, but rather at the laws of physics

Regards,

Job

 

[greg mann]

Greg,

I see your point, and I totally agree with you that you that there are limitations to take into account like spindle sizing, etc.
Maybe I didn't make myself clear. I said I hated the fact that my OF1010 doesn't take 12mm bits,
but I immediately stated that it makes sense.

When I purchased my OF1010, I wass fully aware of the fact that it didn't take 12mm bits, and wasn't designed to take them either.
I was aware of the availability of the OF1400, and although the step/up in price is rather steep, that wouldn?t have held me back.

I want to be able to do a lot of thing with my routers, ranging from edgetrimming to profiling and using heavy jointer bits.
The way I see it, my needs can be accomplished with just two routers.

I?ve often heard the statement "one can never have too many routers".
While this may be true, financial constraints may apply, especially when we're talking Festool routers.
I don't have the financial means to buy all the routers I need, and especially not all at once.

So I have to make a compromise, and the OF1400 - however appealing as a router - wouldn't be a good compromise FOR ME.

And if I seem unappreciative of the qualities of my OF1010 then I'm certainly NOT getting my point across.
I know you can't have your cake and eat it too - but it would be nice, wouldn't it ?
And the versatility of the OF1010 certainly doesn't help, as it seems to beg you to throw anything at it, no matter what.

So actually, I'm not yelling at the OF1010, but rather at the laws of physics

Regards,

Job

I wasn't singling you out, Job. I understood your position. In your case, the two best routers are probably the 1010 and the 2200. The laments I hear are usually on this side of the pond.