Router recommendation

[scb_yyz]

Hello, this is my first post.

I am interested in adding a router to my Festool stable, but I'm not sure which one makes the most sense.  I'll be using it to:

- do round-overs, edge butt joints
- do shelf dados in ply
- do dados for cabinet backs
- eventually some small dovetail work on jewelry box sized stuff - will likely buy a Leigh 12" Super template.

I've never owned or had a hand on a router, but I'm ok with other power equipment.

OF 2020 - overkill I think, I likely won't ever need that power, heavy.

OF 1400 - benefit of full shank size options, but maybe a touch heavy for dovetailing? Edge routing not optioned?

OF 1010 - limited in shank sizes to 8mm, so would that be an issue? Accessories add up for edge routing, track routing etc. to the point that it's the same cost optioned out as the OF 1400 nearly. Seems the most versatile except for the shank size perhaps limiting dado options?

[blink]

Advice please.. thank you.
simon.

 

[Birdhunter]

The 1400 does everything except heavy stock removal.

 

[scb_yyz]

Here's what I'm looking at for a purchase..

OF1010:
Festool FES-576204 Router OF 1010 EQ-F-Plus FES-576204
Edge Guide SA-OF 1000 489427 For OF 1010
Angle Arm WA-OF Product number 486052 For OF 1010, OF 1400
Edging Plate UP-OF Product number 486058 For OF 1010
Chip Guard SF-OF Product number 486242 For OF 1010

-or-

OF1400:
Festool FES-574692 OF 1400 EQ Router - Imperial FES-574692
Festool FES-492636 Parallel Edge Guide with Fine Adjustment for OF 1400 Router FES-492636
Festool FES-492601 Guide Stop OF 1400 FES-492601

Looking at the cost for either the OF1010 or OF1400 sets above, I think it's wash.  For the same price as a kitted OF1400, the OF1010 provides additional capability of edge trimming a la MFK 700.  So to my mind, lighter, more capability, but limited by shank size. 

Does the 8mm shank size really limit me?

 

[Cheese]

From what you've outlined as your major needs...the 1010 is more than adequate. Round overs, dados & dovetails are all within the capabilities of the 1010 and more importantly within it's "sweet zone".

I own all 4 of the Festool routers and my first choice would be the 1010...no questions asked.

8 mm bits while sometimes difficult to find, are more than strong enough for your requirements.

I was once a huge fan of 1/2" router bits and have a ton of them, however over the years I'm finding that having a 1/2" shaft on a 1/16" round over bit gets you nothing. It just forces you to use a larger/heavier router than you really need.

 

[fshanno]

Since all these Festool routers are very expensive doesn't it seem like the fact that the 1400 is only $150 more make it seem like a much better value?

As for dovetails, I find that my little fixed base Hitachi (Metabo now) 2 1/4hp is better than my 1400.  I have the leigh super 18.  Since the jig does the dust collection the Hitachi's lack of it is no problem.  It's lower center of gravity makes dovetailing more comfortable.  It's $70 on Amazon.  I use a 1/2" to 8mm collet reducer.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

From the requirements you state, I’d also suggest the 1010 - even though I bought one and then sold it again very quickly for reasons I won’t go into here. A lot of what you plan to do can be accomplished by using the appropriate bearing-guided cutters (roundovers, edge moulds, rear cabinet rebates etc.). The smaller machine is also very well suited to tasks such as dovetailing using a jig - including the ability to easily centre the bit. For cross-cut shelf dadoes, you should ideally add a suitable guide rail to your list - plus a TRS guide rail square if your budget will stretch to it.

Quarter-inch cutter shanks will also be perfectly adequate for all of the above, as long as you work within the limitations of the cutter. 30mm thick material, for example, will cut just fine using 3 passes of 11mm per pass. Your cutter shanks and wallet will thank you for it.

If you prefer the 8mm shank option, the range of Trend cutters is absolutely vast, and they do 8mm versions of most everything. Google ‘Trend router cutters’ to find the appropriate NA website. They do great little starter kits which include either 6 or 12 of the most commonly-used cutters in a nice little case.

Edited to add - I found your local stockist;
https://www.trend-uk.com//dealer/view/index/id/BUSY02

Hope you get fixed up.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=76247]scb_yyz[/member] Take look at the Dewalt 611 1/4 inch shank router. I've had two of these for quite a while. They are thoughtfully designed and have always done everything I have asked of them. dust collection is pretty good with the dust collection attachments. a 36 mm hose works best.

I keep a Whiteside 3000 template bit in the fixed base and 1/4 inch downcut spiral in the plunge base. They are light and agile and have enough power to get the job done. Although breaking heavy cuts into smaller bites works better.

The fixed base is around 140 USD and the kit with the fixed and plunge is around 200 USD
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...eed-Compact-Router-with-LEDs-DWP611/202562625
https://www.woodworkingshop.com/pro...sS0_4kdpr1ieblwxKEkb3H0m7nSDZNaRoCZDkQAvD_BwE

Ron

 

[jeffinsgf]

I have both of the routers you're considering. If I had to choose between one or the other, it would be no contest, the OF-1010 (1000 in my case) would win. It's compact size, quiet operation and attachment versatility makes it the most used router in my shop, and I have 6 or 7. The extra power of the 1400 is its only advantage, and that power could be replaced by a non-Festool router easier than the functionality of the 1010 could be.

Since you've never handled a router before, I would put an exclamation point at the end of this recommendation. It's a great intro into hand-held routing. Mine is over 20 years old and still my most used router.

 

[scb_yyz]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your guidance and experiences.  Off to the store today to have a look-see.  Hope the Festool savant has some time on his hands

 

[Sparktrician]

From what you've outlined as your major needs...the 1010 is more than adequate. Round overs, dados & dovetails are all within the capabilities of the 1010 and more importantly within it's "sweet zone".

I own all 4 of the Festool routers and my first choice would be the 1010...no questions asked.

8 mm bits while sometimes difficult to find, are more than strong enough for your requirements.

I was once a huge fan of 1/2" router bits and have a ton of them, however over the years I'm finding that having a 1/2" shaft on a 1/16" round over bit gets you nothing. It just forces you to use a larger/heavier router than you really need.

I'm with [member=44099]Cheese[/member] on this one.  The OF 1010 is the best for dovetailing, and especially right for use with 8mm bits and the Leigh Super18 Jig.  If that's your choice, be sure to get the Leigh 704R Guide Bushing Adaptor, too.  It will be much better for centering the bit when dovetailing.  Since you're learning the tools, it's best to learn on an easily-controlled light router, then migrate to heavier models as the need arises.  My OF 2200 resides in my CMS and handles heavier work quite well. 

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I have both the OF1400 and OF1010 and it would be hard for me to choose between them. I often have them both out and in use at the same time. I like the compactness and lightweight handling of the  OF1010 and have started collecting a few 8mm shank bits, as I find sources for them.
On the other hand, the OF1400 can take much bigger bits and deeper cuts, along with the handiness of the snap-in base parts. The table widener and chip deflector get used frequently.
I use them for quite different tasks, but the common ergonomics make things nice.

 

[SoonerFan]

I have an OF1400 but not an OF1100.  I got the 1400 about 8 years ago.  It was my only Festool router for several years.  And it is great.  My other choice was the 1100 and then the 2200.  I have some applications that need more power and I have many bits too big for the 1100 so needed a 1400 or a 2200.  While I agree the 1100 is best for your needs, if you might need more power / larger shanks I would consider the 1400.  It can do everything you need even though the 1100 might be a little better suited. 

Today I a Festool MKS 700 and a Jet Table/Lift with a 3 1/4 bora router in addition to the 1400.  Not sure I will ever need anything else. 

 

[fshanno]

- eventually some small dovetail work on jewelry box sized stuff - will likely buy a Leigh 12" Super template.

Just FYI.  I checked the web site and Leigh recommends a smallish fixed base router.

 

[cpw]

I am a big fan of the OF2200; it is large, but the ergonomics and dust collection of it are incredible.  I used to use DW618s, but the OF2200 has displaced them for 95% of work.  I also have a 1010, and that is nice for its small size, but it can't do what the bigger machine can.  The 1010 edging plate is useful for trimming solid edge banding as well.

I haven't used the 1400 enough (got a recon deal) to decide if it has a place in my lineup yet.

 

[ScotF]

Agree that the 1010 would suite you well and the 1400. The 1010 has the most accessories designed to go with it - which is a plus - yes, the 1400 can also use many of the same ones, but it is a bigger machine and more cumbersome to use on some of them. The 1010 is a nimble machine and just works really well.

If you plan on doing centered mortises/dados, then the 1400 does have a slight advantage in that you can use two edge guides to trap the work and with the 1010 you would have to go with something aftermarket as its edge guide is attached to the rods. The edge guide is so-so and would recommend a Microfence for it instead.

 

[scb_yyz]

Thank you.  Had a look at all three today, taking my time to play with all the bits and pieces.  OF 2200 had just amazing ergonomics.. would be awesome if the smaller models took that format.  OF 1400 felt good, and the quality of the depth adjust, edge guide adjust and ratcheting collet was quite nice.  OF 1010 felt amazingly tiny to me.. only gripe was the edge guide seemed cheap in comparison to the cast pieces on the bigger routers. 

I'm not done yet..  I'll have a look at router bit availability and then give it a deep think.  I'm leaning to the OF 1010 currently as I agree it would be a good machine to learn on.  I can always trade up if I ever need. 

Just wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to provide me their advice.  It's much appreciated.  Have a great week everyone.
simon.

 

[Stan Tillinghast]

Having purchased first the 1400 and only much later the 1100, it would have been better for me to buy them the other way around. The 1400 was intimidating for me as a beginner to the router, the 1100 I believe would have been much less so, and therefore much more used.

 

[Cheese]

If you plan on doing centered mortises/dados, then the 1400 does have a slight advantage in that you can use two edge guides to trap the work and with the 1010 you would have to go with something aftermarket as its edge guide is attached to the rods. The edge guide is so-so and would recommend a Microfence for it instead.

You can still use 2 edge guides on a 1010 to trap the work piece, but I also agree that the Microfence edge guide is superior to the Festool unit. The imperial model adjusts in .001" increments while the metric model adjusts in .1 mm increments. I prefer the imperial unit because of its finer adjustment capabilities. The Microfence unit is also capable of being installed on other routers by purchasing a different mounting bar adapter and a couple of rods.

In the 1st photo the Microfence is ready to be mounted on the 1010 and in the 2nd photo, it's ready to be mounted on the 1400.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

Something else to consider if dovetails or inlay work will be in your future, the template bushings can be centered on the 1010 while on the 1400 they snap into place and are not adjustable. What you get is what you get, some folks have been fortunate enough to purchase a 1400 with centered ones, while others have not been so lucky.

 

[scb_yyz]

Yes I read that forum entry on the 1400 bushing centering issue.

Very helpful being introduced to the Micro-Fence.. very nice piece of kit and I'd much prefer it over the Festool example.  Have bookmarked it.

Also the Leigh bushing adapter..thanks.. bookmarked.