The Great Router Debate

[Ben West]

I'm also about to go under a "Festoolification" and will, within a couple of weeks, place an order for RO 150, TS 55, MFT 1080, CT 33, a router, and various accessories.

Here's my story...I'm a beginning woodworker who grew up watching a very talented father woodcraft, but never had an interest myself.  Now, in my mid 30's and in a sometimes stressful job and need a release.  I've been a semi-serious DIY'er around the house, but now I'm ready to take it up a notch with more serious woodworking.

This forum has been incredibly helpful in putting together the above list (for example, I had initially planned to get a TS 75, but a recent thread convinced me otherwise).  I'm still undecided about the router, though.  Right now I'm leaning toward the 1010, but I've gone back and forth between it and the 1400 a dozen times.  I know this topic has been discussed a few times already on this and the Yahoo forum, and I already what the advice will be..."it depends on your application."  Sound advice, but the problem is I don't know just exactly what my application will be.  As a beginner, I have an idea of how I'll be using a router, but I also know that I'll probably have completely different ideas in a year or so.

My thoughts right now are that I should get the easy-to-handle 1010 and, once I need more HP and ability to swing larger bits (like panel raising bits), perhaps just get a non-Festool fixed base and table.  Reasonable? 

Thanks for the great advice so far!

 

[Bob Marino]

  Ben,

  Tough choice! It is true, that tool choices do depend on applications, but I happen to prefer using the lightest tool that does the job. I prefer the C12 over the TDK 12V, the TS 75 over the TS 55 and the OF 1010 over the OF 1400, but there are times I need the extra power of the TDK 15.6V, or power and cutting depth of the TS 75, or the power of the 1400 and its' ability to use 1/2" bits. Having said that, I like the 1010 better when doing shelf pins or using Festool's dt jig (which admittedly I have not used too often). It's a router I reach for first because of the superb handling, low center of gravity and light weight.

Bob

 

[Ned]

My thoughts right now are that I should get the easy-to-handle 1010 and, once I need more HP and ability to swing larger bits (like panel raising bits), perhaps just get a non-Festool fixed base and table.  Reasonable? 

Good plan, IMO.

Get Festool's 8mm-shank bits, rather than 1/4"-shank ones, whenever possible.

When you get your table-mounted router, be sure to get an 8mm collet for it.  Porter-Cable and Bosch both can supply them as spare parts. 

Oh, by the way, welcome!

Ned

 

[Lou Miller]

I've had the 1400 for quite a while now. I just recently picked up a used 1010. I'm more than happy with both. However, just my personal opinion, I like the 1400 a WHOLE lot more. The weight of a tool doesn't matter to me much though so take the above comment FWIW.

 

[Daviddubya]

To me there is no contest - I'd choose the OF1400 because of the choice of collets.  The fact that the 1010 has no option for 1/2" bits is a restriction I would not accept, especially here in the USA where the selection of 8mm bits is small compared to the variety of bits and price ranges for 1/4" and 1/2" bits.  I always buy a 1/2" bit unless the bit is not available in 1/2" and then I opt for 1/4".  I know that Festool has a line of 8mm bits, but I'm too far into collecting 1/4" and 1/2" bits to switch.

If I were starting to buy routers today, I would buy the OF1400 and a Bosch Colt for small trim work.  Later, when you are ready for a table, you will face a different set of decisions, and the OF1400 will remain your go-to router for heavier duty hand-held work.

 

[sroxberg]

If I were starting to buy routers today, I would buy the OF1400 and a Bosch Colt for small trim work.  Later, when you are ready for a table, you will face a different set of decisions, and the OF1400 will remain your go-to router for heavier duty hand-held work.

I'm with you Dave, 1400 and a colt, and then something else based on the lift and table to table mount.

 

[Daniel Platt]

Ben,
Thank you for bringing up this topic. I too had the same back and forth when I was getting ready to place my initial order. In the end, I decided to show some self control. I have a PC router and prefab table that will serve my immediate needs. There will come a day in the not too distant future, though, that I will be looking to add a router to the mix and it's good to have this thread to reference when I do.
-Daniel

 

[Per Swenson]

This may sound silly, that's me a opinionated silly guy.

First me parting with a nickel is akin to the defense dept

releasing UFO secrets. That being said, I have both routers

and once you take the Festool plunge, more then likely you will too.

They are both gems and equally well used.

Per

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Your collection of tools is almost exactly what I have.  I got the OF1400 a few weeks ago and I'm delighted with it.  Its very well made and very capable.  Dust collection is not as good as with the saws and sanders, but its as good as any router I have seen.  And I still get tickled swapping tools, just unplug the electric and vac hose and plug them into the next tool.  Check out Daviddubya's excellent post for an auxiliary sole plate - it solves a problem when you use the OF1400 with the guide rail.

 

[bill-e]

Actually,. I'd go with the 1400 AND the 1010   I wish I had a 1010.

That being said if I could have only one it would be the 1400.  The 1400 isn't that big and it gives you the option of going with 1/2" bits.

If I was going to get the 1010 I'd use only 8mm bits if I could and that could quickly cost you lots of bucks.  With the 1400 you can take advantage of some great deals on decent bits from places like Holbren.com.

So my recommendation is the 1400.

 

[Dan Lyke]

I have the 1010, and I love it to pieces (I was knocking out some indents that had to align with some other hardware bolt holes last night, and with the rail guide and a stop block I realized that I was more accurate than the holes I'd done on the drill press, and I had to do two passes to introduce some slop...), but I should have gone with the 1400 for the 1/2" shank. And I too see myself having both eventually.

On the other hand, when I look at some of the cool bits that I'm ogling, and realize that they often cost over $50 each, by the time I get to needing those bits then I'll be able to justify the 1400, or I'll be using them in a router table, in which case the Festool routers probably aren't the right choice anyway.

However, the 1400 has that awesome bidirectional ratchet...

So I guess, as a 1010 owner, that I'm pushing ya towards the 1400. But not terribly hard.

 

[greg mann]

Personally, I would go with the 1010 and make my second router another brand for the table, which is where you will be doing more of the routing that begs for half-inch shanks. But what do I know. I have all three, plus a Hitachi in the table and the Bosch combo I started with. I think the 2000 will wind up in some set up for male sliding dovetails (overkill) or that day when I start doing timber-framing.  :

You WILL wind up with both. The 1010 is just about as handy as a trim router, IMO, and can do so much more.

 

[Ben West]

Well, it seems like a healthy majority would recommend the 1400, and I'm now leaning that way.  I do like the fact that the 1400 can take 1/2" shank bits, which opens the door to a much greater variety of bits at a lower cost.  I've always liked the ratcheting collet and snap-in bushings of the 1400.  Of course, I'd love to get both the 1010 and 1400, but I gotta draw the line somewhere on this first order!

Thanks for the insight, everyone.

 

[billybokay]

I have 6 routers now. 1 pc 7518 in the router table,(great) 1 pc dedicated and set up for dovetails. 2 pc laminate trimmers set up with different bits, small roundover and champfer,  1 pc plunge (used alot), and 2 old cheap ones , chicago and b&d.  Now for the Question.  None have dust collection except for the table mounted. None can use the guide rail and most importantly.. none are green and black.
Can I justify the 1400 or live life the way it is now.

 

[skipclemmons]

I am a beginner too.  I did the soul searching and found a 1010 on ebay.  1010 is all I need so far.  1/4 inch bits are everywhere and inexpensive.  The 8mm Festool bits are special and priced accordingly.  I understand the 1010 works better with the hole jig and dovetail jig, too, if you want to go that far.  Lots of flexibility to grow and a cheaper entry point to meet your needs unless you have a lot of half inch bits already.  Easy to sell, too,  if you feel it is too small.  sc

 

[Brad Evans]

>>>    It's a router I reach for first because of the superb handling, low center of gravity and light weight.

Same here, except I have the predecessor OF1000.  The smaller size make it a joy to use handheld.

Brad
Urban pix:  www.citysnaps.net

 

[Jesse Cloud]

I have 6 routers now. 1 pc 7518 in the router table,(great) 1 pc dedicated and set up for dovetails. 2 pc laminate trimmers set up with different bits, small roundover and champfer,  1 pc plunge (used alot), and 2 old cheap ones , chicago and b&d.  Now for the Question.  None have dust collection except for the table mounted. None can use the guide rail and most importantly.. none are green and black.
Can I justify the 1400 or live life the way it is now.

Do what I do - sell most of the old ones to fund that 1400 (or at least the parallel guide ).  Think of all the shop space you will save!
T

 

[Toolpig]

Ok -- I've gotta get this off my chest!

I love Festool as much as anybody.  I have the TS55 and the CT22E and absolutely love them.  But...

I also have a couple of GREAT routers that didn't cost me near what a Festool router would cost (PC & Bosch).  The Bosch has excellent dust collection paired with my Festool vac.  It also has variable speed control, plunge, etc. etc.  You'd have a hard time convincing me that the $400 Festool router is that much better than my $200 Bosch router.

There -- I said it!

TP

 

[mysterium]

Jesse,

I've been meaning to do that...

Quote: "Do what I do - sell most of the old ones to fund that 1400 (or at least the parallel guide ).  Think of all the shop space you will save!"

Jesse I must have some excess... since I've accumulated 4-PC 3 1/4 hp, 2-PC 2 hp, a good 1/2 doz. PC 690's plus even more bases, DeWalt 3 1/4 hp., and 2 different model PC laminate trimmer routers plus bases....

But without a question my Festool 1010 & 1400's are my favorites.  ;D  ;D times 2 =  ;D ;D ;D ;D

Then again, you can never have too many routers.... 

If you use the "One router per bit is a good ratio..."

You never have to change bits!!! 

jim

 

[Daviddubya]

...You'd have a hard time convincing me that the $400 Festool router is that much better than my $200 Bosch router...

Toolpig - Do you use your routers on a guide rail system?  Have you tried the Festool guide rail with a router - any router?  Based on my experience, the Festool router (OF1400 in my case) mated with a Festool guide rail does a mighty fine job of dados, rabbets, edge jointing, and similar straight line routing tasks.