Of the Festool routers, i started with the OF 1000. eventualy getting the 1400 to make use of my 1/2" bits, both on hand and future purchases. I like them both, but still continue to reach for the 1000 most often. (My shop work is winding down for this season as my day work of landscaping is suddenly coming back into season) i have several other routers to compare against, almost none of which get used since i got the 1000, and certainly far less often since the 1400 entered the picture.
Item #1 is the Festool 1/4" collet. My PC router will never see another 1/4" bit other than for roundovers. And then, the collet will be tightened as if i were locking it against a bulldozer. That 1/4" PC collet is absolutely terrible. I have Milwuakee with 1/4" collet that is considerably better at holding bits. Beyond the Festool routers, the milwaukee is my next choice if using 1/4 bits. There is not a 1/4 collet in my shop that will hold 1/4 bits like the festool collets. i put the bits into the collets, tighten to a normal tghtness and rout away. they just never slip. When i first started using routers, i got a set of 1/4" bits and soon quit using after the first bouts with redesignig as result of slipped bits. Those bits are currently being used in the OF 1000. They are slowly being replaced with Festool & Whiteside 8mm bits. I will probably eventually get rid of the PC & Milwaukee routers.
The #2 surprise I found: I have the WoodRat with a DW 625 mounted permanantly. That combo, i see no change in the forseeable future. I soon learned the value of the Rat for "climb cutting" to avoid tearout and splintering, especially when routing edges of splintery wood. I have not, so far, had the need to use that method with my OF 1000. If I find a need to climb cut, I just setup the Rat. When my OF 1400 arrived, i was in the middle of a small project using Ash. i was at a point where I was ready to round over the edges of some of the pieces. I had some scraps of ash laying on the bench and decided to see if, using the guidebar, it was safe to climb cut with either of the Festool routers. Since I was going thru several practice routing operations to familiarize myself with the 1400, i first tried jointing an edge with the 1400. I mounted a 3/4 straight bit (1/2 shank) into the collet, set up for minimum cut and started routing, being very carefull to really hang tight and try not to allow too much progress too suddenly. I did three pieces of approximately 24" long with no problem. I don't know as I would want to try the method on harder wood than ash, or sommething more expensive like Walnut, but for that one time, i had no problem (note key words>>> very careful) I then got out a 3/4 straight bit 1/4 shank and mounted into the OF 1000 and tried the same experiment. Whoops!!!!! I won't try that again. I then tried to use a roundover bit with the same router and same bit. i was able to do the climb cut, but found it took extreme caution. I'm not comfortable with the 1000 for climb cut routing except by taking the finest cuts possible. I'm more comfortable with using the 1400 for those cuts. I did not try the 1400 climbcutting with 1/4 shank bits. As long as I have the 1000, I do not expect to ever use 1/4 bits in the 1400 and so did not see any profit in trying there. I do not see using either router for climb cuts as long as I have the Rat hanging on the wall. This was only an experiment for knowledge. i learned something and probably won't use either router for that specific operation again. I also do not see myself getting rid of either the 1000 or 1400 for any reason. i am totally satisfied with both toys, thankyou. I have also used the 1ooo without the guidebar, and it is my choice for freehand routing over all other routers i have.
Tinker
