trend router vs festool

[john molloy]

is the trend t11 a lot better than the festool routers? can the trend t11 work of festool  rails ?

 

[Holmz]

is the trend t11 a lot better than the festool routers? can the trend t11 work of festool rails ?

You would have to define better?
- Noise
- Dust collection
- Power
- squareness of cut
- accessories
- ergonomics
- etc

 

[john molloy]

which would you buy and why

 

[Kev]

I'd buy Festool as I'm happy to pay more for a higher end tool. That said, the Trend routers look ok and have a few good features. Only you can say whether it suits your needs.

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

I used to have a Trend T11 and an Elu MOF-190 (same thing) for many years and I thought they were great at the time but both were sold on as soon as I bought the Festool routers for the same reasons mentioned by Holmz. An OF2200 is better than a T11 in every way.

The OF2200 and the OF1010 is a fantastic combination. Router nirvana.

 

[Holmz]

I used to have a Trend T11 and an Elu MOF-190 (same thing) for many years and I thought they were great at the time but both were sold on as soon as I bought the Festool routers for the same reasons mentioned by Holmz. An OF2200 is better than a T11 in every way.

The OF2200 and the OF1010 is a fantastic combination. Router nirvana.

I was not giving reason, but more like reasoning.
I forgot cost/value.

The Elus were around a long time, and have a good pedigree.
If the trend is like an Elu it cannot be bad, but it may nt be modern.

 

[bobfog]

You can basically do anything with the Trend that the OF2200 can do. The difference is the OF2200 will do it all in a more enjoyable manner, with better dust collection, less vibration, a bit quicker, etc. It really depends on how often you use it as to if its worth the money.

Use a large router daily it's probably a wise purchase. Use it once a week and it's an indulgence and use it once a month and it's probably a waste of money.

 

[GhostFist]

I recently had the same dilemma in deciding on a higher hp router. The 2200 won due to dust collection mainly, which is massively important to me. All in all its a fantastic router. The trend seems to be better suited for a router table.

 

[Thistleman]

Having owned Elu, Trend and Festool routers over the years I now only use Festool if I am doing hand held work. Having said that I have just purchased another Trend T11 to use in my homemade router table. Once mounted in a table the differences between routers becomes less important. The ability to alter the plunge depth from above the table with the Trend without having to use a separate router lift is the stand out feature that puts it ahead of the Festools in this situation

 

[Roachmill]

It really depends on what you want or need them for. I had a T11 as my sole router for about 6 months or so. It's a lovely beast of a thing but it is on the larger and heavier end of the spectrum. I ended up getting a 1010 for handheld jobs and now keep the T11 purely for work that likes the bigger motor and cutter sizes it can use (e.g. tongue and groove).

I personally wouldn't want a 2200 (not for the price anyway!) since I have the much smaller and easier to handle 1010. The T11 is great under a table where I think the 2200 would be overkill.

The T11 doesn't really work with Festool rails. You can get a Dewalt adapter and fudge around with it but it's just not as easy and reliable. Dust collection is pretty good (you want to screw it on though!) but it doesn't have the same range of DC accessories like Festool routers though.

The Trend Combination Base (http://www.trend-uk.com/en/UK/product/CRB/3/239/combination_router_base_.html) is handy and helps make the monster a lot easier to handle out of the table. It's not cheap unless you're lucky like me and manage to nab a "B" or "C" grade (damaged packaging) off of Trend themselves.

If you don't need the under table features of the T11 then the T10 is basically the same router but without the table specific features.

 

[Dangermouse]

I had a trend T10 ( basically a les adjustable T 11) until a few months ago, it was a good router, owed me no money, it used standard trend guide bushes, but dust collection was next to useless, my OF1400, is an excellent router, brilliant dust collection, no standard guide bushes to you have to buy a Leigh jigs adaptor plate to use 16mm guide bush and ridiculously expensive add on accesories.
I'd say if your working on a building site and can be messy get the T11, if your working in private homes get a OF1400

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

Quote from Thistleman; The ability to alter the plunge depth from above the table with the Trend without having to use a separate router lift is the stand out feature that puts it ahead of the Festools in this situation.

The CMS with the all 3 Festool routers has a great router lift.
Dust collection is way better. It actually works...
Ratcheting collet on the 1400 and 2200.
Height locking on both columns for dead square cuts without any tilt.
Collet rises above the table for easy cutter changes (OF2200)

The Trend T11 and the Elu MOF-190 are both very good and served me well for many years, but the Festool CMS with the OF2200 is really good.

The Trend digital height gauge is great and excellent value for about £20. I use it every time I use the router lift in my CMS.

 

[GhostFist]

I cannot knock the 2200 and it's unmatched dust collection, imo it is well worth the price. I did not like the parallel guide/radius jig on the trend. Edge guide on the 2200 is amazing. Trend is great if you can't afford festool.  Festool is professional quality at a professional price. If you're diy you don't need to spend the dosh, so grab the trend I'm certain it will do an excellent job