Used Festool Router

[Todd Wollman]

Hi guys and gals,

I just jumped onto the Festool train and purchased a track saw, sander, dust collector, and jig saw. There is a Festool 1400 Router for sale on Craigslist for $400. It looks like it’s been taken care of but it’s probably about 10 years old.

Has much changed over the years with these routers? I’m on the fence about buying it since it comes with no warranty. But the $200 savings over new could buy another track, accessories, etc.

Thoughts? Would you pay $400 for a used 1400 or pony up and pay the $600?

Thanks for the opinions!

 

[nclemmons]

It's a really good router - hasn't changed much since the introduction except the more recent versions are in imperial versus the older versions being metric.  The more recent versions might have dialed back on some accessories as well.

I'd check to see which accessories come with this used ones as well.  I seem to recall that the earlier models might have included additional collets, perhaps an edge guide, and maybe extra dust collection accessories.  I've had mine for maybe 8 years and it's served me well.  T-loc Systainer is now the standard so I'd see if it has a T-loc or the older style sustainer. 

If you have a chance to see / test in person, I'd do that.  They are a workhorse and the accuracy, handling and smooth running are excellent. 

You can probably get the serial number and call Festool and find out the manufacturing date.  Not a bad idea in general for tools being sold on CraigsList to make sure they have not been reported as stolen.

And welcome to FOG -

neil

 

[pettyconstruction]

No
Having a full warranty and user info is worth $200 to me.
What I mean is,you don’t know how the previous owner used and treated the tool.
Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[ear3]

Agreed.

No
Having a full warranty and user info is worth $200 to me.
What I mean is,you don’t know how the previous owner used and treated the tool.
Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[dltflt]

I would be more prone to buying new also. If you want used go to the Festool recon site.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I bought most of my Festools (20+) used and only 2 new. The used Festools all work great, they're pretty much indestructable. I do have the advantage that I maintain and repair all my tools myself so if something is amiss I only have to order some spare parts. So far I have not had to spend major money on repairs, only small stuff.

Only one used tool I bought has broken beyond repair, burned motor, it was a 12 years old TS65 saw when I bought it, and I got 3 years of use out of it for €115. 

I buy used Festools with all the confidence in the world.

 

[Todd Wollman]

I appreciate the opinions. I forgot to mention in my original post that I have a Porter Cable model 890 router that works fine. I guess I’ve caught the Festool bug and felt compelled to upgrade. I’m not sure how much better the 1400 is over the 890. Maybe it’s not worth it?

At least with buying new, I have 30 days to play with it to come to a conclusion.

Thanks again.

 

[ryanjg117]

Also depends on if any accessories are included. Most OF1400s I see on Craigslist come with an accessory or two, and they aren't cheap. I bought my OF1400 a couple years back for $300 and it came with an Guide Stop ($59 accessory). I'm not even sure the seller knew it was an accessory. So keep that in mind as well.

Also, a semi-secret it seems, if you know the seller's tool is less than three years old, and you can get them to provide an original receipt, you can purchase it and then register the serial number with Festool. Their 3-year warranty is transferable.

 

[AIPDX]

Todd,

If you are interested in a second-hand router and still thinking, feel free to PM me an offer and I will consider it. I have a metric OF1400, purchased from Woodcraft on March 22, 2015 [registered in my name with the original purchase receipt on file with Festool] and a 492601 guide stop ($59). Guide stop is used to move the router along a Festool rail; it allows a fine adjustment of the router position. The router is out of warranty as it has been 3.5 years since I bought it, but technically it is a brand new tool as I  never used it. The guide stop is also new in a box. Certainly a better option than a 10 year old used router from craigslist.

I bought it in preparation of a setup for building kitchen cabinets for the kitchen remodeling project. Festool router table was also on the list, but that idea got scrapped when I ended up ordering semi-custom cabinets (and I am glad I did because kitchen is a lot a labor, I would not be able to do all of it in one summer using my vacation days and weekends only).  I have not done a lot of woodworking since my remodeling project was completed, and my OF1100 and Bosch routers seem to do the job for me in those rare cases when I need a router. If I have not opened that router for 3.5 years, I probably do not need it.

Porter Cable router is also a fine tool, I am sure. The only possible downsides are lack of compatibility with Festool dust extraction and Festool rails, as well as different ergonomics and possible less weight for the same power. Festool did not invent anything fundamentally new when it comes to spinning the  router bit. I actually think that their accessories are not as intuitive as they could be. I always have hard times figuring out how they are supposed to be set up after long breaks between uses.

I am in Portland, OR.