Virtues of the OF 1400 EQ

[Chris Billman]

As part of a Festool buying orgy I recently purchased a OF 1400 EQ router with all the trimmings.  Of all my new green & black tools, this is the one and only one that I'm not feeling great about.  It's certainly a good router, but I'm not convinced it's twice the router of it's key competitors.  I'm considering dumping it to recoup my money and instead purchase a few more sanders (which I'm lusting over).

But I want to make sure I'm not overlooking some key virtue of the 1400.  In my view the ratcheting bit changes are very nice, it's relatively quiet, it's relatively decent at dust collection, the plug-it is great, and the ability to ride the rails is mildly nice.  But I just don't know that it's worth twice a DW621 or something similar - I don't think it does anything twice as well.  And when I add in the few things that I don't like (the dang spring loaded turret, the awkward ergonomics, and the price) a trade in seems reasonable.

So before I get rid of this thing, is there some key feature or benefit that I may be missing?

Thanks in advance.

 

[gkeas]

I think you've pretty well touched on it.  I love mine, but my previous router was a 1/4" 2hp Ryobi (hardly a fair fight).  I have a very nice Triton that was 1/2 the price of the Festool that I use in my table.  I't might also be a good option for you (it comes with a TON of extras in the case, same power, not as much with dust collection).

If you're not feeling the love, dump it.  I'd suggest (if within the 30 days) returning it for a full refund.  If not, you'll come pretty darn close to breaking even on craigslist or Ebay.  I wish I needed it, cause I'd pm you for an offer.

I doubt it helps, but hey, I've upped my post count.

 

[alanz]

I too have a Triton and like it a lot.  One quick note though, some dealers have some older stock, but the current shipping products do not come with the case bushings or dust shroud.  I didn't need the case or dust shroud, and Triton mailed me an adapter to use PC bushings (but I found a set of Triton bushings at a Woodcraft store)

As a table mounted router, the 2.25HP Triton is tough to beat... above table bit changes, removable spring, safety interlocks, above table height adustments....  I'm using mine with a CMT Industrio table (it's even the same orange color )

 

[Ivans Dad]

First off I agree that the 1400 is not one of the festool tools that I found to be as mindblowing as the rotex or the TS55.  Having said that, I love mine.  If you have used it, seen all of the features and still don't find it to be worth the price then I say return it.  I have had every router out there and for me it is totally worth it.  The dust collection alone is priceless in my book.  I was thinking it was only decent until I had to use my PC with no dust collection.  What a difference!  But like I said, if it is not worth it for you return it as there is plenty more of the green and black, and the rotex is well, mindblowing!

 

[paul_david_thomas]

I have just sold my Dewalt 625EK to fund a OF 1400... The 1400 does not have the power, but with everything else, I love it - esp. when you use it with the guide rail and the track attachment. I find bit changes quick, it removes pretty much all the dust and it's heaps lighter. I can see exactly where the blade is... However... if I needed heaps of power then I'd have kept the 625. But I needed the finesse and accuracy.

 

[JayStPeter]

I have 4 routers (1400, non-Fs: 1 for table, 1 dedicated to jig, and Bosch two base kit).  If I had to sell one, it would probably be the 1400.  I like it for some operations, but still prefer my Bosch for around half my handheld operations.  The toolless guide and DC fittings are the main things that keep it around since I'm always misplacing the little knurled screws for those parts on the Bosch.

 

[10digit]

This is timely topic as I am very interested in purchasing an OF1400.  The point you make about dust collection is curious as up until now, I don't know of any router that has any kind of dust extraction designed into it.  I use a Ryobi RE600 3 HP monster in a router table as it is too heavy to use for most other purposes and its plunging mechanism is primitive.  Dust collection is limited to a port on my router table fence which catches maybe 50% of the dust.  But I can't take that with me if I decide to use the router hand held.  The ability to leverage my investment in rails from my TS55 is a huge plus in my opinion as it lets you cut dados in the middle of a panel without having to spend a lot of time fiddling with clamp on fences.  As for costing twice as much as other routers, most everything that Festool makes costs twice as much as other brands.  Its difficult to compare features against price since these tools are price protected whereas most other brands are not.

 

[Neill]

Chris -

I had two routers, my first being a Porter Cable 690 with all three bases.  My second was a Dewalt 621 plunge router.  To be honest with you, I never really felt comfortable or in control of either one.  I always tried to avoid projects that required the use of a router unless it was mounted in a table or I would take alternative measures such as cutting dadoes and rabbets on my table saw.

Based upon reviews I read and the recommendation at my local Woodcraft, I decided to purchase the 1400EQ, despite its hefty price tag.  For about six weeks it sat in its systainer in my shop until my coffee table project got to the point where I needed to route the edge of the top.  I subsequently purchased some Freud Quadra Cut bits to use with my new router and the guide stop to use with my guide rails.

Well, my learning curve on the router was amazingly quick.  I immediately felt a level of comfort and control that I have not felt with my other routers.  In my new router the Roman ogee bit did a flawless job.  It hardly needed any sanding.

Agreed that a lot of this had to do with a great bit, but I believe my confidence in the router's performance  contributed to this success.  I know that now I will be looking for more projects where I can use this valuable tool.  I may even get back to using my Leigh Dovetail Jig more often.

If you don't have the confidence in any tool that it will do the best job for you, then I suggest you take alternative measures.

Good luck in making the right choice for you.

Neill

 

[nickao]

Well I do agree it is not revolutionary like a Rotex and I actually use my DeWalts as my go to routers, but the OF 1400 is nice. I also agree it may not be worth twice what other routers cost, especially since it seems a little short on power. I get about 99% dust collection from it though so I am not sure why you are not getting great dust collection.

Nickao

 

[Cannuck]

I had the same initial impressions of my OF1400 but after a few months of use, I've changed my tune.  I have a number of routers (Bosch, Porter-Cable and a Festool).  While it doesn't seem all that revolutionary, of all my routers, my OF1400 is my favourite.

It is smoother, quieter and cleaner than all the others.  I also find it produces less chatter (i.e. smoother finish) than my PC with the identical bit. 

I never thought I would reach for my Festool over my Bosch Colts - but the OF1400 is now my go-to router for most tasks.  I am planning on purchasing the OF1010 in the near future too - to have something a little lighter to work with.

 

[Jerry Work]

Hi Chris,

The biggest advantage for any of the Festool routers is guided rail routing.  The ability to move the cutter past the stationary work piece in an exactly straight line regardless of direction of travel opens a whole world of quality, speed and efficiency that you simply cannot achieve any other way.  As just one example, it brings interlocking sliding dovetail construction within the grasp of any wood worker.  Take a look at my "Getting the most from the Festool MFT" manual available for free download from the Festool web site or from my web site for this and several other examples. 

If you use any dovetail jig, or do any inlay routing, the snap in properly centered guide rings are a real time saver as well.  No need for centering mandrels. 

The precise setting of bit depth using the top surface of the work piece as the point of reference is something I use every day.  I have heard the bit about the spring loaded ball detent turret being an "issue" but it is not for me.  I just plunge the router so the bit hits the top of the work piece and lock the plunge in place.  Now loosen the stop rod and press it down on top of the turret to the point that all the spring movement is taken out and lock the stop rod.  From here it is simple to zero out the index mark, unlock the stop rod and lift it to the desired depth of cut and relock the stop rod.  Unlock the plunge and you are ready to make an exact depth plunge cut whether the router is sitting on top of a guide rail or sitting directly on top of the work piece.  Once you do this a few times I doubt if you will think of the ergonomics of the 1400 as "awkward". 

I cringe any time I have to use the only two remaining non-Festool routers in my studio as they seem so old, crude and awkward to me.  I keep a PC 3.5hp 5 speed unit for use in a router table (two wrenches required to change a bit - ouch!) and an old Bosch plunge router to use for beater heavy construction use.  The yellow, blue and green things left my studio a long time ago.  My Festool 700, 1000, 1010, 1400, 2200 (some of which I purchased and some of which were supplied by Festool for the various manuals I write) are only used for furniture making and I would not trade any of them for any other router I have ever used. 

Hang one of the Festool routers on the side of your MFT as a horizontal router and you can easily and quickly cut the male portion of sliding dovetails safely (see my MFS manual or the 700 tutorial on my web site for details on how to do this).

Hope this helps.

Jerry

As part of a Festool buying orgy I recently purchased a OF 1400 EQ router with all the trimmings.  Of all my new green & black tools, this is the one and only one that I'm not feeling great about.  It's certainly a good router, but I'm not convinced it's twice the router of it's key competitors.  I'm considering dumping it to recoup my money and instead purchase a few more sanders (which I'm lusting over).

But I want to make sure I'm not overlooking some key virtue of the 1400.  In my view the ratcheting bit changes are very nice, it's relatively quiet, it's relatively decent at dust collection, the plug-it is great, and the ability to ride the rails is mildly nice.  But I just don't know that it's worth twice a DW621 or something similar - I don't think it does anything twice as well.  And when I add in the few things that I don't like (the dang spring loaded turret, the awkward ergonomics, and the price) a trade in seems reasonable.

So before I get rid of this thing, is there some key feature or benefit that I may be missing?

Thanks in advance.

 

[kdi]

I too am thinking about the 1400.  But my question is how long has it been on the market?  Three years at least?  Is it due for a upgrade?  As an inexperienced Festooler I bought the ES125 sander not too long before the ets125 came out.  The ets is a noticeably better sander that the es.  Don't want a repeat of this situation w/ a router.

Got into Festool because of dust collection.  The other features are gravy.  Now with two sanders and a domino, I'm hooked.  I despise my Bosch router for its' lack of dust collection.  Like someone else noted, if I had a router w/ good dust collection my Leigh jig might see use again.

 

[nickao]

Don't be afraid to buy a Festool. Unlike other tools the resell is so high you have have little to lose cash wise. I use the DeWalts and the dust collection is about 99%(with a boom arm and a Ct 33).  so there are other cheaper options out there too.

 

[scoffelt]

I guess I must not have had very good routers before the OF1400EQ, I couldn't imagine not having it.  I don't use it for every task as it is big and I don't always need a big router for all jobs.  But when I use it, I find it a pleasure to use.  It's smooth and easy to use.  I have absolutely no complaints what so ever.  My other router is a good old Dewalt 610, it's big gap is the dust collection, but it is built like the routers of days gone by. 

 

[maxtool]

I just purchased the 1400 and have been worried that I would purchase this month and in three months they would come out with a new version of the 1400 that had all the features of the 2200. So I debated, read, asked, etc. My best guess (but it's really only a WAG) is that a new version comparable to the 1400 would be a fair bit more expensive. Given the price point of the 1400 vs. other routers, I was able to ante up the extra change AND through in a few extras (VS600 coming) that I would have been hesitant to buy if I was spending more on the router.
HOWEVER, despite all this rationalization and overprocessing on the decision, they will probably surprise me with something really cool for the same price in 2 months and I'll NEED to ignore it or sell this one and purchase new.
Regardless, the 1400 is a beautiful machine with lots of accessories and I'm gonna have some fun with it.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[James Biddle]

Chris,
I have the OF1400 and I wouldn't part with it for anything.  I use it with the guide rails to cut my dados and rabbets.  Think about the ability to clamp both LH and RH cabinet sides together and cut the dados together.  Absolute accuracy.  If I planned better, I'd cut the dados out of a sheet of plywood before ripping down the sheets.  I've also used it to make shelf pin holes, but I've subsequently bought a line boring machine.  I'll probably sell off the Festool line boring stuff, but I'll still hang onto the router.  I also have the big Milwaukee in my router table, a PC dedicated to my dovetail jig, and a Bosch Colt for trim work.  Don't overlook the value of using the router with the guide rail.  It opens up new doors.

 

[Chris Billman]

Thanks for everyone's comments.  You've given me some things to consider.

Let me play devil's advocate here:  How is running this router attached to the rail any different than running any other router against a straightedge (or sandwiched between 2)?

Jim, you're going to have to demo that hole-making doodad to me if you decide to unload it.  And I still need to get that bandsaw blade from you.

 

[nickao]

Running the router on the festool rail is the MAIN point . It far surpasses running a router against a guide or straight edge.

For example you can tweak the router distance from the rail in very small increments as opposed to trying to move an entire straightedge. I can cut half way up the guide rail, stop go have lunch come back and continue the cut without worrying about anything moving. Try that with a straightedge. Plus wood grain can pull the router off a straightedge it will not happen with the Festool guide rail and router attached.

If you are going to do a lot of that it's a no brainier, get the Festool rail and Festool router ASAP. I can not stress it enough you hit the nail on the head when mentioning using a straightedge and router, that is what the entire point of getting the Festool system is, whether with a router or the circular saw.is.

You will be amazed at the beauty of this system. If you are used to pushing a router up against a straightedge and then try the Festool system, you will NEVER go back. That is the use of a router I would say make the system worth purchasing in its own right. It is it's main benefit.

There is no comparison, you just do not get the stability or precision of movement using a straight edge and pushing a router against it as you can with the router physically attached to the rail.

nickao

 

[JayStPeter]

I'm not a huge fan of using the 1400 with the guide rail and footie.  I prefer to make my own guide jigs.  Over the years I've made some pretty nice ones that work well.  More recently I made one for the MFT that I really like.  Everyone winds up with their preferred methods that work for them.  For most of the work I've done, I haven't seen an advantage to the guide rails with a router but have seen some disadvantages.  The exception is when I had to make two 7' long grooves.  It was easier to just use the rails than waste a bunch of long material to make 2 grooves.  The rails are nicer than just pushing the router against a straight edge.

 

[Frank_M]

OF 1400 router is not the only one that can be used with a guide rail.  You can actually achieve the same effect using Microfence guide rail attachment, which has far better microadjustability than the Festool version.  Also, with the Microfence attachment the router does not ride on the guide rail, but on the work itself, which negates the need for the footie.  I consider this a better implementation than the Festool guide rail attachment.  I do have the OF 1400, still new in its box in storage because of the move, but did not purchase the guide rail attachment, because I have the Microfence system.