which router do i need to use with leigh isoloc???????????

bastool

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Feb 27, 2011
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I am a starter,

studying 3 years of woodworking, now i want to get started with the router and templates,
after some interesting videos on utube, i think i want to buy the leigh isoloc system.
But first i am going to buy my first router next week.
So, here is the question, which router do i buy?
The of 1010 or the of 1400????????????
I read somewhere that the drills used are 12.7, therefore i think i need to buy the of 1400??!!
 
A 1400 would be best. Before I got my Isoloc templates before I knew what Festool was. I first tried a 1 1/2HP Dewalt router & it did not cut very well.
I then used a 2 1/2 hp router & it cut much better. I have not tried the 1010, but the 1400 works great. 
 
thx for quick answers, but dou you know whether it works with the 1010, because that one is lighter.......
 
bastool said:
thx for quick answers, but dou you know whether it works with the 1010, because that one is lighter.......

You will need the OF1400 for the larger router bits, but the most used ones are 8mm. And I believe you can get an 8mm. collet for the 1010. That will limit you a little on thicker materials, though. I use my OF1400 with my Leigh D4 and I think that is  a great combination! Just make sure to buy the VRS for the Leigh! Makes things cleaner and easier all around.
 
uuuh ok, a vrs?
please tell me what that is all about?
i am learning................
 
bastool said:
thx for quick answers, but dou you know whether it works with the 1010, because that one is lighter.......

I found it was a lack of power with the smaller router. I got a lot of chatter in the bit that I did not get with the 2 1/2hp router or the 1400.
 
The leigh works great without the VRS but the extra support of the VRS on the opposite side from the fingers is a big improvement but the major thing is dust and chip control.  Dovetail jigs create a mess but the VRS gets at least 90% of the chips.  It's definitely something you would want.
 
bastool said:
I am a starter,

studying 3 years of woodworking, now i want to get started with the router and templates,
after some interesting videos on utube, i think i want to buy the leigh isoloc system.

The isolock templates are quite intricate so a very good router bit should be used, I used spiral upcut bits and they are much better that you ordinary straight cut bits
 
I've tried the OF1400 on my D4R, even with the VRS, the handle design is uncomfortable to operate for any length of time (and operating the trigger with the side of my thumb?), I much prefer the traditional symmetrical handle layout for use on such jigs. On the other hand, it works great on my MFT- where I don't use the handle.
 
William Herrold said:
I've tried the OF1400 on my D4R, even with the VRS, the handle design is uncomfortable to operate for any length of time (and operating the trigger with the side of my thumb?), I much prefer the traditional symmetrical handle layout for use on such jigs.

I am the totally opposite, I prefer the OF1400 to regular handled routers. I usually start the router, push the keep goin' button an shift my right hand down. Works for me :-)
 
Well when i am doing dovetails on the Leigh jig i have the dovetail cutter in the OF1400 & the straight cutter in the OF1010.  So much easier that swapping bits over especially when you have multiple depths of drawer sides.
I dont have the VRS yet but i have to get one, darn messy routing dovetails.

Woodguy.
 
Henning said:
William Herrold said:
I've tried the OF1400 on my D4R, even with the VRS, the handle design is uncomfortable to operate for any length of time (and operating the trigger with the side of my thumb?), I much prefer the traditional symmetrical handle layout for use on such jigs.

I am the totally opposite, I prefer the OF1400 to regular handled routers. I usually start the router, push the keep goin' button an shift my right hand down. Works for me :-)

The OP and my comment are in regards to using the OF1400 on a DT jig. I Love my OF1400 for all other applications, just not the awkward position one is forced into while sitting on a stool in front of a DT Jig wherein the right shoulder in is elevated to keep hold of the horizontal handle. Those ergonomics are far less than desirable, and I've tried.
Are you actually referring to using the OF1400 on a DT jig?
 
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