Which router for making French doors?

[mrrhum]

I need to make some French doors and windows, which involves a little more heavy lifting than simple trim. Which Festool router would be adequate and which would be best?

TIA

 

[MrToolJunkie]

The 1400 and 2200 would be my choice. If making them out of thick wood, the 2200 is the better tool for big cuts. The 1400 is more of an all-rounder.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I will also add to not be put off by the size of the OF2200 compared to the OF1400 or in fact any other router.

Yes it is a beast with loads of power, but it is also extremely well balanced and incredibly smooth in operation.

I've used 90mm diameter door panel cutters in mine and it's just amazing how easily it machines so aggressively, while still being super easy to control and manage.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I agree...my favorite Festool.

 

[jeffinsgf]

With no router table option anymore, my response would be "None of the above". Cope and stick cutting almost demands a router table. As much as I love my Festool routers, and agree that there are none smoother, I would lean toward a bare bones 3-1/4HP router motor in a lift-based router table, if my intention was to build doors.

Or, a good old heavy-duty shaper.

 

[P_K]

For windows and doors, you'd be much better served with a shaper. Brazed window sash tooling for 3/4" spindle machines isn't horribly expensive https://toolstoday.com/v-7520-939.html

 

[luvmytoolz]

I don't have a shaper but do have a router table, but I still found it easier to just machine all the components of this door on my MFT using my OF2200 router using a CMT set of panel and rail/stile cutters.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Beautiful work, LMT. I guess I'm too set in my ways. I can't even imagine trying to run a cope and stick with a hand-held router...particularly the end grain cuts.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Beautiful work, LMT. I guess I'm too set in my ways. I can't even imagine trying to run a cope and stick with a hand-held router...particularly the end grain cuts.

Thanks! Clamping and judicious use of templates and straight edge guides really makes it pretty easy work, especially doing the end grain compared to trying to do it on the router table without a slider to keep it clamped rigid.

I will say I was stunned at just how well the OF2200 performed, especially the huge panel cutter, such an amazing router.

 

[Allano]

such an amazing router.

Username checks out!