Which router

[jimmy986]

Hello,
I have the $50 voucher from the sander promo a while back and I'm considering buying a new router. I have a track saw, a few sanders, dust extractor, and CSX so I think the router would be my next step. I would be upgrading from an inexpensive craftsman model. I'm trying to decide between the 1010 and the 1400. I have a small shop, one reason I love Festool, and rarely use a router table. I currently just have a small table top router table. I use it mostly handheld though. I use it mostly for edge profiles, dovetails, dados, etc. I'm just trying to decide which model makes the most sense for me. Any help you guys have with what you have found to be the pluses and minuses would great. Thanks!

 

[ear3]

Good question.  You definitely want 1/2" shank capability, which would argue for the 1400 over the 1010.  The question is whether you wanted to expand your capabilities even further by looking into an even heavier duty model (3.25-3.5HP) from another manufacturer for a dedicated under the table router (like a Triton or a PC), and then use the Festool purchase to get something like the 1010, which I think is, pound for pound, a more versatile machine than the 1400 (through the edging plate for example, which gives you horizontal routing capabilities -- edging plate also works on 1400, but is more cumbersome).

I don't use my 1400 all that frequently anymore after I got the 2200, which covers the heavy duty tasks (that I'm not doing on my table mounted Triton), and for lighter duty stuff I prefer to reach for the 1010.  It's really only when I need 1/2" capability and I'm working on a surface where the footprint of the 2200 is too large.  The 1400 is still a great router, though.

Note that template routing is probably better on the 1400 as well, due to the difficulty of centering the ring on the 1010 (unless you buy an aftermarket template insert, like the one from Leigh).

Another feature where the 1400 excels over the 1010 is the edge guide.  The 1010 edge guide has fixed rods, whereas the one on the 1400 are detachable.  This means you can swap in, for example, your own set of longer rods if you ever have the need to rout parallel to the edge over long distances.

 

[Birdhunter]

I have all the Festool routers and I use the 1400 the most by far. The 1/2" shank capability is important to me.

 

[ben_r_]

If youre only going to have one or this is the first the OF 1400 is definitely the way to start.

 

[peter halle]

The 1400 is a solid all around router that has adjustable speeds.

Glad I own one.

Peter

 

[rst]

I own 13 routers...five PC, three Bosch, five Festool.  My 1400 gets the most use.

 

[rljatl]

I own 13 routers...five PC, three Bosch, five Festool.  My 1400 gets the most use.

Well, I guess shouldn't feel guilty for having four routers and wanting a fifth.  [unsure]

 

[Michael Kellough]

Good question.  You definitely want 1/2" shank capability, which would argue for the 1400 over the 1010.  The question is whether you wanted to expand your capabilities even further by looking into an even heavier duty model (3.25-3.5HP) from another manufacturer for a dedicated under the table router (like a Triton or a PC), and then use the Festool purchase to get something like the 1010, which I think is, pound for pound, a more versatile machine than the 1400 (through the edging plate for example, which gives you horizontal routing capabilities -- edging plate also works on 1400, but is more cumbersome).

I don't use my 1400 all that frequently anymore after I got the 2200, which covers the heavy duty tasks (that I'm not doing on my table mounted Triton), and for lighter duty stuff I prefer to reach for the 1010.  It's really only when I need 1/2" capability and I'm working on a surface where the footprint of the 2200 is too large.  The 1400 is still a great router, though.

Note that template routing is probably better on the 1400 as well, due to the difficulty of centering the ring on the 1010 (unless you buy an aftermarket template insert, like the one from Leigh).

Another feature where the 1400 excels over the 1010 is the edge guide.  The 1010 edge guide has fixed rods, whereas the one on the 1400 are detachable.  This means you can swap in, for example, your own set of longer rods if you ever have the need to rout parallel to the edge over long distances.

This is news to me but I have the older 1000 model. Three of them ...and the 8mm rods are removable.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I really like the 1010 for handheld use - it is just so nimble and light-weight it is a great router. The 1400 is also nice - bigger and it can take 1/2 shank as already mentioned. But, if you need a small handheld for profiles and the work you describe I think the 1010 fills that need nicely. I have a collection of 8mm bits and of course it takes 1.4 inch bits too. My all time favorite is the OF2200 and so if you need a big machine I would recommend it. That and the 1010 is a nice combination for all around use.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi [member=41042]jimmy986[/member]

The choice will depend on what you will be doing most.

If you end up with just one Festool router then the OF1400 would give the most flexibility. It has been pointed out above that a 1/2" collet capability is really important. Also, there are a lot of good value but cheap and cheerful 1/2" shank cutters around.

If you are just doing small stuff and a 1/4 or 8 mm collet would suit you then the OF1010 is a beauty and very easy to use.

Take a look at this:


Peter

 

[jimmy986]

I haven’t watched the video from the last post but it sounds like the 1010 for now might be best and then buy a more powerful router when I get a full sized router table.

 

[ear3]

You're right, I'm wrong.  Not sure why I had the image in my head of fixed rods. 

Good question.  You definitely want 1/2" shank capability, which would argue for the 1400 over the 1010.  The question is whether you wanted to expand your capabilities even further by looking into an even heavier duty model (3.25-3.5HP) from another manufacturer for a dedicated under the table router (like a Triton or a PC), and then use the Festool purchase to get something like the 1010, which I think is, pound for pound, a more versatile machine than the 1400 (through the edging plate for example, which gives you horizontal routing capabilities -- edging plate also works on 1400, but is more cumbersome).

I don't use my 1400 all that frequently anymore after I got the 2200, which covers the heavy duty tasks (that I'm not doing on my table mounted Triton), and for lighter duty stuff I prefer to reach for the 1010.  It's really only when I need 1/2" capability and I'm working on a surface where the footprint of the 2200 is too large.  The 1400 is still a great router, though.

Note that template routing is probably better on the 1400 as well, due to the difficulty of centering the ring on the 1010 (unless you buy an aftermarket template insert, like the one from Leigh).

Another feature where the 1400 excels over the 1010 is the edge guide.  The 1010 edge guide has fixed rods, whereas the one on the 1400 are detachable.  This means you can swap in, for example, your own set of longer rods if you ever have the need to rout parallel to the edge over long distances.

This is news to me but I have the older 1000 model. Three of them ...and the 8mm rods are removable.

 

[Holmz]

I haven’t watched the video from the last post but it sounds like the 1010 for now might be best and then buy a more powerful router when I get a full sized router table.

I was thinking the same, but after having a handling of the 1010 and 1400, I found that I preferred the ergonomics of the 1400.
You may be wise to test drive them in person.

Or on the other hand neither would be bad to have.

 

[jimmy986]

Now after watching the video I feel like the 1010 is still a good first choice. 95% of what I use a router for is edge profile and dovetails and I have found myself wishing for a smaller easier to control router. I have done dados and things like that when I wish for more power but I do have dado blades for my table saw if I need something more powerful. Once I increase my projects and get a little more complicated I can look at the 1400 or 2200. My craftsman can serve for a bit if I want a 1/2” but. We’ll see how many more times I change my mind.

 

[Holmz]

Giving the reasoning behind the decision making always makes it easier to pick apart the process.

Now after watching the video I feel like the 1010 is still a good first choice. 95% of what I use a router for is edge profile and dovetails and I have found myself wishing for a smaller easier to control router. I have done dados and things like that when I wish for more power but I do have dado blades for my table saw if I need something more powerful. Once I increase my projects and get a little more complicated I can look at the 1400 or 2200. My craftsman can serve for a bit if I want a 1/2” but. We’ll see how many more times I change my mind.

The reasoning you ^gave^ is hard to argue with, and hence it sound like a decent plan to keep the craftsman for the odd jobs that require it.

 

[amt]

My preference is 1010, then 2200.  I don't like routers where the dust attachment has to be added/removed, like to the 1400.  They tend to break eventually or get lost.  The 1010 is a joy to use.  It is so light that I don't feel I need to get a palm router.  The 2200 gets pulled out for bigger jobs like large dados or deep mortises, or anything where a lot of weight becomes an advantage.

 

[Stone Message]

My preference is 1010, then 2200.  I don't like routers where the dust attachment has to be added/removed, like to the 1400.  They tend to break eventually or get lost.  The 1010 is a joy to use.  It is so light that I don't feel I need to get a palm router.  The 2200 gets pulled out for bigger jobs like large dados or deep mortises, or anything where a lot of weight becomes an advantage.

That is the only drawback of the OF1400 - my plastic dust attachment got damaged and I had to buy a new one. I just wish that Festool would look at this again and try and incorporate something similar to the OF2200.

I agree the OF1010 is a sweet router and the OF2200 is a beauty.

Peter

 

[Birdhunter]

I think the 1400 is too pretty a router to bury under a router table especially when a PC motor and a lift does a better job at a cheaper price.

 

[Cochese]

Which Craftsman model do you have? I owned two before I got my Festools, and in some respects I regret "upgrading".

 

[ben_r_]

I think the 1400 is too pretty a router to bury under a router table especially when a PC motor and a lift does a better job at a cheaper price.

And me MUCH more powerful! There is nothing better than the Porter Cable 7518 in a nice Incra, Woodpeckers, Benchdog, etc lift in a good solid cast iron router table top and steel stand! I love it!