So I'm new to Festool but not new to making stuff from wood and have a decent collection of tools already. My track saw TS55REQ has been great so far. I'm getting a Domino next week which will be a big improvement to biscuits, and a Kapex is not far behind as my first slider, so I'm slowly getting with the program. I use routers plenty and am wondering why my next router should be a Festool vs another Porter Cable which has served me well. What makes Festool routers so awesome and outshines its competitors, gives you better results and improves your bottom line such that you'd gladly pay more? Lay it on me, an inquiring mind wants to know.
Why should I buy Festool routers?
- Thread starter Paul G
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Jaybolishes
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Why get the 1400 festool router? Because its amazing. I went form porter cable to festool, and its night and day. Couple the 1400 with the rails, all the guides, the dust collection. Just do it man, you have no idea what you're missing.
Brice Burrell
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In a word, accessories. Festool offers a wide array of accessories for it's routers. Two of my favorites are the edge routing accessories and LR32 system, and there are plenty of others. Take a close look at the accessories and factor them into the overall value of a Festool router(s).
I picked up a used 1400 and like it a lot better than all my other routers, except that little dewalt trim router with the LEDS. [jawdrop]
I think the visibility of the spinning bit on the 1400 is on the poor side. For example routing out a hinge plate is a pain in the gluteus maximus. my normal method is to knife some lines, then rout the waste out free hand staying around 1/8 away from the knife line.
Dust collection is amazingly good!
I dont have the small bit base, but i think it would alleviate some of my annoyances with the base plate.
the handle configuration is different from what i'm used to, so it took some time to get used to it. really a non- factor but it felt weird to start
caveats other than that dewalt trim router all my other routers are at least 5+ years old and generally middle of the pack type routers. Also i dont have the rails so that aspect I cant speak to.
I think the visibility of the spinning bit on the 1400 is on the poor side. For example routing out a hinge plate is a pain in the gluteus maximus. my normal method is to knife some lines, then rout the waste out free hand staying around 1/8 away from the knife line.
Dust collection is amazingly good!
I dont have the small bit base, but i think it would alleviate some of my annoyances with the base plate.
the handle configuration is different from what i'm used to, so it took some time to get used to it. really a non- factor but it felt weird to start
caveats other than that dewalt trim router all my other routers are at least 5+ years old and generally middle of the pack type routers. Also i dont have the rails so that aspect I cant speak to.
Jesse Cloud
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Dust control is huge. Ratcheting collet changes are great (one wrench vs two wrenches on PC and no bruised knuckles), the guide bushings fit dead centered as opposed to loosening the pc screws and futzing around until you get close.
But most of all it uses the same vac hose, the same plug it cable, the same guide rails, etc as all your other Festool stuff. One cord, one hose for your saw, sander, router, and domino. Its a no brainer for me.
I do have a PC7518 for the router table and a 690 for the dovetail jig, but I feel like a fool when I spend half an hour sweeping up afterward.
But most of all it uses the same vac hose, the same plug it cable, the same guide rails, etc as all your other Festool stuff. One cord, one hose for your saw, sander, router, and domino. Its a no brainer for me.
I do have a PC7518 for the router table and a 690 for the dovetail jig, but I feel like a fool when I spend half an hour sweeping up afterward.
sancho57
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Do you really need a festool router?
No not really.
you dont need a lexus when a Yugo will get you back and forth to work.
I switched over to festools routers simply because of the dust collection. With other routers dust collection is a after thought, Festools its part of the design. plus the quality of the router and there ability to fine tune adj, to be used in their router table, guide rails etc, made a believer out of me.
i got the 1010 and use the heck out of it. I recently got the 2200 so I could swing the big bits and the control is awesome.
My advice is buy it locally (because you live in Calif, you'll pay tax even if you buy it on line) try it for 30 days if you arent happy you can return it.
You probably wont return it, but you can.
You'lll end up selling your other routers.
No not really.
you dont need a lexus when a Yugo will get you back and forth to work.
I switched over to festools routers simply because of the dust collection. With other routers dust collection is a after thought, Festools its part of the design. plus the quality of the router and there ability to fine tune adj, to be used in their router table, guide rails etc, made a believer out of me.
i got the 1010 and use the heck out of it. I recently got the 2200 so I could swing the big bits and the control is awesome.
My advice is buy it locally (because you live in Calif, you'll pay tax even if you buy it on line) try it for 30 days if you arent happy you can return it.
You probably wont return it, but you can.
You'lll end up selling your other routers.
Here's what I did today with my MFK 700. This is the headstock of a guitar neck that I'm currently building.
It may be tough to see in the pictures, but that's a double ledge routed for the binding and purfling. The binding ledge is .080" wide x 0.23" deep, and purfling ledge is an additional .030" wide x .066 deep. The width was controlled by the luthier specific bit/bearing combination I have from LMI (you can see the 700 in the background with the bit/bearing still installed).
While this could be done with any router, it was really nice with the small format of the 700. Was able to ride the 700 table base on the headstock without it being too large. And full dust collection, I had no mess.
I didn't get a shot of how the binding and purfling fit on there, but I was able to set the depth of cut so that they are just thousands of an inch (or 1/10 of a mm) too high, so minimizing the amount of cleanup I need to get them flush, and it was EASY with the 700 depth adjuster.
Nuff said?
[attachthumb=#]
[attachthumb=#]
It may be tough to see in the pictures, but that's a double ledge routed for the binding and purfling. The binding ledge is .080" wide x 0.23" deep, and purfling ledge is an additional .030" wide x .066 deep. The width was controlled by the luthier specific bit/bearing combination I have from LMI (you can see the 700 in the background with the bit/bearing still installed).
While this could be done with any router, it was really nice with the small format of the 700. Was able to ride the 700 table base on the headstock without it being too large. And full dust collection, I had no mess.
I didn't get a shot of how the binding and purfling fit on there, but I was able to set the depth of cut so that they are just thousands of an inch (or 1/10 of a mm) too high, so minimizing the amount of cleanup I need to get them flush, and it was EASY with the 700 depth adjuster.
Nuff said?
[attachthumb=#]
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The accurate and balanced spindles are outstanding as well for me. I can run a large diameter router bit on my OF2000 at full speed with out it violently shaking, unlike my triton router that is permanently setup in a router table. where I have to slow it down or it shakes the whole table.
Like others have said the dust extraction is a great benefit. Can't believe I used to get covered in dust and shavings for so long before I had Festool, now its alot less messier and better for my health.
Like others have said the dust extraction is a great benefit. Can't believe I used to get covered in dust and shavings for so long before I had Festool, now its alot less messier and better for my health.
MrToolJunkie
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Lots of good input and I will second accessories as one big thing... so many things available to take full use of the machine. Also ergonomics is big... They are all well balanced, smooth running and handles are placed well, switches sheer you need them, easy to use and intuitive. Festool also offers a nice range that complicates each other...there is overlap, but all bases are covered from small trimming to large scale work.
Scot
Scot
Rickfisher
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Hey Paul ..
I have all 4 Festool routers and they are the only routers I really use.. other than router table and multi router..
I have a bunch of Porter cable routers that I should probably sell .. They literally just sit there collecting dust.
The 2200 is extremely nice. Heavy, powerful and really advanced.
The 1400 is nicer to use.. its limited as to the bit diameter..
The 1010 seems like the oldest design.. I dunno .. awesome router for edge trimming..
The 700 is amazing. Its 5 times the price of a Bosch Colt because its 5 times the router.
If I could only have two .. the 700 and 1400 ..
I have all 4 Festool routers and they are the only routers I really use.. other than router table and multi router..
I have a bunch of Porter cable routers that I should probably sell .. They literally just sit there collecting dust.
The 2200 is extremely nice. Heavy, powerful and really advanced.
The 1400 is nicer to use.. its limited as to the bit diameter..
The 1010 seems like the oldest design.. I dunno .. awesome router for edge trimming..
The 700 is amazing. Its 5 times the price of a Bosch Colt because its 5 times the router.
If I could only have two .. the 700 and 1400 ..
erock
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I have the OF1400.
Any Festool router you choose goes with the system, that's the obvious. But if you plan on buying the CMS unit anytime in the future, consider the OF1400.
Only the OF1010 and 1400 will work with the CMS (in the US).
I bought the 1400 because it was the middle of the pack. It has more then enough power for the bits I use. I do a lot of dados/rabbits, flush trimming,
and round over bits. Of coarse, the OF1400 used with the LR32 system is sweet.
I have Porter Cable routers but I will not compare the OF1400 with the PC, their is no comparison IMO. The OF1400 is in it's one class.
The Ratcheting spindle for easy bit change is great. The range of collets that can be used with the OF1400 is
1/4", 3/8", 8mm and 1/2". The quick changing of the template guides another great feature of the OF1400.
I love the depth adjustment with the OF1400, being able to micro adjust the bit just like my Incra router table is a awesome feature of the OF1400. I
honestly hardly use my Incra table (that has the PC7518) since I bought the OF1400 a couple years ago.
When I first used the OF1400 I wasn't sure about the handle. But the position of the handle, power button and locking knob are perfect for me.
After about 3 or 4 cuts cuts with the OF1400 I honestly fell in love with the ergonomics of the router.
With the OF1400 gliding on a guide rail long dados are easy to achieve. I don't own them, but I can see how the MFS templates can take the Festool
routers to another level of amazement. [big grin]
Good luck picking one out. If you're like a lot of us, one will never be enough. I thought I would only want/need the OF1400. Now as my skills grow and
I'm wanting to tackle new and different projects the MFK700 is next on my list.
Eric
Any Festool router you choose goes with the system, that's the obvious. But if you plan on buying the CMS unit anytime in the future, consider the OF1400.
Only the OF1010 and 1400 will work with the CMS (in the US).
I bought the 1400 because it was the middle of the pack. It has more then enough power for the bits I use. I do a lot of dados/rabbits, flush trimming,
and round over bits. Of coarse, the OF1400 used with the LR32 system is sweet.
I have Porter Cable routers but I will not compare the OF1400 with the PC, their is no comparison IMO. The OF1400 is in it's one class.
The Ratcheting spindle for easy bit change is great. The range of collets that can be used with the OF1400 is
1/4", 3/8", 8mm and 1/2". The quick changing of the template guides another great feature of the OF1400.
I love the depth adjustment with the OF1400, being able to micro adjust the bit just like my Incra router table is a awesome feature of the OF1400. I
honestly hardly use my Incra table (that has the PC7518) since I bought the OF1400 a couple years ago.
When I first used the OF1400 I wasn't sure about the handle. But the position of the handle, power button and locking knob are perfect for me.
After about 3 or 4 cuts cuts with the OF1400 I honestly fell in love with the ergonomics of the router.
With the OF1400 gliding on a guide rail long dados are easy to achieve. I don't own them, but I can see how the MFS templates can take the Festool
routers to another level of amazement. [big grin]
Good luck picking one out. If you're like a lot of us, one will never be enough. I thought I would only want/need the OF1400. Now as my skills grow and
I'm wanting to tackle new and different projects the MFK700 is next on my list.
Eric
barnowl
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- 252
Rout a dado with any router, and then route one with a 1400.
Almost no debris left with the 1400.
But be sure to use a 36mm hose with the 1400.
The 27mm may very well clog up.
Don't ask me how I know this.
My dealer suggested the 36mm hose when I bought the 1400.
I didn't listen to him.......er..... at first.
[embarassed]
Almost no debris left with the 1400.
But be sure to use a 36mm hose with the 1400.
The 27mm may very well clog up.
Don't ask me how I know this.
My dealer suggested the 36mm hose when I bought the 1400.
I didn't listen to him.......er..... at first.
[embarassed]
sancho57
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KorDes said:
Very true. In the festool end user class Steve took a 2200 turned it on set it on a table and it sat there running. Didnt move due to vibration, it just sat there. My PC 7518 would of fell off the table and on the floor the second it was turned on.
Though I bought the CMS router table, I havent really had a need to use it as between the ten ten and 2200 I can do almost all my routing functions free hand.
Since I started buying fesstools, My table saw became a storage table for me to pile stuff on, my jointer is rusting ad my floor model drill press hasnt been turned on in quite a while, Jet 650 DC hasnt seen any action and only did when I used my PC planer. Once I figure out how to hook a CT up to it, Its gone too.
I have actually sold them along with my old cast iron router table, PC 7518 router , PC 690 ( I havent used either of them since I got the 1010 and now that I got the 2200 they'll never see any action).
Some folks say that We really need a table saw. Well, sometimes we do. But I havent for anything Ive built in the last 2 years. Even then I could of figured out a jig or used the MFTw/ a guide rail to do that operation , if I wasnt in a a big hurry.
The space I will clear in the shop will be replaced by another home made sysport which doesnt take up any space in my shop at all. Gives me more work space.
Sparktrician
Member
The beauty of Festool routers is that they're all in a system, and all work with extraordinary dust collection. Each of the routers has its own niche, and each complements the other. The OF 2200 isn't right for some things, but excels at the heavy duty tasks. It's not approved for use in the CMS due to the limitations of the power switch on the CMS, not any limitations of the router or the CMS hardware. The OF 1010 is one superb router for use with dovetail jigs and especially the LR 32. The OF 1400 is a great general purpose router with plenty of muscle for most tasks. The MFK 700 is tops if one is using laminates. The comment about using a 36mm hose with the OF 1400 (and the OF 2200) is right on the mark. Since buying the Festool routers, all my other routers (Bosch, Porter-Cable and DeWalt) have been retired or given to my son. The dust collection aspect is huge for me. I no longer need to spend an hour cleaning up a customer's home (or my shop) after I'm done.
Sparktrician
Member
skids said:
Concur!!! Have to admit that I unerrated the OF 1010 at first. My bad. Now that I have one, it has become essential.
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