Yet another "Which router should I get" question

[motorhead9999]

So I'm new to the Festool arena, and I'm a little confused as to which direction I should go with a router(s) purchase.

My interests at this point in getting one is mostly for (non-business) cabinet/shelf/furniture making, chessboards, cutting boards etc.

I (eventually) plan on getting a Woodpecker lift with their 3.5hp router as a dedicated table unit, so I don't think I really need the OF2200. So at this point, I'm a little unsure as to what to get outside of that. I feel like having a small MFK700 would be a nice thing to have to just do edging with, but then I realize that I'll still probably need a plunge/beefier router to do other stuff with. So that brings it down to the OF1400 or OF1010. I feel if I get the 1010, that would eliminate the need for an MFK700, but makes me worry that I'm going too light and should just get the OF1400 instead, and then if I feel I need it, get the MFK700.

any thoughts from everyone else?

 

[woodbutcherbower]

Welcome to the FOG. You join a great group of users with an enormous knowledge base.

As a pro, I have the luxury of four routers, all to do specific jobs. Only one of these is a Festool (an OF2200, the most sublime power tool on the planet IMO), the others are 'foreigners'. I think you'll find that the consensus here is initially to go for the 1400. It's a good all-rounder which will accept both half-inch and quarter-inch collets. Big enough for beefy stuff, small enough for delicate stuff. I'm sure other members with greater specific Festool knowledge and experience will be chiming in any time soon........

Best wishes
Kevin

 

[luvmytoolz]

If you're buying your first router that's larger than a trimmer, I reckon the 1400 is definitely the lesser of the two best options if the 2200 is out of reach for the moment.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Kind of in the same vein as woodbutcherbower, I'm a pro cabinetmaker with what most would call an embarrassment of routers, so my opinion might be a bit biased.
I think you are probably on the right track of having a big router for the table, then looking for others as hand-held.
Since I have all of the Festool routers, except the OF2200, I can tell you that they are all great. It mostly comes down to what you are going to do with them.
If you are sure that you need to have the ability to use 1/2" shank bits in your hand-held router, go with the OF1400. It is very smooth and plenty powerful. The dust collection from it is very good, and there are several attachments included with it to work in different ways.
The OF1010 is a nearly identical unit, that is a little smaller. It is quite a bit lighter, which makes it easier to handle, especially when working over the edge. It also has the ability to work horizontally for flushing edges, with an added accessory. It is limited to 8mm shank bits though. They are available, but not as simple as in stock at the local store.
The MFK700 is more of a specialty router. It has limited travel with the vertical base as well as the opening in the horizontal base, but if you do a lot of edge flushing type work, it's hard to beat. I have two of them for this very reason (again pro, not normal)
It all comes down to what you need to do. If you can do all of your 1/2" shank bit routing at the table, go with the OF1010 and expand your 8mm shank collection.
If you do edge work, the MFK700 is a dream.

 

[Michael Kellough]

If you don’t already have a big collection of 1/2” shank router bits I’d suggest the OF 1100.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi [member=78926]motorhead9999[/member]

If you are new to router work then go small to start with - the Festool OF1010 is the router that I use the most. For a bit more discussion take a look at this:


Peter

 

[pixelated]

I have 3 routers, an OF-1010, a large Porter Cable that live in the router table, and a Bosch colt. If I could only have one it would be the Festool. It’s a joy to use, which I think i high praise for a power tool.
In the US, it comes with 1/4 inch and 8mm collets, I try to buy 8mm bits any time I need a new one, but it’s fine with 1/4 bits too.

 

[semenza]

[member=78926]motorhead9999[/member]

        For a general purpose router the 1010 or 1400 is the way to go.

Seth

 

[rmhinden]

I have three routers that get frequent use:

Festool OF-1010 (1/4" and 8mm collets)
Router table w/ lift and PC 3hp router motor
Shaper Origin (uses same collets as OF-1010)

I also have an old Ryobi 3HP router that I can't remember the last time I used it.  It used to be mounted in a home built router table, but at some point I upgraded the router table and got the lift and PC router motor.

I think you will be happy with the OF-1010, especially if you plan to get a router table later.

Bob

 

[jeh]

If you're buying your first router that's larger than a trimmer, I reckon the 1400 is definitely the lesser of the two best options if the 2200 is out of reach for the moment.

The 2200 is not really suitable for use as an everyday router. Not great for small pieces and you really need to accessory base kit piling even more money into the purchase. I have the Festool router lineup and some non-Festool router and my go to ones are the 1010 and 1400 and sometimes a battery powered Dewalt trimmer. No cord is very convenient. You could split the difference and get the 1400 which is more than enough for most any job.

 

[Cheese]

Like the others have said, my go-to is the 1010...probably used 60%-70% of the time. After that it's a toss-up between the 700 & the 1400 and after that the 2200. The 2200 is kept in a table.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I am not a professional, but still have an embarrassing number of routers...I can think of 5 off the top of my head, and I'm probably missing at least one. When a job comes up for a hand-held router it is rare that I will reach for anything other than my OF-1000 (predecessor to the OF-1010). If I'm using my OF-1400 it's probably because I don't have 1/4" or 8mm shank router bit for the job at hand. My laminate trimmers haven't been out of their boxes since I got the OF-1010. It's a little bigger, but so much smoother it makes the job more enjoyable. I feel I could easily live with just the OF-1000 and a 3HP table-mounted beast.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I am not a professional, but still have an embarrassing number of routers...I can think of 5 off the top of my head, and I'm probably missing at least one.

That's not even close to embarrassing and actually quite easy to justify.
My foolishness is 4 times that, yes 20.

 

[woodferret]

I come from the Dewalt 611.  Bought a OF1010 and find that to be a good balance. 

Setting a fixed depth on a OF1010 isn't as easy as say the MFK700 or the Dewalt where you can just spin up/down.  OF1010 is still at its heart a plunge base.  There is a micro-adjust on the depth stop, so you can dial it in pretty precisely, but it does require several operations of 1) move turret or unplunge, 2) dial, 3) re-plunge.  Unless I want the ergonomics of the OF1010 (omg that trigger control), I will just chuck it up in the DW611.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I am not a professional, but still have an embarrassing number of routers...I can think of 5 off the top of my head, and I'm probably missing at least one.

That's not even close to embarrassing and actually quite easy to justify.
My foolishness is 4 times that, yes 20.

I can relate to that! I hate changing out bits all the time and changing height settings, so I have a number of routers permanently setup with specific cutters and height settings that rarely get changed. Out of all of them though, my old OF900E gets used the most for odd jobs that require a 1/4" cutter, the OF1400 for anything bigger, and the OF2200 far less frequently for the really big cutters, or when really hogging material.

It's horses for courses, but having an assortment is extremely handy and a real time saver for me, although I totally get why most hobbyists want to limit the number of power tools they buy. I have of course built up my tools over the 4+ decades so it's been a gradual thing.

Then of course there are the sanders, the grinders, the hammers (I love collecting hammers!), etc! ;-)

I still think though if you had to buy just one router, it would absolutely have to be the OF1400, anything else would be buyers regret at being permanently limited in function, or necessitating another purchase later as I find it inconceivable that anyone buying a tool completely new for them, wouldn't expand their project scope with the new found capability a tool brings.

It's exactly the same as the "which CNC should I get" question, those who "bought the minimum sized one that should do everything I need" invariably wasted money upgrading through at least one or two more larger machines! Ask me how I know!

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I use my OF1400 the most, even though I own the OF1010. Most of my tooling is .5" shank, so that's part of the reason. And a lot of what I actually use a hand-held router for is the more heavier cutting things when I don't do them on the CNC. The OF1010, for me, is more of a "detail" router and that's what I pull it out for when a lighter, smaller plunger is the right tool for the job. I have a yellow fixed base router for things where I prefer the lower center of gravity of a fixed base tool.

 

[Vondawg]

Well….see…there you have it …who needs the ‘search’  tab…

 

[Cheese]

Well….see…there you have it …who needs the ‘search’  tab…

Funny... [smile]

 

[4nthony]

This is my little router lineup:

- DeWalt DCW600. The router I grab for most simple tasks. Dust collection is decent and I have both fixed and plunge bases. If I'm doing any small edge details or light flush trimming, I grab the Dewalt. It sits under my workbench so it's easy to reach and I don't need to unpack it from a Systainer. I've got several Dewalt batteries from other drivers and drills so if it gets low on power, there's always another battery I can swap. Before getting a Domino, this was the router I used for making loose tenon mortises. It's limited to 1/4" bits but for light duty and/or simple work, it's fine. I also made an oversized baseplate that can span the width of most drawer boxes I build so I can soften most edges without the router being tippy on the of plywood.

- Bosch 1617. My first router. I picked up the kit about 15 years ago. It came with a fixed base and a plunge base. Dust collection isn't all that great, especially when compared to the 1400. These days, when I need to use a guide bushing, this is the router I use (though the DeWalt bases also work with threaded guide bushings). The Bosch fits most router lifts and it used to be in my router lift before I swapped it out with a Spinrite motor from Woodpeckers. I'll also use the Bosch when I don't feel like constantly swapping bits on the 1400.

- OF 1400. I bought this a little over a year ago, primarily for it's reputation it has for superior dust collection. The dust collection is great, especially when you're able to use the chip catcher. Unfortunately, some models have issues with guide bushing drift. It's well documented here on FOG and elsewhere. One of these days I'll get around to making a baseplate that'll work with threaded Porter Cable style guide bushings, but until then, I'll continue to use the Bosch or DeWalt. I don't know the exact specs but I believe the 1400 and the Bosch are in a similar power class. The 1400 really shines when combined with other accessories in the Festool system. I love using it paired with guide rails. The ratcheting spindle is also a nice to have feature. It's a really great router.

I've considered getting a 1010. I haven't used one but I would guess the dust collection is on par with the 1400. One thing I like about the 1010 is it accepts threaded guide bushings directly and there's no need to use the click-in adapters that have caused problems on my 1400. The 1010 works within the Festool system so there's also that.

For the type of projects I do -- household DIY, cabinets, small furniture, and built-ins (just for me and/or friends) -- the DeWalt and the 1400 are nice complementary tools that each have their place in my shop.

Good luck making your decision!

 

[Cheese]

4nthony brings up an extremely valid point that's missed most of the time unless of course you get bit by it.

The 1400 and 2200 routers have "self centering" guide bushings that sometimes center themselves, but they will ALWAYS uncenter themselves when enough lateral pressure is applied to the router. 

The 1010 guide bushings on the other hand, need to be manually centered which is great for inlays and precision work.