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Festool Router
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Author:  Edward Taylor [ Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Festool Router

I am in dire need of a new router, the old black & decker 3/4 horse is not doing too well these days. I want to buy one that will last me 10 years at least, this has led me towards festool which I seem to have heard really good things about. Does anyone have experience with Festool routers? This will be the workhorse in my shop for all table routing functions as well as plunge routing. Would the 1400 watt be enough for this? I cant really justify spending $800 on a router to go up to the 2200 watt.

http://www.festoolusa.com/products/rout ... 74267.html

Thanks

Author:  Haans [ Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Festool Router

That's way too much $$$ for me! I've had PC 690's for 25 years and they work just fine. $159 gets you the regular base and $290. gets you that and the plunge base.

Author:  Hesh [ Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Festool Router

Edward I don't have experience with Festool's router but I do have their vac, ROS, and cordless drill and all three of these products are IMHO the best available.

Author:  Edward Taylor [ Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Festool Router

Haans, just in case I was not clear, the 1400 watt is around $450, the 2200 is close to $800.

Author:  Haans [ Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Festool Router

$450. is still a lot in my book, especially when you can get 1-3/4 horse 690 for $159 and it will last 20 years with a couple of sets of brushes. Don't know what 1400 watts works out to but PCs 3-1/4 horse is somewhere around $350 I think.
I know it's tempting to buy those high buck units like Festool or Proxxon or whatever, but it's pretty hard to beat the 690.

Author:  JohnAbercrombie [ Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Festool Router

Edward-
If you've got the cash, indulge yourself!
Those Festools are nice but expensive - more so in Canada than in the USA, also. Outta my league.

Porter Cable are decent routers- they made their reputation years ago (I forget the Model # on the dome-top router they made), and have been 'riding it' a bit since then with the 'newer' routers.
You should have a look at the Bosch as well, if you decide to go 'downscale' from the Festool. They sell a combo package with one motor and two bases that's price-competitive with the PC in my part of Canada. The fit-and-finish quality, plunge operation, etc is quite different on the Bosch and PC, though. The PC uses more common template bushings.
There is something to be said for having more than one router- I'd definitely rather have two PCs or Bosch's than one Festool, no matter how nice it is.
I should mention that I have two Bosch's and two PCs as well as a couple of older routers ( B&D & Craftsman) that are really trash now.
Cheers
John

Author:  James Orr [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Festool Router

I got my Porter Cable 690 from Amazon last week for $130 with free super saver shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-690L ... 230&sr=8-1

Author:  Dennis Leahy [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Festool Router

I have the Porter Cable 7539 (an older version of the 7539 model, 1-speed, soft start)

This is a massive and very powerful (3-1/4HP) router. Mounted in a table, it is kind of a mini-shaper, capable of making raised panel doors (I've done it) in multiple passes. In my opinion, it is too big for most handheld operations. I have used it handheld to rout edges on custom desktops and table tops, but I cannot imagine any use, handheld, in lutherie. Mounted in a table, it would do a great job of cutting slots in necks for truss rods, but then, even a 1HP router can do that easily. I know there are a few luthiers that "carve" neck edges using a shaper, and that is really about the only possible use in lutherie for the 3-1/4 horses in this baby.

If you want a very smooth, powerful, well-built router primarily for making furniture, with a few table-mounted operations for lutherie, I wholehearted recommend this router. However, if this is strictly for lutherie, I'd look at a nice 1-1/2 to 2 HP router such as the Porter Cable 693LRPK (or the 694 version is variable speed, but I don't see a need for it. I think of slowing down a router only when I have a massive bit in it, such as a bit for raised panels or cope and stick joints - otherwise, I would always run 'em "balls out.")

With the $100 you just saved, if it's burning a hole in your pocket, buy a new Ridgid 2401 (not the 2400) laminate trimmer, which I think is better than a PC 7310 or Bosch Colt.

Dennis

Author:  Tim L [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Festool Router

After reading the other posts I must say that I'm a bit embarassed to let you know that I have the 1400. When the Craftsman that I bought 30 years ago started bogging while routing truss rod slots and dovetails for the neck, like you I started looking for a router that would last a long time. Never feel :oops: when I pull that puppy out, actually am :D . The router is smooth, stable, easily adjustable, accurate, and very flexilble right out of the box. I would not hesitate to buy another one and am patiently and constantly looking for a deal on one of their sanders. Wish they were cheaper, but sometimes you do get what you pay for.

Tim

Author:  Edward Taylor [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Festool Router

Thanks for the replies everybody. I hate choices like this. My general rule is to buy the best that my budget will allow, but it would also be nice to save some cash for something else. I already have a DW 670 laminate trimmer for all the smaller jobs, so this is going to be for mainly table routing but also any time a plunge is needed. It seems like the Festool would be easy to adjust for plunging. I am wondering what the 1400 relates to in HP, if its enough power for all the bigger table routing functions.

Author:  JohnAbercrombie [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Festool Router

Edward Taylor wrote:
I am wondering what the 1400 relates to in HP, if its enough power for all the bigger table routing functions.

Edward:
In theory, 1 HP = 746 Watts.
However there are all sorts of HP ratings, so-called 'Peak HP' etc, so hard to know what you are dealing with.
For 'normal' routing jobs, I think you would find a 1400 W unit would do the job.
As Dennis pointed out, the bigger routers are almost replacements for shapers.
I don't like heavier-than-necessary hand-held tools very much; I'd rather take a couple of cuts if necessary with a smaller tool than wrestle with something heavier.

Those Festools are nice, as far as I know (I have friends who own sanders, vacs, and a skilsaw by Festool), so if you have the $$, go ahead. It will be a world of improvement over your old machine. As the old saying goes, 'Buying quality only hurts once.'
Does the Festool come with template adapter plate, edge guide or anything like that? Those can add up, if you need them. (Get some new spiral bits while you are at it- save a few hundred for cutters.)

Cheers
John

Author:  coke_zero [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Festool Router

Most of my powertools are Makita. Top quality equipment. The router is my fathers and it's over 10 years old.

Author:  Miketobey [ Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Festool Router

I would say for Festool money I would get tha Dewalt 618 or 625 combo and then find another Porter Cable 310 laminate trimmer.

I have the DW 618 combo, two Bosch combos, 2 PC 7310's, one 310, two PC 690's and the 890 series PC combo(of all, the greatest disappointment-they redesigned the plunge base after I got mine-it stays in a Jessem FX lift table) and I have a 3.25 HP Freud in a router table with a Router-Raizer, the heavweight. I mounted that newer Ridgid Lam trimmer on the StewMac "True-Whatever" new binding jig-simple and smooth, a bargain, I think. Bosch and DeWalt 618's have a flat on a portion of the edge of the base-for general woodworking that is really handy-rabbets and such, using a clamped down edge guide.

I am in the "cry once" school but the only Festool I covet is a vac-no one makes a better dust-collector in a mobile, compact design. I bet Hesh has one-kept that bathroom sparkly :D .

Author:  Tim L [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Festool Router

Quote:
Does the Festool come with template adapter, edge guide or anything like that?


My 1400 came with a 1/8" screw on bottom plate that looks to be either fiberglass lam (more likely) or a linen bakelite. Very easy to replace with something for special app if you like. No edge guide, but did come with metal rods for either edge guide or circle cutter. Also came with 3 very nicely made collet/screw collars for different sized bit shanks. What would really be cool is if someone would set up demo tables for different tools like this. Let you taste and try before you buy.

Tim

Author:  Robert Renick [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Festool Router

Hitachi routers are worth a look as well. Back in the day of my window and door shop I had many dedicated setups, some with PC's and then on a whim, because it matched the green jig, I bought a Hitachi, I killed many PC's but the Hitachis kept going, many brush replacements and still kept going. Left from that shop I still have 1 Hitachi that works great, and a PC, that has a funky switch. I have also used some Makitas in other's shops that were very old and still going strong.

If I had the $$ though, I would certainly try a fancy Festool.
Rob

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