Festool OF 1400 router vs my Makita routers

I review and compares my new OF 1400 Festool router to the Makita routers I've been using for years. In woodwork routers are a key tool and the engineering and design can do a lot to help a woodworker setup faster and get work done quicker

#woodworking #woodwork #festool

[jamzach]

I used to think Festool was over priced till I bought my first piece. Now I’m addicted to them and can’t get over the difference. They are in another class. I have the sander and track saw with the vac. I could literally sand an entire piece of furniture in the middle of living room and not get a piece of dust anywhere. Amazing !!

[gregghernandez]

Feestool products are really nice. You can tell they are beautifully engineered. Unfortunately some of us are DIY guys and gals and just can't justify the cost. I could see investing in Festool products if I was working with tools for a living. I hear their dust collection is second to none. I think I will stick with my Bosch, DeWalt and Makita routers. Thanks for the info.

[jt]

I’m New to woodworking & just found your Channel. I have decided to buy a festool so finding your fast talking info loaded video is great. You have just confirmed my decision is correct after getting over the price. Looking forward to watching more videos

[BuskItBarn]

Awesome review, man! You’re great at what you do - both woodworking AND making content with value. The only downside after watching this video is not wanting anything else but that top of the line Festool model. Haha

[mrt]

Subscribed - actually own the OF1400 and it’s a beautifully made router. I actually didn’t want to spend $1000 + on the OF2200 and just bought the variable speed 3-1/4 hp version of your Makita router. It’s a beast - made in Japan and powerful.

[warrensmith]

I still love my PC 890 router. I bought an adapter plate for the plunge base to connect it to the LR32 adapter plate. Once you connect the dust hose to the plunge base, you can't ask for better for collecting dust. I have collects for 3/8" (8mm) bits so that they work just fine. The only real difference between the setup time between the PC890 vs the OF routers is the racheting lock And the ability to do the quick connect of the dust shroud. Would I love an OF router, yes, but my PC890 and my battery Makita trim router work just fine.

[wellfiredbarbecue]

the bit/spindle centre line machined into the faces of the router base is brilliant for set up then fine adjustment ... just work to the centre line of the cut you want to make. plug it cords come into own if you have more than one festoon machine ... prevents the bird nest you always end up with if every tool you use has its own power cord.

[teac]

You should have mention the centerline notch on the base. That's like a 'clouds parting god light shaft' thing for me.

[messenger]

Once you buy Festool it becomes an addiction. They are so well designed and the quality is very impressive. I have the Kapex saw and dust collection. The latest track saw is amazing I love it. The router is my next purchase.

[Coug]

Nice review and I enjoy your enthusiasm. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

[tonybrown]

No doubt the festool is the better router because of the options you went over but the cost point is something to consider. If I had the clientele to do work for than I’d go with the the Festool every time. But I work for a company and I get $30 an hour (35 years being a carpenter). I can’t justify the cost. I do have some Festool tools though. I have a track saw and a sander and I have the D handle drill with all the attachments because I like making my work easier and better. I really need to work for myself and find the right clientele. Right now the industry is flooded with guys from Brazil and South America which drives the pay down but that’s another story

[patrickallen]

I cannot speak for other German tool companies but in the United States they are the only tool company sold here that takes a system approach to everything.

[BlakePizzey]

I'm scared to buy my first festool product. Don't think I can or I'll be going down a slippery slope and broke before I know it.

[thekinarbo]

I have the OF1400. When using a guide bushing the router bit wasn't centered. I sent it in and they attempted to repair it but they couldn't. I notched the silver plate that holds the guide bushing so I could then use a centering cone. There's 2 rice sized pins I had to remove to get it to slide around.
The OF1400 doesn't have LED lights.

[richardmckrell]

Festool 1400 watts (only 1.87 HP) is $700, Makita 2.25 HP plunge router kit is $339

[reedy]

The plugit cord works on all the festool tools so you can just have 1 cord linked to your extraction hose also plugged in to the extractor auto switch on plug so when you switch from the track saw to the router for example there is no faffing around with plugs you just swap it at the tool

[cebuanostud]

Smart design engineers over there at Festool.

[ksh_tech]

1. all maktia models also have set of collect, dt50 for 6mm and 8mm, others 8mm and 12mm 12.7
2. opening collect by holding button and apply force is wrong. I broke myu dt50 in that way. you should use 2 wrenches with you have in complect with makita routers, always!
3. opening and closing on festool looks great, but with time it become work worse and worse because of dust.
4. if you are left handed person as I am, this button for opening will be under or you will open by putting force from you, as result I broke in first day the depth adjuster. BTW quality of alloy is awesome on festool, light hit on it and you have numbers of pieces.
5. fixing o-ring on festool is great, but you forget to mention that this o-ring is not in level with whole plate itself + after a years of intensive usage of O-rings it starts to more and can be fixed only by replacing whole platform, not only plate.
6. when you will open collect with connected cord, take a look for that plug, all force is applied to the cord plug and you can see hot this plastic is bending ...

Last thing I would like to add to this review, that it totally does not suits to left-handes masters, because its ergonomics. You can't even push button holder if you are holding router by left hand. In addition to that routers hand are not aligned in straight line, but on a curve with suits for right-handed master. As result working with that router becoming a pain quite fast.
Now ergonomics itself, festool is only one who is doing router with pistol holder. this ergonomics more or less works in cases when you elbow is parallel to the ground, in all other position working with this router longer that 5 min is hard. I had this model and 1010, luckily after a short time I was able to sell this piece is ....

[kelvindawe]

I've got the same 3 makita routers and I wouldn't swap them for any thing. I no the festol tools are good but is the big price difference reflected in the difference in quality?. 😁

[don]

Thanks for the review. It is very helpful to see. Festool is a GREAT product. So is Lambohrgini! IMO you forgot an important part of the review. How much would that setup cost compared to similar Makita equipment? I will wager you could just about buy 2 similar Makita routers for one Festool. I can only afford to drive a Chevy! :)