custard
Established Member
Festool 1400 in a Festool router table
Festool 1400 loose
Festool 1100 loose
Edge trimming Festool (700?)
15,000 RPM special spindle for spindle moulder that takes router collets.
Big and small LN hand routers
Observations,
1. A spindle moulder, especially with a sliding table and a power feed, usually gives superior results to a router.
2. But the set up time for a spindle moulder is always longer than you expect, 45 or even 60 minutes isn't unusual.
3. I've used a Lamello Cantex but don't own one, for edge trimming I doubt its quality and speed can be beaten by any router.
4. Hand routers (non power) are superb tools, and for one off jobs are fast and accurate. With ingenuity and practise they can deliver flawless tenons.
5. Inlaying with a power router isn't a problem in itself, no better or worse than a well made scratch stock, but a router isn't as versatile or quick with curved inlaying.
6. Routers often move relative to fences by a few tenths of a mill when you lock them off, even really good routers.
7. A Festool 2200 (which I don't have) is the best router to use with Festool guide rails. I'm not sure I'd buy a new Festool 1100 or 1400 now as it can't be long before they're replaced with new models incorporating some of the 2200 enhancements.
8. Hollows, rounds and moulding planes are lovely tools, permitting profiles that can't really be achieved any other way. I wish it was commercially viable to use them.
9. Zero clearance inserts, on bases or router table fences, make a difference. Why aren't they used more often?
10. Routers are dangerous, even little ones. They can drag your hand into the cutter or climb across your body and the injuries they can cause are truly horrible.
Festool 1400 loose
Festool 1100 loose
Edge trimming Festool (700?)
15,000 RPM special spindle for spindle moulder that takes router collets.
Big and small LN hand routers
Observations,
1. A spindle moulder, especially with a sliding table and a power feed, usually gives superior results to a router.
2. But the set up time for a spindle moulder is always longer than you expect, 45 or even 60 minutes isn't unusual.
3. I've used a Lamello Cantex but don't own one, for edge trimming I doubt its quality and speed can be beaten by any router.
4. Hand routers (non power) are superb tools, and for one off jobs are fast and accurate. With ingenuity and practise they can deliver flawless tenons.
5. Inlaying with a power router isn't a problem in itself, no better or worse than a well made scratch stock, but a router isn't as versatile or quick with curved inlaying.
6. Routers often move relative to fences by a few tenths of a mill when you lock them off, even really good routers.
7. A Festool 2200 (which I don't have) is the best router to use with Festool guide rails. I'm not sure I'd buy a new Festool 1100 or 1400 now as it can't be long before they're replaced with new models incorporating some of the 2200 enhancements.
8. Hollows, rounds and moulding planes are lovely tools, permitting profiles that can't really be achieved any other way. I wish it was commercially viable to use them.
9. Zero clearance inserts, on bases or router table fences, make a difference. Why aren't they used more often?
10. Routers are dangerous, even little ones. They can drag your hand into the cutter or climb across your body and the injuries they can cause are truly horrible.
