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Final Thoughts
Wow, I really like this router. Period. I’ll go so far as to say, I’ll be paying for one as soon as they are available in the US, hopefully in the near future. I really couldn’t find anything about it that I didn't like. Neither could the other folks who had a chance to see, handle and use it during that Sunday event, although there was some concern about the metric orientation of the adjustments and guides.
I spoke to Christian about that subject the following day via email. While he and I both could understand the concern, we both also agreed that most people make height adjustments by eye on routers so the metric markings will probably have minimal impact for all but a few. I did make one suggestion and that was for the company to consider making a small change to the t-shaped adjustable support (often used when working with the guide system and the MFT - Multi Function Table) which also doubles as a horizontal position from bit-center indicator when doing things like stopped dados. Making that item reversible with metric on one side and inches on the other would essentially eliminate the one place that folks could really use help with the metric/inch contention.
The things that the group mentioned after working with the OF 1400 include:
- “My two favorite things about it were the low noise and the dust collection...”
- Quieter than other routers they have used (universal statement)
- “...plunges with an obscene amount of ease...”
- “...could let it set running on the bench and it didn't walk...”
- “I could see it as the only hand-held router I would use...”
- “...can be used with the guide rail...very unique...”
I somehow think that Festool sold a bunch of routers this weekend...this one is a winner!