Replies

1. 
   mufti | Nov 20, 2006 01:18am | #1

             May I suggest that you will get a more beneficial response if you indicate the use to which it be put? I have the big Ryobi in a table with a simple "Raizer" installed so it can be adjusted from above and it is OK, but I would not wish to hand steer it too often because it is unrefined.

1. 
   Bioman | Nov 20, 2006 01:56am | #2

   Good point Mufti; Router Jig, Mortise Jig and Freehand.

2. 
   MatthewSchenker | Nov 20, 2006 09:33pm | #3

   Bioman,
   I've used all three, and they each have their strengths. They are all good quality.

   If you want a full-powered router that is great for hand-held operations, the Festool OF 1400 is the best one. Some people disagree with me on this, and say that the OF 2000 is just as good for hand-held operations. But for me, there's greater visibility with the OF 1400, and it maneuvers better.

   The Fein RT-1800 is sort of similar to the OF 2000, except for two things: The plunge motion on the two Festool models is much smoother. Also, the depth settings on the two Festool models is more precise and easy to use.

   The price of the OF 2000 is about the same as the RT-1800. The OF 1400 is a little less.

   The other big advantage to the two Festool models is that you can run them on the Festool guide rails. I do this all the time for routing dadoes, grooves, tenons, long edge joints, hinge mortises, and other kinds of cuts. You can also use the Festool guide rails to rout holes for shelf pins. Other people use the guide rails to joint wood with the routers.

   
   

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   Edited 11/20/2006 1:35 pm ET by MatthewSchenker

1. 
   Bioman | Nov 21, 2006 02:44am | #4

   Matt, thanks for the response.  I agree, the OF1400 is the way to go.