What are your go-to routers and would you change anything about your setup? I'm still very impressed with both the DeWalt 20V and Bosch 1617 and would highly recommend them to anyone.
Congrats! Even though I own around 14 routers, the 1010 is one of my upcoming festool purchases I'm most excited about. I'll definitely be selling a handful of them to make some money towards the 1010. The 1617EVS is my router table router, so I'll keep that one. I'll probably keep a couple of my trimmers around too, since I use those so much for edge forming. For heavier hand routing I have a dewalt dw618 (best plunge base I've used). My M18 trimmers will probably be the first to go. Like you said, battery powered is nice, but a bit top heavy for my preference. Looking forward to the next one!
@@NWGR Thanks for sharing! The more I got into working with routers last year, the more I understood why some woodworkers have so many, including many of the same model. So far I'm really liking the 1010 and it's a nice ergonomic change from the DeWalt. Dust collection is also very good, and doesn't require all of the third party attachments I used on the DeWalt to get decent dust collection. I'm planning to accessorize the 1010 shortly, which is going to be more costly than anticipated, haha!
@@MasonWoodshophey buddy. How’s it going 7 months in? Are you still happy with the 1010 or wish you got the 1400? I’m trying to decide on one. Thank you! 👊🏻
@@BenM81 Great question! For me, the 1010 has been the ideal router. My primary focus is cabinet making with the majority of work being dados and non-elaborate edge profiles. I’ve really been liking the 8mm shank bits I’ve purchased (thankfully Lee Valley has plenty and is local) and there has only been two times where the 1400 would have been the better router (deeper dados into hardwood), but I got by doing multiple passes with the 1010. Note that the Festool edge guide for 1010 is not very good, but I haven’t had the need the explore other options such as the M-Power edge guide. I plan on getting the LR32 system in the coming months, which will further make the 1010 more versatile. My plan remains that the moment I run into a larger project that would require 1/2” shank bits, I’ll go buy the 1400.
Just picked up the "new 1010" with the light attachment. So far really great, I too will be getting the LR 32 system. Festool is like the Apple of the tool world, everything works together.
I’m excited for a follow up as I’m an owner with a similar setup to yours. Both of my Bosch unit are in need of bearings, again, and while I like the low slung handles of the fixed base I do need a better plunge setup.
I’ll plan to do a detailed video in the near future, but for me the 1010 has been an idea router! My big Bosch was great, but rarely did my jobs require that much power or 1/2” shank bits. My DeWalt cordless router was also great and saw the most use, but lacked the versatility I wanted. Given all of that, the 1010 has been ideal and I’ve grown to really like 8mm shank bits (in addition to the collection of 1/4” shank bits I already had). However, if you do larger jobs or require 1/2” shank bits, the Festool 1400 is the best option.
I have a large Milwaukee in my table that has been great with the jessem lift. My other is an old porter cable 690 (I think) series with multiple bases. I’ve been looking at a small size for convenience and am leaning towards the Milwaukee corded version. I love the festool sander,saw, and vac I have, so I a, quite interested in where you go with this.
I’ve been playing around with it all week (recorded the video last week) and so far I’ve been impressed. The biggest appeal for me is the available accessories. I’m hoping to get the comparison videos (to DeWalt, and slightly less relevant for direct comparison the Bosch 1617) out within the next month.
Interestingly, I have the same Dewalt and Bosch routers you have. They have been fine for me as a hobbyist. I recently upgraded my router table to a hefty Woodpecker one because I use a table more often than handheld routers. I find I don’t do as much freehand routing these days, except in the Porter dovetail jig (thanks for your great videos on that jig!) and the Woodpecker perfect dado jig. I find the Bosch is fine for jig work. For some reason, I usually reach for the Bosch even when I can theoretically use the Dewalt; I think the Bosch feels safer to me. I recently got the 6-in-1 compact-router jig sold by Katz-Moses and Tamar of 3x3 for the Dewalt though, so maybe I’ll start using it more often. I might just follow in your footsteps and switch my Dewalt compact for a small Festool just for the neat gizmos. I finally broke down and got a Domino, so maybe I should just go deeper into the Festool system.
Like you, I also find that I don't do much freehand routing these days (close to none) and you're most welcome for the dovetail jig videos - they are among my most popular, which is great to see! The DeWalt is a great little router and I really enjoy using it, but I've run into a few jobs that it couldn't do, that the Festool 1010 can do. As much as I'd like to keep both, I needed to fund the new tool. I'm most excited for the edge banding trimming attachment (although it's the cost of the DeWalt on it's own), and so far I am very very happy with the ergonomics of the Festool 1010. I'll be working on a comparison video (nothing scientific) that I hope to get out in August. Ah, the Domino! I was so intrigued by the Domino a few years ago, but pushed it to the back of my mind...until I started watching more cabinetmaking videos where they primarily use the Domino for joinery...now it might be the next Festool tool I buy, after some accessories for my TSC 55 and 1010.
@@MasonWoodshop I ordered a TSC 55 and have been waiting for months for it to be delivered to me in California. Apparently, there are supply-chain issues delaying things.
@@Wyman642 Wow, that's a long wait! I had about a month-long wait here in Canada, but it seemed like most Canadian retailers got shipments about two weeks ago with most stilling having the showing as in stock. Hopefully you're not too long! It's a shockingly great saw, and that's with me coming from the DeWalt 60V cordless track saw, which I really liked.
I am in the process of shopping for routers so this is great timing for me lol. It's definitely a nice router but the price tag is really high for a 1/4 inch router, maybe less so if you are already in the Festool ecosystem (already owning the tracks, for example). I am really curious to see how the dust collection is and what your opinion of how the router stacks up to the Bosch.
I’ve been using it a good amount this week and dust collection is solid…better than the others with their third party attachments. Power for my needs seems to be there, although I haven’t tried 18mm dados yet, but I will when I get a 8mm shank bit. The 8mm shank is going to be a pretty nice middle ground, and the bits I want are quite accessible in Canada. It’s noticeably more powerful than my DeWalt cordless, but very much less powerful than the Bosch. It’ll still be a few weeks before I get the accessories I want for it, but it has been really nice on the track.
I’m pretty sure you will come to regret selling those other two routers. Keep all three. I’ve seen guys on yt who own 5 or more different routers. I own three and I’m an absolute weekend novice. (The same Bosch, same Dewalt Corded version, and Makita Palm.). I’m pretty sure Bosch is every bit Festools equal. Bosch makes world class routers and jigsaws. There are really nice aftermarket accessories for the three routers I have. I personally wouldn’t spend $500 on a 1/4” shank router. I can see spending $1000 on a 1/2” shank router - but even that is hard to justify when you have Bosch
Hi your review was such a big help. I was wondering if you or another Of 1010 owner can help - is there a protective layer on the base that needs to be peeled off? Thanks in advance!
Happy to hear this video helped! It’s been the best router I’ve ever owned…I really need to do a proper review of it sometime soon. As for the protective layer, I don’t recall mine having a peel (I may just be forgetting), but the bottom does have a bit of shine to it.
The foot did come with it here in Canada and it does an amazing job keeping the router balanced. Mine came with an imperial version, but I was able to buy a metric version from Lee Valley for under $5.
I’d probably keep all those routers, though you’ll use the 1010 90% of the time. After I got the 1010 it’s all I really use. I’ll say this though is has large quantity of accessories I have found them to be a bit mediocre in quality. You’ll want all the festool routers after using this for a while
After a couple of months, the 1010 really is in a sweet spot, especially with 8mm bits. The other routers have been gone and other than one time that cordless would have been helpful (cutting around a window), I haven't missed them. I'm sure the 1400 will make it's way to my collection when I run into a project that would benefit it. As much as I'd like a cordless trim router from Festool, the power cord isn't that annoying as I always have dust collection hooked up anyways.
@@MasonWoodshop ya I’d really recommend the 700 as well. I primarily use the 1010 and 700. The 1400 doesn’t get used that much. Yes I have all 3-shame lol. The 700 is honestly game changing for trimming edge banding, I do a lot of built ins for customers and using that tool speeds things up tremendously and also gives excellent repeatable results. I hand trimmed until I got it and it’s awesome. Good content- nice to see some Canadian content
@@carbb5760 oh yes, the 700 is unlike anything else on the market. I was planning to get to the edge trimming attachment for the 1010 to trim hardwood edge banding, but I wonder if it’s just worth it to jump to the 700 instead.
@@MasonWoodshop it’s a dangerous game, I diddnt like the attachment for the 1010 thought the balance was all wrong with the tool and I struggled to get good results. 700 is a piece of cake trouble is you’ll want the 3 bases and it ends up being pretty pricey. I work on the tools every day so for me it was a fairly easy decision- get better results faster with greater user satisfaction. After using it for a while you won’t miss the money. I look forward to the video lol
i only use 1/4" bits in my cordless milwaukee. why do you need a full body router for those small bits anymore. the 1/2" bits is where the 1400 comes in, so I don't see the point of a 1010. sure its cute but for $600 no chance.
I originally felt the same, but then realized it wouldn’t have the power needed for clean cuts with many 1/2” bits. What it does have is more power than a trim router, making the 8mm shank option absolutely ideal. As a Canadian, it’s not too difficult to get 8mm shank bits and I’m generally really liking the size/weight and have totally accepted the limitation to 1/4” and 8mm bits. The OF 1400 will be an easy purchase when I run into the need for 1/2” bits.
So I have The Festool 1010, its a good router, very smooth power, very accurate settings, many good attachments and good dust suction with vac hose, that said, the up/down plunge smoothness sucks, and did not break in as I thought it would, no 1/2" collet ??, at $500.00, it should excel at all these things and more, can't reconcile the price, Makita makes better bang for the buck routers.
What are your go-to routers and would you change anything about your setup? I'm still very impressed with both the DeWalt 20V and Bosch 1617 and would highly recommend them to anyone.
Congrats! Even though I own around 14 routers, the 1010 is one of my upcoming festool purchases I'm most excited about. I'll definitely be selling a handful of them to make some money towards the 1010. The 1617EVS is my router table router, so I'll keep that one. I'll probably keep a couple of my trimmers around too, since I use those so much for edge forming. For heavier hand routing I have a dewalt dw618 (best plunge base I've used). My M18 trimmers will probably be the first to go. Like you said, battery powered is nice, but a bit top heavy for my preference.
Looking forward to the next one!
@@NWGR Thanks for sharing! The more I got into working with routers last year, the more I understood why some woodworkers have so many, including many of the same model. So far I'm really liking the 1010 and it's a nice ergonomic change from the DeWalt. Dust collection is also very good, and doesn't require all of the third party attachments I used on the DeWalt to get decent dust collection. I'm planning to accessorize the 1010 shortly, which is going to be more costly than anticipated, haha!
@@MasonWoodshophey buddy. How’s it going 7 months in? Are you still happy with the 1010 or wish you got the 1400? I’m trying to decide on one. Thank you! 👊🏻
@@BenM81 Great question! For me, the 1010 has been the ideal router. My primary focus is cabinet making with the majority of work being dados and non-elaborate edge profiles. I’ve really been liking the 8mm shank bits I’ve purchased (thankfully Lee Valley has plenty and is local) and there has only been two times where the 1400 would have been the better router (deeper dados into hardwood), but I got by doing multiple passes with the 1010. Note that the Festool edge guide for 1010 is not very good, but I haven’t had the need the explore other options such as the M-Power edge guide.
I plan on getting the LR32 system in the coming months, which will further make the 1010 more versatile. My plan remains that the moment I run into a larger project that would require 1/2” shank bits, I’ll go buy the 1400.
Just picked up the "new 1010" with the light attachment. So far really great, I too will be getting the LR 32 system. Festool is like the Apple of the tool world, everything works together.
Love it! Enjoy the new tool.
Just got one. Looking forward to using it
I’m excited for a follow up as I’m an owner with a similar setup to yours. Both of my Bosch unit are in need of bearings, again, and while I like the low slung handles of the fixed base I do need a better plunge setup.
I’ll plan to do a detailed video in the near future, but for me the 1010 has been an idea router! My big Bosch was great, but rarely did my jobs require that much power or 1/2” shank bits. My DeWalt cordless router was also great and saw the most use, but lacked the versatility I wanted. Given all of that, the 1010 has been ideal and I’ve grown to really like 8mm shank bits (in addition to the collection of 1/4” shank bits I already had).
However, if you do larger jobs or require 1/2” shank bits, the Festool 1400 is the best option.
I have a large Milwaukee in my table that has been great with the jessem lift. My other is an old porter cable 690 (I think) series with multiple bases. I’ve been looking at a small size for convenience and am leaning towards the Milwaukee corded version. I love the festool sander,saw, and vac I have, so I a, quite interested in where you go with this.
I’ve been playing around with it all week (recorded the video last week) and so far I’ve been impressed. The biggest appeal for me is the available accessories. I’m hoping to get the comparison videos (to DeWalt, and slightly less relevant for direct comparison the Bosch 1617) out within the next month.
Interestingly, I have the same Dewalt and Bosch routers you have. They have been fine for me as a hobbyist. I recently upgraded my router table to a hefty Woodpecker one because I use a table more often than handheld routers. I find I don’t do as much freehand routing these days, except in the Porter dovetail jig (thanks for your great videos on that jig!) and the Woodpecker perfect dado jig. I find the Bosch is fine for jig work. For some reason, I usually reach for the Bosch even when I can theoretically use the Dewalt; I think the Bosch feels safer to me. I recently got the 6-in-1 compact-router jig sold by Katz-Moses and Tamar of 3x3 for the Dewalt though, so maybe I’ll start using it more often. I might just follow in your footsteps and switch my Dewalt compact for a small Festool just for the neat gizmos. I finally broke down and got a Domino, so maybe I should just go deeper into the Festool system.
Like you, I also find that I don't do much freehand routing these days (close to none) and you're most welcome for the dovetail jig videos - they are among my most popular, which is great to see!
The DeWalt is a great little router and I really enjoy using it, but I've run into a few jobs that it couldn't do, that the Festool 1010 can do. As much as I'd like to keep both, I needed to fund the new tool. I'm most excited for the edge banding trimming attachment (although it's the cost of the DeWalt on it's own), and so far I am very very happy with the ergonomics of the Festool 1010. I'll be working on a comparison video (nothing scientific) that I hope to get out in August.
Ah, the Domino! I was so intrigued by the Domino a few years ago, but pushed it to the back of my mind...until I started watching more cabinetmaking videos where they primarily use the Domino for joinery...now it might be the next Festool tool I buy, after some accessories for my TSC 55 and 1010.
@@MasonWoodshop I ordered a TSC 55 and have been waiting for months for it to be delivered to me in California. Apparently, there are supply-chain issues delaying things.
@@Wyman642 Wow, that's a long wait! I had about a month-long wait here in Canada, but it seemed like most Canadian retailers got shipments about two weeks ago with most stilling having the showing as in stock. Hopefully you're not too long! It's a shockingly great saw, and that's with me coming from the DeWalt 60V cordless track saw, which I really liked.
So, it's been a year, any thoughts on a follow up?
I am in the process of shopping for routers so this is great timing for me lol. It's definitely a nice router but the price tag is really high for a 1/4 inch router, maybe less so if you are already in the Festool ecosystem (already owning the tracks, for example). I am really curious to see how the dust collection is and what your opinion of how the router stacks up to the Bosch.
I’ve been using it a good amount this week and dust collection is solid…better than the others with their third party attachments. Power for my needs seems to be there, although I haven’t tried 18mm dados yet, but I will when I get a 8mm shank bit. The 8mm shank is going to be a pretty nice middle ground, and the bits I want are quite accessible in Canada.
It’s noticeably more powerful than my DeWalt cordless, but very much less powerful than the Bosch. It’ll still be a few weeks before I get the accessories I want for it, but it has been really nice on the track.
I’m pretty sure you will come to regret selling those other two routers. Keep all three. I’ve seen guys on yt who own 5 or more different routers. I own three and I’m an absolute weekend novice. (The same Bosch, same Dewalt Corded version, and Makita Palm.). I’m pretty sure Bosch is every bit Festools equal. Bosch makes world class routers and jigsaws. There are really nice aftermarket accessories for the three routers I have. I personally wouldn’t spend $500 on a 1/4” shank router. I can see spending $1000 on a 1/2” shank router - but even that is hard to justify when you have Bosch
Agreed. Biggest thing is the LR32 compatibility if you use that system.
Hi your review was such a big help. I was wondering if you or another Of 1010 owner can help - is there a protective layer on the base that needs to be peeled off? Thanks in advance!
Happy to hear this video helped! It’s been the best router I’ve ever owned…I really need to do a proper review of it sometime soon.
As for the protective layer, I don’t recall mine having a peel (I may just be forgetting), but the bottom does have a bit of shine to it.
Hey, does that little foot thing come with it to keep it from wobbling or is that an extra part? Thanks.
The foot did come with it here in Canada and it does an amazing job keeping the router balanced. Mine came with an imperial version, but I was able to buy a metric version from Lee Valley for under $5.
@@MasonWoodshop also Canadian! Lee valley for the win!
It’s for when you run it on the guide rail. Newest version has this feature integral.
I’d probably keep all those routers, though you’ll use the 1010 90% of the time. After I got the 1010 it’s all I really use. I’ll say this though is has large quantity of accessories I have found them to be a bit mediocre in quality. You’ll want all the festool routers after using this for a while
After a couple of months, the 1010 really is in a sweet spot, especially with 8mm bits. The other routers have been gone and other than one time that cordless would have been helpful (cutting around a window), I haven't missed them. I'm sure the 1400 will make it's way to my collection when I run into a project that would benefit it. As much as I'd like a cordless trim router from Festool, the power cord isn't that annoying as I always have dust collection hooked up anyways.
@@MasonWoodshop ya I’d really recommend the 700 as well. I primarily use the 1010 and 700. The 1400 doesn’t get used that much. Yes I have all 3-shame lol. The 700 is honestly game changing for trimming edge banding, I do a lot of built ins for customers and using that tool speeds things up tremendously and also gives excellent repeatable results. I hand trimmed until I got it and it’s awesome. Good content- nice to see some Canadian content
@@carbb5760 oh yes, the 700 is unlike anything else on the market. I was planning to get to the edge trimming attachment for the 1010 to trim hardwood edge banding, but I wonder if it’s just worth it to jump to the 700 instead.
@@MasonWoodshop it’s a dangerous game, I diddnt like the attachment for the 1010 thought the balance was all wrong with the tool and I struggled to get good results. 700 is a piece of cake trouble is you’ll want the 3 bases and it ends up being pretty pricey. I work on the tools every day so for me it was a fairly easy decision- get better results faster with greater user satisfaction. After using it for a while you won’t miss the money. I look forward to the video lol
@@carbb5760 Thanks for the insight!
i only use 1/4" bits in my cordless milwaukee. why do you need a full body router for those small bits anymore. the 1/2" bits is where the 1400 comes in, so I don't see the point of a 1010. sure its cute but for $600 no chance.
For me, it’s the suite of accessories that makes it most appealing. I’ve also come to enjoy the 8mm bits it can accommodate.
Quarter inch only? that's a waste.
I originally felt the same, but then realized it wouldn’t have the power needed for clean cuts with many 1/2” bits. What it does have is more power than a trim router, making the 8mm shank option absolutely ideal. As a Canadian, it’s not too difficult to get 8mm shank bits and I’m generally really liking the size/weight and have totally accepted the limitation to 1/4” and 8mm bits. The OF 1400 will be an easy purchase when I run into the need for 1/2” bits.
So I have The Festool 1010, its a good router, very smooth power, very accurate settings, many good attachments and good dust suction with vac hose, that said, the up/down plunge smoothness sucks, and did not break in as I thought it would, no 1/2" collet ??, at $500.00, it should excel at all these things and more, can't reconcile the price, Makita makes better bang for the buck routers.