Festool 576213 Plunge Router OF 1400 EQ-F-Plus

I really stressed about spending so much on a handheld router but like so many others I am really happy I spent the extra money and bought this Festool OF1400 EQ-F-Plus. The dust collection attachment included does a great job and I also like the ratcheting mechanism for the spindle when changing bits and collets. I have used it to flush trim some shop table tops and it was very stable because of the handle and knob locations. I also own a Festool dust extractor, track saw and sander. Festool is pricey but I think the quality and engineering are worth the price.

The router is fabulous. Hands down the best router I’ve used. It’s worth the price if you’ve got the money to spend on it. Customer support at Festool isn’t easy. The wait times are excessive and they do not cover parts. A trivial malfunction that could be fixed by simply sending the customer a replacement part is not covered unless you box up the item and ship it to them for repair. That’s ridiculous and takes your tool offline unnecessarily. The plunge stop was defective on this unit and was a 2 minute replacement which they will not cover without sending the unit in. They should triage the issue and send replacement parts under the warranty for repairs that are obviously easily done by the end user.

If you're looking for a new router, or replacing an old one, this is it. Festool puts a lot of details in their routers that other manufacturers don't. The price is a hard swallow but once you get past that and actually start using one you'll realize why the cost. They take a lot of guess work out with simple features like (as an example), the bit centerline is marked on all 4 sides. This helps reduce set up time and frustration. Seems like the folks designing the tools are actual woodworkers. There are a lot of good Festool videos out there to watch, especially the ones with Sedge, he gets really in depth. Once you watch some, you'll understand.

Let's be honest, you're like me, on the fence trying to decide if Festool is worth the price. It is. The attention to detail on how the machine functions makes your life as a wood worker much more enjoyable. Buy the machine, you won't regret it.

Straight banger of a router indeed.