I recently acquired a Leigh FMT and have been using it with a Bosch 1617. It works fine, but I want a dedicated router that has some different ergonomics. I would prefer a trigger type on/off switch so I do not have to move any hands to turn off the router. The plunge on the 1617 is fine and I want something at least as smoothe. Microadjust for the depth is important to me in order to get the right mortice depth. And, the router cannot be too top heavy.
The Bosch 1619 seems like a candidate, but I worry it might be too heavy and awkard on the machine. The Festool 2000 may be overkill, but it seems as if it is a nice machine. The Festool 1400 does not seem to have the two-handed operation for plunging that would make it easy to use on the FMT. The Dewalt 621 or 625 might be fine, but I am not sure about the plunge or microadjustment for depth. I don’t know anything about suitable Porter Cable or Makita routers, but I have an open mind.
I live away from a metro area, so my opportunity to see and feel most of these machines is limited. So, I am wondering about the experience of other FMT users with various routers, including any of the above.
Anyone with a Leigh FMT have a thought about these or other routers that work well with the FMT?
Replies
621 has the power, aplomb, ergonomics, fly-weight and depth control. 1619 second heaviest of all plungers @ 13.2 lbs.
See pix link for depth control solution.
Routers & such.
Hotwheels,
I have a Dewalt 621 dedicated to my FMT. Plunging works great, more than enough power, on off trigger is in on the right hand grip.
Prevously I had a Porter-Cable 690 with the PC plunge base, which worked OK but the plunging mechanism was not something that could be called smooth, hence this how the Dewalt wound up in the Jig. Also the PC 690 the switch was on the router motor.
Good luck
If the switch is the biggest problem, how about plugging it into a foot switch?
If it was only the switch that would be a good solution. I end up using the 1617 for a variety of other things and soemtimes my wife wants to use the FMT when i am using the router for other tasks.Having one router in the FMT all the time will be easier. We are using it alot and we will be doing more M/T work for kitchen cabinets soon, so having something dedicated to it for awhile will be helpful. My wife prefers something not too heavy and that would allow keeping her hands on the router to turn it off and on. For me it is the depth adjustment and smoothe plunge that makes the difference, so we are trying to find one router for the FMT that meets both of our ergonomic requirements.The 621 looks as if it would work and I knew the weight of the Bosch 1619 would be heavy, but from what I can tell it has a nice plunge and I like the depth adjustment which I think is similar to the 1617. Power is not the issue, since the 1617 works fine, it is really ergonomics.
I have mine set up with a Bosch 1613EVS router. This router has the trigger built into the handle and works well for this application but I don't know if Bosch still makes this model. I have the Festool OF1400 and you can use it for two hand operation. I did not try the Festool with the FMT because the location of the switch on the bottom of the handle looked like it would be awkward to operate. I did just get a new Leigh catalog and they do show the OF1400 set up with the FMT so I may reconsider using it. I spent about 3 hours one afternoon cutting 126 mortise and tenons on the FMT and this involved a lot of picking up and putting down the router - because of this, I would have serious reservations about using one of the big and heavy monster routers with this jig. Anyway - just some thoughts to consider, hope this helps.
Steve
Hi Steve,
I think the 1619 replaced the 1613 and as noted before, the 1619 is 13 or so pounds. While there are a number of things I like about the router, it is probably not the one I will dedicate to the FMT. Your point about lifting the router and base on and off the jig when making a number of M/Ts is appreciated and that is what is in the future for me. I like the jig alot and I am finding more uses for it as I learn more. I did talk to Leigh about the 1400 and they say it can be mounted on the FMT, I think with screws. I am going to try to find one and see if it will work for my application. Ergonomics, adequate power, and weight seem to work for the Festool and the Dewalt 621.Thanks for your comments.
I bought the FMT jig about a year ago and used it with a PC plunge router. The plunge lock was miserable and would slip leading to inconsistent tenon depths. Recently, I replaced it with the Festool 1400. It works like a charm. Mounting was easy and it can be removed from the jig in minutes. I can not recommend this router more enthusiastically. I would not be able to dedicate it to the jig, but if you are able to do so, I do not think that you would be disappointed. As for Porter Cable, I hope they learn something about routers from their association with Dewalt.
Good Luck
Rick
Today, I looked at both the Dewalt 621 and the Festoll 1400. The 621 is a nice router and I am sure it would be fine on the Leigh. The 1400 seemed intuitive and very smoothe and I could not resist it, so I bought it. I took the package deal and bought the Ct22 at the same time, mainly to go with another Festool sander I have. When I got home and put the cord winder attachment on the vac, it was clear someone had thought through the ergonomics of these types of things. I am was sold right there ... some things just make sense to some people, and I got the Festool thing. The engineering works for me ... it may not work for others who may not see the value, but I got the value and I hope the router will be useful for the FMT and other routing tasks that I can forsee. Thanks for the comments!
Glad you are pleased. I sure am.
Merry Christmas
Rick
I just bought the Akeda system after a demonstration of both the Leigh and Akeda at my local Woodcraft store and the experienced staff person used a Milwaukee router (about 1 hp) that he said he liked better for jigs than any others. It fit his hands very neatly, had a nice depth adjustment , was powerful enough to use on dovetails. etc. and I think sells for about $160. You might check it out as a possibility. I have the Bosch 1617EVS and just learning the jig so I can't comment about its use in that application yet but the Milwaukee was very impressive.
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