They did .........................  it's called the 1400.   

   Sorry, couldn't resist. 

Seth

They did .........................  it's called the 1400.   

   Sorry, couldn't resist. 

Seth

Grrrrrr. That’s another $600+++++ 😂

Running screws in and out of the casting is just a not a good idea IMHO.

You're right...   It's always amazed me why Festool seems incapable of incrementally improving the quality of their products. It seems like once the product is released, the product needs to soldier on for years and years before any improvements are made. Ya, they're a small manufacturer and ya they may change the type of Systainer the product is delivered in but the product itself goes into a state of dormancy and the product with its flaws produced in 2005 is the same product produced in 2020 with the very same flaws. Why is that?

I own both Norton & Bultaco motorcycles manufactured circa 1970's. They all have aluminum castings and most (British & Spanish to put things into perspective) of the tapped holes have factory Helicoil inserts...these things were invented in the 50's so why not adapt them to a fragile aluminum casting manufactured in the 90's?

Having designed equipment for over 40 years, Festool could easily approach Helicoil and request an RFQ for 20,000+ Helicoils that would fit the 1010 router. A price would be agreed upon and then Festool would need to establish the manufacturing costs to implement the improvement. Once into production, I'll guarantee the cost to Festool will be less than $2 per router. This really is a no-brainer.

Interestingly enough...the DF 500 has Helicoil inserts in the base so this is not an unknown/foreign technology for Festool.

Festool only seems to make 'cough' improvements  only when they are seemingly forced to.

TS55 safety issues
Kapex motor
Vecturo plug-it going away
The New Impact

To be fair, the bluetooth on the CTs was clever and the 2nd spine on the guide rails was an improvement.

German brands usually are slow, very slow. They also believe that when first designed a product they have done it impeccably. And they often do, but aftermarket isn’t something they are hugely aware of. Therefore their biggest limitations are the ignorance of consumer feedback. I’m actually surprised that they can hold their market when there’s seemingly a large amount of resourceful competitors out there. Their strength lies in focusing on user features and user friendliness, along with some ingenuity and usually high quality.
Combine that with what Festool hopefully continues - make their tools a part of a system.
I guess FT’s drive towards a small segment of the market makes them less exposed for competitors interest - “Let FT do what they do, and we’ll handle the rest” - “Altough we’re watching”

Quote

Combine that with what Festool hopefully continues - make their tools a part of a system.

Increasingly they aren't doing a very good job of this.  At least from an end user standpoint. 

Their "system" is more in name these days.  There are two 12v battery "systems"  Some tools don't have plug-it. Some don't have or never got the clean-tec fitting.  The new systainer "system" really isn't all that compatible with the the current one either. 

Quote

I guess FT’s drive towards a small segment of the market makes them less exposed for competitors interest - “Let FT do what they do, and we’ll handle the rest”

And what segment would that be ?  Seems to me they have competition all around.  The big players have everything except an edgebander as far as I can see.

Naah, they haven’t really thought enough of their battery/fit strategy, seems odd.
I know some of their tools demands higher current than what the PlugIt connector allows.  So they will be equipped with fixed wire. (Ie: OF2200)

I think their “finesse” within portability is what their narrow segment is. Features competitors doesn’t really have. Their CS pull saws (I spoken to many professionals that has either a CS 50 or CS 70 as permanent standard tool in their vans, and they wouldn’t part or be without them) HK saws, routers with their useful accessories (for those who see the benefit), drills who are favoured by electricians and fitters. Dust collectors are of course a strength of FT.

It will be interesting to see how many of those who work on sites who will buy the TKS 80 saw.. it is big compared to CS 70, with only 10mm more capacity, and a hefty weight of nearly 40kg. To shift this saw in and out of their vans, parting their CS 50/70? The Saw Stop is the only new feature of this saw, with largely added bulk, weight and more importantly missing the pull saw feature.

You're right...   It's always amazed me why Festool seems incapable of incrementally improving the quality of their products. It seems like once the product is released, the product needs to soldier on for years and years before any improvements are made.

I wouldn’t say “incapable”, as there have been numerous changes to the TS 55. Some have been major and promoted by Festool, such as the flat cover plate, but others have been smaller but still impactful like the fine adjust depth stop, split depth scale for use on and off the guide rail, 45 degree bevel stop with bypass, adjustable 0 degree bevel stop with bypass, improved wear strips/slop adjusting cams, and dust port to name the some off the top of my head.

No plug-it connector for the RAS 115.  Seems like an easy fix?

Like this?

The Plug it on the Vecturo seems backward? It was there, then removed?

Chris Wong, that is more of an "adapt by customer" then an improvement by the manufacturer. I do like your the idea, but I haven't been able to source the plug though. I've seen it on the UK website, but that doesn't help in the US

On topic:

It would be nice if the next generation of a small router would support BOTH a quick-change approach the OF1400+ does AND an option for screw-on/center-able base attachments.
Not sure there is a way to do this, but losing the precision capability of the screw-on system will likely remove Festool from contention from many precision-focused buyers. I do not see Festool abandoning this market - its core market - so either a "can do both" solution will be needed or we will need to live with the small router being a "precision tool" at the cost of flexibility.

Off topic:

You're right...   It's always amazed me why Festool seems incapable of incrementally improving the quality of their products

Incremental tool improvements are (economically) antithetical to a tool longevity and especially the long-term tool spares availability.
You can have either or.

There are a plenty of companies our there which do incremental tool improvements and whose support/spare parts availability (and/or cost) is aligned to that. It make no sense for Festool to compete in that market.

Many may see it other way, but this long-term support is a big retainer and value adder for Festool. Heavily restricting the quantity of produced models is the only way it can be (economically) sustained.

Some beancounter somewhere will say that creating one more SKU will cost $1000 per year and it not justifies the cost.

Quote from: StevoWevo on February 23, 2020, 03:00 AM

I like the router but FT needs a way to make the chip deflector and base plates tool free quick detach attach. Running screws in and out of the casting is just a not a good idea IMHO.

Fair point, but at least it allows for a template insert to be centered, unlike the 1400.

Bob

Bob is absolutely right. I do a fair amount of template work where the guide bush needs to be centred to the cutter and screws are essential. The OF1400 does not have this luxury which is a pity.

Peter