Hi, I have been reading some thread from last Spring about the OF2200.  It appears that a few people were going to review the product later in the year.  Has anyone done any kind of review on this router?

Thanks.  There was only one review for the OF2200 that I could find and it was a magazine article.  I was looking more for the user type review.

Hey Chris if you work with solid surface Eagle has some good solid surface bits that normally go for 110.00 for 20.00!

Here is one:

http://eagleamerica.com/solid-surface-ogee-bowl-bit/p/43910/

Here is another.  88.00 for 10.00:

http://eagleamerica.com/solid-surface-topmount-bowl-cutout-bit/p/43936/

I have used these Porter Cable bits and I like them a lot!

They had more but it looks like they may have sold them, sometimes Eagle hides the good stuff so poke around a little.

The of 2200 router is the beefiest router on the market today, Hands down. It does have a beefy price to go with it though. It is the most versatile for heavy duty operation and the quick change base plates are a dream come true for multiple operations.

The dust collection really rocks and gets the job done in some tough situations.  Even running 1'' bullnose bits without the lower dust guard it still gets 95% of the crud throw off.

I dropped a brand new huge $375 custom router bit while taking the goo off. After it bounced off the concrete and took a big chunk of carbide off of one wing(Youuuch),  I had no choice but to run the bit as there was no time to have another made or have it repaired. ( I do not recommend or advise anyone to run a damaged bit for safety's sake) but the 2200 had enough heft and so balanced that it absorbed the vibrations of the off balanced bit and was able to get the job done with out a hiccup and get the job out on time. I would not even considered this with any other router, but I said this things got beef, WTH.  I did not having to make that proverbial phone call saying there is a problem and I'm going to be late. Therefore I was able to  keep this demanding contractors schedule and not be backcharged.

For production and heavy duty long runs it can't be beat. I've seen many other H.D. routers burn up (literally, FLAME ON!!!!) and this router just purrs through these tasks effortlessly
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The only drawbacks I have seen so far is how to mount it in a router table with easy hieght changes.

Otherwise this a more akin to a hand held shaper that can run large bits with ease and effortlessly.

A must have for anyone doing solid surface or running big bits.

Thats my Opinion so far, this is one seriously H.D. router in its own class.

Why put an OF 2200 in a router table anyway? It is NOT a draw back at all. It is designed to be a stable large hand held router, not a table mounted router.

What current does it pull? I imagine it pulls 15 amps, or it would pop the breaker. Many routers pull 15 amps meaning it is not more powerful than them, simple electronics. Now PC make industrial routers that are 240V and actually are more powerful than the regular consumer models and would run at 20 amps if it were in a 110V circuit, so really there are more powerful routers made, just not for hand held use and not for 110V systems.

The benefit is that this router can run huge bits and be stable as a hand held, something no other 15 amp router can do. So the entire point of this monster router is to run huge bits  in a hand held position, in a table it just  becomes another 15 amp router. Any 15 amp router can swing a 3 or 4 inch bit IN A TABLE.

Actually, my old Hitachi was measured at 17 amps and blew many 15 amp circuits years ago when they first came out, so they reduced the routers strength and the newer ones did not pop the 15 amp circuits very often.

Now if someone says this Festool router runs at more than 15 amps and a 20 amp circuit is required than it would be a little more powerful than most routers in a table, but I have seen the thing run on a 15 amp circuit so that is not the case. So I do not care what the watts are or the calculations if the thing does not pop a 15 amp circuit, it is a 15 amp unit and pulls the same current as my 625 DeWalt. 15 amps is 15 amps no matter the efficiency of the unit.

So do not waste this thing in a table it defeats the entire purpose of it. There are just as powerful routers made, just not any yet that can run HUGE bits hand held. Again a table is a waste for this router.

That's why it is tough to put this router in a table, it never was designed nor intended for that.

One heck of a gorgeous machine! I would not want to hide it any way! I would show it off!       

Nickao

I say if you need a hand held router that can run the biggest bits, the OF2200 is for you! I can see it come in handy for stair making, big railings, some exterior deck and gazebo work and some other things like solid surface, etc. I would love to make a railing cap in one pass instead of three, if they designed the bit I needed to do it, like some shaper cutters are designed to!

     I have never routed a panel from the top and don't think I ever would.  It is so easy to mount a router under a table and by the way I see it conciderably safer.  Not to mention tenon on rail and style.
                                                                                 C Hughes

Safety is key, anytime you're spinning a bit the size needed for a raised panel, use a table.  Most catalogs will guide you as to which bits are designed for table use only.  If it doesn't "feel" right don't do it.

The OF 2200 IS designed to run in a router table - as are the other two Festool routers - but it's the Festool router table insert (I know everyone will say its NAINA...)  I only have the old model table, but I believe the new one can be height adjusted from above.  They are expensive though and maybe Festool feel there is too much router table competition in the US.  I don't know how the OF2200 attaches, but my 1010 Festool router takes a couple of minutes to fit to the table.  If someone could get a drawing of the Festool setup it should be easy to see how.  Having said that, those of you who know more than I do on this thread are saying it's a waste to put it in a table.  I want to get one to do just that as my small Festool router is a bit TOO small to be in a table in my view.  I've "ogled" the 2200, but as I'm in the process of spending a fortune on a horizontal slot mortiser (a sort of giant horizontal router in a way?) it will have to wait.

The OF 2200 draws 2200 watts maximum. That's about 19 amps.

Due to the MMC electronics with the soft start, it is highly unlikely that you will ever do anything to cause that much current draw unless you have done something where you would want it to stop anyway.

The OF 1400 is a 1400 watt machine, the OF 1010 is 1010 watts.

Being the latest plunge router introduction by Festool, the OF 2200 has all of the latest and greatest Festool features. Just like the OF 1400 improved on the features of the OF 1010, the OF 2200 improved on them both.

I agree, Nick. It is like a hand-held shaper. It can also be a mounted shaper, though.

It is a good idea to get the accessory kit, either the Metric Accessory Kit for OF 2200 or the Imperial Accessory Kit for OF 2200.


Tom

Jesus,

Almost all of the people (myself included) who attended the Festool Fantasy Camp in Henderson NV in April 2008 asked that question when the OF 2200 was introduced to us.  We did not get any answers then, but the Festool personnel certainly listened to our remarks.  I haven't heard any "noise" about a revised OF 1400.  Maybe others have.

Personally, I'd be much more excited if Festool would update the 1010 router along the 2200 design concepts, including addition of 1/2 shank capability.  Many times I find myself having to use my OF 1400 because I have a relatively small 1/2 inch shank bit that fits the job, and the greater weight and height of the OF 1400 makes it difficult to balance and control.

Dave R.

I have not seen or used the 2200 but am sure it is awesome - and I crave one!! From what you said, if it was me I would purchase the 1400 and also something like the PC 7518 for router table use. This would approximately equal the price of a 2200 and give you 2 setups with more capabilities. I can't imagine trying to work with only one router. The time benefits of having multiple routers even in hobby use is tremendous. I have used my 7518 handheld with huge bits while it was still hanging in my router lift. The additional mass of the lift allowed very comfortable usage with a roundover bit that was about 3 1/4" diameter.
Pete

Hey guys, let's get back to the original question.  Has anyone used the OF2200 and would be willing to share their thoughts with us.  I appreciate everyone's opinions and experience.  I realize that a shaper, multiple routers, other routers, etc offer greater flexibility, but I'm pretty set on my ways and have very little space.  I want one hand held router that can be mounted under a table in rare occasions when I want to spin panel and door bits.  This is a hobby for me.  I don't need a production machine or setup, and I only like buying tools that will be used frequently.  I don't think I will be using a router table and a hand held frequently.  Hence, I only need one optimized for hand held use, but with the flexibility to sit under a table.  After many weeks of research I'm looking at the OF2200 or OF1400.    I will rephrase my question.  Has anyone done used door or cabinet panel bits (1 1/2"-2" range) with the OF-1400 and done this safely, perhaps at the expense of additional passes to get the profile?

BTW, both the OF1400 and OF2200 can be used under a table.  Festool has a router table attachment currently not available in NA.  I don't believe that this qualifies these router to be designed for table use, but capable of it with optimized features for hand held us.

Cheers,

JGA.

   How the  much is that table?!?  LOve it, get me two please.                C Hughes

  I would agree with that Nick, but I'm looking at the table.  Very nice design.  I have a Jesum Master Lift and I love the vertical control it allows and the top placement of the adjuster tool.  However, this set-up is mounted under my delta unisaw and not a great design for stick and cope applications.  I would not remove my current lift, I would use a better station for a more difficult opperation.  The big plus is that it looks cool.  I might have a job in Scottland this summer, so I'll be putting my grubby little hands if all goes well.                     C Hughes