Fine Woodworking Gives OF2200 "Best Overall"

DavidCBaker

DavidCBaker

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Of the six 3+ HP routers they tested, the editors gave the "best overall" nod to the OF2200. In particular they noted:

--angled grips for better control

--dust collection "far and away" the best

--"flawless when routing edge profiles

--"smoothest plunge, best plunge lock, easy micro/macro height adjustments"

--edge guide is "superb"

--spindle brake

What they didn't like:

--hard to see bit when drop-down dust shroud is activated on deeper plunges

--accessories add another $300 to an "already lofty price"

Other models tested:

Bosch 1619EVS
Makita RP2301FC
Porter-Cable 7539
Triton TRA001
Freud FT3000VCE
DeWalt DW625
 
DavidCBaker said:
Of the six 3+ HP routers they tested, the editors gave the "best overall" nod to the OF2200. In particular they noted:

--angled grips for better control

--dust collection "far and away" the best

--"flawless when routing edge profiles

--"smoothest plunge, best plunge lock, easy micro/macro height adjustments"

--edge guide is "superb"

--spindle brake

What they didn't like:

--hard to see bit when drop-down dust shroud is activated on deeper plunges

--accessories add another $300 to an "already lofty price"

Other models tested:

Bosch 1619EVS
Makita RP2301FC
Porter-Cable 7539
Triton TRA001
Freud FT3000VCE
DeWalt DW625
Click to expand...

They should've tested those other 3HP + routers against the OF1400.  No one else makes a portable shaper (aka the 2200).  It's in a class of it's own
 
Just curious as to what the price points of the other routers were? 
Were any of them even over $450 street price? 
What accessories did they include?

I have not seen the article but will try to pick it up in the next couple days.

Best,
Todd
 
RonWen said:
DavidCBaker said:
Todd, the high price was $377 and the low was $225.  [eek]
Click to expand...

Was the 2200 the $377 high price?
Click to expand...

No, I was just listing the competitive models it was tested against. the Festool lists for ca. $800 PLUS the ca. $300 accessory kit.
 
In all the reviews they are in, it seems the only negatives they can come up with is the price!!

It is like comparing apples to oranges.
 
thats right they all get you there.... well not all of the ones tested will get you their based upon the of2200 features.

I used the 2200 at the router class and can't wait to get one myself, shortly. and it is in a class all by itself.  so therefore with all the features, added benefits, dust collection etc. then in my opionion it is the best value for the bucks and the least expensive overall..

how can that be?  time savings on cleanup, time savings by using the features it has to offer.  the speed to be able to do one pass where others would have to do 2-3 passes. etc. that is how.

so it is in a class all by itself!
 
Another neat thing in that issue of Fine Woodworking is the article "Sleek Console Made for Today's TVs".  The guy is actually doing the joinery with a Domino.  Nice to see the Domino mainstreamed in an article.
 
In all fairness dont forget there also was a Hitachi M12V2 which got the best value award. 

The only thing bad about this router was dust collection.

Not surprising since Festool is the best in that category for just about all their tools

Vijay
 
Those new Hitachis look like they hired a tennis shoe designer on drugs. I actually had a guy who is a psychiatrist tell me he couldn't bring one into his house for fear of his 2-year old needing therapy for the rest of his life if he saw it.

Tom
 
Jesse Cloud said:
Another neat thing in that issue of Fine Woodworking is the article "Sleek Console Made for Today's TVs".  The guy is actually doing the joinery with a Domino.  Nice to see the Domino mainstreamed in an article.
Click to expand...
That's not the only article where visual evidence of Festool on the job is there... :)
 
Tom Bellemare said:
Those new Hitachis look like they hired a tennis shoe designer on drugs. I actually had a guy who is a psychiatrist tell me he couldn't bring one into his house for fear of his 2-year old needing therapy for the rest of his life if he saw it.

Tom
Click to expand...
Hahaha.  I just lost a substantial amount of my coffee, thanks Tom.
 
Tom Bellemare said:
Those new Hitachis look like they hired a tennis shoe designer on drugs. I actually had a guy who is a psychiatrist tell me he couldn't bring one into his house for fear of his 2-year old needing therapy for the rest of his life if he saw it.

Tom
Click to expand...

Tom & Sean,

Out of curiosity I just looked.  You are correct.  It also looks like one of those Skeletor things.  [eek]

Neill
 
ive just orded a 2200  to find out they are out of stock, a loooong week wait for it from germany [crying]
 
What I like about Fine Woodworking is that they have a true respect and appreciation for power tools as well as hand tools. That is why you will often see their contributing editors using Festools as well as Lie Nielsen and Veritas hand tools.

Richard.
 
Neill said:
Tom Bellemare said:
Those new Hitachis look like they hired a tennis shoe designer on drugs. I actually had a guy who is a psychiatrist tell me he couldn't bring one into his house for fear of his 2-year old needing therapy for the rest of his life if he saw it.

Tom
Click to expand...

Tom & Sean,

Out of curiosity I just looked.  You are correct.  It also looks like one of those Skeletor things.   [eek]

Neill
Click to expand...

I think it's more of a Predator vibe.  Watch out Danny Glover.  I caught the tail end of that movie on TV the other day (the second one) and wow, it was so much better when I was 15 years old.  Holy cheesy
 
After so many years of reading reviews and subscriptions to all the woodworking magazines I have determined that many of the reviews(95%) and I do not care what magazine,are often skewed. They are too nice or not nice enough.

Magazines can not bad mouth or be totally honest in their opinion of tools or they would lose their advertising dollars.

Many tools I have used and loved have received bad ratings, others that get great reviews I have purchased and sold right away.

The only thing I get from reviews anymore is the thought "yea I agree with that or no way this reviewer is nuts". Only because I have tried these tools can I  actually take the reviews as meaningful. I

I can never take a review for a tool I have not used at face value. I stopped doing that long ago.

For example, before I used Festools I actually believed the reviews stating the Rotex was overpriced and not worth the money and believe me there were a lot of reviews along those lines. Once I used it I did not care how much more money it was, I thought the sander was the best I ever used.

I do steer people to reviews, the ones where I have tested most of the tools myself and actually agree with the results, that's about it.
 
nickao said:
After so many years of reading reviews and subscriptions to all the woodworking magazines I have determined that many of the reviews(95%) and I do not care what magazine,are often skewed. They are too nice or not nice enough.

Magazines can not bad mouth or be totally honest in their opinion of tools or they would lose their advertising dollars.

Many tools I have used and loved have received bad ratings, others that get great reviews I have purchased and sold right away.

The only thing I get from reviews anymore is the thought "yea I agree with that or no way this reviewer is nuts". Only because I have tried these tools can I  actually take the reviews as meaningful. I

I can never take a review for a tool I have not used at face value. I stopped doing that long ago.

For example, before I used Festools I actually believed the reviews stating the Rotex was overpriced and not worth the money and believe me there were a lot of reviews along those lines. Once I used it I did not care how much more money it was, I thought the sander was the best I ever used.

I do steer people to reviews, the ones where I have tested most of the tools myself and actually agree with the results, that's about it.
Click to expand...

Nick, I agree with you 100%.  I'm an ex downhill mountain bike racer, shop mechanic, shop manager, etc.  In other words, I was immersed in that world.  All of the knowledge and expertise that provides is priceless.  A result is the realization that reviews in magazines and most websites are skewed to make advertisers happy and geared more toward the lemmings.  I'd say 99% of you guys on this forum can pick that up due to the love and passion you have for the Festool line.  It gives you a unique understanding of the brand and it's tools, nothing a magazine review could even touch.  In most cases it allows you to see right through most reviews.

I can say this though.  The majority of us are happy that the line is getting more recognition.  It will only help Festool continue to develop the high quality and high value tools that we all know and appreciate.  Any press is good press and it's most likely ALWAYS good press for Fes.  I think we look at reviews like this like proud parents that "our" line is getting recognition.
 
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