Has anyone compared the Festool OF 2200 to the Makita RP2301FC Router?

[LagomWare]

Have a large two story timbered deck job and a big attached pergola style carport to build later this month and am considering another big router. The only mortises are for braces; deck rim's get half lapped into 6x6 or 8x8 posts. I use the Makita 3Hp plunger router for housing and cleaning up mortises but will need to run another tool as well to keep up with workflow as I am hiring another carpenter-- so another router would be nice. Money isn't really an issue on this job so I'm considering the OF 2200.

Is the OF 2200 that much more powerful than the Makita? The Makita is 2100 watts @ 15amps. People say the OF 2200 is a portable shaper? Can I expect similar performance for wasting out mortises and housings with the OF 2200? Dust collection to clear mortises of chips is big factor.

any help appreciated. Thanks!

 

[blaszcsj]

I had the makita, sold it and purchased the 2200. The makita is a good router and has plenty of power for any job. Dust collection mediocre (afterthought) and availability of accessories is low. The ergonomics and general function and ease of use put these two routers worlds apart. The makita is like driving a mustang and the 2200 is like driving a Bugatti. All the power and gobbs of comfort. It is single handily my favorite router to use.

 

[LagomWare]

I had the makita, sold it and purchased the 2200. The makita is a good router and has plenty of power for any job. Dust collection mediocre (afterthought) and availability of accessories is low. The ergonomics and general function and ease of use put these two routers worlds apart. The makita is like driving a mustang and the 2200 is like driving a Bugatti. All the power and gobbs of comfort. It is single handily my favorite router to use.

I work onsite and do not have a shop, do you feel that the OF 2200 is robust enough to handle the strain of the job site? or is this router better left in a shop?
Thanks

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I’m a big fan of Makita, and own a few of their routers no issues but, in honesty, if I were going out to buy a powerful router tomorrow, I would go with the OF 2200 no question.

 

[blaszcsj]

I had the makita, sold it and purchased the 2200. The makita is a good router and has plenty of power for any job. Dust collection mediocre (afterthought) and availability of accessories is low. The ergonomics and general function and ease of use put these two routers worlds apart. The makita is like driving a mustang and the 2200 is like driving a Bugatti. All the power and gobbs of comfort. It is single handily my favorite router to use.

I work onsite and do not have a shop, do you feel that the OF 2200 is robust enough to handle the strain of the job site? or is this router better left in a shop?
Thanks

The 2200 would have no issues in the field. It is on the heavy side but it lends itself to being super stable during use.

 

[rst]

I still have two PC 7518s...one in a router table.  Had the big Bosch and the big Makita...now own two 2200s.  The Festool routers are sooo much smoother than any of the others.  I have thirteen routers over all and the Festools are hands down the best from 40 years experience.

 

[LagomWare]

I’m a big fan of Makita, and own a few of their routers no issues but, in honesty, if I were going out to buy a powerful router tomorrow, I would go with the OF 2200 no question.

I like Makita a lot as well--But the 3 1/8" plunge depth on the OF 2200 has me intrigued-- how does everyone feel about the base on this tool, with all the removable parts does it feel thin or hollow? If it took a spill would the base mechanisms fall apart? Can it be used efficiently like any other router without the $400 plus base kit?

Dust extraction-- when cleaning up a large mortise do you guys find that the OF 2200 keeps the mortise free of chips? Is the "suction chamber" part of it pretty effective in other words?
Thanks again

 

[LagomWare]

Also does anyone know of other "3hp" routers that have a soft start and brake?

 

[rljatl]

Dust extraction-- when cleaning up a large mortise do you guys find that the OF 2200 keeps the mortise free of chips? Is the "suction chamber" part of it pretty effective in other words?
Thanks again

Doesn't the router bit style have moreto do with chip extraction than anything else?

The 2200 is used throughout this video.  Lots of good tips.  Fast forward to about ~24:30 to see how clean the mortise turned out.

mortise with the 2200

 

[blaszcsj]

The 2200 feels anything but thin and hollow. Everything about it is smooth and refined. The base mechanism is solid and will not pop out without being mechanically opened. As far as it falling off a table, I do not think any router would be safe from damage.

The router can be used as any standard plunge router could be used. I have not purchased the router base kit myself. I purchased a MicroFence. It is an aftermarket router fence and can be mounted to any router using different adapter plates.

I’m a big fan of Makita, and own a few of their routers no issues but, in honesty, if I were going out to buy a powerful router tomorrow, I would go with the OF 2200 no question.

I like Makita a lot as well--But the 3 1/8" plunge depth on the OF 2200 has me intrigued-- how does everyone feel about the base on this tool, with all the removable parts does it feel thin or hollow? If it took a spill would the base mechanisms fall apart? Can it be used efficiently like any other router without the $400 plus base kit?

Dust extraction-- when cleaning up a large mortise do you guys find that the OF 2200 keeps the mortise free of chips? Is the "suction chamber" part of it pretty effective in other words?
Thanks again

 

[LagomWare]

Has anyone experienced the MMM electronics in the OF 2200 playing funny games like in the TS saws when they're working hard?

I see that the collet plunges below the base 10mm, so with a straight bit that means the plunge is still only 70mm because the collet would be hitting the work if it went passed the base-- because its larger in diameter than a 1/2" bit. So realistically the plunge is still 2 3/4" just like Makita.

Has anyone timed the wind down with the spindle brake? Or experienced it fluctuate because its magnetic? When the router is hot does the wind down take longer?

 

[polarsea1]

That router doesn't look much different that the Makita 3612B (square base model) I had 35 years ago, I used to turn it upside down in my vise and use it as a small router table (when I was younger and bulletproof). I do like that 2200.