Mr Parfitt and Mr Marcel set my mind on a OF2200 but......

[festoolviking]

Hi

I've been thinking about getting a bigger router, got the OF1010. Browsing thru the FOG and the rest of the net for reviews and opinions. Don't know how many times I've been watching Peter and Pauls reviews and finally I'm convinced... I NEED A 2200 !

I still got a few questions:

My budget is limited so I can't afford the accessory-kit for the moment. For you who have got it what parts of it do you use the most? And what parts do you rarely use? Which ones are a must-have?

Here in Sweden the router comes with a 8mm collet and a 12mm collet. 12mm bits are not that common so I'm going to check with my Festool-rep (if I dare) weather I can change it for a "half-inch" (no pun Paul... or ??? ) It seems to be pretty easy to get hold of half inch bits from the UK for me. And if I get some decent ones from the UK I'd better treat them with a good router. (right Peter, isn't that what you said in the review)  [wink]

I don't have a 36mm hose for my vacs yet, is that a must or will the 27mm hose be ok for a start?

All opinions are welcome

Festoolviking

 

[mouppe]

The 36mm hose will be considerably better than the 27mm hose in coping with the quantity and size of chips that the 2200 can create.

Most of the time I use my router in a table but when I use it free-hand, I use the table widening base most.

 

[Kev]

I'd hate to be paying full price for individual OF2200 accessories ... to my math the kit is an extremely good deal and the only reason I wouldn't make it a priority was if I intended to either leave the OF2200 upside down in a CMS module or if I only had a very specific and dedicated use case that didn't require any of the accessories.

Can't you just hold out a bit for the kit?

 

[festoolviking]

Kev

I might have been a bit unclear about the accessory kit. My plan is to eventually get the kit seperately. Unless someone talks me out of certain parts of it. Then I might just get the fence and rods. 
The difference between the OF2200-EB-Set and the OF2200-EB-Plus is pretty much the price for the accessory kit. Infact the difference in buying the "set" or the "plus & kit" is the cost for the SYS3 that the kit comes in. 
If I decide to buy the kit later on I might end up with two fences which might come in handy for some applications or jig-contraptions. Might have to sleep on this one.............

RL

Since I haven't got that many big bits for routing yet, wouldn't the 27mm hose be enough for the chips the smaller bits produce?

Festoolviking

 

[PaulMarcel]

Sorry for the cost upgrade

The 27mm hose will be fine to start out; if you are routing big chips, they may get caught up in the hose inlet, but you'll know while routing when the dust collection starts to fail.  Stop, clear the jam, keep going.  It isn't like the chips are big like plane shavings.

In the accessory kit, the stepped base to put on the guide rail is great.  Until that time, double-stick tape 2 5mm Dominos to one side of the regular base when you need to. I do this all the time with the MFK-700 and eventually set the bandsaw fence according to the Domino and ran scrap through to make a more permanent skate.  hmm, I think I documented that on my blog... if not, it is stilling in a neglected drafts folder.

Before rushing to buy the rods and fence, how often do you use the edge guide? I use it, but I could live without it most of the time with bearing-guided bits for edge work.

The router is fantastic.  Yeah, it's heavy, but I actually like that a lot especially when I was running it on a ramp in the Tim Burton Table build. The weight kept it where I wanted it, not so much where the bit wanted to send it.

 

[mouppe]

It's not so much the size of the chips as the volume. If you are using the OF2200 to its full capacity you can take much larger passes than with other less powerful routers leading to far more sawdust. The 36mm hose can handle this better than the 27mm hose but as Paul said, if you go a little slower you'll be fine.

 

[Kev]

Kev

I might have been a bit unclear about the accessory kit. My plan is to eventually get the kit seperately. Unless someone talks me out of certain parts of it. Then I might just get the fence and rods.  
The difference between the OF2200-EB-Set and the OF2200-EB-Plus is pretty much the price for the accessory kit. Infact the difference in buying the "set" or the "plus & kit" is the cost for the SYS3 that the kit comes in.  
If I decide to buy the kit later on I might end up with two fences which might come in handy for some applications or jig-contraptions. Might have to sleep on this one.............

RL

Since I haven't got that many big bits for routing yet, wouldn't the 27mm hose be enough for the chips the smaller bits produce?

Festoolviking

Two fences is a great option! Worth having.

 

[cliffp]

I noticed that FFX in the UK have a good deal on the OF2200 set (no affiliation):

http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/4014549153833%20festool%20574395%20router%20-%20of%202200%20eb-set%20gb%20240v

This also includes the 1/2" collet (but not the 8mm I think). You probably wouldn't want to buy from the UK but its just a thought.

 

[barnowl]

Why skip past the 1400?

It has 3 collets, 1/4", 8mm, and 1/2".

And is very, very capable.

I don't have a 2200, but I do have the 1400 and all accesories, including the 37 mm hose, (which is a must),

and I'm betting that I never came near the price of the 2200.

I just don't see the need for THAT much power in a hand held, as you're NOT going to be swinging 3-1/2" bits in it.

I use wide bits in my router table.

JMHO

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Festool Viking

I seem to be a little late on this one...

When I reviewed the OF2200 I considered it to be one of the best bits of engineering to come out of the Festool factory - perhaps second only or almost equal to the big DF700 Domino. But it is a machine that needs some serious woodwork to justify the cost. I was give the OF1400 for Christmas last year and that router is a real jack of all trades with bags of guts. The dust collection is not as efficient as the 2200 and not integrated quite so well but even so it is really nice to handle. It also comes with a very good set of accessories and the only thing that I would find useful would be the guide rail attachment thingy.

But, if you are certain that the 2200 is for you then do get the accessory kit as you will otherwise run the risk of wanting some parts later and you could end up spending more money as a result. I have used the guide rail base and the side fence quite a bit. I agree with Paul that the 27mm hose will do to start with but the 36mm is a must have bit of kit for this, the TS saws and workshop cleanups.

Assuming you have not bought anything yet why not have a look at the various OF1400 videos (Paul's and mine) as the money that you save will get you loads more green kit.

Peter

 

[sancho57]

Well I may hotdogs better then I know routers, But you can get by w/o the accessory kit. It does come in handy sometimes. But for the most part I can do with out it

 

[festoolviking]

Thanks for all replies. I've been considering the 1400 aswell but since I already got the 1010 it feels that the 1400 is "just" a more powerful 1010. And all features on the 1400 is available on the 2200 but with even more power. The difference in price isn't that big if I skip the accessory kit (for now) and I don't want the kit to influence my choice. I believe the 1010 and 2200 will be a good combo and can't really see when I will miss the 1400 with that combo.

In the future my 1010 will probably be upgraded with a LR32 kit and a VS600, and what I understand the 1010 is the best option for those applications.

For edge-trimming I've got the OFK-700 which is why I don't need any accessories for that to my router.

A CMS is always on my mind aswell but can't be justified for the moment since I've already got a tablesaw and a homemade router-table that's doing the job. But when that day comes it would be nice to have a 2200 to put in it, not having to worry about bit size and power.

I also like the ergonomics of the 2200 with the two handles and 30 degree offset. Aswell for the weight for extra balance.

As for the accessory-kit Paul made a good point about skipping the fence since I might use bits with guide-bearings the most. And since I also got my eyes on the MFS which will work with the 30mm templet-guide included.

[scratch chin]

I'm in no rush to my Festool-dealer so I will have more time on my hand to toss and turn in my bed over this topic.

Festoolviking

 

[Kev]

I have the 1010 and 1400 ... they're very different.

I've been fence sitting on the OF2200 & TS75 + modules - if I can do something about space I may go down the Hammer saw + spindle moulder path), though I'll probably still get the 2200 as it's one of the last few Festools I'd need to get (unless they bring out new stuff or I need to do walls).

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Love the OF2200 and accessory kit -- really good value.  If adding an accessory kit later, I think I would start with an edge-guide first and then use two edge guides with the accessory kit for certain applications like grooving and mortising.  I use a couple of the bases and the snap in feature is awesome.  I would probably hold off on these until you get the accessory kit.  The edge guide is a must have accessory for routing in my opinion and I use two all the time.  I also have the 1010 and think that the two router combination covers most every hand-routing task. 

Scot

 

[Thistleman]

Hello Festoolviking,

I started off with an OF2200, great machine and so smooth and powerful but just to big for some work. Tried an OF1400, so good I now have 2 to cut down on bit changes. OF1400 is now my preferred router unless I am using big bits or need to make deep passes. For 90% of my projects (cabinets and furniture) the extra power of OF2200 is unnecessary. Sidehandle on OF1400 felt odd to start with but I now wonder why other routers do not use this feature, it really improves controlability.

Regards

Thistleman

 

[tiralie]

Don't know how many times I've been watching Peter and Pauls reviews and finally I'm convinced... I NEED A 2200 !

What are you planing to use it for?

I use mine and some of the accessories often.
For example I use the 2200 when I use the ply prep router bit to add a solid edge to veneered chipboard or plywood. Because of the way the bit is designed you can only take one pass.
In one pass, it edges 3/4" chipboard  like it was butter and there is very little dust.
I have used half the accessories, (I like the split base) and the kit keeps everything organized which is good for me.

Tim

 

[Stone Message]

Whilst we wait for the answer to that....

This thread has reminded me - I really would like to meet up with (and have a beer or two of course) with Paul Marcel.

Long haul air travel is a bit tough for me with my joints (BTW - Jobsworth I mean my knees and elbows) so Paul has to come to this side of The Pond.

Anyone else like to join us for a beer in 2014?

Peter

Oops - wrong thread - it should be on the 'Who is your Festool or Woodworking hero that you would like to meet' - sorry!

 

[Peter Durand]

Whilst we wait for the answer to that....

This thread has reminded me - I really would like to meet up with (and have a beer or two of course) with Paul Marcel.

Long haul air travel is a bit tough for me with my joints (BTW - Jobsworth I mean my knees and elbows) so Paul has to come to this side of The Pond.

Anyone else like to join us for a beer in 2014?

Peter

Where are you situated in England?

Cheers,

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

Where are you situated in England?

Cheers,

Peter

Please see my addition above - I put this on the wrong thread!

About 30 minutes from central London.

 

[sancho57]

I have the 1010 and 1400 ... they're very different.

I've been fence sitting on the OF2200 & TS75 + modules - if I can do something about space I may go down the Hammer saw + spindle moulder path), though I'll probably still get the 2200 as it's one of the last few Festools I'd need to get (unless they bring out new stuff or I need to do walls).

Kev ,

I got te 2200 module its a beast, awesome, I only got te 1010 and 2200 routers. As far as routers they are all I need.  I just got the  TS 75 and getting the CMS module next week.

If you get the CMS module, look into getting the frnce for it (stopper). Here they recommend getting the one for the prescio 70. It has a micro adj on it. Makes it more like a true table saw.

I also heard , havent tried it or seen it, that it can mount to the MFT as a straight edge as well.

Ill find out when I plae my prder and get my hands on them next week.