OF 1400 vs OF 2200

[CarolinaNomad]

I have the MFK 700.  I figured the OF 2200 would be my other purchase, but the OF 2200 does not work with the LR32 system.  What are the differences in types of projects that I will be missing if I go with the OF 1400 over the OF 2200?

 

[erock]

The OF1400 takes 1/4", 8mm and 1/2" shaft bits.  The OF2200 takes 1/2".

The OF2200 has more power.  It's more of a production style router.  I think the OF1400 has enough power for just about any task.  Plenty of power.

The OF1400 is a sweet router.  It will work the the LR32 and the MFS system.  I bought the OF1400 because it had enough power for me and my needs.

I have my heavy duty work horse router (porter cable) in my router table.  If you want to use the LR32 then you need to look into the OF1010 or OF1400.

The OF2200 will not work with the LR32.  I think the OF1400 would go great with your MFK 700. 

Eric

 

[erock]

Some more food for thought......

The OF1400 ,  LR32 system and a 55" rail is $1110.  The OF2200 is $850.        [unsure]

Eric

 

[NuggyBuggy]

The dust collection on the 1400 is good, but the 2200 is incredible.  But the latter weighs a ton.

 

[hrrb]

....But the latter weighs a ton.

I got the OF1400 and I love it. I have never had any power problems. I use it both free hand and in the CMS system and I've used bits so large they could barely go trough the base plate! Of course I let the router chew up the wood in small bites...as always.

Before I went to the shop and bought the OF1400, I had seen a video with the OF2200 and decided: "Wow...that's the beast I want!"
But when I went to the shop to buy it I got a bit suprised over the weight...it's really a heavy piece of machinery! Okay I'm not a bodybuilder but I'm also not the weakest guy in the crowd!  [tongue]

Without owning an OF2200 I'd say that the OF1400 is much more versatile. Maybe someone owning both routers will throw in their 50 cents on that.

Kind regards
Henrik

 

[Stone Message]

I have both routers and have reviewed them both.

There is an implication in a post above that the OF2200 only takes the 1/2" collet - the OF1400 and OF2200 take the same range of collets and they are interchangeable.

If I were starting afresh I would get the OF1400 first as it is now my 'go to' router. It has bags of power, is really well made and (in the UK) comes with some great extra bits and pieces in the box. The OF 2200 is the most superb piece of engineering and is a joy to use. Yes it is heavier than the OF1400 but that weight is bourne by the surface of my wood as I do not do freehand routing in mid air. The dust collection of both routers is excellent but the OF2200 has the edge.

My ambition is to put my OF2200 in a CMS unit (I know that there are NAINA issues here) as it has the power to take the biggest of my cutters and work all day without a break. I will continue to keep the OF1400 next to my chair in front of the TV just in case I need cheering up!

Peter

 

[Kev]

My ambition is to put my OF2200 in a CMS unit (I know that there are NAINA issues here) as it has the power to take the biggest of my cutters and work all day without a break. I will continue to keep the OF1400 next to my chair in front of the TV just in case I need cheering up!

Peter

I have TV, computer, comfortable chair, etc out in my playroom workshop ... my wife calls me a Morlock

 

[sgryd]

I second Peter on this. I was ecstatic when I found a 2200 at 30% off. Now I have 1010, 1400 and 2200. But I always reach for the 1400. It's true that the weight of the 2200 is borne by the wood while routing. But everything in between means handling a quite heavy piece of equipment.

2200 has a marvelous dust extraction. This is one fact that has lead me to mount it in a table. A good router table needs suction at the collet. If you build a cage around the router you get a mess and dust is all over the router. The dust shroud on the 2200 is perfect for table use in my opinion.
//Michael

 

[CarolinaNomad]

Well, the LR 32 system is more important to me than the extra power provided by the 2200. 

So, what are the limits to the 1400 in regards to hardwoods or mdf?  I'm guessing that the 1400 could handle raised panels or cabinet door router bits easily in MDF but what about hardwoods? 

I know the 1400 combined with the CMS, can be used as a joiner, but to what thickness limit in hardwood?

 

[fastbike]

One generally doesn't want to take really large bites with any router. Multiple cuts usually give smoother results when doing things like large roundovers, raised panels etc.

 

[peter halle]

Well, the LR 32 system is more important to me than the extra power provided by the 2200. 

So, what are the limits to the 1400 in regards to hardwoods or mdf?  I'm guessing that the 1400 could handle raised panels or cabinet door router bits easily in MDF but what about hardwoods? 

I know the 1400 combined with the CMS, can be used as a joiner, but to what thickness limit in hardwood?

If you are looking to do raised panel doors - the most common large horizontal bits will not fit the 1400 nor the 1400 mounted in the CMS.  BUT vertical panel raising bits work well I have found in the 1400 in the CMS if you attach a supplemental fence for height.

Peter

 

[skids]

Well, the LR 32 system is more important to me than the extra power provided by the 2200. 

So, what are the limits to the 1400 in regards to hardwoods or mdf?  I'm guessing that the 1400 could handle raised panels or cabinet door router bits easily in MDF but what about hardwoods? 

I know the 1400 combined with the CMS, can be used as a joiner, but to what thickness limit in hardwood?

If you are looking to do raised panel doors - the most common large horizontal bits will not fit the 1400 nor the 1400 mounted in the CMS.  BUT vertical panel raising bits work well I have found in the 1400 in the CMS if you attach a supplemental fence for height.

Peter

Peter, will these raised panel bits fit in the 1010? I am not a router expert by any means, and probably wouldn't jump right into raised panels, but would be nice to know the router could do it.

I got brush up on the routers at some point. Seems this is the tool that will take it to a whole new level.

 

[CarolinaNomad]

If you are looking to do raised panel doors - the most common large horizontal bits will not fit the 1400 nor the 1400 mounted in the CMS.  BUT vertical panel raising bits work well I have found in the 1400 in the CMS if you attach a supplemental fence for height.

Peter
[/quote]

So, this is where the OF 2200 would shine on the CMS Table over the 1400, if and when the 2200 will be available on the CMS.

 

[semenza]

If you are looking to do raised panel doors - the most common large horizontal bits will not fit the 1400 nor the 1400 mounted in the CMS.  BUT vertical panel raising bits work well I have found in the 1400 in the CMS if you attach a supplemental fence for height.

Peter

So, this is where the OF 2200 would shine on the CMS Table over the 1400, if and when the 2200 will be available on the CMS.
[/quote]

Right, but this may or may not ever happen.

Seth

 

[mouppe]

Well, the LR 32 system is more important to me than the extra power provided by the 2200.  

So, what are the limits to the 1400 in regards to hardwoods or mdf?  I'm guessing that the 1400 could handle raised panels or cabinet door router bits easily in MDF but what about hardwoods?  

I know the 1400 combined with the CMS, can be used as a joiner, but to what thickness limit in hardwood?

If you are looking to do raised panel doors - the most common large horizontal bits will not fit the 1400 nor the 1400 mounted in the CMS.  BUT vertical panel raising bits work well I have found in the 1400 in the CMS if you attach a supplemental fence for height.

Peter

There is an easy workaround for this that enables you to use 3 1/2" panel-raising bits in an OF1400 in a CMS. I mentioned it in another thread some time ago. Clamp a 1/4" piece of plywood or MDF to the CMS with a hole cut out in the middle to accommodate the bit. It is a little tricky to insert the bit into the OF1400 from above the CMS table but it can be done.

Now with the bit at the correct final height, start your routing. Note that you have to move the fence incrementally instead of raising the bit as you would normally do. But the end result is the same and you still take small cuts.

I should add that this is a totally safe procedure and the bit is still fully seated in the collet.

 

[hhh]

I've got every router/trimmer that FT makes as well as 8 routers from different MFGs.  The 2200 is really in a class by itself.  The heft, DC, power, etc make it a different animal from the 1400 and most other routers...  If at all possible, i'd try both at a woodcraft (or something similar) prior to deciding for yourself...  As a side note, i don't think you can just have a 2200 -- there are many tasks where it's just 'too much tool' for the job.

 

[Jalvis]

You probably are sold on the LR32 but if I were willing to drill one hole at a time then there are better options.  Consider the following:

http://toolguyd.com/veritas-vs-woodpeckers-shelf-pin-drilling-jig/

After using all the Festool Routers the true master (in my opinion) is the 2200.  The pure fact that the dust shroud is integrated separates it from all the others.  I like how the hose connection is vertical when in use and you can see the bit when you start and then close the shroud.  Anyone who has done solid surface knows the importance of a powerful motor for clean cuts and fewer passes.  The Handle configuration is also important to me....really comfortable and the trigger start is great.  I know people complain about the weight but I'm yet to route in a vertical or overhead position.  Weight is also important for large bits.

Its important to note that any router that can fit the bit can most likely cut the profile.  One just has to make more passes.  The advantage of large motors is less passes or single passes with clean cuts.  Thats the advantage of a shaper.....large profile....single pass.

   

 

[CarolinaNomad]

You probably are sold on the LR32 but if I were willing to drill one hole at a time then there are better options.  

I'm sold on the LR32 not just because of the shelf pins but also boring hinge cups and the easy of use on multiple doors and shelves.  After watching Brice Burrell's video at the Festool Training class using the parallel guides and the LR32 system, I was sold.  I could mass produce shelf pins and bore hinge cups without constantly setting up the configuration/registration. 

It's kind of like the Parallel Guides, I'm sold on them because they can be used for multiple tasks, ie ripping sheet goods to routing dadoes to the above mentioned method.  My hope was to be able to minimize the amount of tools needed.  But it is becoming more clearer that I will buy the OF 1400 and put the OF 2200 on the wish list.

And as for the dust, it is a shame that the 1400 doesn't handle the dust as well as the 2200.  Dust is one of the reasons why I'm selling my bosch router, that and it doesn't work with the LR32 System.  But from the YouTube videos, it doesn't seem to bad from the top view of the CMS Table.  Not sure what it looks like under neath the CMS Table.

 

[tbellemare]

With the CMS, you have dust extraction from the router underneath and from the top by the bit. It gets almost all of the dust and certainly the fine stuff.

Tom

 

[semenza]

The DC on the 1400 is actually very good for most operations. Not saying the 2200 isn't better but it isn't like the DC on the 1400 is bad. Use the D36 hose with the top mount shroud.  I have no trouble getting almost all the dust when edge routing. Make sure the dust  cup is rotated forward to stop chips from blowing out the front.

For dado routing ... the groove is often filled with dust and chips that need to be sucked out, but no dust is being flung around the shop.

The shroud that attaches to the edge guide , however, does not work well at all.  For me that is no big deal since I almost never use the edge guide for routing on an outside edge.  Routing with the edge guide on the interior of the work piece I just use the top mount shroud.

Seth