OF 2200 Router: Member Feedback

[Terp]

Terp,

Its not larger than my 2300 watt Dewalt DW626.

I am sure the OF2200 is much better build and has more gadgets and I would love to own one but it will be around double the price of my Dewalt and its doing fine so far.

  I didn't know that Dewalt made a router at 2300 watts.  Wow.  I do know that I never liked the sound of any of my Dewalt equipment (listen to their biscuit joiners!), but a plunge router usually doesn't get pulled out & used the most.  I'm sure the Dewalt is a workhorse at 2300 watts though.  Yet, I must say the Festool OF 2000 is a great machine.  Quality all around.  I'll probably never kill it, & that makes the OF 2000, at $430.00, a bargain.  It feels good in hand, & sounds real good, never bogging under load.  I will say also, that I never saw a plunge router that really thrilled me before this one.  The OF 1010 & 1400, likewise, are great routers.  I own the 1400 & use it alot more than the OF 2000, even though I still need the pc routers in my shop.  A fixed base has a lower center of gravity, for one hand use, & less moving parts in general.  They will always have a place in my shop.  Their cheaper to replace as well.

 

[Dan Clermont]

Well, 800 Bucks vs 430, that's a lot! But in Germany we have to pay for the OF 2000 about 722 Eur, for the new Model 763 Eur. So, if you think, the old Model is the right one for your shop, buy it as long as you can get it!

Markus

Could it be that the American prices are slowly catching up to the worldwide prices and the OF2000 is only priced at $430 cause they can't increase the price to say $760 in a year. I believe the OF 2000 is being phased out now that the OF2200 is in production

Dan C

 

[Terp]

  that's a shame,  The OF 2000 is a great choice of router. 
I am confused now though.  It seems the Euro is worth about $1.50 now right.  If we can buy the OF 2000 for $430.00, wouldn't that translate to around 300 Euros, or less?

 

[dltflt]

I was impressed with all the features of the OF2200 but l agree with the point made earlier about it being to large to be hand held.  I would mount that into a table for doing raised panels and other large cuts.  I would definitely like to see those features on an OF1400.  That is on my wish list.

 

[Terp]

  that's a shame,  The OF 2000 is a great choice of router. 
I am confused now though.  It seems the Euro is worth about $1.50 now right.  If we can buy the OF 2000 for $430.00, wouldn't that translate to around 300 Euros, or less?

Looks like I'm right.  I just saw this other thread just started today.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=2695.msg29131;topicseen#msg29131

Well, know I feel better about the prices here stateside, but WHAT?
Why is it so expensive in Europe for Festool? :-[

 

[Markus K.]

Hello Dan

for sure Festool will phase out the OF2000. This was a Mafell Product and is no longer built.
Also I don't understand why it's much cheaper to buy Festools in the States, what's about shipping and handling?

 

[Terp]

Markus,
  I've yet to pay shipping & handling.  It's been free shipping each time.  Also, by ordering on the web there's no tax.
  Can't you order from a stateside web dealer, or is that verboten?

Terp

 

[Markus K.]

I mean the shipping from Germany to your local Dealer. The German Prices seems like Festool send their Products around the World two Times before they sell it in the Production-Country. For me it makes no Difference to Order from Web Dealers or buy from the Local Dealer. I always have to pay 19% VAT, which are included in the German Prices, and I'll get 3% Off.
Re-Import won't work due to different Voltage. I don't think I can Order from a stateside Dealer, but there's a German Friend of mine living in the states, he could buy it for me an send it as a Present, so I have not to pay tariff and tax.

 

[Ned]

I think Markus is talking about getting Festools across the Atlantic.

It is remarkably cheap to move things by container.  I think I remember seeing that shipping a 40-foot (12m) container from China to the west coast of the USA cost something like 300 USD.  You can get a lot of stuff in a 40-foot container.  And if it's Festools, that container would contain a lot of money.

Ned

 

[Markus K.]

Yes Ned,

that's what I mean.
I just don't understand the prices for the OF2000 in America and Germany.

 

[Paul Perry]

Yes Ned,

that's what I mean.
I just don't understand the prices for the OF2000 in America and Germany.

One suspects that Festool is simply subsidising the American market while the dollar is doing so poorly. A business decision...

 

[Terp]

 Now is when I'd like to hear from Festool on this matter.  Hello, Big Brother, are you listening?  What's up with the pricing, pusher man.
 Maybe it's because you in Germany have been "hooked" on the product alot longer than us in the states.
I say damn the pusher man.

 Markus, what is the price for the Kapex in Germany?  It'll be $1300.00 here, rumored to be, this summer.  It must be the equivalent of $2000.00, or more, in Germany, no?  It's not that nice, does it slice cheese?  It's still just a chopsaw! :-X
 Looks like my Festool corral is about filled up!

 

[Forrest Anderson]

At only $25 more than the OF1400, I was rather amazed at the relatively low price of the OF 2000 in the US, so I thought I'd explore a bit further.

The OF2000 is normally seen in the UK being sold at 527.58 GBP, which is over US$1000! See this eBay listing for a brand-new router at the official price from a Festool dealer in the UK. It should show the UK and US prices side-by-side.

This makes the 527.58 UK OF2000 just a little bit more expensive than the UK basic Domino set (1 cutter, no tenons or cross-stops) which costs 512.30 GBP. Remember this for later...

However, looking at this situation more carefully, it turns out that this UK-spec OF2000 package for 527 GBP is quite a bit different from the one sold in the US for $430:

Country	UK	US
Designation	OF2000 E/1 Plus (574242)	OF2000E Basic
Items included	8mm collet
	12mm collet
	1/2" collet	1/2" collet
	Copying ring
	Extraction hood	Dust hood
	Side fence
	Chip deflector
	Operation tool	Adjustment wrench
	Systainer	Cardboard box

Two major differences are that you get a Systainer and a side fence included in the UK 527 GBP package, but neither of them with the US$430 package. If you bought these items to go with the basic US $430 router, the side fence would add $131, and the Systainer would add another $62, bringing the total to $623. If you add a couple of additional collets at $38 each,  and a chip deflector at $18.50, we get to $717.50. Interestingly, this is just a little bit more than the US Domino at $700!

In summary, the UK OF2000 E/1 Plus router is about the same price as a Domino, and once you upgrade the standard US $430 OF 2000 Basic to UK specifications by adding all the missing bits and pieces, you end up with a $700+ router, which is about the same price as a US Domino.

As regards the new OF2200, the $800 now doesn't look too bad in my opinion. It comes with a Systainer and chip deflector which didn't accompany the $430 OF2000, and although the price doesn't include a side fence or extra collets, you do get more power, a brake for the motor, lots of neat new built-in features, and the option of adding a very useful base accessory kit.

Forrest

 

[Scott W.]

....  I think I remember seeing that shipping a 40-foot (12m) container from China to the west coast of the USA cost something like 300 USD.  You can get a lot of stuff in a 40-foot container.  ......

Ned

I don't know about the West coast but I can tell you it closer to $4,500 to the East Coast - Still cheap compaired to other modes of shipping.

Scott W.

 

[colotimber]

Some companies price their product according to focus groups and price it according to the "gag" factor.  At $1,500 for a sliding compound miter saw with a nice laser and dust collection, they got my gag.  As a contractor I have to look at return on investment and what a piece of equipment will return to me.  I bought the domino because of just that, I can justify that in a relatively short time that tool will pay for it's self in time saved in a couple of built-in projects and then same thing with the Rotex 150 with the 33.  I have two 5 year old Dewalt 12" sliders that have been great tools, how do I justify $1,500 for a new saw?//

 

[semenza]

  I didn't know that Dewalt made a router at 2300 watts.  Wow.  I do know that I never liked the sound of any of my Dewalt equipment (listen to their biscuit joiners!), but a plunge router usually doesn't get pulled out & used the most.  I'm sure the Dewalt is a workhorse at 2300 watts though.  Yet, I must say the Festool OF 2000 is a great machine.  Quality all around.  I'll probably never kill it, & that makes the OF 2000, at $430.00, a bargain.  It feels good in hand, & sounds real good, never bogging under load.  I will say also, that I never saw a plunge router that really thrilled me before this one.  The OF 1010 & 1400, likewise, are great routers.  I own the 1400 & use it alot more than the OF 2000, even though I still need the pc routers in my shop.  A fixed base has a lower center of gravity, for one hand use, & less moving parts in general.  They will always have a place in my shop.  Their cheaper to replace as well.

Hi,

       A plunge router doesn't get used the most?  ???  OK maybe not the most compared to other equipment, but I use the plunge capabilty of mine regularly. Must depend on the type of work you do.  As far as the center of gravity goes- a plunge router can be set up, locked in the plunge position, and used as a fixed base router bringing the center of gravity down. So I guess I just don't get the center of gravity problem.  
      I agree that the OF2000 at $430USD is a great router for the money. Certainly a workhorse that won't wear out. But it has also always seemed to be one of the least inovative tools in the Festool line.    New stuff always costs more than what it is replacing. The OF2200 certainly has a bunch of very useful looking features. $370USD better will depend on the users value of those features.  I know some people don't care about the systainers but the $430 OF2000 does not include one  so that would put the price difference closer to $300 USD.  Still a lot more, but then again many people seem to think that the OF1400 is worth about $200USD more than a PC with comparable power.
      As far as the price of the accessory kit goes. Try adding up the prices of the accessories for the OF2000.   To me the OF2000 is a killer no frills router. The OF2200 is a killer with all the bells and whistles.

Seth

 

[joiner1970]

Take a look at my other post everything in the States is cheap but I thought maybe it compares with what you earn.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=2638.msg28596#msg28596

You boys dont know how lucky you are our UK tool prices are usually double what you pay.

 

[Markus K.]

  Now is when I'd like to hear from Festool on this matter.  Hello, Big Brother, are you listening?  What's up with the pricing, pusher man.
  Maybe it's because you in Germany have been "hooked" on the product alot longer than us in the states.
I say damn the pusher man.

  Markus, what is the price for the Kapex in Germany?  It'll be $1300.00 here, rumored to be, this summer.  It must be the equivalent of $2000.00, or more, in Germany, no?  It's not that nice, does it slice cheese?  It's still just a chopsaw! :-X
  Looks like my Festool corral is about filled up!

The German Price for the Kapex is about 1225 EUR (incl. VAT, 3% Off).

I didn't know, that the US OF2000 is without a Systainer, different Collets, Guide Bushing etc.
So it's really easy to understand: Americans and Germans will pay about 800 for the OF2200, the only Difference is the currency.

 

[Terp]

  I just got my OF 2000 about three weeks ago.  I needed the edge guide for what I'm doing, so I was determined to try to find "old stock".  I got lucky & hit paydirt.  I first saw that an E-bay vendor had the entire OF2000 E plus for sale at $550.00.  I placed an order through him, yet he had a credit account problem with Festool & wasn't able to ship ASAP,  He straightened it out & it was ready to ship from Festool, yet I would have to wait a few days too long for shipping.  I needed the router too much to wait (in fairness it would have been just a couple days extra, plus a weekend)
  Here's a link to the E-bay listing.  It's still up & he shows quite a few available.  He told that while it is not "old stock" OF2000 E Plus, Festool was assembling the entire package for him to sell at $550.00
  Give him a try if you'd like a full kit OF 2000 E, he still shows quite a few available.  His store is www.BPway.com, & he's an ISA.  Don't know how he's able to offer it, but Festool was preparing the shipment for me when I found it locally & cancelled.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Festool-Plunge-...61574QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

  At that point I started calling the local ISA's I found listed at Festool USA.  That's when I found it, & as it turned out, at the closest ISA to my home!  A mere 3 miles from here Industrial finishes, in Rockville MD., had the OF 2000 E plus on the shelf,in the back room, since the Fall of 2006.  I paid $475.00, which I believe is the old stock price.  It is the full kit, in the systainer.
  I share this story with you to let you know that persistance pays off.  I was determined to find one if I could & I did.  The case appeals to me very much on a tool like this.  It won't see daily use & will survive longer on the shelf in a box.  The edge guide at $131.00 was a neccessity for my current project, so I knew I was looking at $561.00 for the router & edge guide alone, no box. 
  I laugh about this too.  I used to take the metal boxes which came with most of my tools for granted.  Then they all started to be made of plastic, blowmolded usually.  I never liked the boxes much at all, yet they were always included.
  I know when you're mobile, boxes are great, but alot of guys will stuff tools in these boxes improperly, & damage the cords, or something, over time.  Also it seemed they would always be opened upside down & dumped, whoops!  Usually full of someones drill bits & a mess of screws  :-X
  I laugh because I really had to have this box though.  Maybe it was the principal.  I don't feel that an expensive router deserves to begin & spend it's life in a cardboard box.  It must be kept safely.  My screwguns & other tools in daily use are never kept in boxes.  These live in open shelves & dedicated racks.  I had to have the OF 2000 in a box though. 
  The insert in the box is laughable & will not survive alot of use, or any of them for that matter.  At that point it will just be a box.  Also I think that the more you open & close the stiff latches on the systainers, the less you like them.  They are due to be snapped by someone at the end of a long day on-site,eventually.  I tend to leave the box unlatched when the tool is in use.  Oh, & the accessories tend to fall loose, from that flimsy plastic insert in the bottom of the systainer, should it be tipped or shook.  The collets, wrench & guide rods do not stay put.  The styrofoam blocks in thelids are another sore point.  I know i need to glue those in place with some caulk :-\.
I thought everyone might like to know that I was able to find the router I wanted though, & how I did it.  Persistance pays off. 
 

 

[Christian A.]

Hi folks,

we're getting more and more off-topic but as this appears to be a subject quite regularly discussed here I'd like to share my opinion.

Yes Ned,

that's what I mean.
I just don't understand the prices for the OF2000 in America and Germany.

From an economic point of view there is a variety of aspects to consider. Here's what comes to my mind.

First, let's talk about costs - that has already been pointed out. Unfortunately, I have absolutely no idea about Festool's actual costs for the US market (production, shipping, marketing etc.). Information about the relation of fixed and variable costs at Festool Germany would be helpful.
Forgive my poor language, I'm sure that better ways to explain this subjects do exist: Maybe the additional costs for the production of Festools for the US market are mostly variable and rather low because customers throughout the rest of the world already pay the majority of the fixed costs.

The second element I'd like to talk about concerns the whole power tool markets (the German and the US power tool market).
Certain Festool products have outstanding or even unique features (system concept etc.) but nevertheless, I doubt that Festool can act as a kind of monopolist. In other words, as other brands offer power tools that are sometimes more, sometimes less comparable to Festool tools as well, Festool can't set their prices independently from these competitors.
Now I'd like to raise the following question: How much does a certain Festool tool cost compared to specific Bosch, Dewalt, Makita, PC, Milwaukee etc. tools in the USA and how much does the same Festool cost compared to the same Bosch, Dewalt, Makita, PC, Milwaukee etc. tool in Germany?

Finally, even general economic characteristics might influence a company's pricing policy. I'm thinking of the average propensity to consume/average propensity to save, for example. According to my knowledge, statistics show, that US citizens save less but consume more than Germans do on average.

Have a nice weekend,

Christian