OF 2200 Router: Member Feedback

[spikfot]

Ive been using the of2000 under the table for the last 1.5 years.    The problems associated with plungers used under tables depends entirely on the brand-model in question.    Terp has chimed in with some great info here id like to add to.
  it takes about  2 minutes to remove the springs from the shafts of the of2000,  much easier to adjust this way. This does not solve the problem of torsional rigidity inherent with a two post plunge that only locks to one post.  this problem solved with the new of2200.
  Without a lift system,  a woodpecker-style baseplate is allmost a necessity here.  Pick up the plate, flip it over and no more under the table knucklebusting.  also you get insert rings to match the dia. of your bit, keeping huge amounts of dust out of your motor (worth the price alone).  Being condemned under a table is a horrible life for any router.  using a vac and insert rings will double its life, and i say this having had a 10 year old hitachi under a cheap cast iron table EXPLODE under my chin 2 years ago. pieces of shrapnel nicked me but JESUS did i get lucky
  As i stated in other posts here there is no jessum-dog-woodpecker type lifts for festo routers, Ive called around the world  unfortunately I learned this only after buying the mafell-festo of2000.
  Most of the 3 hp routers available in Europe that do fit the lifts, completely fail in other criteria,  such as the big defaults- i mean DeWalts handle only 50mm. dia. cutters=  worthless under a table for me.

  My local distributor wont order the 2200 until his 2000s are sold (damn) so I have not had my hands on it yet,  but if I can avoid spending the money on a lift, and have the stability, and easy Height adjustment, the of2000 might be going up on the auction block
    I own 6 (functioning) routers including a 20year old makita, and the of1400 which i keep under my pillow.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Ive been using the of2000 under the table for the last 1.5 years.    The problems associated with plungers used under tables depends entirely on the brand-model in question.    Terp has chimed in with some great info here id like to add to.
   it takes about  2 minutes to remove the springs from the shafts of the of2000,  much easier to adjust this way. This does not solve the problem of torsional rigidity inherent with a two post plunge that only locks to one post.  this problem solved with the new of2200.
  Without a lift system,  a woodpecker-style baseplate is allmost a necessity here.  Pick up the plate, flip it over and no more under the table knucklebusting.  also you get insert rings to match the dia. of your bit, keeping huge amounts of dust out of your motor (worth the price alone).  Being condemned under a table is a horrible life for any router.  using a vac and insert rings will double its life, and i say this having had a 10 year old hitachi under a cheap cast iron table EXPLODE under my chin 2 years ago. pieces of shrapnel nicked me but JESUS did i get lucky
   As i stated in other posts here there is no jessum-dog-woodpecker type lifts for festo routers, Ive called around the world  unfortunately I learned this only after buying the mafell-festo of2000.
   Most of the 3 hp routers available in Europe that do fit the lifts, completely fail in other criteria,  such as the big defaults- i mean DeWalts handle only 50mm. dia. cutters=  worthless under a table for me.

  My local distributor wont order the 2200 until his 2000s are sold (damn) so I have not had my hands on it yet,  but if I can avoid spending the money on a lift, and have the stability, and easy Height adjustment, the of2000 might be going up on the auction block
    I own 6 (functioning) routers including a 20year old makita, and the of1400 which i keep under my pillow.

This review should get gold star 

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Speaking of knuckbusting... The OF 2200 has a very open area for bit changes to begin with but... Just want to point out, in case anyone missed it, that the OF 2200 has a 70+10mm plunge depth.  That's 70mm to the bottom of the base and there's an additional 10mm passed the base.  You can actually change bits with the router fully plunged to the 80mm depth since the collet is well below the base.  Of course, the top of the OF 2200 is flat making this an easy task.

 

[nickao]

Piers,
  I hear you.  Alot of folks are talking about how these routers will work good in a router table.  I don't suggest using a plunge router as a router table fixture, for several reasons. 
  The first is that a plunge router is spring loaded to retract.  Not that it would always shift down while routing, but it could.  Irregardless of it slipping, adjusting a plunge router under at table requires pushing up all the time to set/adjust the router hieght.  You'll want to get someone to sit on the table so you may use two hands on the router.  ;D
  A fixed router is much less fussy to set, with or without a router lift.
  The other major reason is that this type of router is too versatile as a handheld.  I think this leaves one of the most versatile types of tools in the shop as a dedicated router table motor.  Also, it is quite heavy for quick detachment to use else where.
  I like to leave my last router table setup together until a project, or a step of a project is completed.  It's a blessing sometimes to run a little more of that last profile.  This pretty much leaves that router unavailable to use elsewear.  I recommend a good, yet cheaper router for your table router.
  Oh, remember also that positioning a router under a table is rough on a router.  I know we have the dust collection yet dust will flow through your router & it's abrasive (gravity).  I really don't think this is where I'd want my $800.00 router to live & work.  Best left to a consumable router.

I don't know about excluding all plunge routers for table use. The most cost efficient under table router I have is the Hitachi M12V. I pulled the springs, cut off the tabs making the opening huge and used a router raiser to get above the table adjustment. I also had the woodpecker lift designed for plunge routers(9 different plunge routers can be used I think with a different plate for each), it worked great as well.

Some plunge work great under a table, some don't. But pulling the springs is the first thing you should do if you are using a plunge in the a table.

Nickao

 

[Anthony]

Speaking of knuckbusting... The OF 2200 has a very open area for bit changes to begin with but... Just want to point out, in case anyone missed it, that the OF 2200 has a 70+10mm plunge depth.  That's 70mm to the bottom of the base and there's an additional 10mm passed the base.  You can actually change bits with the router fully plunged to the 80mm depth since the collet is well below the base.  Of course, the top of the OF 2200 is flat making this an easy task.

Cool 8)

 

[spikfot]

Thanks Michael.

And i must agree with you on the m12v assessment, Nickao. An economical workhorse, But on the contrary, no where near a pleasure to operate.  Definitely good tool to trust to employees for ritual abuse.
  But seriously, do yourself a gigantic favor; use a  flashlight and closely inspect the fan blades where they are pressed at the base. I found (during the postmortem) that the fans appear to be highly susceptible to stress fracturing in exactly the same way a fan fails in gas turbine (jet) motor, at the apex of the bend where the fan blade stops.  The majority of the blades had stress fractures which ran over half their width, that is the ones that were still attached after catastrophic failure.  Definitely worth a quick peek. 

 

[spikfot]

Must add also that the extra 10mm the of2200 gives over my of1400 is gonna be nice on my Leigh mft when i need it it or depth.
    But the beast is to heavy for the Leigh dovetail jigs. at least for any kind of extended use unless you look like Popeye.    When i rout 27mm. dovetails i use the of1400 , which blows nicely through hardwoods except for the handle ergos. which is not good at all for a jig that sits in front of you instead of under you.  i use a 1100 watt makita for most of my dovetailing, that is stock under 18mm.  A couple pounds lighter makes a big difference in fatigue after even a few hours work.. 

 

[Markus K.]

a little bit offtopic

Last Week I was on The Holz Handwerk Trade Fair in N?rnberg, Germany. I visited Leigh for some Routerbits and the VRS. This Guy used the OF2200 and a 13/16 Dovetail Router Bit for cutting Dovetails in Beech. Believe me, for this work the Router wasn't to big and to heavy! But most of the Leigh-Users are very satisfied with smaller Routers (incl. me)! I have the same good results with my 1300 Watt Bosch, but it takes twice as long as with the Monster.

Markus

 

[nickao]

Thanks Michael.

And i must agree with you on the m12v assessment, Nickao. An economical workhorse, But on the contrary, no where near a pleasure to operate.  Definitely good tool to trust to employees for ritual abuse.
  But seriously, do yourself a gigantic favor; use a  flashlight and closely inspect the fan blades where they are pressed at the base. I found (during the postmortem) that the fans appear to be highly susceptible to stress fracturing in exactly the same way a fan fails in gas turbine (jet) motor, at the apex of the bend where the fan blade stops.  The majority of the blades had stress fractures which ran over half their width, that is the ones that were still attached after catastrophic failure.  Definitely worth a quick peek. 

Will do. Thanks,

Nick

 

[spikfot]

a little bit offtopic

Last Week I was on The Holz Handwerk Trade Fair in N?rnberg, Germany. I visited Leigh for some Routerbits and the VRS. This Guy used the OF2200 and a 13/16 Dovetail Router Bit for cutting Dovetails in Beech. Believe me, for this work the Router wasn't to big and to heavy! But most of the Leigh-Users are very satisfied with smaller Routers (incl. me)! I have the same good results with my 1300 Watt Bosch, but it takes twice as long as with the Monster.

Markus

After a few hours of cutting 27mm dovetails in birch with my leigh d4r/ of2000 combo,  i am feeling it.    that was before i picked up the vrs bridge and of1400.  the of1400handles impressive feed rates.      but  the handles on the of2200 sure look comfey . 
    Those micro sites are downright dangerous.

 

[ayebaba]

I am trying to get PF 1200 E, does anyone knows where I can purchase it within US?

Thank you.

 

[nickao]

Thanks Michael.

And i must agree with you on the m12v assessment, Nickao. An economical workhorse, But on the contrary, no where near a pleasure to operate.  Definitely good tool to trust to employees for ritual abuse.
  But seriously, do yourself a gigantic favor; use a  flashlight and closely inspect the fan blades where they are pressed at the base. I found (during the postmortem) that the fans appear to be highly susceptible to stress fracturing in exactly the same way a fan fails in gas turbine (jet) motor, at the apex of the bend where the fan blade stops.  The majority of the blades had stress fractures which ran over half their width, that is the ones that were still attached after catastrophic failure.  Definitely worth a quick peek. 
 

"But on the contrary, no where near a pleasure to operate."

If the router is in the table I can't see the OF 2200 being worth 650.00 more than the M12V at all. How much more pleasurable can it be if its under a table. Above the table I don't care what anyone says I won't be swinging a 3 1/2" bit in a hand held operation.

I am sure the OF2200 is great above the table and maybe someday I will go for it, but if you are going to use it in a table I just do not think it makes sense to buy this router.

Nickao

 

[spikfot]

Thanks Michael.

And i must agree with you on the m12v assessment, Nickao. An economical workhorse, But on the contrary, no where near a pleasure to operate.  Definitely good tool to trust to employees for ritual abuse.
  But seriously, do yourself a gigantic favor; use a  flashlight and closely inspect the fan blades where they are pressed at the base. I found (during the postmortem) that the fans appear to be highly susceptible to stress fracturing in exactly the same way a fan fails in gas turbine (jet) motor, at the apex of the bend where the fan blade stops.  The majority of the blades had stress fractures which ran over half their width, that is the ones that were still attached after catastrophic failure.  Definitely worth a quick peek. 
 

"But on the contrary, no where near a pleasure to operate."

If the router is in the table I can't see the OF 2200 being worth 650.00 more than the M12V at all. How much more pleasurable can it be if its under a table. Above the table I don't care what anyone says I won't be swinging a 3 1/2" bit in a hand held operation.

I am sure the OF2200 is great above the table and maybe someday I will go for it, but if you are going to use it in a table I just do not think it makes sense to buy this router.

Nickao
 

"Above the table I don't care what anyone says I won't be swinging a 3 1/2" bit in a hand held operation."

  I missed where someone was telling you to run a raised-panel bit handheld.

  From what Ive read, The of2200 has 3 main bearings, locks to both shafts, and can be raised-lowered accurately with one hand,  options like that are great for use under a table.
  The only way to get this kind of accuracy is to add a lift that will cost you 250-350$  You did not include the cost of your router raizer and woodpecker lift in your equation.   
   

 

[nickao]

Thanks Michael.

And i must agree with you on the m12v assessment, Nickao. An economical workhorse, But on the contrary, no where near a pleasure to operate.  Definitely good tool to trust to employees for ritual abuse.
  But seriously, do yourself a gigantic favor; use a  flashlight and closely inspect the fan blades where they are pressed at the base. I found (during the postmortem) that the fans appear to be highly susceptible to stress fracturing in exactly the same way a fan fails in gas turbine (jet) motor, at the apex of the bend where the fan blade stops.  The majority of the blades had stress fractures which ran over half their width, that is the ones that were still attached after catastrophic failure.  Definitely worth a quick peek. 
 

"But on the contrary, no where near a pleasure to operate."

If the router is in the table I can't see the OF 2200 being worth 650.00 more than the M12V at all. How much more pleasurable can it be if its under a table. Above the table I don't care what anyone says I won't be swinging a 3 1/2" bit in a hand held operation.

I am sure the OF2200 is great above the table and maybe someday I will go for it, but if you are going to use it in a table I just do not think it makes sense to buy this router.

Nickao
 

"Above the table I don't care what anyone says I won't be swinging a 3 1/2" bit in a hand held operation."

  I missed where someone was telling you to run a raised-panel bit handheld.

  From what Ive read, The of2200 has 3 main bearings, locks to both shafts, and can be raised-lowered accurately with one hand,  options like that are great for use under a table.
  The only way to get this kind of accuracy is to add a lift that will cost you 250-350$  You did not include the cost of your router raizer and woodpecker lift in your equation.   
   

In 25 years I have NEVER seen the accuracy you are describing needed. Show me what you have made that requires that.

A router raizer has been more accurate than I need for 69.00. A woodpeck is 169.00 Do not fall into that lift crap. I worked 15 years with no lift at all and my projects came out just great! Just tap the route to the height! I could get 4 M12V and 4 router raizer(all for 800.00) and make kitchen cabinets all without changing a bit, while you are fiddling around with that huge precise router. And the final outcome will be no different except I finish 4 times faster.

My point is that router is a WASTE in a table, period. 800.00 I would get a shaper in a heart beat!

AND one selling point is that it takes such huge bits, it is advertised. To me it is over blown, there is a point where large bits do not make safety sense.

Do you have an OF2200, if you do not please don't sing it praises. I will be a doubter until I USE it. I have the same feeling about the Kapex too, until it is in my shop for 6 months I can not call it the best.

After I use the OF2200 for 6 months I will write a review.

 

[PeterK]

I have been following this discussion closely as I am a tool geek. I have not been able so far to find a reason - a justification - for an $800 router. Don't get me wrong, I am sure I will want one once I see one  ;D. While I am sure it is an incredible product capable of many things, to me a router is something I can have multiples of to be able to dedicate one for a specific task. I have 11 routers at last count and could/might get rid of one or two. I have 2 PorterCable 7518s in lifts for my router table. One time I needed to hand rout a large roundover edge on some speaker cabinets. I believe it was a 1 1/4" radius roundover so about 3 1/2" overall diameter. To do it safely, I pulled my PC 7518 with very heavy Woodpecker PRL lift and used it as my router. With this much mass/weight, and cutting mdf, I was able to do it safely. The extra weight was the key.

Now, I am considering and following the trim router discussion. Another very high priced router but might be useful for me. I have a Bosch trim package now. Just waiting for a chance to see and handle one.
Pete

 

[nickao]

PeterK so far I am right with you. I am going to purchase both the routers and a month or two after I get them I will report on how it worked out for me. I know I can sell the 800.00 router for 750.00, who knows I may return it in the 30 days or may find I can not live without it.

The 7518 is a work horse, I love it.

Nick

 

[tvgordon]

PeterK,

That is what I said in earlier posts.  A lot of thought seems to have went in to the design of this router.  From the quick change bases, dust collection, bit changes, to the handles being angled when the edge guide is used so you are pushing both against the edge guide as well as into the cut. 
But, before the price was announced, I was thinking the 1010 was in the $300 range, the 1400 in the $400 range, so this one will be in the $500 to $600 range.  Wrong. 
This may be the best 3hp router on the market, but I'm not sure it's worth $800.  (and yes, like you, I still may end up owning one).

Tom.

 

[spikfot]

Thanks Michael.

And i must agree with you on the m12v assessment, Nickao. An economical workhorse, But on the contrary, no where near a pleasure to operate.  Definitely good tool to trust to employees for ritual abuse.
  But seriously, do yourself a gigantic favor; use a  flashlight and closely inspect the fan blades where they are pressed at the base. I found (during the postmortem) that the fans appear to be highly susceptible to stress fracturing in exactly the same way a fan fails in gas turbine (jet) motor, at the apex of the bend where the fan blade stops.  The majority of the blades had stress fractures which ran over half their width, that is the ones that were still attached after catastrophic failure.  Definitely worth a quick peek. 
 

"But on the contrary, no where near a pleasure to operate."

If the router is in the table I can't see the OF 2200 being worth 650.00 more than the M12V at all. How much more pleasurable can it be if its under a table. Above the table I don't care what anyone says I won't be swinging a 3 1/2" bit in a hand held operation.

I am sure the OF2200 is great above the table and maybe someday I will go for it, but if you are going to use it in a table I just do not think it makes sense to buy this router.

Nickao
 

"Above the table I don't care what anyone says I won't be swinging a 3 1/2" bit in a hand held operation."

  I missed where someone was telling you to run a raised-panel bit handheld.

  From what Ive read, The of2200 has 3 main bearings, locks to both shafts, and can be raised-lowered accurately with one hand,  options like that are great for use under a table.
  The only way to get this kind of accuracy is to add a lift that will cost you 250-350$  You did not include the cost of your router raizer and woodpecker lift in your equation.   
   

In 25 years I have NEVER seen the accuracy you are describing needed. Show me what you have made that requires that.

A router raizer has been more accurate than I need for 69.00. A woodpeck is 169.00 Do not fall into that lift crap. I worked 15 years with no lift at all and my projects came out just great! Just tap the route to the height! I could get 4 M12V and 4 router raizer(all for 800.00) and make kitchen cabinets all without changing a bit, while you are fiddling around with that huge precise router. And the final outcome will be no different except I finish 4 times faster.

My point is that router is a WASTE in a table, period. 800.00 I would get a shaper in a heart beat!

AND one selling point is that it takes such huge bits, it is advertised. To me it is over blown, there is a point where large bits do not make safety sense.

Do you have an OF2200, if you do not please don't sing it praises. I will be a doubter until I USE it. I have the same feeling about the Kapex too, until it is in my shop for 6 months I can not call it the best.

After I use the OF2200 for 6 months I will write a review.

  Singing it's praises,  whatever,  I said "From what I've Read....."    And ah yes,  you are "4 times faster", with 4 m12v s and 4 router tables and I'm "fiddling" around.     
  I started out agreeing with you but you just want  to have a go.
Is there a way to somehow respond to your string of  claims without joining you in the sandbox?

 

[Brice Burrell]

AND one selling point is that it takes such huge bits, it is advertised. To me it is over blown, there is a point where large bits do not make safety sense.

Do you have an OF2200, if you do not please don't sing it praises. I will be a doubter until I USE it. I have the same feeling about the Kapex too, until it is in my shop for 6 months I can not call it the best.

After I use the OF2200 for 6 months I will write a review.

Nick, I got a chance to use the OF 2200 running a large bit, maybe a 2" diameter, in 8/4 cherry and solid surface material. We made cuts at full depth in one pass easily and safely. Because of the weight and design of the 2200 taking out large amounts of material is very doable. One of the turret columns has a 2 mm offset feature, this allows you to make a one pass removing most of the waste, then move the turret to the 2 mm offset and make a second pass 2 mm deeper as a cleanup pass.

We did this in the cherry with great results. Yes this router isn't for everyone, if you have a need for a large production router, buy this one. I write more about the 2200 in my mini review in the next few days.

Here's a pic of the 2 mm offest cutt into the stoock.

 

[nickao]

Yeah I do not think it is for me. Of course I will get it to play with it. What do you consider a large bit?

Nickao