OF 2200 Router: Member Feedback

[Brice Burrell]

Per, I'm in a little different place than you. I don't have a shaper, I would buy one if I had the space. Maybe the 2200 could be an intermediate step before the shaper. Who heard of spending all of your money when you get back from Vegas??

 

[nickao]

Brice to me there is nothing like the hum of a shapers induction motor. How does the OF 2200 sound? Is is obscenely loud?

I guess I have to get one now just to try out the power.

Nickao

 

[Brice Burrell]

Brice to me there is nothing like the hum of a shapers induction motor. How does the OF 2200 sound? Is is obscenely loud?

I guess I have to get one now just to try out the power.

Nickao

No, it makes so noise, but its not obscenely loud. Like I said before, you really need to see this thing to believe it.

 

[Ned]

...I don't have a shaper, I would buy one if I had the space. Maybe the 2200 could be an intermediate step before the shaper.

Brice, now that you've had your hands on it, what would you think of a 2200 mounted in a table?  Would the premium price be worth it?

One thing I noticed--the motor base is closed, not open like my PC router.  When the 2200 is inverted, dust won't fall into the motor housing--it'll have to work its way in from the side.

Ned

 

[Per Swenson]

Ned,

My humble opinion, if I may.

This machine is designed to be hand held.

That is why you are paying the premium ducats.

You won't find me with the monster P/C swinging the bit we did

by hand. Table, yes. Hand....never.

Per

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

One thing I noticed--the motor base is closed, not open like my PC router.  When the 2200 is inverted, dust won't fall into the motor housing--it'll have to work its way in from the side.

Ned, one other thing to mention is that the OF 2200 (and 1400) have a unique collet design which prevents sawdust from getting in the collet.  If you have a 1400 handy, take a look and you'll see what I mean.

 

[Ned]

Ned, If you have a 1400 handy, take a look and you'll see what I mean.

I don't have a 1400 handy, but you can fix that Shane.  PM me for a shipping address. 

Per, would the same design aspects that give you confidence using the 2200 handheld give any worthwhile benefit when the beast is table mounted?  I'd think smoothness would be a plus upside down or rightside up.

Ned

 

[Per Swenson]

I am gonna pm my answer to that ;D

Per

 

[nickao]

Why would anyone buy this router for a table? You can get a little shaper for that price. The entire point of this unit is too be able to use big bits using it hand held. I do not care how smooth it is, my big Milwaukee and PC cut as smooth as can be, nothing can be cut any better. So why spend 800.00 just to put in it a table. The entire point of the unit is defeated in a table and a bunch of money wasted.

Nickao

 

[Brice Burrell]

Ned, no, I don't think the 2200 is worth a premium as table mounted router. Here's why, I don't like plunge routers for table work, the dust collection would likely be reduced and you loose most of the other new features that set it apart for other large routers. If you want a router for table work, I think the big Milwaukee or PC routers would be a better choice. However the fact that the 2200 can be table mounted does add to its value. The big Milwaukee or PC make better table routers than the 2200, but the 2200 is far better as a handheld. I'd give the edge to the 2200 as an all around (hand and table work) router.

 

[nickao]

Brice get out of my head I think we posted simultaneously both referring to Milwaukee and the PC at the same time.

 

[Ned]

Ned, no, I don't think the 2200 is worth a premium as table mounted router. Here's why, I don't like plunge routers for table work, the dust collection would likely be reduced and you loose most of the other new features that set it apart for other large routers. If you want a router for table work, I think the big Milwaukee or PC routers would be a better choice. However the fact that the 2200 can be table mounted does add to its value. The big Milwaukee or PC make better table routers than the 2200, but the 2200 is far better as a handheld. I'd give the edge to the 2200 as an all around (hand and table work) router.

Thanks, Brice.  That was kind of the answer I expected.  I asked because I'm sure a lot of people were wondering.

Ned

 

[Corwin]

Amazing to see that big monster controlled by hand, but hey, we're talking 'bout Festools.  I would agree that a dedicated router of another brand might be a good solution for under the table, but if we ever get an insert for that 2200 here, this could become the only large router one would need... 

Sure is neat to see the 180 turn around on the reality of purchasing one of these big boys.

 

[Dan Clermont]

Amazing to see that big monster controlled by hand, but hey, we're talking 'bout Festools.  I would agree that a dedicated router of another brand might be a good solution for under the table, but if we ever get an insert for that 2200 here, this could become the only large router one would need... 

Sure is neat to see the 180 turn around on the reality of purchasing one of these big boys.

I asked about a router insert for the OF2200 so it would fit in the CMS and was told it was in the making!

Dan Clermont

 

[petiegolfer]

Dan

it does fit in the a revised CMS plate and it is hand cranked from above the table. My local rep was in Germany a few weeks ago drinking some beer and being taught about the new tools on offer.

My idea will be to buy the insert base for the cms as a spare part and build a table around it ala Norm with an incra fence.

Piers

 

[Dave Ronyak]

One thing I noticed--the motor base is closed, not open like my PC router.  When the 2200 is inverted, dust won't fall into the motor housing--it'll have to work its way in from the side.

Ned, one other thing to mention is that the OF 2200 (and 1400) have a unique collet design which prevents sawdust from getting in the collet.  If you have a 1400 handy, take a look and you'll see what I mean.

Shane, I have a 1400 and I attended the recent Hrenderson event and examined the new and old collet designs.  The improvement to reduce ingress of debris was readily apparent.  The new collet did not look like any of the 4 collets I have for my OF 1400 (purchased about 2 years ago).  Each of mine has open radial slots visible from the bottom.

Dave R.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

  I know I am taking this a little OT, but could someone  post a side by side pic of the new and old OF1400 collets?

Seth

 

[The Dude]

Hi,

  I know I am taking this a little OT, but could someone  post a side by side pic of the new and old OF1400 collets?

Seth

Here ya go Seth,

1400 collet on the left, The New 2200 collet on the right.  I have not seen the NEW 1400 collet either.  The 6 New In Box 1400's that I have in the shop all had this style of collet as pictured on the left.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

My apologies, guys. 

The OF 2200 collet can be used in the 1400, the standard collet for the 1400 does not use the same collet design.  I just misinterpreted the information that was provided to me.  Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Thanks, Shane.  Each of my 1/4", 8mm, 3/8", and 1/2" collets for my OF 1400 look like the smaller one on the left in your photos.  I don't work with solid surface or laminates and don't have any problems with my collets.  That may also be because I have developed the habit of removing the bit and the collet when I am done and thoroughly cleaning both of them before putting them back in storage.  I learned of the value of doing so from FOG members, John Lucas or Jerry Work, I think.

Dave R.