OF2200 freehand with large bits

[ear3]

I'm getting a 2200 second hand.  Since I already have a Triton as my dedicated table router, and I'm not "allowed" to stick the 2200 in the CMS here in the U. S. of A., I was wondering about people's use of this router free-hand for large bits, particularly panel raising bits?

 

[Brice Burrell]

I've used panel raising bits in the 2200 freehand.  As long as you use some common sense there is no reason you can't use the 2200 safely with big bits.  Use a slow speed on the router and take reasonable amount in each pass and all should go well.   

 

[alkaline]

Impressive piece. You will be happy.

[thumbs up]

 

[MrToolJunkie]

As others have said, this works fine and is ultra smooth. It is a great tool all around. I feel confident using any size bit in it.

 

[sancho57]

Since I don't use my 2200 in my CMS I wouldn't know how nice and powerful it is and what a nice job is does table mounted.

But It does just as good a job free handed. It is heavy but very well balanced and a real nice tool to work with free handed.

 

[ear3]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[MrGinCT]

Many people do many things that  they shouldn't and most of the time everything is pretty much OK and no one loses any body parts. 

That said, I've been a safety professional for 40+ years and I've seen too many instances of folks using a tool in a way it was not designed to be used - panel raising bits free hand for instance - and the result was serious personal injury, even loss of fingers and arms.

Any large router bit like a panel raising bit was never intended to be used free hand in a router.  You are asking for a serious injury.

 

[tjbnwi]

Many people do many things that  they shouldn't and most of the time everything is pretty much OK and no one loses any body parts. 

That said, I've been a safety professional for 40+ years and I've seen too many instances of folks using a tool in a way it was not designed to be used - panel raising bits free hand for instance - and the result was serious personal injury, even loss of fingers and arms.

Any large router bit like a panel raising bit was never intended to be used free hand in a router.  You are asking for a serious injury.

Either way you have a spinning cutting tool. Only difference between a mistake table mounted or free hand is which body part catches the brunt of your mistake.

Tom

 

[Birdhunter]

I agree with MrGinCT totally.

I believe big bits are far safer in a router table than a hand held router.

I have a foot operated dead man's switch on my router table. If something goes wrong, I can let go, jump back, and the router's power is cut.

If something goes wrong on a hand held router, I'm hanging onto a powerful machine spinning a sharp cutter.

 

[Acrobat]

I believe the manual advises that large bits such as panel raising bits to be only used with the router in a table. But as always common sense and your own ability is a must if you do otherwise. I'm sure plenty of people have no problems freehand but taking precautions to minimise any risk is sound advice.