OF2200 Question - why get the accessory set ?

[kifi]

Hi All

I am researching whether or not to invest in an OF2200 after recently trying to edge profile some 45mm solid ash with my OF1010 which didn't go that smoothly.

From researching posts here, it seems that most recommend getting the accessory set with it but I am not sure why this is so. It appears to mostly contain copy rings. My workflow tends to use bearing guided bits.

Does lack of bearing guided 12mm shank cutters influence the decision to buy the accessory systainer too ? Are there other reasons too?

Thanks

 

[luvmytoolz]

Firstly let me just say the OF2200 is the best router ever made IMHO. You would not regret buying it, it really is just a beautiful piece of engineering and a sheer joy to use! The power, smoothness, and control of it is astounding.

The kit while expensive as all things Festool are, actually has some really useful components. The micro adjustable fence for starters, the large support base, and the base for using with the guiderail are all extremely handy. Plus it does come with a number of template guide rings.

For me the guiderail base and the template rings are something I would use often, and as the individual cost is so high, it made sense to just get the set. A couple of the bases I may never end up using, but they're there if needed, and the set as a whole is very useful.

I guess you'd want to ask yourself if you'd possibly be doing a lot of template work, inlays, etc where the template guide rings would be useful. Or if you'd be using the fence or guiderail to machine dado's, or use ogee cutters to groove panels, make backing boards, etc.

If you're only ever really going to use a narrow selection of bearing cutters, you may not need the set, but once you start branching out a bit it is really handy to have the set on hand.

 

[kifi]

thanks, I had forgotten about the edge guide and guide rail adaptor. I guess having is better than needing! Might go for the full set. Looking at Festool catalog I wonder why they offer few if any bearing guided cutters? (I know third parties probably offer more than you'd ever want, but Festool doesn't see a 12mm bearing guided bit as a core use for the OF2200 for some reason.)

 

[woodbutcherbower]

Quarter-inch routers such as the OF1010 are perfectly suited to edge profiling with bearing-guided cutters - it’s probably one of the most everyday, common applications for this size of machine. I can’t figure out what could possibly have gone wrong - other than running the router in the wrong direction and having it grab and bounce off the workpiece.

What kind of profile were you routing, and what was the problem exactly? Could you post a photo?

And btw - being from Ireland, you have access to the range of Trend cutters which is absolutely massive, including a huge array of bearing-guided cutters. The shank sizes aren’t 12mm - they’re 12.7mm and 6.35mm - the metric equivalent of 1/2” and 1/4” which are standard UK collet sizes.

 

[luvmytoolz]

thanks, I had forgotten about the edge guide and guide rail adaptor. I guess having is better than needing! Might go for the full set. Looking at Festool catalog I wonder why they offer few if any bearing guided cutters? (I know third parties probably offer more than you'd ever want, but Festool doesn't see a 12mm bearing guided bit as a core use for the OF2200 for some reason.)

Honestly as much as I love Festool gear, router bits would be the last thing I would be buying off them!

 

[Oilers]

I bought the set. 

When you do, make sure you pick the right package.  I mistakenly ordered imperial when I wanted metric. 

The alternate bases are excellent and are so easy to use. 

 

[kifi]

Quarter-inch routers such as the OF1010 are perfectly suited to edge profiling with bearing-guided cutters - it’s probably one of the most everyday, common applications for this size of machine. I can’t figure out what could possibly have gone wrong - other than running the router in the wrong direction and having it grab and bounce off the workpiece.

What kind of profile were you routing, and what was the problem exactly? Could you post a photo?

And btw - being from Ireland, you have access to the range of Trend cutters which is absolutely massive, including a huge array of bearing-guided cutters. The shank sizes aren’t 12mm - they’re 12.7mm and 6.35mm - the metric equivalent of 1/2” and 1/4” which are standard UK collet sizes.

It was just a floating shelf from solid ash. I'll check out the Trend line. Maybe Wealden Tools too.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

It was just a floating shelf from solid ash.

But what was the problem? What went wrong?

 

[kifi]

It was taking too long

 

[peter halle]

Regarding the original question, when I finally get around and buy a 2200 I will by the accessory kit.  Why?  Honestly because at some time the 2200 will go away and then I will find a need for something in that kit and kick myself in the arse time and time again.

Peter

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Regarding the original question, when I finally get around and buy a 2200 I will by the accessory kit.  Why?  Honestly because at some time the 2200 will go away and then I will find a need for something in that kit and kick myself in the arse time and time again.

Peter

As dumb as it sounds, I'm thinking the same thing. That is quite an expensive tool to buy "just because", but honestly the thing holding me back is the plug-it cable.....lack of actually.
I really like the simple disconnect feature.
Practicality is also becoming more of a thing too. With retirement coming, my need for heavier-duty may not be there. I have gotten along with the OF1400 and big Triton router in the table, for a long time, and see no reason that they can't continue to do what I need.

 

[peter halle]

[member=58857]Crazyraceguy[/member] , funny that you wrote that.  I haven't really mentioned it but I have now basically retired.  I have been working on and off trying to adjust to working out of space I never had before and consolidating tools all in one place while doing the various honey-dos.

I almost waited too long on the Vac-Sys and the 2200 is one of those legacy tools that rarely do you hear a bad thing about it after the credit card bill comes in.

Just do it!

Peter

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I'm about 8 months from it, if all goes according to plan. Most of the things I will be working on, at least initially, will be the shop furniture. Then the plan is to finally remodel my own kitchen. Over the years, I have updated the rest of the house, saving the kitchen for last.
It would be easier to do it now, but I really want to do it right here at home.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

Regarding the original question, when I finally get around and buy a 2200 I will by the accessory kit.  Why?  Honestly because at some time the 2200 will go away and then I will find a need for something in that kit and kick myself in the arse time and time again.

Peter

[member=1674]Peter Halle[/member] [member=58857]Crazyraceguy[/member] the OF2200 + accessory kit is the single most expensive power tool I ever bought, even making some of my Hilti equipment look bargain-basement. For the class of tool though, it's also the best - miles ahead of the game in every possible way. Apart from the additional quick-change bases and numerous guide bush (copy) rings, the micro-adjustable parallel fence is superbly well engineered, and this also has a separate clip-in dust port allowing an extractor hose to suck from underneath for edge routing. Those Germans are so, so clever. The guide rail adaptor also works exceptionally well.

I may well be wrong, but I heard (somewhere?) that the current draw of the router at maximum full-bore load exceeds the rated current capacity of a Plug-It connector. The captive power cord's the size of a small fire hose.

HUGELY recommended.
Kevin

 

[DynaGlide]

Regarding the original question, when I finally get around and buy a 2200 I will by the accessory kit.  Why?  Honestly because at some time the 2200 will go away and then I will find a need for something in that kit and kick myself in the arse time and time again.

Peter

As dumb as it sounds, I'm thinking the same thing. That is quite an expensive tool to buy "just because", but honestly the thing holding me back is the plug-it cable.....lack of actually.
I really like the simple disconnect feature.
Practicality is also becoming more of a thing too. With retirement coming, my need for heavier-duty may not be there. I have gotten along with the OF1400 and big Triton router in the table, for a long time, and see no reason that they can't continue to do what I need.

[member=58857]Crazyraceguy[/member] FWIW I had the 2200 and accessory kit and sold it. It didn't do anything for me that the 1400 couldn't. I think I fell into the trap of "It's Festool so I should probably own it" and also the other trap of "It has superb power and dust collection." While the first trap I'll leave to the collectors the second one just didn't fit for me. I have never found a situation where I thought I needed more power out of my 1400. And I had it in the CMS table for a while doing double duty as my router table motor.

Matt

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I may well be wrong, but I heard (somewhere?) that the current draw of the router at maximum full-bore load exceeds the rated current capacity of a Plug-It connector. The captive cable's the size of a small fire hose.

HUGELY recommended.
Kevin

I have heard that too. It does seem to make sense. Could it also be a side effect of age? How long has the OF2200 been around? Is the design from before the Plug-it existed? That the reason for the lack of Plug-it on the RAS115, from what I have been told anyway.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I may well be wrong, but I heard (somewhere?) that the current draw of the router at maximum full-bore load exceeds the rated current capacity of a Plug-It connector. The captive cable's the size of a small fire hose.

HUGELY recommended.
Kevin

I have heard that too. It does seem to make sense. Could it also be a side effect of age? How long has the OF2200 been around? Is the design from before the Plug-it existed? That the reason for the lack of Plug-it on the RAS115, from what I have been told anyway.

The 2200 is not that old a router so i don't think it's an age thing although I could be wrong, I think it's just the same as for the planer and belt sander being fairly high powered tools. Having a fixed cord on all three of those tools has never bugged or inconveienced me in the slightest. If I had a need to plug it with multiple other tools into the dusty, I'd just use a powerboard.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

It's not really about the cord while "in use". As lazy as it sounds, the annoying part of the RAS115 not having a Plug-it, is winding it up when I put it away.
I keep a Plug-it connected to both CTs and disconnect whatever tool was being used, leaving the cord hanging, with the hose.

 

[peter halle]

I may well be wrong, but I heard (somewhere?) that the current draw of the router at maximum full-bore load exceeds the rated current capacity of a Plug-It connector. The captive cable's the size of a small fire hose.

HUGELY recommended.
Kevin

I have heard that too. It does seem to make sense. Could it also be a side effect of age? How long has the OF2200 been around? Is the design from before the Plug-it existed? That the reason for the lack of Plug-it on the RAS115, from what I have been told anyway.

When the 2200 came out and questions were asked about 1.  It being available without a Systainer, and 2. Not having a plug-it cord, the answer was that Festool thought that it would be mainly used in a shop situation and would be unlikely to be put away.  Thus the permanent cord and just a cardboard box if desired (the setup with a Systainer was also available.)

It came out in the 2008-2009 time period I believe.  Plug-it cords were already in use then.

Peter

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I'm very much in a shop situation, but I still put things away.
With the minor exceptions of a dead-blow mallet and a narrow-crown stapler, everything has a specific place and goes there every night. I very much appreciate the Systainer concept and wish other tool manufacturers would get it together.