I recently completed a review of the OF2200 router and this is a follow-up review of the imperial accessory kit that is available. In my opinion, to get the most out of the router you need to equip it with the proper accessories for the planned routing task. The two accessory kits that are available is a great way to get the most value. Not counting the current promotion that is going on, the price of the accessory kit is $310.00. If you bought each part separately, you would spend $441 - $456 for the same pieces and you would also spend another $69.50 for a Systainer. All told and you are saving at least $200 buying the accessory kit vs. buying each part by itself. Festool offers a kit in metric and one in imperial and the difference between the two relates to the template guides. The metric set also includes 5 template guides vs. 4 template guides in the imperial set. Other than that, all of the other components are identical between the two sets.
So let's look at what is included:
Systainer 3 with insert to store the accessories
Table widener base (increases the footprint of the base for more stability, especially when edge routing and on narrower stock)
Template guide base (for use with template guide bushings -- includes channels for dust extraction)
Small bore base (for small diameter bits)
Offset base plate (used with the rail stop -- the offset is the thickness of the guiderail so that the router sits flush with the table and guide rail)
Guide stop (to use the router with a guide rail)
Guide rods (for use with the edge guide)
Edge guide (with fine adjustment screw)
Chip guard (for connecting to the bottom of thee edge guide -- helps aid dust collection)
Template guides (Imperial includes 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch and 1 3/8 inch OD templates; Metric set includes 17 mm, 24 mm, 27 mm, 30 mm and 40 mm OD templates)
Here are a couple photos showing everything in the Systainer and all of the parts removed from the Systainer. While there is a lot of stuff packed very securely, there is room for additional accessories -- I can easily fit a couple of the bigger limit stops and a 1/4 inch collet in mine.
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Each of the bases easily attaches to the router. There is a lever at the bottom of the base that releases the base and you simply lift it out and pop a new one into the base. The bases attach very securely with the aid of metal tabs that engage the bottom of the router. It takes a matter of seconds to change the base for the task at hand. What a pleasure it is to be able to swap bases without the need to use a screw driver to screw and unscrew base mounting hardware. Plus I do not have to worry about losing these little screws after they have been removed!
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The guide rail stop is a must have if you want to use the router on a rail -- this is perfect for dados, fluting and a host of tasks where you need straight lines in the middle of a board. Having a base plate with the proper offset is a nice touch as the router sits perfectly flush to the rail and on the stock. You do not need to rig up something to support the edge of the router as the base plate takes care of this offset.
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This last picture shows the adjustment screws to custom fit the guide rail stop to the rail.
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The edge guide is awesome -- it is precisely machined, sturdy and features easily removable faces (if you wanted to add a thicker and wider/longer face to the guide). It also has adjustment screws allowing you to move the fence plates in and out -- useful when routing along an edge as you can close up the fence to minimize the gap between the fences and minimize any chance of catching the inside portion of the edge). Since they are adjustable, you can move them in and out to accomodate various sized bits. The edge guide also features a micro-adjustment knob on the end that allows for very precise in/out adustment of the fence. The mechanism turns very smoothly and allows for minute fine adjustment of the guide. The two pictures below show the edge guide and there is also a close-up of the fine adjustment screw.
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The guide rods are heavy duty and they are long enough to support two edge guides if you wanted to trap the router between two of them for certain mortising and grooving tasks. This could serve as an alternative to the Plexiglas template (495246) that is also available, although it might not be as fast or convenient setting up since the routing aid incorporates an integrated ruler and center lines. It is nice to have different options available and further exemplifies the system approach of Festool.
The template guides are heavy duty and feature the same quick-change functionality as they are integrated into the template guide base. I should point out that the router itself comes with a standard U.S. guide bushing adaptor (which allows for the industry standard two piece threaded guide bushing that are common). So if you have a set that includes more sizes than what is included in this kit, you are not limited. This also allows the router to be used with jigs and accessories that might utilize a different size guide bushing.
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All in all this is another high quality product that is the perfect compliment to the amazing OF2200 router. This accessory set is very complete and you only need to add additional collets and another edge guide or the Plexiglas template to provide virtually limitless possibilities of this machine. All of the components are extremely well made and built to last in an industrial setting. The interchangeable bases with the quick-change functionality is a real plus and the edge guide is one of the smoothest and easiest to adjust that I have used. If you get the router, this accessory kit will not disappoint and as I mentioned before, I actually think it is a necessity. Granted you can buy the individual parts piece meal, but considering the extra savings you get with this kit it makes sense to spend the money. I think that this kit really includes everything you need and nothing that you do not.
The last picture shows a couple of other accessories that I included in the Systainer. There is not a ton of room, but there is enough to store a couple of other small items like additional collets and limit stops as you see here.
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I hope that this review was helpful and let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Scot
So let's look at what is included:
Systainer 3 with insert to store the accessories
Table widener base (increases the footprint of the base for more stability, especially when edge routing and on narrower stock)
Template guide base (for use with template guide bushings -- includes channels for dust extraction)
Small bore base (for small diameter bits)
Offset base plate (used with the rail stop -- the offset is the thickness of the guiderail so that the router sits flush with the table and guide rail)
Guide stop (to use the router with a guide rail)
Guide rods (for use with the edge guide)
Edge guide (with fine adjustment screw)
Chip guard (for connecting to the bottom of thee edge guide -- helps aid dust collection)
Template guides (Imperial includes 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch and 1 3/8 inch OD templates; Metric set includes 17 mm, 24 mm, 27 mm, 30 mm and 40 mm OD templates)
Here are a couple photos showing everything in the Systainer and all of the parts removed from the Systainer. While there is a lot of stuff packed very securely, there is room for additional accessories -- I can easily fit a couple of the bigger limit stops and a 1/4 inch collet in mine.
[attachthumb=#]
[attachthumb=#]
Each of the bases easily attaches to the router. There is a lever at the bottom of the base that releases the base and you simply lift it out and pop a new one into the base. The bases attach very securely with the aid of metal tabs that engage the bottom of the router. It takes a matter of seconds to change the base for the task at hand. What a pleasure it is to be able to swap bases without the need to use a screw driver to screw and unscrew base mounting hardware. Plus I do not have to worry about losing these little screws after they have been removed!
[attachthumb=#]
The guide rail stop is a must have if you want to use the router on a rail -- this is perfect for dados, fluting and a host of tasks where you need straight lines in the middle of a board. Having a base plate with the proper offset is a nice touch as the router sits perfectly flush to the rail and on the stock. You do not need to rig up something to support the edge of the router as the base plate takes care of this offset.
[attachthumb=#]
[attachthumb=#]
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This last picture shows the adjustment screws to custom fit the guide rail stop to the rail.
[attachthumb=#]
The edge guide is awesome -- it is precisely machined, sturdy and features easily removable faces (if you wanted to add a thicker and wider/longer face to the guide). It also has adjustment screws allowing you to move the fence plates in and out -- useful when routing along an edge as you can close up the fence to minimize the gap between the fences and minimize any chance of catching the inside portion of the edge). Since they are adjustable, you can move them in and out to accomodate various sized bits. The edge guide also features a micro-adjustment knob on the end that allows for very precise in/out adustment of the fence. The mechanism turns very smoothly and allows for minute fine adjustment of the guide. The two pictures below show the edge guide and there is also a close-up of the fine adjustment screw.
[attachthumb=#]
[attachthumb=#]
The guide rods are heavy duty and they are long enough to support two edge guides if you wanted to trap the router between two of them for certain mortising and grooving tasks. This could serve as an alternative to the Plexiglas template (495246) that is also available, although it might not be as fast or convenient setting up since the routing aid incorporates an integrated ruler and center lines. It is nice to have different options available and further exemplifies the system approach of Festool.
The template guides are heavy duty and feature the same quick-change functionality as they are integrated into the template guide base. I should point out that the router itself comes with a standard U.S. guide bushing adaptor (which allows for the industry standard two piece threaded guide bushing that are common). So if you have a set that includes more sizes than what is included in this kit, you are not limited. This also allows the router to be used with jigs and accessories that might utilize a different size guide bushing.
[attachthumb=#]
[attachthumb=#]
All in all this is another high quality product that is the perfect compliment to the amazing OF2200 router. This accessory set is very complete and you only need to add additional collets and another edge guide or the Plexiglas template to provide virtually limitless possibilities of this machine. All of the components are extremely well made and built to last in an industrial setting. The interchangeable bases with the quick-change functionality is a real plus and the edge guide is one of the smoothest and easiest to adjust that I have used. If you get the router, this accessory kit will not disappoint and as I mentioned before, I actually think it is a necessity. Granted you can buy the individual parts piece meal, but considering the extra savings you get with this kit it makes sense to spend the money. I think that this kit really includes everything you need and nothing that you do not.
The last picture shows a couple of other accessories that I included in the Systainer. There is not a ton of room, but there is enough to store a couple of other small items like additional collets and limit stops as you see here.
[attachthumb=#]
I hope that this review was helpful and let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Scot
