As an only router the 2200 is not what would ever be useful for you. I recommend buying a Bosch or Dewalt in the $150 range to what you want to do. The 1010 is too restrictive in terms of the bits you can fit it plus it cannot take 1/2" bits. The 1400 and the Bosch or Dewalt can take them. If a bit has a 1/2" equivalent then buy that versus the 1/4".
Router - OF 2200 vs OF 1400?
- Thread starter Jimxavier
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Jimxavier said:
I own a 2200 and a 1010. The 2200 is an amazing router and has incredible power. I use it for routing stair stringers and other heavy work. I recently used it to cut a 1/2"x2" deep groove with a 1/2" bit in solid maple. It handled that task flawlessly. I would say it's a bit big for cutting designs in picture frames but I don't know exactly what you are doing. A 2200 in a router table would be an amazing machine - much like a commercial shaper.
The OF1400 is the best all-around router in the Festool line and has the power to a lot more beyond basics. Buying a much less expensive plunge router like a Dewalt, Bosch, Triton, or Milwaukee is a great idea if you're going to get another for use with an Incra table later except for the fact that the Festool routers excel at dust collection, can be used on Festool tracks on the MFT, and allow centering of the bit via marks on the base. Just those 3 features alone make the OF1400 worth it to me.
As for under a non-Festool table, a Festool router isn't the best choice in my opinion. An Incra lift with the Incra positioner fence, in a table is the most accurate around. Add a PC7518 motor or another similar brand motor for less money than the Festool routers. It's best to dedicate a motor to the table if you can. It's just needless messing around mounting and unmounting that I got tired of.
As for under a non-Festool table, a Festool router isn't the best choice in my opinion. An Incra lift with the Incra positioner fence, in a table is the most accurate around. Add a PC7518 motor or another similar brand motor for less money than the Festool routers. It's best to dedicate a motor to the table if you can. It's just needless messing around mounting and unmounting that I got tired of.
yetihunter
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Jimxavier said:
If you're going the Incra/Jessem/Woodpeckers route (pun intended), just plan to purchase one of the myriad of lower priced Mexican and Chinese made big brand routers for that.
In the meantime, I own a 1010, 1400 and 2200 and I use the 1400 for 90% of tasks. [big grin]
No, not really, but most, nonetheless.
However, if you're doing picture frames, the 1010 would be sweet for that.
ben_r_
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Exactly! The Porter Cable 7518 is the tried and true router motor for a dedicated router table setup. Especially with the Incra router lift and the magnetic CleanSweep inserts! Absolutely no reason to waste money on dedicating a Festool router for a table setup. Save the Festools for handheld operations.yetihunter said:
The PC 7518 is definitely a good choice for a table router. I've been using one in the table I made for better than 20 years. I have the original router table lift, a Bench Dog. This is an beast as it is all cast iron and brass and was marketed for light industrial use. I especially like the iron table as I can use Magsitch 400 and 600 magnets as my tension fences. I've really been tempted to buy their cast iron table but so far have been able to resist. I also used another PC with an over size base for pattern routing. That being said I now have two 2200s, a 1400, 1010, and 700...the Festools are sooo much smoother than the seven PCs and Boschs that I have and the dust collection is amazing.
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