Talk me into it

[sancho57]

I got the 1010 and love it. iuse it for about everything. I already own a pc 690 and I got the pc 3 1/4 hp mounted inna table.

I got a load of 1/2" router bits (690 and  table mounted routers), I got lots more 1/2 than the 1/4" the 1010 uses.

Ive been thinking about getting one that will take the 1/2" bits.

Ive been looking hard at the 2200.

It is a monster a tad pricey and if I get it  I dont know if I will even use my table mounted router.

I havent used it alot since I got a taste of the green kool aid.

The 1400 does about the same thing as the 1010 does it can use 1/2 bits and a lot lighter then the 2200.

The 1400 is about half the price of the 2200.

So which one should I get.

Talk me into it.

 

[peter halle]

I think you really need to look at the work your do.  The 2200 will spin larger bits and is a monster that is arguably the king of the hill.  But if you don't need the mega bits on a regular basis, then you will not be using the tool to it's fullest potential in my opinion.

The 1400, which I have, may have the specs that on paper can be matched by other routers in its class.  But the difference is that Festool is conservative and the router is more than what is said.  Add to that the number of accessories that make it even greater, and you have a clear cut different machine.

Look at your bit usage and you will know the answer.

Peter

 

[RONWEN]

I was "seeing green" and about to pull the trigger on a 2200 but then (as Peter suggests) I looked at my situation -- I have a 1400 which I really like and also a great router table setup with a 3-1/2hp router, two (2) Bosch routers that I leave setup for dovetail pins & tails.  I do all of my work in the workshop so the router table is always available. 
I decided I'd do much better spending "green" dollars elsewhere.  If I were a contractor that needed a very large router at job sites it may be a different story but again as Peter says "don't underestimate the power of the 1400".

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Yeah, me too.  I make furniture in my garage shop.  Use the 1400 almost every day.  I bought the 2200, but haven't had my work that would use its features, so since its bigger and heavier, it pretty much stays in the systainer.  For the price, the 1400 is the sweet spot in the Festool lineup.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Get it, you already have the 1010 which can handle a lot of work.

Man up and buy it.  the DC on the 2200 is way better then the 1400.

 

[Kevin Stricker]

Better DC, better ergonomics, better balance.  IMO it iis more than twice the router compared to the 1400. Personally I find the 1400 to be a compromise. It is top heavy and has poor visibility when the dust shroud is in place.  The 1010 and 2200 is a perfect combo. Keep the router table, as no handheld router can really replace its functionality.

 

[Kev]

I have a 1400. Both the 1010 and 2200 are on my shopping list. Also the CMS setup to use the 2200 in the form of a router table ... 1010 intended for a VS600 (also on the roadmap).

Both the 2200 and the Domino XL are beyond the needs of and immediate projects (I'm a DIY / hobbyist), but I'll get them because they're awesome.

Two justification profiles ...

1. I like it, I want it, I can afford it ...

2. I have a practical use for it, it will make me more effective, I have enough work coming to justify it.

... I seem to always find I'm using the first one.

Kev

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I think that the 2200 is the best tool Festool makes and it is probably the smoothest, most well balanced hand power tool I have ever used.  I did a review on FOG a year or so ago and there are a couple of nice video reviews on here too.  Since it is big and capable of swinging the largest of bits, it will handle your upper end needs and it will compliment the 1010 nicely.  OF1400 is a nice router too and I may buy one at some point, but the 1010 and 2200 have so far fulfilled all of my hand-routing needs.  The good news is you can always try one out and see if it fits your needs and if not, change it for a 1400.  I would not hesitate to buy one and if something happened to mine, I would buy another in a heartbeat.  Get the accessory kit too and an extra edge-guide and you will have pretty much everything you need to accomplish most hand routing tasks.

Scot 

 

[mouppe]

Be honest with yourself...do you really need talking into it?

[poke]

 

[RONWEN]

I shouldn't read these dammed threads!  The 2200 embers are starting to glow again.  [huh]  After I get an XL700 I may have to have a 2200...  [unsure]

 

[agehall]

Only reason I have not gotten myself a 2200 yet, is that I'm holding off until summer to see if any dealers here will have them on sale. Come May and I'll have to buy one regardless to keep the green devil inside me at bay.

 

[Kev]

Only reason I have not gotten myself a 2200 yet, is that I'm holding off until summer to see if any dealers here will have them on sale. Come May and I'll have to buy one regardless to keep the green devil inside me at bay.

I had to go two weeks over the Christmas break without a Festool fix ...  [unsure]

I have eBay alerts setup for anything Festool, Protool, Tanos, etc

I spend time on FOG most days

There's a strange woman walking round my house - I think she's either the cleaner or my wife

Green devil inside you say?

 

[agehall]

The worst part is that the woman running around in my house is cheering me on. She actually got happy when I told her I had bought a used LR32 kit...

 

[Stone Message]

Dear Sancho

I do not have the 1400 and so am unable to give you the comparison information that you seek. However...

Scot has summed up the OF2200 well - I love mine and always go to it first when I need to do some routing. Before I went green I had 4 other routers. One is permanently set up for dovetailing and copes well enough. My old Stanley is a museum piece and is used to show people what life was like in the dark ages. The other 2 are gathering rust.

I am a little arthritic and find the OF 2200 easier to use than any router that I have either owned or used. It is so smooth and easy to setup - it is perfect.

Peter

 

[sancho57]

Guys thanks for the great replays. You have made it even harder for me to make the decision.

I decided to go with the 1400.

The reason is the over lap between the 1010 and the 1400. I build a lot of cabinets. Currently I am building a oak closet organizer. So its like set up the 1010,  bore the holes , edge band the panels tear down the 1010 LR 32 and attach the edge band trimmer attachments. then cut some more and repeat.

With the 1400, I can set it up for the LR 32 and set up the 1010 for the edge band trimming andincrease my production.

As Im writing this It has occured to me my process is off kilter. I should be cutting all the ply parts then bore the holes in all the panels and then edge band and trim all the panels.

Since I do this part time Im in no hurry to get it done and neither are my clients.

However I do get tired of breaking down and setting up all the time.

Plus the 1400 will accept my 1/2 bits. So they wont be collecting dust.

Ill be picking it up this friday.

A early B-day present :>D (at least thats what Ill tell the wife )

Maybe with the money i saved by buying the 1400 ILO 2200 ,

I can afford one of those fancy festool watches :>D

 

[RONWEN]

Guys thanks for the great replays. You have made it even harder for me to make the decision.

I decided to go with the 1400.

The reason is the over lap between the 1010 and the 1400. I build a lot of cabinets. Currently I am building a oak closet organizer. So its like set up the 1010,  bore the holes , edge band the panels tear down the 1010 LR 32 and attach the edge band trimmer attachments. then cut some more and repeat.

With the 1400, I can set it up for the LR 32 and set up the 1010 for the edge band trimming andincrease my production.

As Im writing this It has occured to me my process is off kilter. I should be cutting all the ply parts then bore the holes in all the panels and then edge band and trim all the panels.

Since I do this part time Im in no hurry to get it done and neither are my clients.

However I do get tired of breaking down and setting up all the time.

Plus the 1400 will accept my 1/2 bits. So they wont be collecting dust.

Ill be picking it up this friday.

A early B-day present :>D (at least thats what Ill tell the wife )

Maybe with the money i saved by buying the 1400 ILO 2200 ,

I can afford one of those fancy festool watches :>D

You didn't mention but having a good router table for the big bits & heavy stock removal had to enter in to your decision.  [thumbs up]                 

 

[sancho57]

I got a cast iron top router table with a sliding table. I use a 3 1/4 hp PC variable speed router in it. But you right thanks for mentioning it