What's the down side of recon OF2000 router?

[BarnRubble]

I've not worked with a router in decades, but expect to have several minor home reno projects and simple furniture builds in the near future.  If buying new, the 2200 would not be considered but with a recon - it's the least expensive way to get Festool quality.  What are the drawbacks for a hobbyist like me? 

 

[Kev]

[welcome]

Drawbacks with anything old / reconditioned are always about potentials ... potential for failure, parts shortages, etc. The 2000 is a good bit of gear and for the right price it could be a sensible gamble.

The OF2200 has features and accessories that make it very high in utility ... but you wouldn't directly compare a recon 2000 with a new 2200 unless they were close in asking price.

Kev

 

[peter halle]

First,

Welcome to the FOG!  The 2000 and the newer version the 2200 are BEASTS!  IMHO after reading posts here it is not usually the first router purchase - it is usually an add-on once the need for it is determined.

 

[amt]

I just bought a reconditioned OF 2000 last week, and I started using it yesterday.  I have been using to do templating, cutting through 1.5" thick birch plywood (with three passes using a Freud 1/2" double flute bit).  The router has tons of power and is very smooth.  I only intend on using it for 1/2" shank bits (the included collet is 1/2, but there are others you can buy).  I do also intend to eventually get another router, probably the OF 1010, which I am hoping will complete my router needs.  The only downside I have seen with the OF 2000 is that the dust collection is nearly non-existent.  I am, however, only using a shop vac and a festool 27mm hose, so I expect it could be better.  Honestly any enhancement has to be better that what I am experiencing now, as I doubt 10% of the chips are even making it to the vac.  There is such a strong current of wind created by this router, that it's like having a mini tornado spewing chips everywhere.  If you have a festool dust extractor, my guess is that the DC situation would be better.  How much better?  No idea, really.  Maybe someone else here knows...

Even though the dust collection has not been optimal, I am still glad I was able to get this router at $193.  To give you an idea of the value of this router, take a look at its cousin:
http://www.timberwolftools.com/tools/mafell/MAF-LO65EcMidi.html  which sells for over $1000

If I had not purchased this router, my plan was to start with a OF 1400 and hope it can serve all my routing needs.

 

[glass1]

no downside. Its a great deal an an excellent machine!

 

[sancho57]

depends what you are planning to do with. for small jobs the 1400 or ten ten might suit you better

 

[waho6o9]

No down side. 

 

[ccarrolladams]

I've not worked with a router in decades, but expect to have several minor home reno projects and simple furniture builds in the near future.  If buying new, the 2200 would not be considered but with a recon - it's the least expensive way to get Festool quality.  What are the drawbacks for a hobbyist like me? 

[welcome]  to The FOG, Barney,

The Festool OF2000 is a marvelous router. As reconditioned by Festool it will function as if factory new. It has long been Festool policy to support discontinued tools for at least 7 years. That is about how long the newer OF2200 has been around, but I am sure since Festool reconditioned the tool they will stand behind it.

As a long-time user of routers, I tend to share the warnings of others. In my case the OF2000 was my second Festool router. The previous month I bought an OF1010 to drill shelf pin holes. Having used routers since 1946, at the time in 2006 I already owned many other routers from various manufacturers, several as powerful as the OF2000, but I had come to appreciate the plunge action of the OF1010. None of my other routers plunged.

To me the OF2000 handled as well and was as smooth as the OF1010. However, the OF2000 did not collect chips and dust as well as the TS55 and OF1010. So a couple of months after I bought the OF2000 I sold it and replaced it with an OF2200, which I still use frequently.

It is true the OF2000 is large and powerful. What worries me and makes me hesitant to recommend it to you is your statement that you have not owned or used any router in 'decades'. The thing is most tasks we do with a router do not require 2,000 watts of power and there is a learning curve before we become 'at one' with powerful routers. They can be a challenge, so keep that in mind.

 

[wh500special]

I ordered one of the 30% units and see no downside.  The unit I received looked about as close to new as I could hope.  There are signs of use on the bottom of the baseplate and the word "Demo" is written in marker across the motor housing, but I can't find anything functionally deficient that would keep me from buying another one.

At the recon pricing, these are a bargain.  You can't do much better for a router this size even if you venture into economy brands.

I find the DC to be "fair".  I went from zero dust collection with my PC router to the flimsy little plastic hood on the OF 2000.  I think it does a respectable job given the fact that chips are being sent out from the bit at 100 mph.  The only thing I don't like about the OF 2000 is the dust hood...it can break if you're a little rough with the thing.

Great router.  Great price.

 

[tallgrass]

The router is great. It has not gotten worse since the 2200 came out. It is just as great as it ever was. I have several and use them all the time. If it meets your needs than you will not be let down.

 

[BarnRubble]

Thanks all for the warm welcome and the perspectives you offered.  I don't believe the size will be a hinderance for the projects in mind. So I decided to do something I usually regret - letting price be a deciding factor - and went ahead with the purchase.  I suspect that fitting into the Festool system plus getting Festool quality at half the usual entry point will keep me in smiles for some time.

(or I could always feed the addiction with another tool in the future....)

 

[promark747]

Don't worry, you won't regret it.  I sold my OF1400 (could never really get comfortable with the unique handle) and bought several OF2000, and have been extremely happy.

 

[RONWEN]

WELCOME!

You didn't mention if the home reno projects are "on the road" or at your home but as far as furniture builds you may want to consider a nice router table setup -- very very handy for many operations.

 

[BarnRubble]

WELCOME!

You didn't mention if the home reno projects are "on the road" or at your home but as far as furniture builds you may want to consider a nice router table setup -- very very handy for many operations.

The Reno will be at my daughter's home and my home setup will be shared space in the garage.  So even at home I am "on the road".  All the more reason to get the setup well thought through.  I suspect there's an MFT in my future.