I have three routers I use freehand. A Bosch Colt, a Bosch 1617 plunge/fixed kit, and an OF2200. I have a 3 1/2hp Milwaukee in a lovely Jessem table with an integral lift.
The Colt gets used where I have to use 1/4 bits, i.e. fine detail or tiny edge profiles/trims. But I almost never use the colt if I can help it. It’s great, but specialized.
The 1617 is a 2 1/4 hp unit and it was my primary router for a long time. It’s fine. It’s fiiiine. I used it in my old rudimentary router table. I can set it up for precise cuts or run it on straight edges for straight cuts, it just takes longer than the OF2200. It also bogs down unless used at slow feed ratesor shallower cuts than the OF2200. It’s louder pitched than the 2200.
My Milwaukee/router table set up is a joy. All the power, all the safety. Read a good quote somewhere: the smaller the work piece the bigger the machine you need. I can do big and small with that setup and it’s accurate, adequately powered, and safe. I’d don’t used routers freehand with small workpieces. Routers scare me the most of my many tools, I treat the with respect and clamp/block/jig/vise as I think safe.
The OF2200 puts a smile on my face when I use it. It’s got power which, properly used, is a safety feature. It’s dust collection is a marvel. It is easy to dial in. Honestly, one of my favourite tools to use and I’ll choose it every time I can if I can’t use my router table (unless it is a trim router job). I haven’t used my 1617 since I got the OF2200. The 2200 cuts smooth as butter and spins bits in a way that feels safer than the 1617.
The only “downsides” of the OF2200 are size/weight and cost. I’m a big fella, the OF 2200 is objectively large and heavy. I find that a feature, not a bug. More mass means safer for the spinning of bits, power for days. Cost? It’s a Festool. I think the costs are a bit overboard, but I do love it.
As you’ve read, no one has just one router if they’ve been doing this for any amount of time. As one other poster said, the OF2200 is one of his/her favourite tools. It might not be my #1, but it’s up there. If I could have just two freehand routers, I’d probably have my 2200 and then it’d be a real choice between another Bosch colt style router for cost/utility and the 1010. I love, absolutely love, the Festool dust collection. But for 7 times the cost, I can clean up the tiny shavings a palm router throws.
Interjection: I always use a 1/2” bit if I can. They’re more stable (safer/less chatter/more forgiving/handle knots better), leave cleaner cuts, and have lasted longer (for me).
So, I’ll answer your question with more questions:
1. What size bits are you planning on running? Given your projects, sounds more like 1/2” shank and multiple profiles. You can downsize a Cooley, not upsize a motor. Also, given your stated router table intentions, you’ll have a lot of 1/2” shank bits there. Go 1400/2200 and avoid buying multiple buts if the same profile for different shank sizes.
2. Are you strong/comfortable with big tools? Don’t take this as a manliness tough guy challenge. The one friend I have (also a hobbiest) that runs a 2200 is in his 50s and slightly taller than me. We both have no problem with the 2200 and appreciate its mass size. The 2200 is thiccc. But if you want a sports car, not a truck, get the 1400. If you want to haul bits and chips, get the 2200. If you want a SmartCar, get a 1010 or equivalent.
3. Are you trying for just one router? The 1400 might be your huckleberry. It’ll do most everything, and it will do most of what you need well. It’ll be clumsy for some smaller jobs (take those to the table where you can) and it can’t spin bigger bits (again, table if possible). But I bet you wind up with a colt style /1010 at some point in the future.
4. What is your dust collection setup? If you’ve got a festool/Hilti/proper high end dust collection setup, get a festool router. If not. Heavily consider dust collection as part of your near future needs. Routers are messy. If you’re going to be removing material, not just making a few shavings, go big as you can for the router and get serious dust collection.
5. Buy good bits, don’t cheap out and burn up your work after long prep by using non-carbide bits from questionable brands.
Be safe. All routers can bite. Do you know where your fingers are?
The Colt gets used where I have to use 1/4 bits, i.e. fine detail or tiny edge profiles/trims. But I almost never use the colt if I can help it. It’s great, but specialized.
The 1617 is a 2 1/4 hp unit and it was my primary router for a long time. It’s fine. It’s fiiiine. I used it in my old rudimentary router table. I can set it up for precise cuts or run it on straight edges for straight cuts, it just takes longer than the OF2200. It also bogs down unless used at slow feed ratesor shallower cuts than the OF2200. It’s louder pitched than the 2200.
My Milwaukee/router table set up is a joy. All the power, all the safety. Read a good quote somewhere: the smaller the work piece the bigger the machine you need. I can do big and small with that setup and it’s accurate, adequately powered, and safe. I’d don’t used routers freehand with small workpieces. Routers scare me the most of my many tools, I treat the with respect and clamp/block/jig/vise as I think safe.
The OF2200 puts a smile on my face when I use it. It’s got power which, properly used, is a safety feature. It’s dust collection is a marvel. It is easy to dial in. Honestly, one of my favourite tools to use and I’ll choose it every time I can if I can’t use my router table (unless it is a trim router job). I haven’t used my 1617 since I got the OF2200. The 2200 cuts smooth as butter and spins bits in a way that feels safer than the 1617.
The only “downsides” of the OF2200 are size/weight and cost. I’m a big fella, the OF 2200 is objectively large and heavy. I find that a feature, not a bug. More mass means safer for the spinning of bits, power for days. Cost? It’s a Festool. I think the costs are a bit overboard, but I do love it.
As you’ve read, no one has just one router if they’ve been doing this for any amount of time. As one other poster said, the OF2200 is one of his/her favourite tools. It might not be my #1, but it’s up there. If I could have just two freehand routers, I’d probably have my 2200 and then it’d be a real choice between another Bosch colt style router for cost/utility and the 1010. I love, absolutely love, the Festool dust collection. But for 7 times the cost, I can clean up the tiny shavings a palm router throws.
Interjection: I always use a 1/2” bit if I can. They’re more stable (safer/less chatter/more forgiving/handle knots better), leave cleaner cuts, and have lasted longer (for me).
So, I’ll answer your question with more questions:
1. What size bits are you planning on running? Given your projects, sounds more like 1/2” shank and multiple profiles. You can downsize a Cooley, not upsize a motor. Also, given your stated router table intentions, you’ll have a lot of 1/2” shank bits there. Go 1400/2200 and avoid buying multiple buts if the same profile for different shank sizes.
2. Are you strong/comfortable with big tools? Don’t take this as a manliness tough guy challenge. The one friend I have (also a hobbiest) that runs a 2200 is in his 50s and slightly taller than me. We both have no problem with the 2200 and appreciate its mass size. The 2200 is thiccc. But if you want a sports car, not a truck, get the 1400. If you want to haul bits and chips, get the 2200. If you want a SmartCar, get a 1010 or equivalent.
3. Are you trying for just one router? The 1400 might be your huckleberry. It’ll do most everything, and it will do most of what you need well. It’ll be clumsy for some smaller jobs (take those to the table where you can) and it can’t spin bigger bits (again, table if possible). But I bet you wind up with a colt style /1010 at some point in the future.
4. What is your dust collection setup? If you’ve got a festool/Hilti/proper high end dust collection setup, get a festool router. If not. Heavily consider dust collection as part of your near future needs. Routers are messy. If you’re going to be removing material, not just making a few shavings, go big as you can for the router and get serious dust collection.
5. Buy good bits, don’t cheap out and burn up your work after long prep by using non-carbide bits from questionable brands.
Be safe. All routers can bite. Do you know where your fingers are?
