Since he will have different cutters on both of the router tables, and another set of knives in the shaper, he often uses his and one of my OF2200 free hand (or with bearing guides) to avoid changing bits and set-ups. He already owned an OF2200 when he joined my firm.
The cabinet maker working for me who specializes in face frames, doors and drawer fronts is our prime user of the shaper and router tables. However, with Steve Bace and Brian Sedgeley coaching all of us, like Scot and the others I not only used those big cutters, I found I enjoy doing so.
Frankly I still believe normally those should be used on a router table. I had seen videos of using large cutters on the OF2200. The class gave him confidence to go home and put his OF2200 to use. My class work partner had bought an OF2200 which he had not used. Scot and I were in the same Advance Router class in Henderson, NV in November 2010. I have a policy of not using CNC bits in the OF2200 and not using ordinary bits in the CNC machines. My experience is that they are at risk when used in normal routers. They cost far more than standard router bits. CNC bits and cutters are designed to be fed by power at constant rate as programmed. They are designed to run at higher rpm that the OF2200. Most of the bits and cutters I use for my CNC nested router have 1/2" shanks. Many times I have communicated to Festool that if they sold just the router head without the base of the OF2200 I would buy those for my router tables.
Those PC routers are fairly new and I replace them before they show wear and slop in the bearings. Given that the total value of all my 1/2" shank bits and cutters equals the list price of many OF2200, I do not begrudge the price of this router.īesides a big tilting arbor shaper with power feed, I own two router tables, using PC router motors of about the same power as the OF2200. The less vibration in the router beatings the longer the bit will last. My feeling is that the OF2200 is easier on bits than other 2000+ watt routers mostly because the bearings are more substantial than other brands. Many of my 1/2" shank bits and cutters go back to before I bought my first OF2200. Since I started using routers in the late 1940s my policy has always been to buy the best quality available. The fact is that almost always when I reach for a router bit or cutter with a 1/2" shank I use an OF2200. I love the smooth action and weight of the OF2200, which soaks up the feeling of vibration in use. Like many of us FOG members, I own Festool MFK 700, OF 1010, OF1400 and OF2200.Īctually I own several MFK 700 and OF1010.