Festool OF2000E Router (the big one)

[lucky_rick]

Hi

I know that there has been some talk about this router before but now that we have a Festool forum it seems appropriate to start a new thread.

I would be interested in hearing some feedback on this machine. Way expensive I know - that is a given but any other thoughts or thoughts on putting the expense into perspective. Does it work well in a table, etc.

Regards
Rick

[Wood Borer]

Rick,

I haven't used a Festool Router however I have been told by someone who has used them that on one model at least the 2 flat sides on the base are not equal distance from the centre. This may cause a problem if you set up a fence on one of the flat sides and accidentally used the other flat side.

It may not apply to the model you are talking about but check it out and give it consideration. It may have it's advantages but my mate didn't like it.

- Wood Borer

[QldWoodie]

I would be interested in hearing some feedback on this machine. Way expensive I know - that is a given but any other thoughts or thoughts on putting the expense into perspective. Does it work well in a table, etc.
I have this model. I also have a DeWalt 625 that I use in my Multi-router and have used Makita and Hitachi and played with the Triton. I have a Jet spindle molder/shaper that I use as a table router so cannot comment on the Festo for table mounting. The Festo has the nicest soft-start - the deWalt also has slow soft-start, but half-the-time I'm thinking it is on strike before it starts up. Festo seem to have just the right balance here.

I love the Festo but when I wanted a powerful (separate) router for the Multi-router I couldn't justify the extra $ for this application. So this is my first suggestion: Festo is superb as a general purpose heavy-duty router, but for a dedicated task (e.g. if it were to stay permanently in your table) then probably I'd buy one of the others and save the money.

As for accuracy:
1) the plunge depth gauge can be set to within 0.1mm and within the limitations of wood and skill I believe this is what I get every time.
2) the fence can be set to within 0.1mm and within the limitations of wood and skill I believe this is what I get every time.
3) There is supplied a setting gauge to make sure the copy ring is concentric with the cutting bit but I have never used it and as far as I'm concerned it was concentric when it came out of the box 5 years ago and is still so.
4) ditto for concentricity between the outer diameter of the base and the cutting bit. I do some pretty fine work (see pics of little hinges made with this router to tolerances in the order of 0.1mm). Woodborer mentions the flat sides of the base - mine has a flat on only one side and I've never had any problems of the kind he alludes to.

I havn't done enough specialised work on the other brands to know if their precision is as good as the Festo or not.

I like the shape of the handles, and position of plunge lock and on-off switch which are intuitively placed, but I'm sure with other routers that you could say the same - its something you get used to. Also it is (somewhat) heavy, but this has also not been something that has bothered me.

Festo is taller than (most) others and perhaps not as wide. Where are the trade-offs? Arguably "taller" means poorer stability. I haven't found this to be any significant issue. On the other hand, I often find that clamps (holding templates in place, for example) are in the way of the router and such a problem would be worse for a wider, squatter router than for the Festo.

Hope this helps.

Qw

[lucky_rick]

Woodborer & Qw

Thanks for taking the time to answer. All good info. I really want to get the Festo but I think that it will be in a table most of the time and based on numerous other posts here & there it looks like the Triton is the way to go for table use. Maybe its the Triton first and then the Festo for hand held use later on when more cash is available.

Thanks again
Rick

[toolie]

Hi Rick,

Festool apparently have just launched a new router which they claim has excellent new features - they have a glossy brochure to download from their web page www.festool.com.au ( Of 1400)

may be a bit closer to the Triton price wise?????????? : ;)

[lucky_rick]

Hey Toolie

Just checked it out then and it looks good. They had the smaller version before but it had the 1/4 " collet and I really wanted the 1/2 " so this new one looks good. I will check it out in a shop. Still leaning towards the Triton for a bench but this may be the hand held one I need.

Regards Rick

[Little Festo]

I have one of the 2000 Festool routers. I also have one of the smaller models also. The large router handles reall nicely, I was suprised. I managed to get mine cheap from a store selling out all of it's Festool stock - about $550. it's a pleasure to use but I'd don't think I'd pay full retail.


Peter