Here's the latest from Festool on the release of their exciting new OF 2200 half inch router.
We've just got our hands on one! Initial impressions are good, look out for our full review in The Woodworker soon ~ Ed
Here's what Festool say about their new OF 2200
The new OF 2200 is unique in its performance and operation and shines in all aspects: a powerful drive, perfect technical equipment, maximum ergonomics and the highest possible precision. With its generous draw-through, even hardwoods and mineral materials can be cleanly routed. The new OF 2200 router is available from April 2008 at specialist retailers.
The new router has made a quantum leap in its technology, safety and ergonomics. It is powerful, easy to operate, convenient and safe. Whatever challenges a job presents, the OF 2200 has the solution to hand.
Powerful draw at 2200 watts
The new router gets its powerful draw from its electronic motor control system. The triple-bearing armature shaft ensures low vibration routing even with hardwoods, such as in ash with a 30 mm routing diameter and 20 mm routing depth. The 80 mm routing stroke is made up of 70 + 10 mm. The clamping collet that projects by 10 mm ensures optimum hold of the routing tools, such as when using routing templates with thicker materials. Above all, the OF 2200 shows what it is made of when working with large workpieces and hard materials. The perfectly-matched balance between size and weight enables the user to control the new router effortlessly, even at full power. The design of the base runners means that it can be precisely positioned on the workpiece, guaranteeing precise results and ergonomic, safe work.
Top-class ergonomics
The top-class ergonomic efficiency of the new router is achieved by the positioning of the guide rods so that they are offset by 30° when routing with the side stop or the guide rail. This allows operation to be always optimally aligned with the direction of thrust, thus substantially reducing the effort required, especially with long-lasting routing jobs. Moreover, the essential operating elements, such as two column clamping, the on-off switch and the release button for the extractor ring are conveniently accessible.
Absolute flexibility and comfort
The new OF 2200 gets its excellent flexibility from the easy cutter change system and the fast, precise profile routing setting. The copying ring, chip catcher and base runner can be changed quickly and without tools by means of the FastFix system. Centring is automatic. Already a familiar, tried-and-tested feature of the OF 1400, the user can change the cutter quickly, safely and conveniently by means of the spindle stop with rocker and ratchet system.
Systematic cleanliness
The best possible dust extraction is essential for fine wood dust. Festool has developed a new concept for optimum dust extraction for the OF 2200 router. The extractor ring that can be lowered, the chip catcher and the extractor connectors, rotatable by 45°, provide up to 99 % suction power even when routing edges. The extractor ring can be pushed up for an optimum view of the cutter and scribe mark. By lowering the extractor ring, an enclosed chip space can be achieved when plunge-cutting with the router, which keeps dust from escaping.
Maximum precision
The new router is also a masterpiece in matters of fine adjustment. The coupling of the base plate and motor unit mean that the base plate can be moved up or down in 1/10 mm steps. This enables the profile cutter to be adjusted to the workpiece more easily and with greater precision. The two column clamping means that both guide columns are clamped simultaneously and with zero play, ensuring maximum precision and clean cutting results. The router base plate is fully torsionally rigid, even when extreme forces are applied.
Ideal for expansion and teamwork
As a manufacturer of systems, Festool naturally offers a full range of accessories for the new router. The accessory Systainer makes the masterpiece a flexible complete system. The user always has the necessary accessories to hand and is always able to adjust the machine for different jobs quickly and efficiently by means of the tool-free base runner and copying ring changeover. Further system accessories include a multiple routing template, a routing aid for the cutting of grooves in doors and a workbench routing template. There is also a basic unit for the CMS Compact Module System, new to the whole range This transforms the new router into a powerful bench-mounted router, TF 2200 - ideal for the flexible and efficient handling of large work pieces and profiles. In addition to this, Festool offers a comprehensive range of over 160 cutters in HS and HW quality, and with various different shaft diameters.
Festool has put together some details of the new OF 2200 router and its comprehensive range of accessories on an IPT (Interactive Product Tour) user CD-ROM. This can be ordered direct from the Festool website. Further information is available at The masterpiece
The new OF 2200 router
The new masterpiece is unique in its performance and operation and shines in all aspects: a powerful drive, perfect technical equipment, maximum ergonomics and the highest possible precision. With its generous draw-through, even hardwoods and mineral materials can be cleanly routed. The new OF 2200 router is available from April 2008 at specialist retailers.
The new router has made a quantum leap in its technology, safety and ergonomics. It is powerful, easy to operate, convenient and safe. Whatever challenges a job presents, the OF 2200 has the solution to hand.
Further information is available at www.festool.co.uk
Technical data
Power consumption: 2,200 W
Routing stroke: 80 mm
No-load speed: 10,000-22,000 rpm
Router diameter max: 89 mm
Fine adjustment: 1/10 mm
Dust extraction connection: Ø 36 mm (27 mm)
Weight: 7.8 kg
