What's with Festool?

[Mike Cutler]

I recently picked up a Festool OF-2000E/1 router at an auction and can't figure out what the fuss is all about with the Festool brand, at least with respect to this tool. The other routers I have from Makita, Bosch, Milwaukee and Porter Cable are just as capable at a fraction of the cost. What am I missing? However, the box is pretty cool and easy to store.

Steve

I've never used a 2000, but I do have a 2200OE, and it is a very nice tool.It doesn't show it's "true colors", until you throw some big work at it.
Mine was purchased to route out holes,and template work, in 1-1/2" thick Padauk panels. My Porter Cables were tearing the heck out of my hands, but that Festool did the work very smoothly, with the same bit that was installed in the PC's.
In 4/4 softwoods, domestic hardwoods, and cab ply, you won't see much difference other than you can literally use it one handed in those materials. Get it into some dense thick tropicals and it's a different game. I still have my PC's, and they're very capable tools, but the big Festool is much, much smoother ,and vibration free.
It's a lot of $$$$ and you have to know you want it, or have a need for it.

I do have a few Festool tools, but I don't consider myself a Festool aficionado of any sort.