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Freud FT2000EP 3-1/4 HP Electronic Variable Speed Plunge Router with Deluxe Edge Guide | List Price: $384.25
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Brand: Freud
Binding: Tools & Hardware
Features: - A versatile handheld/table-mounted router for personal or professional use
- Electronic variable speed control maintains constant speed and power under load for the best cuts
- Detachable dust collection port for cleaner operation
- Includes both 1/2-inch collet and 1/4-inch collet sleeve
- 1-year limited manufacturer's warranty
inexpensive but problematic [Posted on 2005-02-22]
The main problem I found with the router was the poorly fitting 1/2 inch and 1/4 inch collet. Both were too large to fit standard router bits when the compression nut was in place. I had grind the hardened steel collets on a lathe ( to avoid unbalancing the rapidly turning bits) to fit. The second problem I found was that the system that controls the depth of bits is sprung to high. This makes it difficult to extend the bits without using excessive force to compress the springs. The adjustment knob, usefull for fine adjustments, also requires excessive force to turn when the springs are near full compression. Because the knob compresses only one side it will jam pulling the router out of alignment. This makes it difficult to use in a table. The final major complaint is the collet doesnot extend far enough for some short router bits. In summary inexpesive but beware of its limitations.
Amazing [Posted on 2005-07-28]
This router is simply amazing. I have owned a few routers, from fixed base to plunge type, and am very pleased with this router in peticular in comparison to the others I have owned in the past. I own two of these work horses, and they never let me down. Positive features include the soft start, multiple speed for different types of router bit aplications, and micro adjustment knob. When the router is plunged and attempting to adjust with knob even further, it is a little difficult, as there is a lot of tension under the springs. However that is no set back. It performs awsome in the table I have it mounted in. I do mostly custom car audio aplications with this router, but I own cabinetry bits such as a raised panel set that this router turns amazingly. This is not your average router, and for the price, I plan on owning one more to add to my collection. Very happy with it.
Customer Satisfaction [Posted on 2006-03-02]
This is the second Freud router I have purchased. The first one I overheated. Outside the warranty period, Freud replaced it for free with no questions asked. I attended a factory representative demonstration of the router and other Freud products. The technology Freud puts into all its products is superior and worth the price. This is the only plunge router that I tried that "plunged" up and down smoothly.
Freud 3 1/4 HP Router [Posted on 2007-01-12]
This is the second FT2000EP that I bought. I put the first one on my router table and liked it so much that I bought my son one just like it. It has never lacked for power, and the speed does stay constant. The first one had an edge guide that was OK but the second one was better. It takes a lot of cranking on the knob to go all the way from one end to the other but I like the fine adjustment. The plunge feature is flawless and it is easily locked when you mount it in a table. The variable speed feature has not faltered and the insert for the 1/4 inch router bits works well. All I buy now are 1/2 inch because the bits are tougher but the grip on the smaller bits is fine. Others may be as good but the price for the Freud is quite low in comparison to the competition.
Production shop tool for hobby price [Posted on 2007-07-24]
I make solidbody guitars. I would use a shaper, a jointer, and a plunge router to shape the bodies......if the Freud 2000e didn't do all of those tasks flawlessly. The thing is simply well made. It lasted me from '98 to about a week ago(late July '07), thousands of hours of hard use, cutting everything from poplar to padouk, from elm to ebony, and it just kept going. First of all it weighs 13 pounds-it has alot under the hood so to speak. Second, it doesn't have a lot of useless gadgetry to help 'sell' it to weekend warriors-it's made in europe(as opposed to china), where appariently they still have 'old world' craftsmenship. I read another review that said it is hard to take the springs off for table use. First off, you don't need to take the springs off( I never did while cutting 2" stock on a homemade 1" thick table top, and using a bearing guide, for a total of about a 31/2" protrusion from the base), just 'feel' the wood feed and don't hog it. But if you wanted to take the springs out, Simply pop the plastic endcap of the height adjustment knob then unscrew one screw, then simply unthread the height knob - that's it! Takes maybe 30 seconds tops! Also the same guy who panned it said he cut off the 'tabs' that hold the spindle lock wrench in place - those 'tabs' are actually screws that serve a dual purpose, they also hold the front wheel bearing retainer plate in place! I can see why you would have runout with the front wheel bearing not secure!
I don't mean to put anybody down but....Good Grief! if your going to frankenstein the instrument, don't go around blaming the design!
Finally, it's the only router I have ever seen that when the wheel bearings wore out,(which will eventually happen to any router), it didn't cause the motor windings to burn up. Usually when a router goes out you'll have a loss of power while smoke is coming out of the body then it goes dead. This is the motor windings shorting because of excess heat from worn wheel bearings . What all that means is that the windings of the field and armature are of sufficient gauge(bigger) to withstand incredible heat-you'll see the plastic housing melt around the bearings before the motor goes, another sign of it's well built, over-engineered design .
I am going to get two more so I can leave one in the table - AND send them in every five or six years to get new bearings and brushes, after all, it's a shame to not keep something going that works so well.
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