Freud FT3000VCE 3-1/4 HP Variable Speed Plunge Router Featuring Freud's Above Table Height Adjustments & Bit Changes

List Price: $581.65 Discount Price: $349.00

Features:

• 15 amp, 120 volts, 3-1/4 HP, RPM range 8,000 to 21,000, 1/4 and 1/2 inch collets, and instructional Video-CD for Routing Tips and Techniques
• Electronic speed control maintains constant speed under load
• Simple above the table micro-adjustment capability. Accurate to 1/128"
• Easy one hand above the table bit change
• 5 year limited warranty/90 day money back guarantee

Accessories:
Rousseau 3509 9-Inch x 12-Inch x 3/8-Inch Deluxe Router Base Plate	Freud 99-036 Adjustable Tongue & Groove Bit Set, 1/2-Inch Shank	Freud RTS5300 Router/Table Combo Package. Includes FT3000VCE Router, SH-5 Micro-Adjustable Fence, Aluminum Insert Plate and 16 Gauge Steel Stand	Kreg PRS3020 True-FLEX Featherboard - Twin Pack	CMT 800.505.11 13-Piece 1/2" Shank Router Bit Set

Customer Reviews:

Great router, very smooth, great power [Posted on 2007-11-08]
I purchased one of these for my router table due to its above the table feature. Quite simply, this is a very nice router. Starts smoothly, keeps its speed, is simple to adjust the height on, and has plenty of power for anything that I throw at it. I haven't used it out of the table, so I can't give any input on its plunge performance.

very powerful [Posted on 2007-12-14]
Mounted this to a Rockler router table extension from a table saw, very powerful router, cuts through oak like butter, the above table adjustments are easy to use, I connected it to a power switch so it would be easier to turn on and off which was very helpful. I haven't tried using it without being mounted so not sure how well it would work for that.

Hobbyist Wood worker Electrician by trade [Posted on 2008-01-20]
The best I could find on the web and in stores. I looked hard! It did not disappointment. The above the table height adjustment is great. The only downfall is the lock for the removal and replacement of the bits. To find the lock, it is under the table.
The safe start is great. Well balanced for above the table too.
Good power for powering through the work. My only regret is I didn't buy it first but it didn't exist back than. Very happy with it.

Superb Table Router [Posted on 2008-03-03]
(Editted from a Fine Woodworking forum post that I wrote.)
I've actually owned the FT3000VCE for about 5 months and can state that it's a truly fine tool. I had read a Fine Woodworking review of the 2 1/2 hp and many user comments at Amazon, etc. before deciding on this 3 1/4 model. I also did the same with all the major manufacturer's models including Dewalt, Triton, Milwaukee, Bosch and Porter Cable. My research included both the 2 1/2 HP and the available 3 1/4 HP. I was specifically interested in a table router.

If you want a table router and are familiar with some of the more traditional routers as used in a table, then you know what the concerns and problems are (access, adjustment, dust, etc.). You probably know what features are critical (bit changing, adjustment, power and wear-and-tearability). I found that the FT3000VCE is great for all of these with one minor (and temporarily acceptable) limitation. The biggest concern I had from reading all the reviews was the impact of wear-and-tear -- Triton, Milwaukee and the Freud 2/12 hp were cited as vulnerable on this with inappropriate use of plastic for wear-and-tear parts. All I can say is that Freud must have been reading those review, because as far as I can tell those critical parts have now been replaced with metal (specifically the height adjustment socket). Bit changing is above table and great! The bottom of the router (which faces up in the table) appears to be sealed from dust.

My one minor issue is that height (depth) adjustment is a little tedious. Cranking up to expose the bit and to lock the spindle is stiff (which is good -- you don't want it shifting on you) due to the weight of the router and strength of the springs. There is no simple top release to quickly move the router up into bit-changing position. A 2-inch round knob is provided to crank the router up and down (down is relatively easy), but up is where the tedious come in -- it's not quick). I've temporarily accepted it (and it IS minor, though in a production environment it means lost time), but I've augmented that round handled crank with a properly sized allen wrench (easier and faster, but somewhat rougher on the hands). What I really want is a true crank handle which would make this a relatively quick process. If Freud doesn't come out with one (and as far I'm concerned it should be free to early purchasers), I will soon end up making one to fit either the supplied knob or to fit on the allen wrench. (As an aside for this, I normally have a fence about 3" high mounted on my table. The supplied cranking tool happens to bang my fingers on the metal edge of that fence -- not comfortable. I don't want to take the fence off with every bit change or adjustment and the Allen wrench resolves that because it's about 6" long. If the fence is off, the Allen wrench works great because I can just swing it around crank-like with the short end in the socket -- as long as the bit isn't in the way of the short 1 1/2" clearance.)

Aside from all this, the Freud FT3000VCE works great, has the power to never bog down even with a 3" panel raising bit, starts smoothly and, so far as I can tell, has no runout problem at all (I haven't measured, but my joints are precise and tight). I don't use it out of the table, but I did try it our because I was concerned with the weight and size for a hand held. I was wrong to be concerned! I felt more in control than with any other router I've used including my Bosch 2 1/2 hp.

I guess there is one other problem with that round cranking tool: It has precision indicators down to 1/254" for height adjustment, but I haven't yet figured out a way to make it work by itself -- I have to mark a spot on the table to actually check the adjustment. This hasn't bothered me at all (except for being puzzled about how to use it) since I always measure and check my height (or depth) on scrap before routing. I can't say that would change even if the indicators worked as I had expected they should.

My router table is a decent Craftsman (after I modified it with a good aluminum plate). The router had no problem mounting in the existing plate mounting holes, but I did have to drill to get access to the height and spindle lock adjustment sockets in the router base. (I had expected more problems since the plate has been out for years before the router, but from what I can tell Freud used standard base mounting holes for 3 1/4 hp routers.)

Click here for more details and discount information...