Magenta wrote:
> I have a Benchdog Protop Contractor RT150 portable router table
> (though I don't plan on porting it)
>
> Anyways, I'm looking at the Freud router for this table. Does anyone
> care to share their experiences with this router as a table only
> router?
I bought a Freud 1700VCEK about a year ago (I realize it's not as big
as the one you're looking at, but it is very similar). Based on my
experience, I would not recommend it. From day one, the above table
height adjustment was not very repeatable. The spindle lock broke
after about a month of intermittent use. Next, the height adjustment
mechanism (made from plastic parts) stripped out. Finally, the motor
died. I posted a detailed account in a previous thread if you care to
search for it.
I returned it to the closest service center (cost me $15 shipping) and
received a new one under warranty. The spindle lock on that one has
already broken. I will never buy another Freud power tool again,
though I may still buy blades and bits on occasion.
While the original was in the mail, I bought a Milwaukee 5625 and a
woodpecker router plate to mount it in. This unit has performed
flawlessly.
Regards,
John.
Patriarch wrote:
> Magenta <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
> >
> > I have a Benchdog Protop Contractor RT150 portable router table
> > (though I don't plan on porting it)
> >
> > Anyways, I'm looking at the Freud router for this table. Does anyone
> > care to share their experiences with this router as a table only
> > router?
> >
>
> I don't know if this one counts, because I bought it maybe 6 years ago.
> Used it on one project handheld, then built a nice table for it and bought
> a Porter Cable 690 for handheld work.
>
> It's a reliable, well-constructed plunge router that does what I need it to
> do. I'm a relatively experienced hobby guy now, but the router may go for
> months without running, then get an intense week or two of work. On the
> upcoming schedule is a kitchen and master bath's worth of Shaker doors &
> drawers. I just wish the temps would warm a bit from the overnights in the
> 20's.
>
> As I said, I don't know whether this exact router is still sold. I'd have
> another, (advertised 3.25 hp) if I needed one.
>
> Patriarch
I'll second the PC690. I have one of those for lighter-duty work. You
can get it with either a fixed base or plunge base, or as a kit with
one of each. I've had mine for years and it works very well.
Regards,
John.
Magenta wrote:
> I have a Benchdog Protop Contractor RT150 portable router table
> (though I don't plan on porting it)
>
> Anyways, I'm looking at the Freud router for this table. Does anyone
> care to share their experiences with this router as a table only
> router?
My Freud FT2000 (?) 3 1/4 router has served me well over the last four
years as a dedicated router table router. The spindle lock is beefy
(the other poster was referring to another Freud router) and as for
repeatability, when do you plunge a router fixed in a table?
Do it and don't look back.
D'ohBoy
Magenta wrote:
> I have a Benchdog Protop Contractor RT150 portable router table
> (though I don't plan on porting it)
>
> Anyways, I'm looking at the Freud router for this table. Does anyone
> care to share their experiences with this router as a table only
> router?
When I put my router table together - a workmate, a one-inch thick
piece of melamine from an old computer desk, a rousseau router table
plate and some clamps - I had a Hitachi M12V and a Freud FT2000 to
choose from. I bought a router raizer at a wood show and when I read
the instructions it looked less complicated to install in the Hitachi
so I use the Hitachi for the table work.
Truth is though, I bet I could have flipped a coin. Both routers have
done everything I've asked of 'em. :-)
(I will now take the opportunity to go slightly off topic and plug the
router raizer. Nifty little time saver for the price.)
Magenta <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>
> I have a Benchdog Protop Contractor RT150 portable router table
> (though I don't plan on porting it)
>
> Anyways, I'm looking at the Freud router for this table. Does anyone
> care to share their experiences with this router as a table only
> router?
>
I don't know if this one counts, because I bought it maybe 6 years ago.
Used it on one project handheld, then built a nice table for it and bought
a Porter Cable 690 for handheld work.
It's a reliable, well-constructed plunge router that does what I need it to
do. I'm a relatively experienced hobby guy now, but the router may go for
months without running, then get an intense week or two of work. On the
upcoming schedule is a kitchen and master bath's worth of Shaker doors &
drawers. I just wish the temps would warm a bit from the overnights in the
20's.
As I said, I don't know whether this exact router is still sold. I'd have
another, (advertised 3.25 hp) if I needed one.
Patriarch