I saw a message from a Freud rep on another site regarding the release of a new router from Freud. Asked the poster but got no response.
Anyone have any info. or seen it at a show?
I’m in the market for a new table setup and want to know if I should wait to check it out.
Thanks.
Replies
Did I miss a post on another board? I apologize. Usually am better at finding them. The FT3000E exists only in prototype form in North America at this time. They are in production for the European market now and should arrive here within the next two months. It is 3-1/4 HP Plunge router and the motor is the same as on our current FT2000 and FT2200 routers but we have added the ability to adjust the height and change bits from above the router table.
Edit: I found your earlier post. Sorry I didn't see it earlier. I will see if I can find a picture.
Charles M
Freud America, Inc.
Edited 2/1/2006 5:59 pm ET by CharlesM
Thanks, I was curious how new of a design this is. A picture would be great, but I prefer fixed base for table use so doubt I'll hold out for the Freud.Appreciate the response.
What do you see as the advantage of a fixed base over plunge for the table?Attached is a B&W Pic.
Charles M
Freud America, Inc.
I acually had a FT2000 as my first table mounted router. Had some problems with collet runout and then the switch went bad about a year after purchase. Made me a little cautious about Freud power tools but I use your cutters and blades and am very pleased with them.But with the plunge I found it pretty tedious adjusting the height and changing bits. Since then I have worked in a shop that used a fixed base Porter Cable 3 h.p. mounted in a table and found it much easier to adjust and faster to change bits by just pulling the motor. I didn't find it a hassle but fine adjustments could be fussy. A lever lock for the motor and a fine adjuster would have solved these minor issues. I think Milwuakee has added these and I may look into this option as well. Although it may be just my perception I also feel like the router is more stable with the support a fixed base gives the motor. I do some pattern shaping with a bearing guided 1.75 tall" cutter and want to keep things as solid as possible when working in this way.For the record I am pretty firm in the fixed base for a table router camp. I really am amazed there is a whole little industry based on router gadgets to raise and lower a motor in a router table; something they will do right out of the box. For the cost of these things you could have another quality tool that acually makes a difference in your work or safety.I would like to see one of the new FT3000's but will likely have to make a decision before its on the market.Thanks, Charles.
I wish you had contacted us about the problems with your router. We are happy to take care of any issues. I appreciate your comments about the fixed vs. plunge.BTW, the tools shipping now have 5 year warranties.Charles M
Freud America, Inc.
Edited 2/2/2006 11:39 am ET by CharlesM
No problem. It must have been ten years ago and I can't recall the warranty at the time.I wouldn't discount Freud quality but I think I must have gotten a lemon. I would handle it much differently now and having representatives from the manufacturers on woodworking forums wasn't heard of at the time. Certainly helps to "put a face" on the companies.Thanks for your input.
I was going to point out to Adastra the other new Freud router, the FT1700VCEK fixed base. Then I saw a review on Amazon. Only one review, but Freud got nailed for very poor documentation. Is there any new literature in the works? I'm very interested in that router!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) Do unto others as you tell them they should do unto you....
Jamie,That's a wierd review. For one, the router comes with a user's manual that covers all operations. Also, a video CD detailing some basic router operation is included and plays with Quicktime on almost every computer made. Lastly, I think we have earned a reputation for being very responsive and for providing excellent customer service. Can you imagne that we would have ignored the reviewer's cry for help? Who did he contact? The only downside to Amazon reviews is that there is no way to tell if the writer has actually even purchased the item in question or is just out to bash you.
Charles M
Freud America, Inc.
I have the FT 2000 mounted in the Veritas router table. I handle the height adjustment by using the router height adjsuter sold for use with the Wood Rat http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=52622&cat=1,43000,52709&ap=1 It works great! Granted, if I was starting from scratch I might want to get a router that offered above the table adjustments, but my current package certainly meets my needs.Regards,Ron
Seems like a great idea, Ron. Funny, there's one in the classifieds here, from late January. How much hand-strength does it take?? That action that they show in the first picture at Lee Valley isn't my strong suit. [Never got all my strength back after carpal tunnel surg and a super-bad case of tendinitis.]forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I don't find that it takes an irritating amount of effort, but then I haven't had to do it while fighting an injury. I used to teach fly casting when I lived out in Vancouver and twice experienced tendonitis, with no desire to go through it again! I have not taken the springs out, which would definitely make using the lift easier to use.Regards,Ron
Well, if you've had tendinitis, you know where I'm coming from. There's no active injury now (as you say, never again!) but I just don't have as much strength as I used to have. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Hi Charles - What's the estimated MSRP of the FT3000 when it hits, and any guesses of what an approximate actual "street price" range might be? I too would interested in it, but depending on price, I may need to wait for the price to come into range of my budget.
AFAIK, the street price will be around $300.
Charles M
Freud America, Inc.
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