Reviews of Freud FT3000VCE 3-1/4 hp
Quickstep
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
Has anybody seen or have any personal reviews of the Freud FT3000VCE 3-1/4 HP Variable Speed Plunge Router? I’m thinking about buying one because it has the features I want in a router for my router table. FWW’s review of 2-1/4hp routers gave the Freud bad marks because of runout. Anybody know if that’s better in the bigger router? Any other opinions?
Replies
One of the problems with reviews is that if there's an isolated incident with a product that gets reviewed, it can get perceived as a bonafide design or manufacturing problem, when it may not be. Stuff happens...
Runout isn't an issue with my FT1700, and I don't recall others complaining about it. Mine's been super and I love the above table features. Haven't tried the FT3000.
I agree with Knotscott, I have a few routers and the freud 2 1/4 is a very nice tool
I'm surprised I haven't heard from anybody about the FT3000VCE. There must be some them in circulation since they seem to be available on the reconditioned market, so I'm surprised there's not someone here on the forum that has one. It will fit my table without modifiaction and seems to have the features I want, but I would really like to benefit from the sage experience from someone here. Anybody!?!
someone in the on-going festool router post is saying good things about their freud 3.25hp in their table. might want to ask them for specifics.
Junk. Avoid Freud.In this order:
1. Festool
2. Bosch
3. Milwaukee
I usually let posts like this go by but I have to know what experience you have with the FT3000VCE that brings you to share this enlightening response.
Charles M
Freud America, Inc.
Wow -- First of all I have to totally disagree with Syma's specious comment! I actually own the FT3000VCE and can state that it's a truly fine tool. I had read a FWW review of the 2 1/2 hp and many user comments at Amazon, etc. before deciding on the 3 1/4 model. I also did the same with all the major manufacturer's including those listed by Syma and the PC and Triton models. My research included both the 2 1/2 HP and the available 3 1/4 HP (the new Festool was not available and I would not have really considered it as I wanted primarily 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 -- at 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 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 on the router. (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.)
I got my FT3000VCE at Woodworker's Supply, but it's available at Amazon and other sources last I checked.
I hope I've provided a decent review and answered the questions asked. Let me know if there is more I can add.
Edit: It might be helpful to know that I also have a Bosch 1618 2 1/2 hp router (I think that's the model number) which I used in this table previously. It was ok, but I constantly had to get into the table cabinet for adjustments (2 wrench) and I when I took it out for hand-held use, it often wouldn't work when I turned it back over. I could pretty much get it to work again, but the last time before buying the Freud, nothing I did would get it to work. After taking apart the power compartment and switch (numerous times), I finally discovered (after dismantling the switch to it's individual parts) that dust had gotten packed inside the switch housing and was preventing the power connection. Then came figuring out the right way to reassemble the switch (there was one tricky lever that looked like it should go the other way -- nope), and everything was fine again. So now it is my hand-held and the Freud stays in the table. (And, BTW, after a quick hand test of my then new Bosch, the first time in the table it stopped working and only worked intermittantly when out of the table. $286 and it's a paperweight after one use. Since it was under warrenty, it only took 3 weeks to get it repaired -- they replaced the switch!)
I'll add to this that for years before all this, I used a top of the line Craftsman router that I thought was fine. Both the Bosch and this Freud are head and shoulders above that 30 year old model.
Edited 3/3/2008 11:51 am ET by richlife
I disagree too Syma....not enough data in that post. I suspect there's a reason but you didn't provide it.I've currently got a Freud FT1700 in my router table that I frequently choose over a very good MW5625, and over my Bosch 1617. The FT1700 replaced an MW5615 and FT2000....all of which were fine routers. I've also used a big Makita and the Bosch 1619, which were fine routers, but don't offer what the FT1700 and FT3000 do.
Edited 3/3/2008 4:07 pm ET by Knotscott
Hey guy's sorry for delay in getting back. I posted that in a real rush and should have gone into more detail.Let me start by saying, I LOVE Freud blades, no issues great performers, have them on all the saws. I also use a considerable amount of Freud bits, no issues.I gave Freud through one of their large distributors 4 shots at the routers. ALL failed. Between the broken switches, non concentric collets to base plate, seized up hex where you adjust the height through the base, and loose handles I gave up. Each time I was promised the new router was good to go it failed. Mind you I'm not throwing these things around like a corian shop, I am anal about my tools.I have since converted to all Festool and can report I have no issues whatsoever.Sorry if I upset some die hard Freud power tool fans but Freud needs to stick to blades, you can't be good at everything....I'm not.
I figured there was a valid reason behind your sentiment, and I'd have to say I don't blame you. Which model?
Hi Scott,
I had the 2-1/4 and 3-1/4 hp routers. The smaller one was the biggest problem. But the larger one (plunge) had a base I couldn't get straight with the collet to save my life.
There are owners out there sharing their opinions of this router. Email me through my profile and I will direct you to some of the posts. Keep in mind that there is a money back satisfaction guarantee as well as a 5 year warranty so you really have nothing to lose by trying one for yourself.
Freud America, Inc.
Hi,
I bought one of those routers a couple of months ago while I was in Woodcraft. They had the really cheap. Still not sure why. Actually, I wasn't planning on buying one, and I had my wife with me, so I was being kind of careful with the money. But she said, "Well, it's on sale so you should buy it." You don't have to tell me twice. So, home it came.
I am not planning to put it in my router table as I have a PC 3 1/4 horse there already. But, I was mortising some table legs the other day, and it seems to work OK. It doesn't seem to be as rigid as the PC on the plunge mechanism. It almost seems like you could twist the base a little bit if you wanted to. My PC you could not do that. I know these are impressions, but the PC just seems to be more solidly built than this router. One thing I'll say is that the plastic vacuum cleaner attachment seems to work real well. I have used the router several times, and had a vacuum hose attached, and when I was done, there was no dust anywhere.
So, that's all I can say about this router, for what I paid, it was a great deal, but I am not sure I would have gone full price on it. Just my humble opinion for what ever it's worth.
Bob
Bob, Quick question -- are you talking about the red FT3000? Or was it the older black FT2200? Both are 3 1/4 hp, but the older model is now available for much less.
I ask because your experience was so different than mine. I only used my FT3000 once as a hand held to test it, but I was really shocked! I expected a bulky, unwieldy experience and instead it was the most solid and stable router I have ever used. It's weight and mass seemed to really augment control. It's a major hand held improvement over my Bosch 2 1/2 hp.
Hi Richlife,It is the red one. I don't mean to mislead anyone; The router isn't bad, it just seems to me that it is not as solidly built as my Porter Cable plunge router. The pouter is solid, I guess. But, I could twist it (with some force) a little bit. I can not do that with my PC.Hope that helps.Bob
Ok. Thanks, Bob. It's good to know all you can about a tool before buying and this just adds to the info.
Thanks everyone for the responses. For those that have the Porter Cable, are you able to make adjustments and bit changes above the table?
Hi Quickstep, As the router comes, no. But I installed a lift device and a new after market collet, and so I am now able to do both. Makes it very nice.Bob
It's sometimes amazing what's right in front of you! As I mentioned, I'm using an Allen wrench for height depth adjustment on the FT3000VCE and have been thinking about a handle. It occurred to me today that if I just had a tube of some sort to put on the short end of the wrench to help turn, it would make it easy. After looking around a while, I noticed the tool that came with the router -- it has a nice hole in the top. Sure enough, insert the long end of the Allen wrench in the height/depth adjustment socket, slide the hole in the knob on the short end, and it's an easy, fast set of turns to raise and lower the router into locking and bit change position. Will work fine until I put my hands on a short piece of 3/4" pvc.
Edited 3/4/2008 11:12 pm ET by richlife
Freud FT3000VCE review
I have had the Freud FT3000VCE for over a year and am quite happy with it. It's powerful, quiet, and takes both quarter inch and half inch shank bits. I have it mounted in a Bench Dog Bench Pro table which I also like a lot, but have not used the Freud off the table. The only thing I want additional is a faster means of raising and lowering. Otherwise, very satisfied.
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