In Reply to: Info on buying and using a woodworking router? posted by crazychile on June 16, 2002 at 08:13:00:
I hear all the time in my work about the 'cheap Sears router' that is all anyone needs and last forever. That happens to be true.
However, from Chinese Prison Labor Inc. that must be less true than before.
Even Porter Cable is making things of cheesy looking castings and sourcing parts who knows where. I recently bought and returned a P-C 2 HP plunge that cut well but looked cheap. And most importantly, the depth of cut adjustment was a POS!
Having used them off and on over 20 years, I would unequivocably(!) recommend the Freund FT 2000. It's engineering, wonderful range and manner of adjustment, easy bit change, power. etc etc by far outweigh the fact that it's a great huge beast.
It also works well as a router table router because of the good depth of cut adjustment.
The adjustments are easy and intuitive for a beginner and it'll slice through anything which will give you confidence. It is a little scary to hang onto something that's about to come around a corner toward your body with a cutting bit spinning at 22,000 RPM! Yikes!
The only downside beside it's hugeness is the base is cheesy rough. Simply go to Woodcraft or Garrett Wade.com and buy a replacement phenolic or clear acrylic base.
I guess I like it. Also good biscuit joiner for $99. Can't break that, either. Oh, and I only use Freund saw blades. The 80 tooth, teflon coated narrow kerf triple chip is the only way to cut veneer.
Did I mention that my utility chisels are Freund?
Now go to internationaltools.com and buy an FT2000 for $179. You don't need the case and guide, it's bullshit.
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