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oups.com...
Hi All.

I posted awhile back asking questions about purchasing a router and
table
(http://groups.google.ca/group/rec.wo...819cf0187f900c
)
I have up to $600 to spend (Canadian).

While i was leaning towards Hitachi or DeWalt or PC, I found the
following and wanted to get opinions:

Home Depot has the following on special right now for $499.99:

Freud 3 1/4 Plunge Router:

- Does anyone have any comments on these?
- Does this seem like a good deal?
- The comments on Amazon are mostly negative, which isnt a good sign -
they say its very difficult to change bits, the plunge router is stuff,
etc. Any comments on these?

I have this router, and I built my own table. I just recently added the Lee
Valley insert plate and cam lifter, so I'm into it for about $600 (including
wood for the table) so far. + bits (hundreds more). ($330 for the router,
$220 for the LV stuff, $50 bucks for the wood. I'm surprised at how quickly
the cost gets up there.) I tried to make do without the insert plate but I
wasn't happy, so no more screwing around.

One thing I don't like is how long it takes to screw the bit height up and
down. Since the micro adjuster is the only practical way to lift the bit
when it's in the table, and it's on one side, sometimes the router is a bit
canted. Not enough to see, but you can feel it when you back off and
sometimes the router stays behind until you nudge it a bit (and then it
falls downward). Adding a crank might help make this easier. But I never
removed the springs, so if it ends up staying in the table all the time,
removing the springs might help, too.

You need both hands to change bits. It's no harder than either of my other
two routers (one cheapo, one almost cheapo).

Yes, it's a bit stiff, but that hasn't really been a problem. I'm expecting
it to get better with use. I really really like its power compared with my
other routers. It's very smooth to operate. I'm about to start my first
serious milling operation on it this weekend, so I'll know more in a few
days.

I had a hard time attaching the fence accessory to the router, but once it
was in there it worked okay.

My router table has a growing feature list, but you're getting a
commercially designed product, so I think it's a good deal. Just look at my
costs so far. So far I'm happy enough with my purchases.

- Owen -