Current Routers for Router Table

[theminor]

I was considering buying or making a router lift, but for the price I've been thinking that I could just buy a new router with above-the-table bit changing ability. I'm looking for recomendations on routers that would be good to stay dedicated to the router table. The Milwaukee 5625-20 looks like a great option. At 15 amps, power should be about as good as it can get. It also has above-table bit changing and height adjustment. I've also seen the Freud (forgot the model number), which is about $100 cheaper, but not as powerful.

Anyone else have recomendations on good router table routers?

[isddarms]

I asked the same question recently. See http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=24537.

[drumpriest]

A router with above the table height adjustment isn't the same as a router lift. The act of clamping and unclamping the base usually shifts the height of the bit slightly. Also the operation is never as smooth. I've had 3 routers with above table height adustment, and I now own the route-r-lift fx. The lift is a big win for me.

[bigsteel15]

I'm a bit biased being the owner of both models but would take a serious look at the smaller Triton with the above table adjustment.
Keityh makes a good point though. I also have a lift for my smaller multi-base routers.

[Popeye]

I've been tinkering with this stuff for quite awhile and I just can't justify the expense of a router lift. I have the small Milwaukee, one of these days I may get the BIGUN (can't justify it yet either) They'll have to pry my cold dead hands off my Milwaukee. I can buy alot of other stuff I'll get more use out of with the difference in price. Just MHO, Pat

[LCHIEN]

I've been tinkering with this stuff for quite awhile and I just can't justify the expense of a router lift. I have the small Milwaukee, one of these days I may get the BIGUN (can't justify it yet either) They'll have to pry my cold dead hands off my Milwaukee. I can buy alot of other stuff I'll get more use out of with the difference in price. Just MHO, Pat

The router-lift devices in my judgement give these advantages:
1) don't have to bend over (once you get over 50 you appreciate this a lot more)
2) Smooth, fine adjustment
3) when you reach the desired position, you don't have to lock it further, the play and backlash are small.

I have a Bosch 1617 in my router table, originally just used the standard fixed base but recently got the new table base which has a through the table height adjustment. That solved problem #1

As for locking it, I find that locking the router height still requries reaching under the table and it does make the bit height change a small bit. Changing the height is easy with the fine dial control.
However, I can see the change of a few mils when I experimentally lock it the first time and can rapidly change the height by the same amount, almost always when i lock it the second time its spot on and takes virtually no extra time As much of a hardware and gadget lover as I am, I have not yet decided that the router lift is something I want to sepnd $200 on.

My height gauge is a dial gauge mounted in a bridge over the bit with a flat contact. The dial gauge rides the bit up and down with the spring load of the gauge so that I can see at all times and even when I'm adjusting the bit height exactly what it is. I've illustrated this gauge several times, if you search under height gauge or gage. Like this:
http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...t=height+gauge

[os1kne]

The Freud FT3100 is a 3.25hp. 15amp plunge-router w/ above-the-table height adj. and bit changing. It is expected to be available in the US in January (it has been available in Europe for a while).

The smaller FT1700 is a 2.25hp fixed base router with above-the-table height adj. that has been available for a while.

[theminor]

The Freud FT3100 is a 3.25hp. 15amp plunge-router w/ above-the-table height adj. and bit changing. It is expected to be available in the US in January (it has been available in Europe for a while).

Ooh - I was just thinking the Freud would be the way to go, but didn't realize a higher power version would be coming out. What will be the price difference in the two, if you know it? Anyone know the price difference currently in Europe?

[os1kne]

I think that the price difference will probably be $110 or so. With no availablility right now, there's no competition - so it's hard to say where the price will shake out.

http://www.tylertool.com/freud15.html

http://www.toolbusiness.co.uk/review140freud.html

[RayintheUK]

I was considering buying or making a router lift, but for the price I've been thinking that I could just buy a new router with above-the-table bit changing ability. I'm looking for recomendations on routers that would be good to stay dedicated to the router table.
Anyone else have recomendations on good router table routers?

I've had the Triton TRB001 for three years now - the greatest under-table router I've ever used.

No lift required - built in. Collet plunges right through the base to allow above-the-table, single wrench bit changing (auto spindle lock/auto power lock-out). Ingenious datum-set plunge depths (no measuring or calculations required). Three plunge modes and 3.25HP.

This is a plunge router with unique features. In the UK, plunge routers are the norm, fixed base very hard to find (because we don't like them!). I know things are different over there, which might make the features I bang on about a little difficult to visualize, so I've put up a couple of video files to show you what I mean.

There's an MPEG file and a WMV file, with links here. You might need to use MSIE to get to the WMV file, but Firefox will handle the MPEG fine. They're good-quality video, but large files.

I hope that these pics will give you some idea of why I'm so enthusiastic about the Triton routers. The newer MOF001 has identical features, 2.25HP and an above-the-table height adjuster too (although i've yet to find the need for it, given the built-in rack-and-pinion winder).

BTW, although I now demonstrate for Triton, I'm not on commission!

Ray.

[mater]

Go with the Milwaukee 5625-20 and don't look back. I did and I love mine.

[LinuxRandal]

The 5625 seems to get the most USA concesses. Others on that list are/(were for me recently), the old MV12, the Makita 3612c, and the PC7518.

I thought about the Triton, but other then Amazon, they are hard to find, so no hands on looking and feeling, pre purchase.
Talked with one friend on another board, and he had an early one, that had some issues, and had tested/used most of the other routers on the above list. The 5625 was the only one that he didn't have stall on one project.

[Knottscott]

Ooh - I was just thinking the Freud would be the way to go, but didn't realize a higher power version would be coming out. What will be the price difference in the two, if you know it? Anyone know the price difference currently in Europe?

I think retail on the FT-3000 will be in the $300 range, and I'd expect it to sell for that for a while after being introduced, unless they offer a promo. The FT-1700 is less powerful, but is powerful enough for all tasks I can think of...you just need to take it a little slower with raised panels. I believe they're still offering the free plunge base too.

I like the MW5625 too...definitely more power, but the Freud's above table features are more advanced.

http://www.epinions.com/user-woody2 (FT1700)
http://www.epinions.com/content_245903494788 (MW5625)

[theminor]

Well with Christmas here, maybe I'll drop a rumor that I'm interested in the Freud and see what happens! It seems to have the best above-table-use features. The triton looks nice, but I noticed in one review that, although it has a collet lock feature for one handed bit changes above the table, this lock mechanism only engages if you use the triton power switch. If you hook it up to a router table with a homemade or added switch the mecanism will not lock. Can anyone confirm this?

The Freud engages a lock when the collet is raised all the way through, so it will work with a homemade router table switch.

[RayintheUK]

The triton looks nice, but I noticed in one review that, although it has a collet lock feature for one handed bit changes above the table, this lock mechanism only engages if you use the triton power switch. If you hook it up to a router table with a homemade or added switch the mecanism will not lock. Can anyone confirm this?

The Freud engages a lock when the collet is raised all the way through, so it will work with a homemade router table switch.

The spindle lock on the Triton is a captive plunger with a chamfered outer end (shown here with the router upright, above the table). As the body plunges, the chamfer engages with a cam face on the base, thereby pushing the spindle lock inwards as the body descends.


The Frued version looks like a direct copy of the Triton mechanism.

However, the additional safety feature on the Triton interlocks the router's on/off switch with the spindle lock. This means that you cannot switch the router on (even accidentally) with the router's power switch, because the cover to the switch is locked shut. Conversely, you cannot plunge the router for bit changing with the power switched on.



Inverted, most operators will switch the router's switch "on" and control the router operation from an addition switch, either NVR, or the wall outlet switch. This is fine and the Triton doesn't need any modification to switch it on, as there is no press-button release to overcome. However, in order to change bits above the table, the router's switch needs to be turned off. This is a one-second operation and no inconvenience at all.

If the Freud's switch is not interlocked in the same way, it might be possible to just use the additional switch. This, of course, will not prevent any damage caused by accidentally switching the router on with the spindle lock engaged - impossible to do on the Triton.



HTH

Ray.