Customer Reviews

Fein RT-1800 3-1/4 HP 6-Speed Plunge Router

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First let me say that, no other tool in your arsenal will create such enormous beauty as a router.
I usually don't write a review unless I am passionate about something, and this router falls into this category
The thing I love about this router is the way it is made. It just feels right. It is so light and well balanced, powerful and quiet. If I can exaggerate, and only a little, this thing is about as quiet as an electric can opener. The soft start feature is shared among many of the better routers. It is wonderful not having to brace yourself for the kick at start up. Additionally the electronics compensate for resistance by keeping the rotational speed constant. Another advantage to having more than enough horsepower. This unit is light enough 12 lbs to be used as a hand held, yet sturdy enough to be classified as an industrial production router. The plunge mechanism is smooth without snagging on the way down.
Although someone else commented on the locking mechanism, I must say, it is properly designed. Think of riding a bicycle with brakes on the handlebars. When you want to stop, you grab the lever, pulling it toward you by closing your hand. That is the way the Fein works. Any other way you would be using your finger nails to lock the router, thereby having to slightly loosen your grip. Counter intuitive but I guess the other reviewer had grown accustomed to working a lever on a machine, which worked that way. He may have the Porter Cable or Bosch plunge routers, which has a spring built into it thereby locking it automatically when you release the lever. The feeling I get from that is, "I wonder if it is locked to the proper tightness?" I prefer to tighten it myself. The Fein is intuitive and easy to use.

It is important to match the bit speed recommended by the manufacturer. You will get a feel for this. This Fein router has six speeds, which is actually an infinitely variable knob, with six number positions on it, so you can perfectly match the speed to the task.
You also need plunge capabilities for making quick clean mortise and tenon joints. Some routers only plunge to 2 or 2 1/2", this one plunges to 3". This router comes standard with a 1/2" collet, with a 1/4" collet optional. Having a base which will accept 3 1/2" bits is nice, and this router accepts them. I noticed in a follow up edition of Fine Woodworking magazine, that they had a clip about the Fein RT-1800. They were amazed at the specifications they found for the run out. It was off the chart next to the other routers in their previous months router review.
One other thing that I noticed is that this Fein will accept 3 1/2" bits, which are not all that common, but you can not plunge a bit that size into the base. The bottom of the base will accomodate a bit that size, but the casting does not allow you to plunge it. The Bosch 1619EVS 3+ HP plunge does allow you to plunge a 3 1/2" bit into the base. You could argue that the opening is so large on the Bosch, so as to restrict you on stability, in the event you plan on using it for any kind of hand held work. So there you have it, build a small opening on the base, and gain a lot of control over the workpiece, or create a monster opening, capable of large bits, and your workpiece can fall into it. Get the Bosch, (even though it is louder than the Fein) Get the Fein, and get the Makita D-Handle. Each is a blessing for its own purpose. Oh and get a Porter Cable Laminate trim router as well, for those small light jobs. I'm not trying to spend your money, just that each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Too many to write here. The Makita D Handle is on its way, and I will be writing about some of the specifics on that one as compared to the others herein mentioned. Tune in over there soon.
Am I allowed to say that the German engineering on the Fein Rt 1800 is of the best. Simple, and effective. Engineered to simplicity. That is the way this router is made. Strong, simple, effective. If woodworking is your love, then this tool is worthy of your attention. Out of all of my tools, there is none other, that I am as fond of, as this Fein Router. Stay tuned the Makita D handle challenge is coming. Happy woodworking.

I spent quite a lot of time researching routers, bought this one (after hemming about the price), and love it! The other routers that I looked at, Porter-Cable and DeWalt, were uncomfortable to control, heavy, or lacked the flexibility that I wanted. I was a little concerned at first of the Fein's size and weight. Once I started using the router, however, I was surprised about how easy to maneuver it is. I use the router on and off the table and find it to have plenty of power and be very quiet.

If you are the kind of person who likes to read the manual cover to cover, don't expect much. This is a "no frills" router - It comes in a cardboard box, and essentially tells you how to turn it on and a couple other tid-bits. I figured out how to lock the power on after monkeying with it for a couple minutes (there's a "toggle" on the switch).

The only gripe that I have is that the mechanism to free-up the plunge feature feels backwards - you have to push it away to release it and it's not on a spring.

You know how it feels to pick up an item and it's clear that the manufacturer spent time thinking about their product? This router is exactly like that. It's well built, and very comfortable to use. I would buy this router again in a second.

I've owned several routers over the years. The Fein has a lot going for it--a great on-off switch, clearly the quietest of the 3+ hp routers, and relatively lightweight.

The only problem I have had with this router is that the screws that hold the plate used to hold the bit down during tightening keep coming loose. They usually drop out during routing--NOT good. Once one drops out, if you don't notice and try to tighten the collet, it can break the plate, and you are up for a new one (it happened to me). I finally stuck a couple of lock washers on it so I won't have this problem again. I hope Fein takes notice. Having a screw drop next to your bit during operation is not cool!

With that caveat--is it worth the extra money? Well, I'm not so sure anymore. Anyway, the price fluctuates, and if you see it below $300, I'd bite. I'm leaning slightly towards my big Dewalt after years of use, because of durability issues. The plunge mechanism on the Dewalt is as smooth as the day I bought it, while Fein's is getting sticky. And that collet holder has now broken twice on the Fein; it seems to be made of cast aluminum, but two breakages of the same part--not a good sign. Still, I love the Fein. I mean, you just cannot believe how little vibration you feel on this thing; it's just in a class of its own. Feels like driving a Ferrari. Not that I have ever driven a Ferrari...but, I did get to drive a Fein!

I have several Fein tools in my shop. I guess I should have known this router we be this well made, but I thought a while. At first the price held me back. I have several other routers, but none this large. I had a very large bookcase to make. It required four nine feet long by 3/4" deep by 5/8 wide slots. It also required ten twelve inch long by 5/8 deep by 1" wide slots. This router far exceeded any expectations I had. It was very smooth, quite and powerful. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a real heavy-duty machine.

Turn it on, run it for hours on the router table and shut it down at the end of the day. This is a serious production-quality machine. Go ahead, just TRY to bog it down, nothing phases this brute. Depth djustments are simple and repeatable. The Fein is quiet and powerful, it doesn't scream at deafening pitch like most of the other 3+HP routers out there (a HUGE plus if you have to listen to it all day). Available accessories are pricey, I would have liked to see them included with the standard kit so I have to give this router 4 stars, otherwise it's a dream to use and holds up to the test of time.

The only problem with this router is in all the photos of it it is shown being held backwards with the dust collector hookup in the front. If you rotate it 180 Degrees the handles and all other controls fall right in to place.The only flaw seems to be in the photos.You can,t seem to go wrong with Fein tools. If you want something to last their products will do it.About ten years ago I had my fill of buying something of lesser quality to save a few dollars.I always seemed to pay for it down the road.....replacing cheap to begin with bearings, switches etc. I bought Feins triangle sander first,then the Random Orbit,1/2 Sheet Pad sander, Vacum and sheet metal nibblers.All of this was purchased 8-10 years ago and used constantly......no breakdowns.That tells you something about the quality through the entire line of tools they offer.The RT-1800 seems to be no exception...its a Bear that handles like dream......smooth and powerful.Top Notch!

This router is a real pleasure to use. I especially like the simplicity of design and ease of bit changing.The base has a 3-5/8"opening so large bits are no problem.I have used a variety of routers and rate this one excelent.

The stator winding on my Hitachi M12V had opened (burned) after 12 years of service. I thought of buying another M12V having made my own fine adjustment knob and locking device years ago. But, after researching different brands I had decided to buy the Fein and I am very pleased with it. It is a very quiet, smooth, and precise machine. Changing router bits is so easy and quick. When I make an adjustment and lock it down, it stays there! I only item I did not like was the lock-on switch located in the handle. I use the Fein in a router table and very seldom do I use it hand held. So what I did was mount an On/Off switch/receptacle on my router table. I use the table mounted on/off switch to turn the router on & off. When I get ready to remove the router for any reason like bit changing I always unplug the router from the receptacle: Remember "SAFETY FIRST".

this router runs smoothly and the handle mounted switch makes it easy and convenient to use for handheld routing. Plunge action is smooth also. The included height adjustment knob is small and difficult to turn if you want to use this router with a router table.

I got one of these for making some cabinet doors. I used it on miscellaneous projects (routing dadoes and other stuff, for which it worked fine) before getting around to making the kitchen cabinet doors. It worked fine for cutting the rail and stile parts of the doors. However, while I was routing the first pass on one of the panels, the router stopped suddenly and would not work again. A repair shop told me that the speed control switch had failed and a new one would cost $180 with another $45 to install. Because these routers are from Europe, parts are very expensive. This router had hardly been used, but was out of warranty. Needless to say, I did not have it fixed, but am shopping for another brand.

The bottom line - it is a nice router, but not necessarily reliable.

this is a hand held milling machine,collett design for either size is finger type taper,micrometer style rack and pinion depth adjustment is positive and precise,power is seamless,controlability freehand is effortless,it will probably tackle non ferrous metals with aplomb,so much better than the rest it's price is justifiable(so says She Who Must Be Obeyed)want the best?this is it