Customer Reviews

Freud FT1000EK Plunge Router/Laminate Trimmer Kit

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am a Mechanical Engineer by trade, but spend a lot of my time doing fine woodworking and special finish carpentry jobs. I wanted a tool that could rout, but didn't require 2 hands to operate it all the time. I needed it to do fine work without the bulkiness associated with a full size router.

When I received the FT1000EK, at first glance I thought this was a low quality tool for Freud. The blow-molded case is not the better of some I've seen, but it's not by far the worst either. I received all the parts & components intact and the finish of the tool is similar to any other that Freud produces. I guess the one place that Freud did better than some of the others I've seen (Bosch, DeWalt & Porter-Cable), is the alloy castings and machining involved in the various bases. Everything fits tightly, ensuring good and consistent alignment between the motor and the various bases. Most of its competitors have a plastic composite type material in the base. Freud is all metal with a replaceable phonelic plate. They did a pretty good job of ensuring that this is a stout tool. The 7.5 amps makes it a much better tool for doing solid surface work. In most other instances, you'd have to give up the laminate trimmer for a full size router, not here. I like the feel of the tool, it has soft start so you can wind it up with one hand if necessary, and the stop is reachable with your thumb. Without making this review too long, the only downside I see to the tool is the manual. They could have worked on this much better and included a more inclusive parts list. Would I buy it again? You Bet!

I bought this tool in spite of the review below based on mygood experiences with Freud tools and am very pleased. Comes withthree bases that are made to be a tight fit on the motor like I would expect and the plunge base is the same as on my big 3 1/4 HP Freud router so it's big and stable and even accepts my template guides. Plenty of power and accurate variable speed. The case holds the tool and all the bases nicely.

I ordered this tool because I needed a smaller router to do trim and decorative work on box's and tables. The price and listed attachments were the big selling point, also the Freud name. I exclusively use their saw blades and router bits, and have never been dissapointed in their performance. The package arrived fairly quickly and the shipping box was in good shape, however when I opened the box, removed the bubble packing and lifted the plastic case out of the box (by the handle), the hinged side of the case failed and dumped all the contents on the floor. Luckily it landed on the carpet and I don't think anything was damaged, but it still was not a good beginning. I have to agree with the other folks reviewing this product, the manual is the pits. There is no parts list that I can find, so I'm not sure I recieved everything or not. I downloaded the picture from this web site and will compare it to what I recieved. The fit and finish of the tool and attachments seems adequate and does have more "metal" than most of the competition. The controls are fairly easy to reach and the handles on the plunge base are comfortable. It does take a little muscle power to "plunge" the router down, but I like the return tension. I have only "played" a little with the router (just recieved it yesterday), but I think it will do what I want it to. I like the soft start and the variable speed and the spindle lock. It will probably take some time and thought to figure out exactly how to use the attachments as once again the "manual" is dismal. The machine is a little larger than I imagined, but I do like the large base. All in all I am not dissapointed but I was hoping to be impressed and I am not. I'll keep this tool and I'm sure it will do the work that I want, but I did expect more from Freud. I rated it a 3 because of the "manual" and the case.
PS....It's now the end of November and I have had a chance to do some "serious" work with this router. I upgraded my rating to 4 stars because of the way this little router performs. I just finished doing some "raised panel" work on a walnut bookcase. Wasn't able to do it on the router table as the original design was changed (after assembly)by the "client" (granddaughter), so using a homemade jig and crossing my fingers I was able to do the panel work with this little router. It performed admirably and I was very pleased with the results. I was able to maintain control and it had no problem with the medium size panel bit.
Am starting to be impressed.
Update...April 2005...I've had this router a couple years now and it has done everything that I ever asked it to do. I keep meaning to buy another "out of the table" router to handle on the bench routing, but haven't found any jobs this little guy can't handle. For flush trimming it is the cat's meow, of course you would expect that, it is a trim router after all but it does the job so well and effortlessly that it puts a grin on your face. Cutting profiles, small dadoes, t-joints, plunge cuts for shelve hangers, are just some of the duties that this router has performed flawlessly over the last couple of years. I use it for freehand carving, initials mostly, on large chests and boxes, and with the speed dialed down it is extremely easy to control. Have become very impressed with this little router and highly recommend it.

I received this router,and imediately took it out of the box to try it.The first thing that struck me was the poor machining & fit.It was comparable to tools from China.There was missing parts& wrenches,the plastic case is the worst I ever saw.I am a an experienced woodworker with a background in marine engineering,but I can,t get this thing in the case the way it is manufactured.On a positive note the router does have a lot of power,and you had better have a lot of power to overcome the compression springs on the plunge base.I was surprised to see such poor quality on a Frued tool.I,m waiting to hear from Freud for the missing acc.,but I,m thinking of returning it.I hate to keep a tool that I might regret.

I read the other reviews praising or kicking this product. I just got it today and have not used it yet. The instruction
manual is a joke!!! If I did not have a mechanical mind, I would
have returned it. There are no instructions to do anything on
this router. I was able to figure out what was needed to change bases etc. It looks like it will do the job I wanted if for, the
price was ok. The edge guide adjust plate did not fit but I think I can fix that. The overall package was not what I expected
from Freud. I wish it had come with a "Porter/Cable" guide adpter.

Never got a chance to turn this tool on. The plunge base was skewed diagonally at least 5 degrees and the fixed laminate trimming base was tilted at least 10 degrees. I'm no machinist so I'm incapable of truing this tool. I've never had this kind of problem before and am sending it back. I don't have time to screw around with it. Too bad because I liked the moderate size and relatively powerful motor but I bought this for fine template work and I was extremely disappointed.

Lets start with the case; IT IS ABSOLUTE JUNK!!! I had read the reviews but figured everyone else was super sinical. Those socket sets that cost $2.99 come in a better case, PERIOD. But, i would not keep the case even if it were steel and here's why. In order to fit everything in the case you have to attach the trimmer to the plunge base. For those of you who use the plunge base primarily this probably be a huge problem.

I also own the porter cable trimmer and as far as I am concerned the to compare equally when attached to the basic trimmer base. This trimmer will do anything my porter cable trimmer will do. would I buy it again, yes.