Freud FT2000EP 3-1/4-Horsepower Electronic Variable Speed Plunge Router with Deluxe Edge Guide

by Freud

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Freud 3-1/4 HP Electronic Variable Speed Plunge Router with Deluxe Edge Guide can serve as a handheld router, or, when mounted under a table, it can take the place of a more expensive spindle shaper. The powerful 3-1/4 HP 15 Amp motor with electronic speed control provides a soft-start feature that lets you choose how fast you want to go--from 8,000-to-22,000 RPM. It also maintains a constant torque and RPM. The included micro-adjustable depth control makes accurate vertical settings quick and easy. Other features include a sliding shaft lock, a convenient plunge lock, a quick-release depth stop, a 1/2-inch collet with a 1/4-inch collet reducer, and a four-position depth-stop turret. The unit comes with a 1-year limited manufacturer's warranty.

Amazon.com Review

Freud designed this tool as a high-powered plunge router with all the important basic features but without the bells and whistles found on more expensive competitors' tools. The result is a solid workhorse of a router at a reasonable price. And don't think it lacks anything woodworkers need to handle a wide variety of tasks. In fact, this tool includes a height-adjustment knob for table mounting and a dust collection port, both of which are considered extras on other routers.

The variable-speed dial on this router is easy to access and offers precise microadjustments, and onboard electronics keep motor speed constant. This model also offers the soft-start electronics we've come to expect on high-end power tools: power comes on smooth and quickly ramps to full speed. As a result, the big 3-1/4-horsepower motor doesn't torque the tool from the user's grip. Of course, aside from its use as a handheld router, this tool is designed to be mounted to a router table; it is powerful enough that we feel comfortable using it for many tasks we might normally assign to the spindle shaper. We find Freud's router particularly user-friendly when we're making adjustments: the sliding shaft lock, plunge lock, and quick-release depth stop are all conveniently located and easy to operate. Overall, this is a very good tool at a very good price. --Tim Block

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Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 15.6 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000223OO
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: FT2000EP
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #270,115 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

152 of 153 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Freud FT2000E, February 14, 2000

By 

Joseph Ruthenberg "Quality Manager" (Dayton, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Freud FT2000EP 3-1/4-Horsepower Electronic Variable Speed Plunge Router with Deluxe Edge Guide (Tools & Home Improvement)

I've had this router for about a year now. I bought it to replace a PC690 in a table. It's vastly superior, not only because it can swing big raised panel bits, but because of the depth adjustment. With the Porter-Cable design, you need to twist the motor around the base when it's table mounted. A colossal pain. Also, when you spin the motor, the power cord tends to tangle around your arm. It's just really awkward. On the Freud, you just turn the big adjustment knob, which is easy to find and use under my table. Simple! Some other large routers have this same setup, but you need to pay extra for the knob, sometimes $20 or $30.

This router has everything you could want: electronic soft start, variable speed, depth control knob, and a powerful motor. As the big payoff though, compare it to the Bosch, Porter-Cable and DeWalt 3 hp+ routers. There's absolutely no price comparison!

As one of the above reviews mentions, the springs are a bit stiff for plunge cutting, but who uses a monster router for hand work? I was concerned when I read the review above complaining about side play. I've got only 0.001" over the whole travel. Maybe he just got a bad one? Mine is tight.

Something else that should be mentioned is the collar. It's at least a 1/2" longer than anyone else's on the market. I don't know if this makes a difference or not, but it's worth mentioning.

Also, like most of the other big routers on the market, it's got a large base opening. This allows you to run large chamfer bits, raised panel bits, etc... that can't fit through the opening on small routers like a PC693, etc...

This tool is everything I could want, plus reasonably priced. I've got to give it 5 stars.

96 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good router at a good price, June 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Freud FT2000EP 3-1/4-Horsepower Electronic Variable Speed Plunge Router with Deluxe Edge Guide (Tools & Home Improvement)

I just recieved my Freud 3.25hp plunge and I'm impressed so far.

The Good- -This router is the Least expensive of all the heavy duty routers. -It has several standard features (height adjustment knob, 1/4" reducer collet, dust collection, edge guide, etc.) that will cost extra on the other brands like DeWalt, Porter Cable, etc. -It's relatively quite. -It has power to do any job, and then some to spare. -The on/off switch is large and easily within reach. -There are 3 adjustable depth stops which allows you multiple depth stops at the turn of the stop. -Variable Speed & Soft Start

The Bad- -The mounting screws (for router table plates like Rousseau) are a little short for me, and they're a metric thread. I thought the threads were 1/4" x #20, but I was soon proven wrong. This isn't the end of the world, it just means I have to run down to the hardware store for some longer screws. -This router is pretty heavy. I guess I can't complain much here, as mine will be mostly be table mounted. I think the Freud is lighter than most of the other brands in this power range. -The plunge action is a bit stiff. I can't complain much as this is a big router, meant for big jobs. You probably won't be doing any 1/16" freehand rounding over work with a big router like this. -The plunge lock lever works opposite what I'm used to on my old router - to lock the plunge, you lift the lever and to unlock, you lower the lever. Again this is not a major concern, just something I have to get used to. -The chuck wrench that comes with the router looks a bit flimsy, and I'll probably step it up to a heavy duty one.

The Ugly- -It's a lean, mean, routing machine. Solid black with a touch of gray. No pretty paint job like DeWalt or Porter Cable. But let's face it, who cares what color the thing is? It does the job and you'll save a pile of cash.

My 2 cents - Buy the Freud, take the cash you save and buy some bits, template guides, or a router table insert.

Happy Routing

58 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Freud Router review, December 8, 1999

By 

David W. Leppo (u.s.a.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Freud FT2000EP 3-1/4-Horsepower Electronic Variable Speed Plunge Router with Deluxe Edge Guide (Tools & Home Improvement)

This is one of the nicest routers I have ever used. There is plenty of power and the soft start is a dream to work with. I own 5 routers including some of the overpriced stuff and I have found the freud to be the best of the bunch. I am considering another Freud to replace a PC that isn't worth the space it takes up and costs almost twice as much. The only thing I don't care for is the spindle lock. It can be somewhat cumbersome.