Freud 2200vce plunge router??

[gnlman]

Hi all. I am looking at a Kreg router table and have an opportunity to buy this Freud router for about half price. I've never had a router table before and was wondering if this Freud router is any good, and is it a good idea to use a plunge router on a router table?
It seems a bit of a waste (plunge) as the table will adjust, so really just looking for a powerful beast to leave mounted in the table full time. Thanks in advance for all advice and wisdom. lol
Greg

 

[ajones]

Hi I dont have a freud router and ive only ever seen on once on site and it looked a little cheap, with stupid gaitors on the posts.perhaps if you said what model you are thinking of...

 

[gnlman]

Hi. Sorry my post was a bit confusing once I reread it. I'm newish to woodworking and have never had anything bigger than a sears trim router.
I am looking at a Freud 2200vce (available at Home Depot)  it's a 3.25 hp plunge router. I would like to buy a router table and leave the router installed, hence I'm not wanting to spend a lot on a Festool router just to live under a table. I am thinking of buying the Kreg router table that also doubles as a joiner and it has a lift system in it already. The Freud I'm looking at is a plunge router and I'm wondering if I should be buying a non plunge router as the table will raise and lower the bits?? Does that make better sense.....I guess what I'm wondering is do I need a plunge router if it will only be used in the router table, and is there any accuracy issues using a plunge router in a router table. Thanks again for returning my post.
Greg

 

[GaryB]

I have one, bought it for $99 on closeout at woodcraft. It's a nice strong router, the downsides for table mounting are significant though. There are few router plates made to fit the thing so you'll probably be buying a blank plate and drilling your own mounting holes. Adjustment is slow as the only way to do it is pushing hard from beneath the table against the springs or using the fine adjustment knob which is very slow. it's quicker to pull the thing out of the table, adjust depth and pop it back in. Luckily it does have a built in spindle lock so only one spanner is needed for bit changing.

There are no router lifts made that fit it if that was part of any future plans. It is a good router, powerful, variable speed, electronically controlled but not ideal as a table router. It's workable though.

 

[spikfot]

You can typically remove one of the springs in the posts to ease the resistance when inverting a plunge router for table mounting, I'd recommend a router with through-the-base adjustment if you cant afford a lift, they make life much easier. Best to have an attachment for a DC nozzle also.