Trend T11EK?

[bobfog]

Just wondering about people's opinions on the Trend T11EK?

I need a router that can spin a bearing guided round-over bit freehand over 55mm in diameter. I'd love the OF2200 but @ £650 for the router only plus £75 for the guide fence (utterly insane that a £650 router isn't supplied with this most basic of accessories, shame on Festool) it's just too expensive for the rare times I need such a large router.

The Trend is £300 by comparison with a guide fence and can spin up to 70mm bits freehand or 86mm in a table.

 

[ajones]

A really good router, can recommend it without hesitation and the company as a whole, great people.

 

[bobfog]

A really good router, can recommend it without hesitation and the company as a whole, great people.

Thanks. That give me confidence, Trend is one of the few brands I've not really had much to do with over the years.

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

The Trend T11 is a very good router with plenty of power, I had one for many years along with an identical Elu (MOF190) that stayed in a router table. DeWalt sell an identical machine. All the Festool routers are excellent but like you say a lot more money.

 

[bobfog]

The Trend T11 is a very good router with plenty of power, I had one for many years along with an identical Elu (MOF190) that stayed in a router table. DeWalt sell an identical machine. All the Festool routers are excellent but like you say a lot more money.

Thanks. The Dewalt (DW625/626) are similar to the T10, but the Dewalt's only have the smaller baseplate for cutters up to 55mm. From what I can see only the Trend T11 version can take the really large cutters.

I'm sure the OF2200 is an absolute gem to use, but I just can't justify that much money for a tool that will be used only a few times a year.

 

[ajones]

Bob you are right the t11 has a unique base that has a larger aperture and a built in router lift for inverted use

 

[bobfog]

Just thought I'd give a little update about the T11. In case anyone is interested.

I've had the machine for about 3 weeks and have put it through its paces.

The good::

* It's well built and sturdy, all the controls feel good and well put together
* the motor is sweeeet. Very powerful and torquey and gives a surprisingly quiet and confidence inspiring low pitch hum, much more refined than I expected. In terms of power it's done everything I've asked of it without a single complaint.
* The 80mm plunge depth is great and has a silky smooth action.
* Dust collection is good.

The not so good:

*The blow mounded case it is supplied in is woeful. I will treat is to a dark grey Systainer in due course.
* The power cord is a little short for a tool aimed at professional users.
* She ain't pretty. The look of the tool is about as basic and utilitarian as you could design.

In summary, I needed a router with a wide base aperture and the only ones that were big enough were this and the OF2200.

Whilst I'm sure the OF2200 is a fantastic tool with all the bells and whistles I couldn't justify the price tag as I already have two other routers for smaller everyday work and this size tool will only be used occasionally for really heavy duty routing. So for ~300 (less than half the price of an OF2200) it is a very solid, accurate and utilitarian tool that I'd definitely recommend for anyone who needs a heavy duty router but doesn't feel that the OF2200 would give enough of a return on investment.

 

[Kev]

Just thought I'd give a little update about the T11. In case anyone is interested.

I've had the machine for about 3 weeks and have put it through its paces.

The good::

* It's well built and sturdy, all the controls feel good and well put together
* the motor is sweeeet. Very powerful and torquey and gives a surprisingly quiet and confidence inspiring low pitch hum, much more refined than I expected. In terms of power it's done everything I've asked of it without a single complaint.
* The 80mm plunge depth is great and has a silky smooth action.
* Dust collection is good.

The not so good:

*The blow mounded case it is supplied in is woeful. I will treat is to a dark grey Systainer in due course.
* The power cord is a little short for a tool aimed at professional users.
* She ain't pretty. The look of the tool is about as basic and utilitarian as you could design.

In summary, I needed a router with a wide base aperture and the only ones that were big enough were this and the OF2200.

Whilst I'm sure the OF2200 is a fantastic tool with all the bells and whistles I couldn't justify the price tag as I already have two other routers for smaller everyday work and this size tool will only be used occasionally for really heavy duty routing. So for ~£300 (less than half the price of an OF2200) it is a very solid, accurate and utilitarian tool that I'd definitely recommend for anyone who needs a heavy duty router but doesn't feel that the OF2200 would give enough of a return on investment.

[member=60286]bobfog[/member]

Sounds like the perfect router for anyone building their own router table then! ... right down to the short power cord [smile]

 

[danbox]

Just thought I'd give a little update about the T11. In case anyone is interested.

I've had the machine for about 3 weeks and have put it through its paces.

The good::

* It's well built and sturdy, all the controls feel good and well put together
* the motor is sweeeet. Very powerful and torquey and gives a surprisingly quiet and confidence inspiring low pitch hum, much more refined than I expected. In terms of power it's done everything I've asked of it without a single complaint.
* The 80mm plunge depth is great and has a silky smooth action.
* Dust collection is good.

The not so good:

*The blow mounded case it is supplied in is woeful. I will treat is to a dark grey Systainer in due course.
* The power cord is a little short for a tool aimed at professional users.
* She ain't pretty. The look of the tool is about as basic and utilitarian as you could design.

In summary, I needed a router with a wide base aperture and the only ones that were big enough were this and the OF2200.

Whilst I'm sure the OF2200 is a fantastic tool with all the bells and whistles I couldn't justify the price tag as I already have two other routers for smaller everyday work and this size tool will only be used occasionally for really heavy duty routing. So for ~£300 (less than half the price of an OF2200) it is a very solid, accurate and utilitarian tool that I'd definitely recommend for anyone who needs a heavy duty router but doesn't feel that the OF2200 would give enough of a return on investment.

[member=60286]bobfog[/member]

Sounds like the perfect router for anyone building their own router table then! ... right down to the short power cord [smile]

I can't remember if the Trend routers suffer the same issue as the dewalts being permanently inverted but I think I have read of a few issues. I have two dw625ek routers in tables and both these have succum.
The magnet that is part of the electronic switch is not fixed in place very well, with these being inverted and subject to heavy vibration they work themselves loose.
The symptoms that this leads to makes you think that the motor is dying  [eek] as the power output is controlled electronically.
If this does happen don't panic as it's just a 5-10min fix, you just have to take the case off and glue the magnet in place.

 

[bobfog]

Thanks [member=59697]danbox[/member]

I'll make a mental note of this in the event this does happen to mine!