Tempted by a sale price, we bought a 230v CMT "Elu/DeWalt lookalike" half inch router a couple of weeks ago. They, and the Trend version, are apparently made in the same factory in Italy, so one might assume, are all mechanically identical.
The new purchase was intended for permanent Woodrat use, to free up an older 115v DeWalt 625, which is about 6 or 7 years old. The old DeWalt has a run out 35mm from the collet of less than 0.001", and the replacement "Eliminator" quick change chuck/collet I use when Woodratting can be fitted at random, with the same result.
Two CMT routers we tried had unacceptable run out (up to 0.020")with both the supplied collet and the Eliminator chuck. The third managed an excellent 0.0015" with the manaufacturer's collet, but again over 20 thou with the allen key operated Eliminator chuck. The supplier was very helpful with exchanges and the final refund. A new DeWalt 625 arrived a couple of days ago, while not quite as accurately made its' older brother, is acceptable.
Observations:
1/The excellent accurate Elu designed depth setting arrangement is quite ruined on both makes by a redesigned adjustable zero pointer (the optically clear plastic bit) with a scale obscuring red mark 1mm thick. This must have saved all of a penny. Controlling plunge to 1/4mm or better is reduced to 2mm if you're lucky.
2/They may all be made in the same factory, but to what tolerances....?
The new purchase was intended for permanent Woodrat use, to free up an older 115v DeWalt 625, which is about 6 or 7 years old. The old DeWalt has a run out 35mm from the collet of less than 0.001", and the replacement "Eliminator" quick change chuck/collet I use when Woodratting can be fitted at random, with the same result.
Two CMT routers we tried had unacceptable run out (up to 0.020")with both the supplied collet and the Eliminator chuck. The third managed an excellent 0.0015" with the manaufacturer's collet, but again over 20 thou with the allen key operated Eliminator chuck. The supplier was very helpful with exchanges and the final refund. A new DeWalt 625 arrived a couple of days ago, while not quite as accurately made its' older brother, is acceptable.
Observations:
1/The excellent accurate Elu designed depth setting arrangement is quite ruined on both makes by a redesigned adjustable zero pointer (the optically clear plastic bit) with a scale obscuring red mark 1mm thick. This must have saved all of a penny. Controlling plunge to 1/4mm or better is reduced to 2mm if you're lucky.
2/They may all be made in the same factory, but to what tolerances....?
