New Router for £250??

[Oryxdesign]

I would advise for your first router that you don't go too big, routers feel unwieldy when you first start using them and the heavier they are the harder they are to get used to.
I use a Festool OF1400 for most jobs, I'm sure there are folks that'll be along soon to tell you it's not big enough to do worktops at 1400 watts but I find it has enough power and I'm more limited by the depth of cut that the bit allows than the power of the machine.
I have a 625 as well which since owning the OF1400 I have left in a table. I also have 2 small pot type routers which I use for rounding over and other small jobs.
If you can find someone near you with a few routers you could have a go before you buy. If you're near me pop round.

Simon

 

[Shane]

I've just recently waved goodbye to my elu177, top bearing seized, took out the speed controller and bearing housing, unrepairable

I will never be able to get a router that good again, was like an old friend

I've just ordered the T11 (£234 from SF) seems to be a lot of mixed feelings on this one though. If I dont like it, it will live in my router table and I'll get a makita.

 

[Shane]

Picked up the T11 today, I wasn't expecting it to be as good as my elu177, and I was right. Agree with the lock being too close to the knuckles, a very bad design. I like the top/btm height adjuster though, and the fence is sturdy compared to some of its competiters. Motor quality doesn't come close to the elu, dont know what it is, just doesn't have the right feel. It will be interesting to see how long this one lasts, bet it wont be anything like as long as the elu

 

[Shane]

Just used the T11 for the first time today, what a heap. Kept on 'hunting' when not under load, then cutting out when in use. Probably down to the variable speed controller cos when I adjusted that it seemed to make a difference. Luckily SF was open today and I've got a Hitachi on order now. I will never look at a trend router again and wish I'd taken heed of the warnings on here

Are there any reps for trend on here that can explain why their routers are so bad?

 

[Streepips]

Should have gone for the Makita....

 

[greggy]

i have a elu 177e in my table, its fantastic and its old, and still going strong. i have also a freud ft2000 4+ years old and its a brute and you can get them for about £70 off fleabay. i also have a dewalt 613 and a trnd t3,

 

[Shane]

i have a elu 177e in my table, its fantastic and its old

Do yourself a favour and get the bearings replaced on your elu, I wish I had

 

[mailee]

I always wanted an Elu 177E for my 'collection' but never managed to get hold of one. They now go for silly prices but I know why they are the dog's whatsits. I have an old Elu 96E and it is worth it's weight in gold. I too don't rate the Trend brand much.

 

[Streepips]

Only reason I took the i77 out of my table is the noise. These beasts scream. and its not the E so no speed control. So it sits on the sidelines, fully refurbed and perfect operating condition. I bought it about 25 years ago and it was a recon then. Made to last.

 

[greggy]

Do yourself a favour and get the bearings replaced on your elu, I wish I had [/quote]



i took it to a very small firm in sheffield last year. the guy gave it a full service, ie changed the bearings and other things. now it runs and purr's like a rolls-royce. and the cost of all this. a tenner. sadly the firm is no longer. which is a shame as he used to service all types of routers, drills and all the other power tools too. my brother has a dewalt 625 and it's not a patch on my elu.
£10 from a car boot plus £10 for service = £20 for a £250 machine i know i got a bargain.

 

[chippy1970]

Just used the T11 for the first time today, what a heap. Kept on 'hunting' when not under load, then cutting out when in use. Probably down to the variable speed controller cos when I adjusted that it seemed to make a difference. Luckily SF was open today and I've got a Hitachi on order now. I will never look at a trend router again and wish I'd taken heed of the warnings on here

Are there any reps for trend on here that can explain why their routers are so bad?

There used to be a Trend guy on here not seen him post for a while.

I did tell you dont touch Trend they are very poor quality tools

 

[denlev]

Hi Jim

Until last year I had a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom business designing, supplying and fitting. I did a lot of the fitting as well. You need plenty of power and quality bearings for kitchen worktops, definitely 1/2". My main router was the old ELU MOF177 with electronic speed control. It worked very hard for 25 years and is still going today, but you cant get them any more. De-Walt is NOT the same. It would pay you to look at the Triton range of tools. The Series 2000 workcentre is ideal for your use. The Triton 2000 watt router has had fabulous reviews and has many features unique to it. You would need a Trend sub base to go with it for guide bush use. I am biased because I have been selling Triton since 1997 but we used it every day in our kitchen business so I can back it up with fact. Hope this helps.