Quick change spindle
Reviews (14)
Simply put, this is the very best.
First let me say that, no other tool in your arsenal will create such enormous beauty as a router.
I usually don't write a review unless I am passionate about something, and this router falls into this category
The thing I love about this router is the way it is made. It just feels right. It is so light and well balanced, powerful and quiet. If I can exaggerate, and only a little, this thing is about as quiet as an electric can opener. The soft start feature is shared among many of the better routers. It is wonderful not having to brace yourself for the kick at start up. Additionally the electronics compensate for resistance by keeping the rotational speed constant. Another advantage to having more than enough horsepower. This unit is light enough 12 lbs to be used as a hand held, yet sturdy enough to be classified as an industrial production router. The plunge mechanism is smooth without snagging on the way down.
Although someone else commented on the locking mechanism, I must say, it is properly designed. Think of riding a bicycle with brakes on the handlebars. When you want to stop, you grab the lever, pulling it toward you by closing your hand. That is the way the Fein works. Any other way you would be using your finger nails to lock the router, thereby having to slightly loosen your grip. Counter intuitive but I guess the other reviewer had grown accustomed to working a lever on a machine, which worked that way. He may have the Porter Cable or Bosch plunge routers, which has a spring built into it thereby locking it automatically when you release the lever. The feeling I get from that is, "I wonder if it is locked to the proper tightness?" I prefer to tighten it myself. The Fein is intuitive and easy to use.
It is important to match the bit speed recommended by the manufacturer. You will get a feel for this. This Fein router has six speeds, which is actually an infinitely variable knob, with six number positions on it, so you can perfectly match the speed to the task.
You also need plunge capabilities for making quick clean mortise and tenon joints. Some routers only plunge to 2 or 2 1/2", this one plunges to 3". This router comes standard with a 1/2" collet, with a 1/4" collet optional. Having a base which will accept 3 1/2" bits is nice, and this router accepts them. I noticed in a follow up edition of Fine Woodworking magazine, that they had a clip about the Fein RT-1800. They were amazed at the specifications they found for the run out. It was off the chart next to the other routers in their previous months router review.
One other thing that I noticed is that this Fein will accept 3 1/2" bits, which are not all that common, but you can not plunge a bit that size into the base. The bottom of the base will accomodate a bit that size, but the casting does not allow you to plunge it. The Bosch 1619EVS 3+ HP plunge does allow you to plunge a 3 1/2" bit into the base. You could argue that the opening is so large on the Bosch, so as to restrict you on stability, in the event you plan on using it for any kind of hand held work. So there you have it, build a small opening on the base, and gain a lot of control over the workpiece, or create a monster opening, capable of large bits, and your workpiece can fall into it. Get the Bosch, (even though it is louder than the Fein) Get the Fein, and get the Makita D-Handle. Each is a blessing for its own purpose. Oh and get a Porter Cable Laminate trim router as well, for those small light jobs. I'm not trying to spend your money, just that each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Too many to write here. The Makita D Handle is on its way, and I will be writing about some of the specifics on that one as compared to the others herein mentioned. Tune in over there soon.
Am I allowed to say that the German engineering on the Fein Rt 1800 is of the best. Simple, and effective. Engineered to simplicity. That is the way this router is made. Strong, simple, effective. If woodworking is your love, then this tool is worthy of your attention. Out of all of my tools, there is none other, that I am as fond of, as this Fein Router. Stay tuned the Makita D handle challenge is coming. Happy woodworking.
Excellent Router!
I spent quite a lot of time researching routers, bought this one (after hemming about the price), and love it! The other routers that I looked at, Porter-Cable and DeWalt, were uncomfortable to control, heavy, or lacked the flexibility that I wanted. I was a little concerned at first of the Fein's size and weight. Once I started using the router, however, I was surprised about how easy to maneuver it is. I use the router on and off the table and find it to have plenty of power and be very quiet.
If you are the kind of person who likes to read the manual cover to cover, don't expect much. This is a "no frills" router - It comes in a cardboard box, and essentially tells you how to turn it on and a couple other tid-bits. I figured out how to lock the power on after monkeying with it for a couple minutes (there's a "toggle" on the switch).
The only gripe that I have is that the mechanism to free-up the plunge feature feels backwards - you have to push it away to release it and it's not on a spring.
You know how it feels to pick up an item and it's clear that the manufacturer spent time thinking about their product? This router is exactly like that. It's well built, and very comfortable to use. I would buy this router again in a second.
The BEST plunge router, hands down.
Turn it on, run it for hours on the router table and shut it down at the end of the day. This is a serious production-quality machine. Go ahead, just TRY to bog it down, nothing phases this brute. Depth djustments are simple and repeatable. The Fein is quiet and powerful, it doesn't scream at deafening pitch like most of the other 3+HP routers out there (a HUGE plus if you have to listen to it all day). Available accessories are pricey, I would have liked to see them included with the standard kit so I have to give this router 4 stars, otherwise it's a dream to use and holds up to the test of time.
Best router so far...
I've owned several routers over the years. The Fein is probably at the top of the heap of 3-1/4 HP routers. It is quiet, well-balanced, and fairly light. I love it's on-off switch--by far the best, and considerably easier to turn on and off than that of DeWalt. So far, I've had no breakdowns (my DeWalt had a cord failure and an on-off switch screw-up). Don't get too carried away by "whisper-quiet"--once the bit hits the wood, all routers are about the same! It's not really 6 speeds; it has a continual speed adjustment, labelled 1-6. Height adjustment is easy and accurate. This router just has a great "feel" to it in terms of low vibration and balance that makes me think it's going to be humming along for a long, long time. My only regret is that I got this router last rather than first.
Fein RT-1800 Router
The stator winding on my Hitachi M12V had opened (burned) after 12 years of service. I thought of buying another M12V having made my own fine adjustment knob and locking device years ago. But, after researching different brands I had decided to buy the Fein and I am very pleased with it. It is a very quiet, smooth, and precise machine. Changing router bits is so easy and quick. When I make an adjustment and lock it down, it stays there! I only item I did not like was the lock-on switch located in the handle. I use the Fein in a router table and very seldom do I use it hand held. So what I did was mount an On/Off switch/receptacle on my router table. I use the table mounted on/off switch to turn the router on & off. When I get ready to remove the router for any reason like bit changing I always unplug the router from the receptacle: Remember "SAFETY FIRST".
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