Freud tools?

[wantacoe]

I am looking at a Freud router at an auction. How do Freud tools compare to other brands. Are they high end, low end? Thanks

 

[southalabama]

Days gone by Freud blades and bits were high end.

I'd check where it was made.

Companies seem to buy premium brands and ship production to Asia and still sell at premium for a while.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

They are high end. Very high end. The Germans make good stuff.

 

[wantacoe]

Thanks guys, I will see how the auction goes.

 

[MaineGuide]

I don't think many replacement parts are available for the Freud routers anymore. Tried to order something for a customer a while back but no dice.

 

[neophyte]

Freud blades, router bits, and cutters are well thought of, but the power tools aren't really in the same league.

Maybe about ten years ago, when the Dewalt 3hp DW625 plunge router was selling for around $350, the equivalent Freud routers were probably selling for $200, and the higher cost wasn't just do to marketing.

I saw a couple of the Freud tools in person at Lowes at one point. The machining on a couple items was so coarse it almost looked like a ******* file or rasp. Its possible the quality varied over time, but the power tools didn't seem to be near the quality of the Freud tooling. This didn't rally surprise me since the biscuit joiner Freud sold cost less than one of their large panel raising bits. If the price is $40 or something, it might be worth it but if more you're probably better off looking for an older Porter Cable, Dewalt, Elu, Bosch, or Black and Decker Professional router.

I believe the Freud power tools, or at least some of them, were manufactured in Spain by Casal.

 

[1990 Grand Wag]

I have a Spanish made FJ85 jig saw. Happy with it. The only problem I had with it (initially) was the blade release. It took some getting used to (you have to make sure the blades are "seated"), but again, I have been happy with it. It is about 12 years old, and I don't know the COO of the newer products or if ths saw is even made anymore.

I also have a Freud blade installed on my DeWalt MBF saw. Again, happy with it.

 

[PugetDude]

My personal opinion is that Freud should stick to making router bits and saw blades. They tried to leverage the name into power tools without much success.

 

[wantacoe]

I got the router for $35.00, then bought a Freud templet guide kit for $5.00. I have not used it yet but plugged it in to make sure it worked. It was made in Spain in 1997. I got the manual with it and found the original receipt from when it was bought new. $209.95, sounds expensive to me.

 

[neophyte]

$35 is a good price for the router.

 

[LordPsychon]

Freud router bits are very high quality and their routers are pretty good as well. For $35 I can't see you going south on that deal.