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Nick n Scratched · 06-02-2007, 03:20 AM

Greetings all. I am new to the forum and have a quick question about a Freud FT1700VCEK that I just purchased. I have gone through a few PC stationary routers over the years and decided that the above table adjustment and automatic bit spindle lock of the FT1700VCEK where worth trying out. The new FT1700VCEK model I have has a manufacture year of 2007, and a locking lever on the pin for the spindle lock...not quite "automatic", but still good. The older demo unit in the store I saw had a tapered cam that the spindle lock pin road into, causing it to engage the spindle when the collet was moved to above the table height by turning the height adjustment knob..."automatically locking." This older design appeared to be a truly one handed bit change without even going under the table. Any insight as to why they changed to this new lever design on the spindle lock?? I kind of liked the idea of just being able to turn the above table height adjustment knob to do everything.

**Mark** · 07-08-2007, 06:08 PM

Dr.Zook · 07-08-2007, 09:55 PM

Welcome to the Router Forums Nick n scratched.

**bobj3** · 07-08-2007, 10:27 PM

Hi Nick n Scratched

I think you just found the right forum for your question ..

We have a member that works for Freud and I'm sure he will logon Monday and with luck he will find your question....

Charles M. is the members name........

===================

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick n Scratched

Greetings all. I am new to the forum and have a quick question about a Freud FT1700VCEK that I just purchased. I have gone through a few PC stationary routers over the years and decided that the above table adjustment and automatic bit spindle lock of the FT1700VCEK where worth trying out. The new FT1700VCEK model I have has a manufacture year of 2007, and a locking lever on the pin for the spindle lock...not quite "automatic", but still good. The older demo unit in the store I saw had a tapered cam that the spindle lock pin road into, causing it to engage the spindle when the collet was moved to above the table height by turning the height adjustment knob..."automatically locking." This older design appeared to be a truly one handed bit change without even going under the table. Any insight as to why they changed to this new lever design on the spindle lock?? I kind of liked the idea of just being able to turn the above table height adjustment knob to do everything.

Joe Lyddon · 07-08-2007, 10:55 PM

Nick n Scratched,

W e l c o m e . . A b o a r d !!

There is only ONE stupid question...

The question not asked!

Charles M · 07-09-2007, 10:52 AM

The FT1700 has been changed from auto shaft lock to manual. The shaft lock is accessed from above the table with the same hex wrench that is used for height adjustment and height lock.

Ray Dockrey · 07-09-2007, 11:29 PM

Charles,

I have the 1700 and unless I am missing something there is no way to work the spindle lock above the table. The only hex holes I have is for the height adjustment and the heigtht lock.

Nick n Scratched · 07-10-2007, 02:22 AM

Thanks for the input. Yes, I too thought that the two hex holes are only for height adjustment and also for locking? I thought that one must reach under the table and then throw the lever to engage the locking pin. (Mine sometimes seems to occasionally stick in before popping out and engaging the hole in the shaft to lock the unit. Probably nothing some WD-40 will not remedy.) Another question about this design change is: in some cases when I bring the height up toward the top of the table while using the above table adjustment tool, the gear seems to act like it is stripped and spins but gains no height. This happens well below the locking pin level. I am wondering if there is a trick to tensioning the Allen screw on the manual locking clamp when using the above table tool??? I have only used the unit a few times so far as I still have another router table with a PC on it. I did make a small table this last weekend using the new Freud router, and all and all I am very pleased with it. So far, it is a lot of router for the price. I will look at it again tomorrow and add some more details to my question about this design change.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Dockrey

Charles,

I have the 1700 and unless I am missing something there is no way to work the spindle lock above the table. The only hex holes I have is for the height adjustment and the heigtht lock.

Charles M · 07-10-2007, 08:24 AM

Nick and Ray,

There were some of these routers produced that are "tweenies" (in between the original auto lock and the latest with manual above table lock) that have manual shaft locks below the table. To tell for sure you need to remove the base plate and see if there is an access hole there.

Nick,

I think there is a simple fix for your height adjust issue. Call our service department at (800) 334-4107 and one of the techs should be able to help.

Ray Dockrey · 07-10-2007, 11:02 PM

Charles,

I must have one of the in betweens because I have mine mounted in my table with no base plate and there is no hex hole.

06-02-2007, 03:20 AM	#1
Nick n Scratched Registered User New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 5 View Nick n Scratched's Gallery	Report This Post! Freud FT1700VCEK Design Change? Greetings all. I am new to the forum and have a quick question about a Freud FT1700VCEK that I just purchased. I have gone through a few PC stationary routers over the years and decided that the above table adjustment and automatic bit spindle lock of the FT1700VCEK where worth trying out. The new FT1700VCEK model I have has a manufacture year of 2007, and a locking lever on the pin for the spindle lock...not quite "automatic", but still good. The older demo unit in the store I saw had a tapered cam that the spindle lock pin road into, causing it to engage the spindle when the collet was moved to above the table height by turning the height adjustment knob..."automatically locking." This older design appeared to be a truly one handed bit change without even going under the table. Any insight as to why they changed to this new lever design on the spindle lock?? I kind of liked the idea of just being able to turn the above table height adjustment knob to do everything.
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07-08-2007, 06:08 PM	#2
Mark Forum Administrator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada First Name: Mark Posts: 3,787 View Mark's Gallery	Report This Post! Bump __________________ Mark, Administrator and Technician of RouterForums.com RouterWorkshop.net - Get more out of your router!
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07-08-2007, 09:55 PM	#3
Dr.Zook Official Greeter Supreme Forum King Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Lebanon, Ohio "USA" First Name: Dave or "Doc" Posts: 4,678 View Dr.Zook's Gallery	Report This Post! Welcome to the Router Forums Nick n scratched. __________________ Dave the "Doctor" In woodworking there is no scrap, only firewood. Please edit your profile with a name and location so we can better assist you and make for a friendlier forum.
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07-08-2007, 10:55 PM	#5
Joe Lyddon Banned Supreme Forum King Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Alta Loma, CA USA Posts: 2,168 View Joe Lyddon's Gallery	Report This Post! Nick n Scratched, W e l c o m e . . A b o a r d !! There is only ONE stupid question... The question not asked!
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07-09-2007, 10:52 AM	#6
Charles M Registered User Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: High Point, NC Posts: 181 View Charles M's Gallery	Report This Post! The FT1700 has been changed from auto shaft lock to manual. The shaft lock is accessed from above the table with the same hex wrench that is used for height adjustment and height lock. __________________ Charles M Freud America, Inc.
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07-09-2007, 11:29 PM	#7
Ray Dockrey Registered User New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8 View Ray Dockrey's Gallery	Report This Post! Charles, I have the 1700 and unless I am missing something there is no way to work the spindle lock above the table. The only hex holes I have is for the height adjustment and the heigtht lock.
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07-10-2007, 08:24 AM	#9
Charles M Registered User Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: High Point, NC Posts: 181 View Charles M's Gallery	Report This Post! Nick and Ray, There were some of these routers produced that are "tweenies" (in between the original auto lock and the latest with manual above table lock) that have manual shaft locks below the table. To tell for sure you need to remove the base plate and see if there is an access hole there. Nick, I think there is a simple fix for your height adjust issue. Call our service department at (800) 334-4107 and one of the techs should be able to help. __________________ Charles M Freud America, Inc. Last edited by Charles M; 07-10-2007 at 08:36 AM.
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07-10-2007, 11:02 PM	#10
Ray Dockrey Registered User New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8 View Ray Dockrey's Gallery	Report This Post! Charles, I must have one of the in betweens because I have mine mounted in my table with no base plate and there is no hex hole.
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