Routers - Trend T8EK or Makita RP2303FC

[opps]

Maybe a bit late to the fray, but I'd suggest that the Makita is a better bet than the Trend T8. The Makita is a true trade/industrial rated tool and parts are probably going to be available for a very long time, based on Makita's track record. The T8, on the other hand, is soutrced from a Chinese company who may or may not be around in 5 or 10 years time (Trend models made by deWalt are the now replaced T10 and T11 as well as the current T12 and T14 which were based on the DW models DW625 and DWE625 respectively). A big plus (to me) of the Makita 2301/2303 models is that in addition to the soft start they also have a power down motor brake. A downside is that Makita don't sell an 8mm collet, instead you need to use a collet reducer, but if you don't intend to use 8mm shank collets, it isn't an issue as 1/4in and 1/2in collets are available. The big Mak also uses the same fence rods as the DW and T10~T14 models if that is of interest

Tried the Triton but didn't like it. It seemed a bit top heavy as a hand held tool, but that's probably subjective. The lack of a 110 volt version in the UK clinched it for me.

To maybe put it in perspective I have a slightly older RP2301FC, a Trend T10elk, Trend T11ek and a deWalt DWE625 as points of comparison. The T10/T11 are nowhere near as smooth running as the Elu MOF177e I owned years ago, and neither is the DWE625. I'd rate the RP2301 as the smoothest of the lot

I have the DW625EK. It's "OK" but I say that as someone who has far, far less experience than you. It does what I ask of it, but I only use it every couple of years. My only other router is an old Makita 1/4" palm trimmer (no dust extraction).

What are the primary differences between the ELU and the DW? I assumed the 625 was a clone of the MOF.

 

[robinbanks]

But think if the router is heating the bit, the bit may dull faster and also the bit may slip even if is thing because of the heat its contract, expand and etc.

No to all those, don't worry

But at 430 euros I'd return it and buy it again. Then you will still have only spent 430 euros and have one router and also have an answer to your question - "do they all get hot?"

 

[TheWoodTeacher]

Do you have problems with that Makita router? The model is RP2303FC. I get it brand new, and after I turn it on, in 2-3 minutes, just by spinning, when I switch it off, the nut and the collet are extremely hot. Does that sound familiar, or is mine faulty? I do make a small roundover with a 12.7 mm bit on a test piece 400 mm long. After the cut, I can feel the collet, and the nut is hot again.

Hi mate, did you get this solved?? I got here searching information because I have the same router with the exact same problem. I have been reading the entire forum and I want to share my experience.
I bought this router around two years ago from my local Makita dealer where i buy every tool. After testing the tool I noticed the exact same problem you described so I send it to the technical service with a description of the problem but they send back the tool two times with the same problem. At that point I gave up and asumed that it was normal thing on this router. Recently I went back to the tool because for the last year and a half I have been using Festool from my school, I built a router table for my Makita and after been using it more aggressively I'm not able to touch the collect nut, the bit shank or the aluminum housing because of the temperature it gets to.
Clearly this is a problem and not acceptable from a tool this price and brand. I read the post where you talk about the clicky sound, this is from the motor brushes. So the conclusion I came up with is that the bearing is faulty. I'm not totally sure about this but it is the only think I can think of.
Did you get yours send back or fixed?? Did you know anything more about this??

 

[blup]

The Makita is an excellent true industrial machine, But the Trend is set up for table routing with above table adjustment, which the Mak would need modification to achieve

 

[Bumblebee1987]

Hi mate, did you get this solved?? I got here searching information because I have the same router with the exact same problem. I have been reading the entire forum and I want to share my experience.
I bought this router around two years ago from my local Makita dealer where i buy every tool. After testing the tool I noticed the exact same problem you described so I send it to the technical service with a description of the problem but they send back the tool two times with the same problem. At that point I gave up and asumed that it was normal thing on this router. Recently I went back to the tool because for the last year and a half I have been using Festool from my school, I built a router table for my Makita and after been using it more aggressively I'm not able to touch the collect nut, the bit shank or the aluminum housing because of the temperature it gets to.
Clearly this is a problem and not acceptable from a tool this price and brand. I read the post where you talk about the clicky sound, this is from the motor brushes. So the conclusion I came up with is that the bearing is faulty. I'm not totally sure about this but it is the only think I can think of.
Did you get yours send back or fixed?? Did you know anything more about this??

Hello. I did not return it. I did contact the company where I bought it and explain everything. They told me that they try the same router but 110V (they was out of stock for 220V) and after 2 min of just spining its get very hot as well. They told me if I wish I can send back the router. I then found in facebook one guy from my nationality in those woodworking groups with the same router. I explain my concerns. He told me that is doing same thing. He bought one, its get hot. Then he return it and get replacement. Same thing happen. In the end I decide to keep the tool. In the college ( im 3th year student) we use festool as well but is tp expensive for me now to afford it.

 

[HolbornFox]

Hey All,

Sorry I didn't see all the later responses on this thread, great info.

I have a Makita plunge / track saw and it is a fantastic tool so I was heading that way but I went for the Trend T8 in the end.

I decided that as I would be using other Trend products such as the jig and worktop bolts (and possibly later on a table) it just made sense if they were designed in conjunction.

It is a great machine and I'm well happy with it tbh.