Trend T3 Router Review

Description
The Trend T3 router is a small, low cost 3/4hp unit with an 8mm and 0.25" collet. This is the smallest router in the Trend lineup and the only one available in North America. The router is basically like many other small plunge routers except that it has a much smaller motor body. The T3 package includes an edge guide, a dust collection shroud, a 5/8" / 16mm guide bushing, along with the appropriate tools and owners manual. The whole outfit is housed in a decent plastic case. The T3 includes all the features users now expect in a router, variable speed, multiple depth stops, etc.

I did feel the need to do a bit of prep work before using the tool. On my first inspection I noticed that the tool seemed a little wobbly. Upon further examination, I determined that the plastic sub-base was convex. A few moments of sanding cured this problem. Although the base should have been flat to start with, I've had this problem with routers that cost many times more than what the T3 does so I don't really view it as a critical issue since it is a one-time fix.

In Use
The plunge lock will fix the depth of the router anywhere in its 1 3/8" travel but I noted another anomaly with the plunge. With the plunge un-locked, the yoke had some free-play in it. With the plunge locked there is no free-play. I don't really know if this is an issue or not, I expect on a bigger more powerful tool that it would be due to the applied torque as the bit is plunged. While this free-play is not desirable, I didn't notice any detrimental effect and again with the plunge locked it is solid. On a costlier tool, I would probably be disappointed with this, on a $79 router, maybe it's acceptable.

Two wrenches are needed to change bits. The collets look pretty standard but include a spring as well, presumably to aid bit removal. An extra spring is included in the kit should the original become lost. One inconvenience is that the guide bushings are installed using a two screw and nut combination. If the screws were installed into tapped holes guide bushings would be far easier to install. As it is, they can take a bit of fiddling to get put on right.

The speed range is 8000rpm to 32000rpm. At the lower speed settings the tool is very quiet, at the high speed settings the tool is loud as one would expect. When doing light trimming tasks and such the lower speed range works just fine. When you need some more serious work done, the router will need to be run at a much faster setting to keep the power level up.

The whole assembly may look a little ungainly but I found the T3 to be well balanced, light, easy to use, and precise. The widely spaced handles provide good control and despite not having a power switch mounted to the handles the unit is easy to power on and off. The variable speed control is located on the top of the machine though. The T3 also has a fine depth adjustment accessory available for it. This device basically replaces the plunge depth rod and is fairly easy to install and remove, I highly recommend this accessory.

Although the T3 could be mounted in a table it's 3/4hp motor and 1.2" maximum bit diameter are limiting factors. For much of my testing I did use the Trend SRT though and it will work but I did not attempt to do any heavy stock removal either. Another anomaly in the T3 design is that the collet is still short of the base by about 3/8" when fully plunged. On the small shank bits that would be used in this tool this reduces the useful range of the cutter in some instances by quite a bit.

The T3 is designed to be removed from the plunge base and used as a die grinder should the need arise. Although not a critical feature in my opinion, not many other routers can be used for secondary operations like sharpening mower blades.

Summary
The format of the T3 is a bit unusual for North America. There have been woodworkers who have made their own router bases similar to this however. These would use laminate trimmer and Dremel tool motors; evidently there is a need for a router format such as this.

Sometimes a big powerful router is actually detrimental to the task at hand and the Trend T3 is an option to take care of these situations. To put this review into a little perspective, I also have the Dewalt laminate trimmer with all the accessory bases. The Trend has a nicer motor (mainly due to variable speed), a friendlier bit changing design (even though it requires two wrenches), and is more precise (due to it's plunge base). I think with a few minor tweaks Trend could market this as a high end tool. Bronze bushings on the plunge with no free-play, better guide bushing attachment, and a couple other minor details would really set this head and shoulders above laminate trimmers. As it is though, one must keep in mind that the T3 is specifically marketed to beginners with limited budgets and at its price point, it performs pretty well.