Advantages: The Freud fit comfortable in one hand and has a well-positioned switch. The three dedicated bases can be changed by loosening a screw without taking it out, so there is less chance of it getting lost.

Disadvantages: The unit’s tall body and small base make it feel unstables. Control over the bit height on the 90° base was difficult: After loosening a knob and using an adjustment screw to raise and lower the base, it was difficult to tighten the knob by hand. The trim guide is held in place with two loose screws (not held captive with a nut), and it was difficult to adjust. The tilt base is makred in 5° increments, so anything more precise would need to be tweaked through trial and error. No laminate seaming base is included. This machine requires too many tools Phillips-head and straigh screwdrivers, four hex wrenches, and an Allen wrench.

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