I find myself getting into finish carpentry more and more every day, and I’m to the point where I need to add a router to my collection (HA!). My experience with them is limited to an old POS from high school shop class.
Who has the best value in routers right now?
A standardized approach, quick-to-install hardware, and a simplified design make building custom casework cost-effective.
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Replies
what are you planning to use it for? do you want a dedicated plunge router or a combo kit with fixed and plunge bases..
I just got the bosch 2.25hp kit and like it alot.. think i paid just over 200.
the new PC stuff looks pretty neat too.
one nice thing about a combo set is you can stick one base in a table and just swap the motor to switch between table mounted and hand-held
______________________________________________
--> measure once / scribble several lines / spend some time figuring out wich scribble / cut the wrong line / get mad
Bosch..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
I have a Porter Cable, model 6931, purchased about 8 years ago for about $200. Last year, the bearings went out and the repair cost almost $90, though they did through in a nice new long power cord. I use it mostly on hardwoods. If I had to do it all over again, I'd get something a little bigger. The 6931 is a 10 amp machine. PC has a new model that is a little bigger, has a soft start (which I'd think would be really nice) and variable speed. For a finish carpenter, I don't know if variable speed would be too important. It is really only needed if you are spinning a big bit. So, unless you're going to use a router to mill molding or something, it is a feature that probably won't see much use. The soft start would be really nice for hand held work. If I had to do it all over again, I'd look hard a Dewalt and Bosch. That $90 repair still annoys me. Also, when I bought my machine, PC was the only company that offered the fixed base/plunger base system. Now, lots of folks do.
you are way to predicable...
you know that right?
some times I say not to buy the Bosch or Milwaukee...
but ot seems as though some flat line when I do that..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
I'm going to throw Festool into the mix, I recently decided to spend up and got their saw system and a mid-size router. These are not cheap tools but they are wonderful to work with and work very well as system with a dust removal vacuum and their rail guides. They also have accessories for drilling shelf pin holes if you build cabinets.http://www.festool.comI know this is about routers but the I have to say to anyone who does trim work on site you have to get their circular saw and rail guides, they have paid for themselves in one job, they are so quick to use accurate and clean go get one.By the way I also have a Porter Cable 3HP, basic but solid as a rock. And don't buy anything made by Ryobi, I threw it away rather than give it away it was so useless.
I know the Festool.. most excellent equipment..
I recommend the Bosch for the longjevity and customerservice... but not all Bosch..
bang for the buck as ya could say...
I don't do jap anything.. I boycott them...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
>>I don't do jap anything.. I boycott them...I guess you have no respect for quality. I have many tools, Japanese, American, chinese, etc.Some all right.Some brlliant.All the worst tools I own are Amerikan.What happenned to American craftmanship?
sit up....
pay attention....
it's the companies and not the tools....
EOS
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Sit back...Relax...It IS the tools!!...What else is it?
it's the companies behind the tools...
thier methods of doing business...
and how they the see us consumers...
it's all about right - wrong...
and not doing on to others as you damn well please and squashing those that speak out...
no room for dictatorships...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Porter cable. Their router is the only porter cable tool I would ever buy. but it's a
pretty good little router.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/531624/ref=br_bx_c_2_6/102-8138781-9862502
there's a nice little deWalt 3hp that'll get ya thru life for under $200.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
The best thing is to just go out and buy 6 different ones.
It'll save loads of time because you'll end up with at least that many eventually!
why stop at 6..
is there some kind of cap on quanities now???
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
my goal in life is to have a router for every bit.
unfortunately I by bits faster than I can buy routers.
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
case lots...
still not fast enough...
pallets....
semis....
ahhhhhhhhhh helll...
buy the production run...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Many routers many bits many many out of work wrenches
The best thing is to just go out and buy 6 different ones.
It'll save loads of time because you'll end up with at least that many eventually!
Ha ha! So true....
Matt, I like my 2 Bosch routers. Also my Porter-Cables. Makitas are nice. How do you see yourself using it?
Mike
Mortising hinges, edges on window stools, plaques, stair treads, etc.
I want one with no runout on the collet. I've stained wood that was cut with a sloppy router and it's not something to be proud of.
I also want a router that lasts a long time. I've always had good luck out of Bosch tools, but I've heard about their switch problems.
If your not going to get into heavy routering. I recommend the 7/8 hp pc. Its light and a darned good router. Good for mortising, mouldings, edge routing and you can buy the plunge router body also.
If your going to do heavyer routing then Id go with the 1 3/4 vs pc. Its a nice router that should do about all that you need.
3 hp vs is great if you are going to use it in a table. But for lighter routing either of the 2 I mentioned above can be used in a table as well.
For the record that is why most people here have at least 2-3 different routers because they meet different needs.
I have 2 the pc 3 1/4 vs for table use, and the 1 1/2 for light routing I have a plunge base and D handle base for it.
Like I said different routers for different uses
Ron, I am constantly amazed by your absolute ignorance and your ability to bring any thread straight into the toilet.
.
I'll second sancho ron on the 7/8 hp PC, I got one as a hand me down from my pops and its what i use 90% of the time.. i love that thing______________________________________________
--> measure once / scribble several lines / spend some time figuring out wich scribble / cut the wrong line / get mad
The Bosch combo is the way to go. I have stayed away, as much as possible, from Dewalt, but sometimes they have good stuff. Sadlly though everything I hae ever gotten from them has "issues".
The Bosch is known for a switch problem, but mine is OK so far...
Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005RHPD/ref=pd_ts_c_th_2/102-7280644-2725705?v=glance&s=hi&n=552866
or PC. The bosch is a better deal though, cheaper and they throw in an edge guide and a few other things.
What do you want it for though?
Thanks.
I've got one in the mail. I picked it up for just over $200. Amazon has a deal going where you get $25 off any order over $199.
Just realized something. Bein's I'm new to all this routerin' and such, I'll need some bits. I know I don't want to drop a couple hunnard on some fancy ones just to break 'em on the first go round. What brand should I buy?
first off i'll jump on the bosch and porter cable wagon, love the bosch plunge mechanism.
as far as bits there are alot of brands theres a local brand made around here or more accurately marketed around here. ####r eal big selection amana; http://www.amanatool.com
there is jesada (menza-menza) although affordable.
white side good bits like the spiral up cut bit $$
bosch bits aren't bad"expectations are premeditated resentments"
Yes the Bosch plunge is so smooooooth!
But i worry about my switch. Anyone here think I should just call servie and send it in saying it has become intermittant, even though it's fine?
Or do they just slap another of the same part number in? Not much point in doing it if it's not an upgrade....
I really like all the "stuff" I got with my Bosch two base kit.Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Here's a link. 22433.5 In that forum, knots, most think whiteside are the best, freud and mlcs are very good. Whiteside will cost a little more than freuds. The mlcs are very good and a good $$ value.
Here's a link to a fine woodworking review from a few years ago.
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00045.asp
there are two ways to deal with router bits.. pick up the ones you have a need for as you develope a need.. once you find out which ones are usefull then buy good quality ones and keep them sharp.. the other way is to buy a set of bits.. You can buy Grizzly's best 66 pc set for $250.00 or buy a few cheap bits for around $10 to 20 each.
I bought a set and wish I'd bought a bigger set, there are some bits I won't use probably but if I need them I'll have them on hand..
One not to buy is a Sears, I own one and I still bought a Porter cable.. They offer a model that is both fixed base and plunge base. you will need both!
Normally I don't like Porter Cable stuff but their router is really the standard of the industry.. there are some slightly better at a greater cost and there are many worse and much worse..
If you find that you want to use attachments like a fence, baseplate, bushings you will want to consider that. Only the better brands offer this - PC, Bosch, Makita and NOT Sears and Ryobi.
oh yeah.... happy birthday you ole coot......... drink heavy and covort with fallen strumpetts. take two and call me in the morning, you aint some christian idealogue are you??? every one needs a vacation.
PC and Bosch both make decent routers. I think the PCs are much louder. My Bosch runs like a sleeping cat. I do like the little PC (what, 3/4 horse or something) for the small stuff - like door hinges. Small, light, mobile. My Bosch is a middle of the road 2 1/4hp that will spin most bits just fine. Couple of other PCs, I sold the Makita, complete POS, like the 3 1/4hp PC well for big bits and router table work. I cart the table to trim jobs. Never regret it. Love the heck out of that thing. Now, I haven't used it (and I'm not buying it until at least a couple of these others die) but Festools router looks like the cats meow, and I have a couple other wares from them, all very dreamy. But it's spendy.
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
I'm trying to decide between Festool OF 1400 and a D handle vs Bosch + plunge base. At the moment, I'm leaning Festool (love my jigsaw) but if Bosch is really dealing at JLC I might go that way.
Router decisions are almost as tough as chainsaw decisions . bwaaaaaaaaa
The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.- Fyodor Dostoyevski
if you know about and can afford festool. i have a suspicion that you do not need advice about routers. festool is on top for quality, although i donot like the procedure of purchasing at a dealer ( not mail order)than waiting for a delivery. i buy, i want . they have control issue's."expectations are premeditated resentments"
Edited 3/13/2005 2:32 pm ET by the bear
I agree..the best place to buy festool is at a trade show where you don't want to lug it home, AND they have specials!
The festool slide sytem is REALLY good, and the router works well with it. If you do a lot of dados and such it is a GREAT way to go!Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
I should check with Dino to see if the Festool will work with his EZ guide ;~)
The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.- Fyodor Dostoyevski
yea..that'll go over well!
The festool guide is amazing..no clamps needed and it doesn't budge.
I am sure dinos deal is cool too!Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
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Ok. I think this time I got it. With 1/2" staight, 3" wide 3/4" deep half joint/dado. The trick is the sliding arm that allows you to have traverse movements without the need to reposition the guide.Less than 5 minutes from start to finish.
A friend stop over and ask me if I can help him with this job.
-Sorry Dino that i will mess up your whole day.
---You wish. Take the camera and shoot.
-5 minutes later and while he was ready to take more pictures..
---Give me my camera back. Take the wood and have a nice day.
Edited 3/13/2005 7:16 pm ET by YCFriend
Dino, when are you leaving for JLC? Maybe we can get together for lunch and I can buy into the EZ way.
How about a mini review of the Festool router.
Thanks
Jim
The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.- Fyodor Dostoyevski
I'm not sure about JLC.
We're moving into a new place and ...you know.
About the mini review. It's EZ to use, Smooth and very well thought out tool .
Now. Don't ask me about the Ez. Please.
Thanks Jim.
I own four or five routers now. My 3 1/4 hp variable speed is dedicated to my router table. I have a plunge, two fixed and a D-handle. I find that I reach for the D-handle more often than the others. Go for a 2 1/2 hp with a soft start. You can buy a Dewalt system that has a plunge, fixed, and D-handle attachment. I don't know anything about DeWalt's routers though. I only use Bosch and PC, but I hear Hitachi makes a decent tool as well.
What ever you do, make sure to buy router bits with a 1/2 inch shaft, and go with a known name like Whiteside, CMT, etc. And don't buy "sets" (unless it's a cabinet door set or window set) buy each bit as you need it.