Replies

1. 
   Phill_Giles | Nov 14, 2000 08:06am | #1

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   Difficult topic to get a concensus; but, IMHO, if you're only going to get one router and it has to be ready for just about anything, then you'll be wanting a plunge router. I'm very fond of my older Ryobi routers; I'm not nearly as impressed by the newer ones (just opinion). Makita (3612C)is now the popular local brand as far as I can tell, and it looks like a fine router. Porter-Cable seem to have more attachments, but would be difficult to cost-justify unless you're a heavy/daily user.

1. 
   George_Abramshe | Nov 14, 2000 08:44am | #2

   *Have to agree with Phil about buying the plunge. You can leave a plunge stationary as is , but a stationary needs an added base to plunge, extra cost an hassle for a occasional user. I recommend the Bosch 2 hp 1613EVS. It is the finest router I own and I have five. Good overall power without being to heavy to be awkward to handle, soft start, 3/4 roud base with 1/4 straight,variable speed. Try it ,you'll love it.

1. 
   routerman | Nov 14, 2000 04:15pm | #3

   *One router can't manage all router encounters.If routing is to be your dad's "thing" he shoud probably have a plunger and a fixed base. Books have been written about all this. Better to start out conservative and scale up with demand. PC has a full range of routers, might be a good place to start.For appraisal of 13 of the best tools see routers.

1. 
   Jeff_J._Buck | Nov 15, 2000 05:02am | #4

   *Sounds like a job for the Porter Cable fixed/plunge kit. Think it runs about $250. Jeff

1. 
   Benjamin_Smith | Nov 15, 2000 08:22pm | #5

   *I have the Makita 3612c - very nice. Unless most of your work is laminate trimmer work, I would go with a nice 2-3 hp with plunge capability - plunge adds little weight for good gain in function. In a table, you're really going to want the extra power.

2. 
   Joel_Kraeuter | Dec 11, 2000 11:33pm | #6

   *The Porter Cable fixed/plunge/table combo is tough to beat; on sale everywhere for less than $300. Get Fine Homebuilding and check the ads. I've got the set and it goes to most general carpentry jobs with me; need some shoe? some ogee base, some quarterround? Gimme a minute...beats the hell outta sending your helper out for an hour to get 30' of moulding. And I can pretty up normally bland utilitarian stuff, to the invariable delight of my client, in minutes. Need to break an edge? Machine it with a quarter-inch roundover...looks nice, customer likes, you smile every time you look at it, thinking,"Yeah, that's sweet"...Joel K.Diggin' pointless complexity and random acts of art..Ay! carumba! thus we declare the revolution!

2. 
   john_simon | Dec 11, 2000 11:33pm | #7

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   I need help picking a router for my Dad. He is a weekender and would not use the router every day. He would like to be able to put it in a table and use it that way also . How many HP? Good brands, and fixed or plunge?