To all, I’m going to purchase a router but I don’t really know all that much about them and what the best brands are. I’d be looking to use it for cabinet making, mostly just as an extra hobby. Would you recommend a table mounted router and what kind of price tag am I looking at. Thank.
JGMichel
Replies
Very handy to use in a table. If that's the route you go I'd suggest the biggest meanest one that Porter Cable makes. I think it's the PC 7518. If you want to use it outside of a table you want something a bit more nimble like the PC 690 series. Lots of good machines by Bosch, Makita, Dewalt, Milwaukee etc. Then you've got the decision of plunge base vs fixed base, bearing guided bits, and a whole host of accessories.
If you're new to routing, take your time and think about safety when the wood hits the bit spinning at 20K RPM.
The router and all the stuff that goes along with it is in my opinion the most versatile of any power tool.
For a hobby router, get the basic Porter Cable 690. You can mount it in a tble , and it's light enough to use free hand. And it will last many, many years. Doesn't have some of the doo-dads and frills of modern routers, but it's solid.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I have four 690s. I think the plunge/fixed kit is money well spent. I've used it in a router table and had pretty good results ( I'm using a 3 1/4 hp router in my table now). The 1 1/4 hp routers are nice but when it comes to using large bits, like a raised panel bit, having the extra hp and variable speed becomes essential. For hand routing I grab my D-handle 2 1/2 hp soft-start first. the thing with routers is that once you get one, you want another, and another.
Jim