recently read the FHB article on routers, but I felt it was (properly so) slanted to the high-end professional models. But a lot of DIY-ers like me read FHB, and I need to buy a router. What model do people recommend for a guy who couldn’t router his way out of a paper bag in shop class 25 years ago, mostly would use it a couple times a year for dado cuts?
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Try a $29 Ryobi disposable. Buy another one in 10 years when you need one again.
Richard James Tolzman
"Try a $29 Ryobi disposable. Buy another one in 10 years when you need one again."
I heard Mark Adams speaking on routers. He said that he was consulting with a manufacter about desired features in routers and he ask how they could make router so cheap.
The explained that those had a 5 hour designed life time. That they are given for fathers day or Christmas. The guy goes to use it and the first thing is that is is surprised at the tourque. Then after a few minutes collecting himself he applies router to wood and starts climb cutting or the wood shoots out and hits the wall.
Shaken up he puts the router away. 6 months later tries it again with similar results. Then it goes in the next garage sale.
Then the next buyer repeats that. Some in that 10 year period it probably have 10 minutes of run time.
If you're routing dados, I strongly recommend getting a router that will accomodate a 1/2" shank. Dados are hard work for the router and stressful for the bit. I picked up a Porter Cable 9690 at Home Depot for $149 the other night. Then, when I went to Lowe's and saw their price ($159), I went for the price matching thing at Lowe's (got it for $134 = 10% off the $149 price).
PS: I'm a stranger here, mostly hang out at Knots
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
A DIYer needs a router that can do everything, including table mounting, and to me that means one of the big, variable-speed, 3+hp plunge units.
There are probably as many opinions as there are routers: I'm still fond of my Ryobi 600E's, once the gold standard for table-mounted routers; it lost that position to the Hitachi 12's (the current model is the M12 I think), and that's probably still a safe buy. I'm also like the Bosch small units, maybe their big plunge unit is good too. What-ever you buy, make sure you get top-of-the-line bits for it
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
First I suggest that you get one of the router books from Bill Hylton or Pat Warner.
There you can see the different styles of routers and the many different application. They you will have a better feel for what you want.
That said the PC 690 is a good router, specially at that price. But it is a little dated in it's design, for example fixed speed.
If you can go for the extra money I would suggest the Boosch combo pack. That consists of a 2 hp variable speed. router, a fixed base and a plunge base. That will do almost every thing that can be done with a router.
I vote Dewalt 621. 2hp, Light, easy to manuver, great plunge, enough power for many applications, plunge. I f not Bosch and Makita make great routers and PC makes a very good 3 1/4 HP router.
A DIY looking for a limited use router?
To me, that means basic bits...pretty all much the same size. A straight bit for dados, and basic bits like ogee, cove, and roundovers. You'll not be spinning 3.5" raised panel bits, for example. With all the bits basically being the same diameter, and with you working basic wood, I don't think variable speed to be a necessity. You want a router that's easily held in the hand, and that can also do light-duty...even medium-duty work, inverted in a router table. At a good price.
I think those that mentioned the PC 690 series are right on. I could be mistaken, but I also thought I saw an ad or article mentioning that PC just upped the motor on the 690 to 1.75HP. Not sure if it's still the "690" or a derivative of the 690. Still, at 1.5hp it'll do pretty much all you need.
Then some.
If you wanted the plunge option (I don't like to use a plunge router in a router table) you could get the 690 kit with the two bases.
If you go for the PC 690 make sure it will handle the bit sizes you want to use. (not shank size, come with 2 collets) If memory serves me right (often doesn't) the manual says it will handle a 2" bit, but it won't fit thru the base.
this was suppose to be addressed to all
bobl Volo Non Voleo Joe's cheat sheet
Edited 6/12/2002 8:25:15 AM ET by bobl
Aftermarket sub-bases are readily available, particularly for the venerable PC 690.
Ken Hill
Edited 6/12/2002 2:54:52 PM ET by Ken Hill
thanks Ken
Bought one for mine
just wanted to mention the fact if he went for the 690 and wanted to use a larger bit.bobl Volo Non Voleo Joe's cheat sheet
To me, a DIY router is $5-$10 max item at a garage sale. Numerous older (1960/70s Sears models) serve me well - to lazy to change bits so have a few with most having bits friction welded into place <G>. Even got a 1/2 shaft Milwaukee ($10) at garage sale - maybe one of those father's day gifts that 'climbed the wall'?
Lots of one time DIY jobs are better served by a well tuned hand plane, narrow dadoes by table saw blade sets or multiple passes, etc.
BTW, similar subject, the cheap skilsaw sidewinders typically going for $2 to $3 at garage sales often only need new brushes that crapped after the aforementioned 5 hours - good for another 5 hours with a $ 2 set of brushes, relatively powerful for the weight, about the lighest around for us old DIY foggies.
PS: wife asks, why do I have so many tools? Well, spent $600 last Sat at garage sales, couldn't pass up the bargains! (some of best finds ever, may even use some in the future)