router choices, types and limitations
catarondack
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
I’m building a house this spring, planning on doing a lot of custom stuff (ornamental adirondacky kinda stuff), and figure I could use a router for a chritmas present from my kids…only one problem, I’m not sure what to ask for: there seem to be som many different types out there, ones that appear to be mounted on router tables, plunge routers and others…what features, keeping costs minimal, should I ask for in a router? I know, it probably depends on what I’m planning to do…nothing in particular, but I don’t want to be limited by buying a certain type that only does one thing either…any suggestions?
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Part of the picture.
Yep I got my 90 doller US Ryobies.. I like them ALOT! Never had one break but out 90 if it do! Soft start and 1/4 or 1/HALF BITS...
PC Speedmatic.
Welcome aboard! I got a Bosch 1617EVSPK, basically a 2-1/4 Hp router combo pack with a fixed base and a plunge base, and electronic speed control (soft start). Very nice, about $220 or so IIRC. So far it's done everything I've ever asked of it and more. Any of the newer combo packs from the major manufacturers like Dewalt or Porter-Cable or Bosch are probably going to be comparable, and do pretty much anything you really need. Smaller and larger routers do smaller and larger tasks easier or more handily, but the combo packs like mentioned above do a pretty good job of tackling most tasks. I started out w/ a $60 Craftsman fixed base router, and was hesitant to spend almost four times that on a good tool, despite how bad that first router sucked. I needn't have worried, it's been worth every penny in the shop and around the house.
Good luck,
Monte
Cat, for a person in your situation, I would strongly recommend browsing at the local Barnes and Noble (or whatever), and picking up a comprehensive "router handbook" to supplement the information you get here at Knots and at Pat's site. I don't have a specific recommendation, because my router books are older versions and it's quite likely there are newer, more current versions out there. Look for one that shows the different types of routers and bits, how to select what you need, and how to maintain them properly. Then of course, how to use them safely, and a few jigs/fixtures to make life easier.
You are probably the person the tool companies had in mind when they designed the combo-kits that are so prevalent now. This would be a router kit that includes both a fixed base and a plunge base for the same router motor. All comes packaged very conveniently in a stout carrying case. You can build or buy a router table and you're good to go with one of these kits. Having one doesn't prevent you from, later on down the road, buying a Big Horse of a router for heavier table-mounted use. My Big Horse is a Freud FT2000E, 3.25HP plunge router. There are numerous choices that work as well or maybe better.
Something to keep in mind about routers: There aren't too many woodworkers who have only one router. Most of us have at least two, many have 3, 4 or more routers. It's just something that happens (kinda like coat hangers, only more expensive), so buying your first router is pretty different from buying your first table saw. Have fun!
PS: Whatever you do, don't get a router that only accepts 1/4" shank bits.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I think you mentioned a purchase of the freud router a few months ago,if thats correct then how do you like it,pros cons.Pete.
Hi, Pete. Actually, we've had that router for a long time, bought it at an estate auction when hubby got carried away! It was just this summer that I replaced the PC690 with it in a Veritas steel table-top. For table-mounted use I love it, but I would probably never use it hand-held -- it's just to big and heavy for me. Hence, not much I can say about the various aspects of actual plunge routing.
Of course the power is remarkable, especially when compared with a 690. Most aftermarket accessories made for the big plunge routers, such as the Router Raizer, consider the FT2000E in their design. So far, the bits I've used in it have been standard straight, ogee, roundover, etc. However, in the next couple of weeks, I'll be mounting either a panel-raising bit or an "elongated ogee" in it for a project, and that will challenge the router a bit more.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Forestgirl wrote this:
"Whatever you do, don't get a router that only accepts 1/4" shank bits."This contradicts your statement about having lots of routers.Among the many types of routers to have in your collection, a trim router should be one of them. I've got two Festool hand-held routers and a Porter+Cable 3.25-HP router in my router table. All of those accept 1/2" bits. But I also bought a Ridgid trim router a couple of weeks ago. The trim router only accepts 1/4" bits, but in the short time since I got it, I have used it for numerous projects.
Edited 11/2/2005 10:51 am ET by MatthewSchenker
If you do aany amount with your router the bits tend to end up costing more than
the router
this is not just my experence
Cat: Here's what I did: first bought the Bosch 1617evs package, when I got a little bit comfortable with it I wanted a router table and quickly found out that swapping routers in and out of the table was a pain so there is the Porter Cable 690 in a Woodpeckers PRL. Now I'm all set, right? No: now there is the Festool 1400. Why is that one necessary? I have TBD (tool buying disorder). I'm sure any one of the recommended routers on this post will do you fine and also second the person who said the bits will end up costing more then the router (the bits are such neat little things). Buy good stuff always, it will never disapoint in the long run. Good luck, Duke
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Nobody wants to say it, but you always need at least 2 routers. Get one of those Laminate trimmers for one, and the monster for the other. That way, it won't appear that you are trying to double dip.
Actually, with most of the routers today, and the bits available, you can't go far wrong. The big plunge router is the one I use the least, but when I do need it, it is what works best.
The smaller routers do seem to get used the most, for following patterns etc.
Get Mr. Speilman's book, or the Router Lady's. Then think about what you are really going to make, and not all of the possibilities they demonstrate. The Router Lady is probably best for keeping costs in line.
For your needs you can get away with a 2-1/4 HP combo kit. Use the fixed base for mounting into a table and swap the motor out and into the plunge base for free hand work.
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