Replies

1. 
   knarf | May 14, 2004 10:49pm | #1

   I spent 149 POUNDS (about $200) for a router here (UK) and eventually sold it for half price. My advice is wait til you can afford a good one.  I eventually bought the Australian Triton router and am very happy with it. The problem with cheap routers is power - there's usually not enough of it - you get frustrated and try to feed too fast and end up ruining your project and destrpying you bit in the process.

1. 
   gpasewicz | May 17, 2004 06:02pm | #8

   Hmmm...sort of what I was afraid of hearing.   I'd been using a borrowed Craftsman (fixed base) that probably retailed for around $40, then my brother took his rightful ownership of it.   So he left me routerless just as I was finding uses for it.   In other words, I don't know from quality.  

   I checked out a $99 Ryobi at the Big Orange Box and it felt pretty solid and stable.  1/2" collet with 1/4" adapter.

   The only thing I can see needing it for at the moment is to cut mortices in a dress/chest of drawers I'd like to build.

   Thank you for the advice.

1. 
   forestgirl | May 17, 2004 08:06pm | #9

   Rocker has the Porter Cable 690's on sale (that model has been replaced by the 890 series).  I have that router -- 1-3/4HP motor, 1/4" and 1/2" collets, well-balanced, nice to use, and everybody and their brother makes accessories to fit it.

   Price?  $149 and you get a $50 Rockler gift certificate as a bonus.  Might be worth checking places like Tool King and Northwest Power Tools to see if they're closing them out.  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" .... :>) 

1. 
   bones | May 18, 2004 12:01am | #11

   I think the 50 rebate was for buying $300 worth of stuff before May 1. I bought the 894pk at the last minute to get a $25.00 rebate for $150.00 worth of stuff bought. I could be wrong.  I just looked at coastal tool and found the 691 for $129.00. It does not come with a rebate but does come with a free non slip mat(yee ha). It would be worth the $30.00 extra to get a PC. There shipping is very resonable to. They don't try to bury profit in the shipping like some of them do.  I bought the 894pk and shipping was $7.50 (I think). They shipped quickly as well. I had it in three days. 

   http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/port/pr690.htm?L+coastest+cvct7256ff946694+1084844864

1. 
   forestgirl | May 18, 2004 07:01am | #12

   Nope, bones, the flyer I have has the PC690 on the front cover, Special Priced at $149 with a $50 PC merchandise card also.  Sale's good through the end of the month I think.   I'm still thinking our guy oughta get the Milwaukee instead (see my post).  That's a sweet machine.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" .... :>) 

2. 
   bones | May 18, 2004 01:43pm | #13

   How did you get on that mailing? I went to rocklers site thinking that would be a good pickup. could not find anything. I guess I'll give em a call. 

    I know Milwaukee tools are good. When I was in college I worked construction and was exposed to Milwaukee tools. They are tuff as nails. I sure the same would go for their routers. Thanks for the heads up.

   Edited 5/18/2004 6:50 am ET by bones

2. 
   forestgirl | May 17, 2004 08:10pm | #10

   Take 2:  I'd be tempted to go for this Milwaukee router -- it's only $155 and very sweet -- some features like the new PC890:

   http://www.toolking.com/milwaukee/view.asp?id=6273 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" .... :>) 

2. 
   Routerman | May 14, 2004 11:17pm | #2

   Hitachi M8V

   Routers

3. 
   forestgirl | May 16, 2004 12:38am | #3

   IMHO, buying a router for less than $100 is pretty much a waste of money, and I'm well-known on these boards for saving by buying low when I can.  First of all, if a router does not take both 1/4" and 1/2"-shank bits, it's going to be a pretty light-duty tool.  Also, the under-$100 routers tend, as mentioned above, to have very small motors.  I can't tell you how many 1/2HP and 3/4HP routers I've tried and tossed (bought at various estate sales and auctions). 

   Cheap routers often have cheap collet designs that either wear out, get asymmetrical or freeze up after a moderate amount of use.  Try to save up and get closer to the $200 mark, and 1.5 or 1.75HP -- a nice Porter Cable 890 series, or the new Milwaukee ($169???) come to mind.  They're head-and-shoulders above anything Craftsman or Black and Decker make.

   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" .... :>) 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 5/15/2004 5:40 pm ET by forestgirl

4. 
   RANGERP75R | May 16, 2004 12:59am | #4

   gj13

      Ditto routerman... Hitachi M8V..

     If you are dead-set on under $100, Big Bang-Small Buck!!

   sarge..jt

   Edit: Opps.. just checked website and the price is around $169.. Still has a plunge and 1 1/2HP and a great value in that price range, but that doesn't put it in the price range you requested. Sorry for the error on my part!

   Proud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 5/16/2004 11:14 am ET by SARGE

5. 
   nikkiwood | May 16, 2004 09:31am | #5

   I think forest girl got it exactly right.

   If you are firm about the $100, I would suggest you start asking among your woodworker friends and woodworking clubs to find someone who might have a used one they would be willing to part with.

   Like many others, I already have way too many routers, and if someone asked, I might be tempted to sell off a perfectly serviceable older router, so I could add a newer model to my collection.

   Matter of fact, now that I think about it, I have a 2 hp Bosch plunge router that has been gathering dust for about five years. I would be happy to sell it for $100.

6. 
   jasonmcbain | May 16, 2004 06:01pm | #6

   i am probably throwing myself to the wolves here but i am going to recomend the 3hp from harbor freight.   i bought it because i needed one and it was all i could afford and it has served me well

1. 
   301 | May 16, 2004 08:13pm | #7

   Two Words...Pawn Shop.  They often have good prices on equipment that has obviously seen very little use.  Never know what you might find for under $100. 

7. 
   brnaclbil | May 18, 2004 04:49pm | #14

   I guess ignorance is bliss.

   I have a Skil 1823 plunge router that cost me $59 six or seven years ago that is the only router that I have ever owned. I have used it for signmaking; with a straightedge for long edges and designs and in a $49 composite router table for smaller stuff.

   It is a PITA to adjust precisely, but it has done the job for me for numerious projects.

   It's not the highest thing on my list to replace, although I'm sure that if I had a decent PC with fixed and punge bases and maybe another router to leave mounted in the cheap table, or the nice router table that I might build some day, I pobably wouldn't want to go back to this one.

   Forestgirl's's post has gotten me thinking that maybe I should keep my eyes open at auctions and flea markets, but I haven't really figured out what I want in a better router.

   I guess my whole point in this post is that one can do a lot with a cheap router for a minimal investment. Given the number of years that this one has served me, I don't think that I will feel that it was a waste of money when a better one finds me. For the moment, there are plenty of other things that demand my limited dollars.

   Just my 2 cents worth,  respecting opinopns that differ.

   Bill

1. 
   Trilo1 | Mar 10, 2006 09:45pm | #15

   I've had same router for 4 years. Beat the hell out of it and iy keeps coming back for more. Just replaced brushes for $10 including shipping at tool barn. Easy to do and man what a difference. Maybe it's the Bosch brushes but it's got new life. I'm buying their combo kit today because the plunge is too offcenter (seems to be a recurring problem with this 1823). But this will always be my backup. You made good points.

   -Trilo

8. 
   philjohnwilliams | Mar 13, 2006 05:19am | #16

   hi,

   like baracle bill, i also have had good luck with a skill router. i have the 1825, which i got for $135CDN. it came with both a fixed and plunge base, 1/2" collet with 1/4" adapter and a set of six bits. i put a lee valley base plate on the plunge base for use in a table and have had no trouble with it for the year i have had it. that being said, i don't do a lot of heavy cutting (no raised panels) but i have cut 1/2" sliding dovetails with this setup and it has worked fine.