Dear friends,
Two days ago found at Lowe’s this hard-to-beat deal on a router. It is a newer brand from an Australian Company. The router is made in China but it is very well designed and built.
1. It is a plunge router, with real 1/2″ AND real 1/4″ collets. The collets seem of good quality and good design, AND, the Bosch collets from the 17EVS fit it also. They are similar, but the Bosh have 4 slits while this GMC router has only thre slits on eitehr collet.
2. It has the on/off sw on the right hand handle, and it is lockable. It is very well located.
3. The speed control is on the left hand handle, also very well located.
3.5 The lock levers are all cast metal and well located. It has a lock button (looks and works easy and well). The wrench is average quality but useful. Any metric wrench can be used, though, even the Bosh wrench fits it.
4. It is rated 10 Amps and is UL listed. This particular model is not found at the makers web-site. It is obviously a US special item. The model is R11UL, probably relating to its UL listing.
4. It plunges 2″, has all features for stops and depth adjustments, of good quality, mix of metal-alloy and plastic. Grips are rubber padded. It is rated 10 Amps. The 17EVs is 12 amps. Double insulate, long chord, 10K to 27K no-load speed. Depth stop has a re-setable micrometer wheel.
5. They have 30 day test, and 2 year warranty for home-use. It is stamped in the box as ‘heavy duty’ though.
6. It has a dust exhaust connection at the base. May or may not be adequate, though. Have not tested it and don’t have plans on using it, though.
7. It comes with a guide with two rods and a turret for cutting circles. Thye look fine.
8. It comes with one template bushing. Bosch nor P.C. bushing do not fit there.
9. It comes WITH 25 (TWENTY-FIVE) router bits (carbide tipped) both in 1/2″ shank and 1/4″ shanks. Some seem a little bit repetitive or close to each other. They are mostly straigh-shank types, one is a dove-tail. There’s NO list of them. But even at 2 or 3 bucks each, that’s quite a value.
10. The price was ONLY $69.00 including the bits! (THIS is the best feature, would say).
Just in case anyone is looking into a router. The good thing is it can be inspected at the store, and they have good guarantees.
It runs smooth and well. Will be checking it in a few days. Am prepared to buy Bosch collets in case these might have a problem. Hope not, though.
This is their web-site http://www.gmcompany.com/
The router got is not listed there. This one is a US version, would say similar but better version than the ones shown.
-mbl-
Replies
I haven't seen the router but if its anything like the other gmc tools I doubt that I would want one at half the cost.
IMO these tools are only slightly better than the stuff from HF.
Doug
I'll stick with Porter Cable and Whiteside.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
How can you possibly think you are going to get a deal for heavens sake! Save your money and buy a decent router next year when you can afford one.If you buy that you are asking for grief.It will be another Chinese boat anchor!There is a lot more than a collet to worry about!
I bought a cheapie, that was also a deal at the time, some years ago when I started up.
When It boke down a few weeks later my old Mum heard me complaining about the junk I had purchased and made this comment....
'PAY THE BUCKS, FOR WHEN THE PRICE HAS BEEN FORGOTTEN, THE QUALITY STILL REMAINS.'
mIKE
MBL and All,
Please consider carefully the consequences of your actions when you purchase tools made in China. Some may be quality tools but most are not. They are manufactured expressly for the purpose of "suckering" hard working Americans into spending their hard earned dollars on trash. We get ripped off, our family, friends and neighbors loose their jobs, our standard of living declines and our country becomes weaker.
I urge all my fellow woodworkers to buy reasonable quality from companies that pay reasonable wages. Doing this isn't easy. It takes patience, discipline and hard work. Finding tool vendors with "reasonable quality that pay reasonable wages" takes effort. Do it for yourself, your family and your country.
Tom- Finest words I've read here in a while. I couldn't agree with you more.
JC
Right on Sawdust tom! You get what you pay for. I try really hard not to support any country that violates human rights on a large scale. I have absolutely nothing against Chineese folks. I do believe that we are selling ourselves out one product at a time as well as one law at a time. Free trade seems to be one directional with china. Ever but a hand tool that said Made in China only to have it break nearly instantly. Try getting your money back or even a replacement. Lots of American companies provide unconditional lifetime guarantees. Isn't that worth a few bucks at the very least.( As well as knowing that probably no children were forced to make it in a substandard working environment. I really believe that if we are not all careful we will give our countries economic status away one dollar at a time .Prosperity may be our achiles heal...I sincearly hope not!
Miami (The Ranting patriot)
Amen, Tom!!!!!
Thank You Sawdust !
For some reason that I don't understand the simple assertion that we buy American (or at least to buy quality) and avoid Chinese imports is a taboo subject. I believe we have already sold ourselves away to a large extent already. The major retailers have shaped what products we Americans have access to due to our stupid habit of seeking out the lowest price on everything. Now that the big boxes (Lowes and Home Depot mainly) have adopted the Wal-Martization of every product, you and I, the everyday customer are left appearing like stupid idiots with no free will at all. I really agree with Sawdust completely notwithstanding my sympathy for the man who supports his family by importing Chinese machinery.
When the smaller firms that innovate and produce quality products are eaten up, bought out, closed down and belittled by greedy American conglomerates, we are suffering an extinction of the ethic of innovation and productivity that built a strong America in the first place. Now weakened, a nation of dumbed down "consumers" can witness the completion of this deterioration or hopefully more people like Sawdust will express their displeasure at being patronized by the greedy, un-ethical big boxes.
"When the smaller firms that innovate and produce quality products are eaten up, bought out, closed down and belittled by greedy American conglomerates"I really think a company that employs 20 people qualifies to the statement above. The auto companies tried the patriotic approach and failed miserably. Then they upped the quality and warranties and were back in the game. Don't tell other people what to by when your house is full of imports. (If you look around you know that I am right) Clean up your own backyard before telling others to overspend.tonyWe already have enough youth, how about a fountain of smarts.
I certainly don't mean to suggest that you quit your job or intend to insult another person's line of work through my strongly worded rant about imports, Tony.
I think our discussion of the outsourcing of woodworking machinery to the far-east is symbolic of our entire country's trade defecit with China. My concern is that the "world market" is not a fair playing field. Many of us are saying that we have ethical concerns about buying the lowest priced product (often of very good quality now) when the manufacturer employs underpaid employees and their country is of questionable moral fiber when it comes to human rights. Those of us who have a problem with that should not have to be bullied by the concensus driven bottom-line capitalists who would have you believe that America is synonymous with this aggressive survival of the fittest businesman. I'm speaking as a frustrated consumer (and casual worker who believes in quality tools). Because initial cost for an item often reveals its hollow underside later in the form of decreased satisfaction down the road. I recently watched the Frontline documentary on PBS about WalMart's success and was truly scared about the direction our country is going. Its like there is a new legal form of aggressive retail monopoly taking over in our country and those of you saying "its a world market , get used to it" are not helping. I believe consumers truly are patronized in the form of only being offered a carefully crafted semblance of what the retailer wants to give us. If you try to look beyond the limited offerings, often there isn't much there.
My intent wasn't to go on and on with this other than to say that I for one intend to hold retailers accountable when selling inferior products through any avenue that I can.
As an american craftsman I have two comments. 1- as a small business owner I believe that you win over your customers with superior quality than that of your competion. If there are two items of equal quality, then price may be the tie breaker. But quality is always my first consideration. I am very proud to live in a country that affords me the circumstances to make this affirmation. So the mindset that we should buy something solely due to brand name or place of origin tends to support a weaker cause. As americans if we wish to win over any market place it should be through superior quality and reliabilty.
Second, Because I am able to afford quality tools, I purchase only top of the line. For example, Bosch, Hitachi, Stabila, Sorby, etc. These companys are not american. They are however inovators. I also think that there are american companies making money by importing these items and distributing them throughout or country. I'm pretty sure that most of you have quality tools from the above mentioned companies in your shelves and/or jobsites.
I am for a stronger, smarter america. Not for a weaker lazier one.
Dear friends,1. Using an old, broken base plate kept for years from the P.C. 7518, have made an adaptor that will allow the use of the Potter Cable template bushings , which are used here with the Bosch 17EVS already (Bosch sells an adaptor for that purpose). See photo below showing how the adaptor made. It holds with two screws in existing holes. No modifications made to router. Have also removed a plastic clear piece that had to do with dust exhaust. Won't be using that feature. All of the orange knobs are strong plastic and are spring-loaded.2. Preferring the use of two wrenches for tightening the collet, was happily surprised that it was very easy to remove the spring loaded 1-wrench mechanism, which revealed that the shaft is cut so that now can use two wrenches to install and to remove the router bit. The collets are self-releasing, by the way, and are practically as those used in the metal-working industry.3. Attached is another photo showing the edge-guide, which is made of thick, rigid chromed metal, with a screwed hard-plastic edge where the guide rubs the work-piece. The rods are also chromed. The trammel shown in the photo attaches in one of the rods and is used to cut circles. It does look adequate and useful.Another thing is that the lever that locks the depth is not 'auto-lock' spring loaded. Personally prefer a manual turn-to-lock because for several operations it is better if the router move up and down freely without having to hold the lock handle in the left hand.And with the trigger at the handle, operations such as removing waste by plunging quickly up and down is much more efficient than removing the waste by moving the router horizontally. So, as one plunges, the trigger is pushed, and released as soon the limit is reached, and this is repeated as one removes waste. The trigger at the handle, for plunge routers, is not only more convenient but safer. This is not possible in router-and-bases kits.Thanks to those who suggested other routers. This router was also bought because it does have the features looked for, on top of a very affordable price, and feel that with this one, plus the USA, Japanese, and German routers already here, will not be in the market for another router any soon.Best of all to all.-mbl-
Sprocket,
"My intent wasn't to go on and on with this other than to say that I for one intend to hold retailers accountable when selling inferior products through any avenue that I can."
This is a great forum, where tools can be reviewed, as started by this thread. There should be no reason for you or anyone else to purchase inferior products and blame retailers. Just do your homework properly, before you buy.
"I think our discussion of the outsourcing of woodworking machinery to the far-east is symbolic of our entire country's trade deficit with China."
This thread was started to evaluate a tool, you are now talking about a trade deficit with China? Our trade deficit has been the result of low interest rates, a strong Dollar and alarming CONSUMPTIVE debt. Productive debt is when we borrow money to build new factories. Consumptive debt is when we refinance our homes, to buy a vacation home, new furniture etc.
Most of your medium to lower end woodwork machinery come from Far East. The businesses here, are run as successful American companies though, the steel is exported to China from the US, 2004 being the biggest ever. If you buy a Delta, or a Grizzly, the true manufacturing costs in China, is only a small part of the total price, and the profit is in US Dollars here.
"My concern is that the "world market" is not a fair playing field."
You will find more American business offshore, than any other country by comparison. Coca-Cola, Microsoft, it's a long list. If a world attitude of buying only your own country products was adopted tomorrow, we will turn of the light switch to both the American and world economy.
"Because initial cost for an item often reveals its hollow underside later in the form of decreased satisfaction down the road."
2005 will be the year of the weak Dollar. This means our exports should increase and our imports will decrease. It also means higher prices for equipment from Asia and more opportunity for local American manufacture. Trust me, you and I will be paying more for our equipment though.
Personally, I think that this router kit may be worth a second look. The warranty seems decent but I would also ask about repair centers and parts availability.
It may be junk, but $70 probably won't break the bank if it is. It may also be a "loss leader" from a new company trying to break into the market. Everyone was new at some point in time and companies like Makita, Hitachi, Ridgid, etc are now considered "top of the line".
Dear friends,Attached are a pictures of the R11UL and carrying case (yes, it's got one just like the P.C. and some others).Here are some more technical issues: 1. It does not have 'soft-start', but it is much less noiser than the fixed speed P.C. routers. It runs smooth and feels very solid and stable. No vibrations nor loose feelings.2. The collet does not get hot after runing in unloaded for a few minutes, unlike some P.C. routers,and some others, do.3. The router bits that come free with it ARE NOT meant for plunge cutting. This means that their tips are all flat-cut up-front. They, however are good quality enough to do most anything except bore drill holes because of the flat (but sharp)front end (one can do plunge with them, but not fast and with less ease). In other words, they are a simpler design with no slanted edges for down boring, as most of the straight bits are built nowdays. So, there IS that factor that makes the bits less attractive to use, not meaning useless. This factor has nothing to do with the router itself, though.4. The grip handles are TOTAL hard massive rubber, which is nice for vibration and extended use.5. In the photo, it can be seen that where the bearings are (and all of the critical parts of the router) are nice, solid aluminum alloy castings. Where the bottom bearing is supported, the diameter of the housing is a massive 2" diameter.6. The cord is almost 3 meters long, good quality, top exit.7. The baseplate is black bakelite, just like the usual brand routers, well cut and finished. It does have extra holes (reserved) as for table mounting.8. It does not have a large opening for large bits. Would say the widest bit that can be used would be a 2" diameter cutter (removing a clear plastic guard at the bottom which is there by default, for dust extraction.Also, friends, please do not worry about the situation here on router choices: Have already over a half a dozen routers. Have a P.C. 7518, a Bosch 17EVS, a small nice plunger Makita (20 years old) which this new one is to relieve (as has had its wear and tear and fixings), One Stanley nice trim router, 2 Bosch Trim routers (identical to the Stanley since Stanley sold to Bosch its router designs and patents may years ago), One Ryobi trim router, and one Black and Decker old router which is now pretty much useless do to its plastic parts having cracked with use. Also have an inverted pin-router which is the production choice and the one most used of all the routers. These items have been in use for years. Had not bought a new router in many years. Also, have many many high quality bits, mostly from Bosch and Onsrud.As far as it being made in China and some of the politics mentioned, will say that there are many, many American and European companies with factories in China, all in favor of lower wages overseas (Low wages there are not a choce of the Chinese people or government). So the issue of low wages relates directly to our own companies and their profit oriented motivations. Personally, don't think that the problem is solved by discussing it, nor by judgements.This particular company is Australian, with backup in the USa and several other countries. Lowes, of course, the retailer is a USA based company. They back what they sell directly to the buyer.Anyhow, the info about this item is shared for what it may be worth to any one.Best wishes to all.-mbl-
Edited 12/9/2004 2:18 pm ET by mbl
"don't think that the problem is solved by discussing it, nor by judgements"Agreed - the problem is solved by each of us making a personal decision to not buy products when we know that doing so will only hurt our friends , family and weaken our country."our own companies and their profit oriented motivations" only sell products that were manufactured offshore for low wages because we buy them. If free Americans make a personal decision to stop buying these products then "our own companies" because of their "profit oriented motivations" will stop selling them.I urge all my fellow woodworkers to not use the "problem is too big for me to solve" excuse when buying tools or anything else. Make a personal decision to do the right thing for yourselves, family and country - stop buying imported products if a quality, made in the USA, alternative exists.
I have four children, two of them adopted. I work for a company that employs 20 people importing machines from China and selling them all over the world including here in the USA. Your right I should give up my job and let my family suffer.tonyWe already have enough youth, how about a fountain of smarts.
Sorry I just couldn't let this go. Your judgment of some of the nations people working hard to make a living has made me a little angry. Please look at the post here: http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages.Please explain why I need to quite my job and put my family at risk while I look for another. And explain why I should pay more for inferior quality. I personally prefer to use quality stuff like Lee Neilson planes made in the US to a quality that can't be matched. But if China can export one for 1/3 the cost and as good a quality I'll buy that. Lets make the CEO's take a few million dollars cut in salary to lower the price rather than making us buy a product under the pretense that it is more patriotic to not support free enterprise. tonyWe already have enough youth, how about a fountain of smarts.
Saw-dust,
Don't want to argue, but it's worth while, considering a few facts.
1.) Some models of "Japanese" motor cars, Toyota, have more USA made components in them, than some true American GMC models. My son's 1993 Camaro has a standard Borg Warner gearbox in it, made in Germany.
2.) The US economy is a world power, the greatest single thing in our favor. Outsourcing, is an intergral part of the US economy. Being able to outsource economically, grows sales in the US and actually improves our GDP, as well as GNP.
3.) You better believe it, but we live in a "Global Village" today and it will only get more "Global" from here onwards.
4.) Most of our Fortune 500 companies today, fully understand the benefits of international trade and outsourcing to yield highest profit.
5.) You can buy an American Coca-Cola in any part of the world and the concentrate revenue ends up back in Atlanta. So, the more Cokes we can sell anywhere, by buying things from China and saving costs, the better for all of us.
You wrote:
"stop buying imported products if a quality, made in the USA, alternative exists."That's a big IF!I really want to buy American, and I always give American products first shot when I need a new tool. But in recent years, American engineering and product quality has fallen to new lows.The way I see it, loyalty is important, but it has to be earned.
I'm wondering if all of the bashers, on this thread, drive US made autos? Where were the TVs, DVDs, VCRs they watch made? Is their clothing US or imported? How about their cell phones?
There are US maufacturers for all of the above, but where do they draw the line and justify purchasing foreign made merchandise?
If you are looking for a deal on a plunge router. I would and have purchased the pc dual base set with vs. It was about $200 and has served me well. I keep the fixed base in my router table and use the plunge base for all handheld operations. This router is strong. There has been quite a few weekends where it was on for hours. Good luck Jeff
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