Despite the fact that I own three routers, I’m very new to woodworking and am wondering what other routers I should own.
Currently, I own a 1-1/2hp Craftsman (a.k.a. “el cheapo!!”) that I bought 5 years ago to make a pine chair-rail when I didn’t know any better. That’s pretty much the last time I used it. The only thing I like about it is the light that illuminates the workpiece when I pull the trigger. I wonder why more expensive routers don’t have a built-in light?!!
Since then, I’ve received two other routers as gifts — a Porter Cable 690LR and the new Bosch 1617EVSPK fixed/plunge base combo. I must say, the Bosch is the most fun to use!!!
I don’t yet own a router table, but I’ve heard/read that you need at least a 3hp router for a table. Any recommendations?
Replies
Yep, when you get a table, go ahead and get a nice big horse-of-a-router, 3HP+ With that, you can run whatever bits you want with lots of power. I'll go ahead and advance my suggestion to get either the Veritas steel router table top, or at least their insert plate, for your table. Those big 3HP routers are heavy and can easily make a table un-flat after a period of time. Also, the Veritas design is a universal mounting approach that eliminates the need to make a different plate for each router you use. Here's a link:
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=22889.13
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" .... :>)
(a.k.a. "el cheapo!!") I have one.. LOUD about 1960 or so.. Thinks I replaced brushes a few times.. Still works OK!
I'm sure your 45-year-old Sears router was built a lot better than mine was.- Toolfreak
Edited 4/12/2005 3:02 pm ET by Toolfreak
I turn it on when the AEROPLANES come over from the airport! Quiet compared to them!
A laminate trim router would be my next buy if I were you. Any router can be put in a table, and you can make your own table.
Edited 4/12/2005 2:57 pm ET by JACKPLANE
I would think the next logical step would be a 3 hp router. I like the PC with variable speed (7518, I think).
The laminate trimmers are nice to have too, but for me at least, they are in that category of "nice to have, but not essential."
The 3 HP router will open up new vistas, however.
On the other hand, if you want to really break through to another level, you might want to consider taking that $300 (for the 3 hp router), and applying it instead to a small shaper, preferably one that can also accept collets for router bits. Nice machines in this class can be had for about $5-600. You would also save the cost of buying/building a router table.
"I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong."
-- Bertrand Russell
A 3HP router probably isn't something you're going to want for hand-held use, so I'd say save it for the router table. I agree with whomever mentioned a laminate trimmer.
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" .... :>)
Yes.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled