Replies

1. 
   CharlieP | May 26, 2004 07:51am | #1

   Jamie, I can't address the two routers you have to choose from (tough job), but do consider the weight. 

   I got the Hitachi M12V, which is very heavy but very powerful, to replace my antique. So heavy that I got too tired using it - sore shoulders and all (and I am a big 200 pounder), and less control.  It does a great job in the router table driving panel raising bits and others.  But I did get a separate router for routine use, like in jigs, roundovers, etc. 

   If one feels better in your hands (and when setting the cutting depth) keep it.  If you like the feel of both of your choices, but one is less heavy, don't hesitate to stay with the lighter router.  I get smoother cuts by making multiple passes when I do raised panels, and with multiple passes, I could get by with a lower HP router.  The weight of the router, when balanced on a jig, is far more important than I thought. 

   ________________________
   Charlie Plesums  Austin, Texas
   http://www.plesums.com/wood

1. 
   forestgirl | May 26, 2004 09:18am | #2

   Thanks, Charlie.  It sounds like even though the newer routers might be lighter, they can still handle the bigger bits OK.  I have a PC690 in my router table, and the corresponding PC plunge router for off-table work.  Came close to selling the Big Freud a couple times, but figured I should keep a "beast" around for those bigger cutting tasks.

   Today was so busy with other stuff, I haven't had time to pull the Makita out and heft it around.  Fortunately, I did find the box with the edge-guide he had bought for it.  That helps take the sting out of paying a bit too much for the router!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. 
   mudman | May 26, 2004 06:20pm | #5

   Forest Girl,

     I think that you know this already, but remember that most of us use a 3 horse router in the table and never even lift it at all. So the weight is moot. I use my Bosch 2 horse hand held and it handles everything I have used it for, even cuting an inch thick oval table top from the glued up panels.

   Mike

1. 
   forestgirl | May 26, 2004 07:56pm | #8

   Jeez, Mike, you're right.  I wasn't thinking clearly.  I have that PC plunge router for hand-held stuff, so could put either router in the table.  I know B. would like the Makita, 'cause it's a good brand. 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. 
   BenA | May 26, 2004 03:22pm | #3

   FG: the Makita router is a nice unit , I've used it before and had great results. Is it the router a 3612C , that's the electronic variable speed version or is it a single speed? I would keep the electronic speed version of the two you have, this way you have more control over speed when your doing smaller cuts.        Ben

1. 
   forestgirl | May 26, 2004 07:53pm | #6

   Excellent point, Ben, I haven't checked to see if it's variable speed.  I do have one of those speed-control units, but it's just one more gizmo with wires to deal with.  I'll take a look!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" .... :>) 

3. 
   EdHarrow | May 26, 2004 03:40pm | #4

   Oh, what a lucky step-son... 

   Is he within 120 minutes of you?  If so, the decision is easy.  Give him either one.  If you need the one you gave him, just get on the phone and order him over, tell him to bring the router, and have him do the job too!

1. 
   forestgirl | May 26, 2004 07:55pm | #7

   Ed, too funny.  He's already on-call for any and all car problems (he's a Chevy mechanic), so I try to minimize other requests, LOL!!  Can't tell you how many times he helped out when we were delivering furnitue in the old days, and the 3 times we moved our shop!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. 
   EdHarrow | May 26, 2004 11:30pm | #9

   You're way too easy on him.  You need to take lessons from Mum, she's a damn fine teacher and she'll have you sorted out in no time.  ;-)

4. 
   SRToolguy | May 27, 2004 05:03am | #10

   Have you thought about keeping the Makita and the Freud and giving him the 690? That is if the Makita is the 3612C with soft start, variable speed and electronic speed control?

   Should the later be the case why not put the monster Freud in the router table for, as you mentioned, raising panels etc., and then use the Makita for the off table work. A table based router raiser on a plunge router really works sweet and is quite accurate. With an added bit extender you shouldn't have to remove the router to change bits.

   Just a thought.

   Sincerely;

   The Tool Guy

1. 
   forestgirl | May 27, 2004 09:28am | #11

   Well, I might do that in the future.  I talked to him tonight and asked whether he needed 1/2"-shank capability, and he didn't seem to think so for the immediate future.  That leaves it open to giving him the Hitachi, which is a smaller plunge router (1.75HP maybe?).  He needs something hand-held to do real basic stuff like roundovers.  I could sell the Makita (hoping to get what I paid for it, which was too much for an auction, silly me), and keep the big Freud for router table stuff down the road.

   I'm not up for getting a router lift right now, so I'll keep the little PC in the table.  If there comes a day when B. is craving a better router, I'll volunteer the PC and deal with the need for a router lift, or maybe get a new, big PC with above-the-table adjustment feature <g>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. 
   Elcoholic | May 27, 2004 05:36pm | #12

   I have DW614 (1 1/4 hp, 1/4") & DW625 (3hp EVS, 1/2") routers.  The big one lives in the table most of time.  When I need the big one free-hand, usually for pattern work, I leave it mounted on the insert plate which makes it fairly easy to handle.  When I really need an intermediate router it'll probably be a Bosch or Makita.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

2. 
   Sphere | May 27, 2004 08:21pm | #13

   Jamie, Good News! Right after I got your email, my crate of routers turned up...eeeriee..so I am in hog heaven again..three routers and a rotozip..back from moving limbo. Whew, I thought they were goners. 

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

1. 
   forestgirl | May 28, 2004 03:33am | #14

   Congrats, Sphere!  I got your email, but was rushing to an appt., and forgot later to reply.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. 
   kiwimac21 | May 28, 2004 07:22am | #15

   I've just bought the big Makita (the ****C) with soft start and variable speed. If that's the one you've bought, hang on to it!

   It is quite heavy - but if it's going under a table, and you plan to spin some big cutters, it's the choice machine.

   Some critics pan the attachments, which are pressed steel and a bit tacky, but the base unit is a beauty, and in my past experience, Makita makes good stuff. I like it, even if it's a bit pricey.

5. 
   Midnight | May 31, 2004 01:22am | #16

   Jamie..

   I can't speak for the PC, but I own 2 of the Freuds; I can't see past them. I keep one permanently in the router table, the other I use for heavy hand held use where my smaller 1/2" fixed base would be struggling. Best praise I can think of for them is that after trying the first one for 9 months, I bought the second. Only reason was that repeatidly fitting it to the table was a PITA. It's size and weight are more than compensated by the adjustable speed and soft start, it has an awsome plunge depth and reasonable dust collection. Only down side I've seen it that when running the router in the table for long periods, I HAVE to make sure there's a decent flow of air around the motor to keep it cool. Only time it's needed to go back to the shop was caused by failure to do that.

   edit... one last thought; the most often used bit set when I'm att he table is the Freud panel raising bit set; the FT EATS the stock effortlessly... if only the rest of my work came out so well...

   Mike Wallace

   Stay safe....Have fun

   
   

   ---

   Edited 5/30/2004 6:30 pm ET by Mike

1. 
   forestgirl | May 31, 2004 01:28am | #17

   Thanks, Mike, that's a great recommendation.  It's been such icky weather here, I haven't pulled the routers out from under the tarp to check 'em out.  I have a feeling, though, that the Makita is not a soft-start, which means I'll probably be keeping the Freud.

   Really overpaid for the Makita, so may take a bit of a loss on it.  Made up for it with my $85 new JDS Air-Tech air cleaner though  :-)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. 
   Midnight | May 31, 2004 01:50am | #18

   <trying to ignore the drive by gloat re the air cleaner...NOT that I'm jealous..  ;P~~~~

   One aspect I forgot to mention... this side of the pond, finding a good fixed base router is like finding hens teeth; plungers reign supreme. One feature of the FT that I've grown to LOVE is the micro-adjust depth of cut. Only ever seen that as an option on the likes of Trend routers. Having it built in as standard with the Freud makes it INHO worth its weight in gold. I can tweak the bit height to within half a thou when needed without one o them fancy ####'d over the table winder thingmibobs...Mike Wallace

   Stay safe....Have fun

1. 
   forestgirl | May 31, 2004 09:22am | #19

   "Drive-by gloat."  Tee hee, I love it.  I'm guilty, I'm guilty.

   Ahhhhh, the micro-adjust.  Good point.  Brings back memories of the one time I used a drawer-lock bit to join the sides of a shadowbox.  I think the FT will sleep well tonight, as I'm feeling less and less likely to give it away.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" .... :>)