<de-lurk>
OK, so SWMBO went and bought me the DeWALT DW616PK router kit for my
birtday.
Here's me dilemma: I'm very thankfull for the gift (duh!) and
certainly don't want to do anything to discourage future gifts of this
sort. OTOH, I'm concerned that the 616 might be pretty limited, given
that it's a single speed unit.
My research on the net has resulted in much confusion; many sites (and
my router manual) recommend less than my router's rated speed (24,500
RPM) for what sound to me likt reasonably normal size bits. For
example, the DeWALT manual recommends 12,000 or less for bits over 1
1/8" in hardwood, 18,000 for bits over 1/2". A Jesada white paper
isn't nearly as drakonian, but still recommends stepping back to
18,000 at 1 1/4".
So, is all this information lawyer driven or accurate?
If it's accurate, I guess I'll have to make the hard decision to
either return this kit and wait the 1 - 2 weeks that the 618 seems to
be back ordered everywhere (thus taking the risk that SWMBO will not
continue to buy me tools for gifts and delaying my ability to start
using a router) or buy a decent speed control (which will make up the
price difference between the 616 and 618, but won't make up the power
difference, though it will give me a speed control I can use for other
things).
If I can run 1 1/8" - 1 3/8" bits in this thing w/o safety issues (for
either myself or my wood), then I would rather keep it and perhaps get
a bigger router for dedicated table use later (when/if I can justify
it).
Any thoughts?
</de-lurk>
- Greg
--
If your map and the terrain differ,
trust the terrain.
Greg wrote:
Group: rec.woodworking Date: Mon, Jul 14, 2003, 12:30pm (EDT-3) From:
[email protected] (Greg)
<de-lurk>
OK, so SWMBO went and bought me the DeWALT DW616PK router kit for my
birtday.
Here's me dilemma: I'm very thankfull for the gift (duh!) and certainly
don't want to do anything to discourage future gifts of this sort. OTOH,
I'm concerned that the 616 might be pretty limited, given that it's a
single speed unit.
<snip>
******************************************************
You can always buy an external variable speed control unit. It's housed
in a small box with a plug and cord, a receptacle and a speed adjustment
knob. It will work with any universal motor like those in routers,
electric drills, etc. They are inexpensive. Peace ~ Sir Edgar.
=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=
=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8=F8
PC <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I have several routers, Bosch, DeWalt, Ryobi and Craftsman. All are
> single speed and I have no desire to have variable speed routers. My
> favorite is the Craftsman (bought in 1964.) I leave the DeWalt set up
> for dovetail joints and it performs well. You should thank your wife
> for the thoughtful gift and get on with it. She "did good."
Damn right she did good. And I have thanked her. Your points are well
taken. I just want to "optimize" the situation; perhaps it's a
character flaw of mine, but I tend to try to come up with the optimal
solution to a situation, given the circumstances.
Regardless, thanks for your input.
Gj
--
"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> "Greg" writes:
>
> > OK, so SWMBO went and bought me the DeWALT DW616PK router kit for my
> > birtday.
> >
> > Here's me dilemma: I'm very thankfull for the gift (duh!) and
> > certainly don't want to do anything to discourage future gifts of this
> > sort. OTOH, I'm concerned that the 616 might be pretty limited, given
> > that it's a single speed unit.
>
> Routers that deliver 20,000 RPM and up do well for small bits.
So I've read. The issue is, what are "small bits"? I've read differing
claims from sites saying to make the first speed step down when the
bit gets bigger than 1/2", to sites saying not to worry about it until
2".
> Basic fact of woodworking.
>
> Like clamps, you can never have too many routers.
Yeah, it seems like the same is true of most classes of ww tool -
clamps, routers, hand planes, hand saws, power saws, chisels ... why
can't I ever get interested in an *inexpensive* hobby? <grin>
> Sooner or later, you will get a large, multispeed, table mounted router,
> capable of handling large diameter bits at speeds as low as 8,000 RPM.
That was my thinking when I was deciding what router to get first.
However, about a week ago we got other news that has adjusted my
budget priorities: it seems we're going to have a little one eight
months or so from now. So the chances of my being able to shell out
another $200 or $300 for another router in the next year are slim to
none. Maybe in a couple years.
I was thinking that I could get by with the 618 a lot longer than the
616, given it is rated 1A higher and has variable speed. It might even
do as my only router for years, assuming I can get by w/o using
horizontal panel raising bits.
OTOH, right now all I need it for is some very light edge work (wood
outlet plates for the kichen -- SWMBO likely bought the router for me
for that reason alone ;-) and flush trimming and mortise and half-lap
work. The 616 can do all of that fine, I suppose.
>
> HTH
Some, yes, thank you! I'm giving myself a day or so to decide, and if
I can't decide by then, I'm keeping the 616. That whole "fish or cut
bait" thing. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Gj
--
"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> "Greg writes:
>
> > So I've read. The issue is, what are "small bits"? I've read differing
> > claims from sites saying to make the first speed step down when the
> > bit gets bigger than 1/2", to sites saying not to worry about it until
> > 2".
>
> Most bits list the max RPM on the package. One (1) inch is about max for
> "small" classification.
Thanks for your input.
>
> > Some, yes, thank you! I'm giving myself a day or so to decide, and if
> > I can't decide by then, I'm keeping the 616. That whole "fish or cut
> > bait" thing.
>
> SFWIW, you will get the biggest bang for the buck by getting a Porter-Cable
> or equal kit that has a standard and a plunge body.
I wasn't very clear ... I got the DW616PK, the 1 3/4 H.P.,
single-speed, fixed and plunge kit from DeWALT. The "618" I'm refering
to is the 2 1/4 H.P., variable-speed version of the kit. Goes for
about $235 (if I can find it in stock somewhere).
> They are still out there for $200.00 net.
Yeah, that's about what the DW616PK went for.
"Greg writes:
> So I've read. The issue is, what are "small bits"? I've read differing
> claims from sites saying to make the first speed step down when the
> bit gets bigger than 1/2", to sites saying not to worry about it until
> 2".
Most bits list the max RPM on the package. One (1) inch is about max for
"small" classification.
> Some, yes, thank you! I'm giving myself a day or so to decide, and if
> I can't decide by then, I'm keeping the 616. That whole "fish or cut
> bait" thing.
SFWIW, you will get the biggest bang for the buck by getting a Porter-Cable
or equal kit that has a standard and a plunge body.
They are still out there for $200.00 net.
HTH
--
Lew
S/A: Challenge, The Bullet Proof Boat, (Under Construction in the Southland)
Visit: <http://home.earthlink.net/~lewhodgett> for Pictures
"Greg" writes:
> OK, so SWMBO went and bought me the DeWALT DW616PK router kit for my
> birtday.
>
> Here's me dilemma: I'm very thankfull for the gift (duh!) and
> certainly don't want to do anything to discourage future gifts of this
> sort. OTOH, I'm concerned that the 616 might be pretty limited, given
> that it's a single speed unit.
Routers that deliver 20,000 RPM and up do well for small bits.
Basic fact of woodworking.
Like clamps, you can never have too many routers.
Sooner or later, you will get a large, multispeed, table mounted router,
capable of handling large diameter bits at speeds as low as 8,000 RPM.
HTH
--
Lew
S/A: Challenge, The Bullet Proof Boat, (Under Construction in the Southland)
Visit: <http://home.earthlink.net/~lewhodgett> for Pictures