VH

Victor H.

31/12/2012 9:32 AM

Plunge Router

Have a Porter Cable 3-1/4 HP fixed base table mounted router and a
Bosch 2-1/4 HP combo base router. Happy with both but at times wish I
had 3-1/4 HP plunge router for hand held work . Not counting the
Festool which 3-1/4 HP router would you suggest? Thanks.
Vic


This topic has 17 replies

tn

tiredofspam

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

31/12/2012 2:39 PM

On 12/31/2012 10:53 AM, Victor H. wrote:
> On Mon, 31 Dec 2012 09:56:20 -0500, tiredofspam <nospam.nospam.com>
> wrote:
>
>> On 12/31/2012 9:32 AM, Victor H. wrote:
>>> Have a Porter Cable 3-1/4 HP fixed base table mounted router and a
>>> Bosch 2-1/4 HP combo base router. Happy with both but at times wish I
>>> had 3-1/4 HP plunge router for hand held work . Not counting the
>>> Festool which 3-1/4 HP router would you suggest? Thanks.
>>> Vic
>>>
>>
>> Just out of curiosity, what type of work requires 3 1/4 for plunge work?
>> I understand if you said raised panels.
>> While plunging deep mortises I can go pretty deep with a spiral up-cut
>> on my 2 1/4 Bosch combo.
>>
>> So just curious to know where you need more.
>
> when using bits such as
> http://www.freudtools.com/p-87-multi-profile-bits.aspx
> on thick dresser tops etc. Can be done with a fixed base router, but
> I don't want to keep removing the table mounted router. And if I am
> buying a fixed base 3-1/4 HP may as well spend a bit more for a plunge
> router.
>
> Vic
>
I certainly wish I had the 3 hp for my table.
But again, I'm not sure I see the need for a honking big router.
But if that's what you want certainly go for it.

I have multiple bosch 1617evs units. Glad I bought extras. I keep one in
the table full time and one in either a plunge or fixed base.
I also have a real old Crapsman that had served me well, but it is only
1/4, and now has a dedicated 1/8 round over bit in it.

If I were to go for more power it would be the 3hp motor only, and a
lift. I could see having the hp for raised panels Not for edging like
you are showing. If I had to do that edging, I would use my bosch, stick
a bigger bearing on it
and cut. Then the next size bearing and cut, then the final bearing
...
and certainly not with a plunge router, which even with an offset base,
is too top heavy, you want a lower CG, so it won't vibrate as much.. why
would it vibrate, well you have mass at the top, and only 2 cutters, so
it vibrates a little since you are only supporting 50% of the router.
put it in a table and no big deal.

Just my opinion... and you know what opinions are like.

DW

Doug Winterburn

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

31/12/2012 5:06 PM

On 12/31/2012 03:49 PM, Leon wrote:

>
>
> Not to be out done... ;~) Got mine in 1974, I was 19 and paid $64 at
> Woolco. That was about the time B&D peaked.
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/lcb11211/8330683679/in/photostream

My Rockwell 642 power unit with 641 base is still running great! Early
'70's AIR. I had to get a new base plate for it about 30 years ago
after dropping it.


--
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure,the creed of ignorance, and the
gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery"
-Winston Churchill

tn

tiredofspam

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

31/12/2012 9:56 AM

On 12/31/2012 9:32 AM, Victor H. wrote:
> Have a Porter Cable 3-1/4 HP fixed base table mounted router and a
> Bosch 2-1/4 HP combo base router. Happy with both but at times wish I
> had 3-1/4 HP plunge router for hand held work . Not counting the
> Festool which 3-1/4 HP router would you suggest? Thanks.
> Vic
>

Just out of curiosity, what type of work requires 3 1/4 for plunge work?
I understand if you said raised panels.
While plunging deep mortises I can go pretty deep with a spiral up-cut
on my 2 1/4 Bosch combo.

So just curious to know where you need more.

Sk

Swingman

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

31/12/2012 10:02 AM

On 12/31/2012 9:53 AM, Victor H. wrote:
> On Mon, 31 Dec 2012 09:56:20 -0500, tiredofspam <nospam.nospam.com>
> wrote:
>
>> On 12/31/2012 9:32 AM, Victor H. wrote:
>>> Have a Porter Cable 3-1/4 HP fixed base table mounted router and a
>>> Bosch 2-1/4 HP combo base router. Happy with both but at times wish I
>>> had 3-1/4 HP plunge router for hand held work . Not counting the
>>> Festool which 3-1/4 HP router would you suggest? Thanks.
>>> Vic
>>>
>>
>> Just out of curiosity, what type of work requires 3 1/4 for plunge work?
>> I understand if you said raised panels.
>> While plunging deep mortises I can go pretty deep with a spiral up-cut
>> on my 2 1/4 Bosch combo.
>>
>> So just curious to know where you need more.
>
> when using bits such as
> http://www.freudtools.com/p-87-multi-profile-bits.aspx
> on thick dresser tops etc. Can be done with a fixed base router, but
> I don't want to keep removing the table mounted router. And if I am
> buying a fixed base 3-1/4 HP may as well spend a bit more for a plunge
> router.

Many years ago I decided to go the opposite route (no pun intended). ;)

I keep my PC-7518 3 1/4hp workhorse permanently mounted in the router
table, and use the lighter routers (I have another four or five routers
and router motors) for handheld use, including all plunge work.

Not to mention that I find using a plunge router on edge profile
routing, particularly with larger bits, to be a bit fussy and prone to
disaster on occasion.

YMMV ...

--
eWoodShop: www.eWoodShop.com
Wood Shop: www.e-WoodShop.net
https://plus.google.com/114902129577517371552/posts
KarlCaillouet@ (the obvious)

Ll

Leon

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

31/12/2012 6:08 PM

On 12/31/2012 5:20 PM, Swingman wrote:
> On 12/31/2012 4:49 PM, Leon wrote:
>> On 12/31/2012 4:29 PM, Swingman wrote:
>>> On 12/31/2012 3:52 PM, dadiOH wrote:
>>>> Been looking for one for quite a while, particularly wanted that
>>>> old, no
>>>> longer made model because I have an even older B&D U-365 which only
>>>> takes
>>>> 1/4" bits. It was the predecessor to a number of other B&D models,
>>>> the Elu
>>>> and the DW-610. All can use the same base and the motor units fit my
>>>> Porter
>>>> Cable plunge base.
>>>>
>>>> The U-365 only has 7/8 hp, cost me about $100 in 1970 or so
>>>> (expensive!!),
>>>> been used a whole bunch.
>>>
>>>
>>> Damn, I thought my 40 year old B&D 7610 was old (circa 1972).
>>>
>>> IIRC it was less than $50 when I bought it, which was a lot of money
>>> then ... hell, a brand new Ford stepside pickup was $3200 and I thought
>>> that was outrageous at the time, at about half the price of the first
>>> house my Dad bought 20 years earlier.
>>>
>>> ... that thing of yours must be 50 years or older?
>>>
>>> FWIW, as of a few minutes ago, that old B&D 7610 still runs like new:
>>>
>>> https://picasaweb.google.com/111355467778981859077/EWoodShopJustStuff#5828239038191291490
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> B&D ain't what it used to be! :(
>>>
>>> Happy New Year!
>>>
>>
>>
>> Not to be out done... ;~) Got mine in 1974, I was 19 and paid $64 at
>> Woolco. That was about the time B&D peaked.
>>
>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/lcb11211/8330683679/in/photostream
>
> $64!! Did you get any change back? <g>

Infla'chen mon!

>
> Hehe ... I didn't even know you had one like mine, or I would have let
> you tush it ... :)

Ok, don't tell me yours has a broken guard over the switch... ;~)


>
> Don't let the girls know, too damn many parallel universe coincidences
> to put up with as it is.
>

Sk

Swingman

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

31/12/2012 4:29 PM

On 12/31/2012 3:52 PM, dadiOH wrote:
> Been looking for one for quite a while, particularly wanted that old, no
> longer made model because I have an even older B&D U-365 which only takes
> 1/4" bits. It was the predecessor to a number of other B&D models, the Elu
> and the DW-610. All can use the same base and the motor units fit my Porter
> Cable plunge base.
>
> The U-365 only has 7/8 hp, cost me about $100 in 1970 or so (expensive!!),
> been used a whole bunch.


Damn, I thought my 40 year old B&D 7610 was old (circa 1972).

IIRC it was less than $50 when I bought it, which was a lot of money
then ... hell, a brand new Ford stepside pickup was $3200 and I thought
that was outrageous at the time, at about half the price of the first
house my Dad bought 20 years earlier.

... that thing of yours must be 50 years or older?

FWIW, as of a few minutes ago, that old B&D 7610 still runs like new:

https://picasaweb.google.com/111355467778981859077/EWoodShopJustStuff#5828239038191291490

B&D ain't what it used to be! :(

Happy New Year!

--
eWoodShop: www.eWoodShop.com
Wood Shop: www.e-WoodShop.net
https://plus.google.com/114902129577517371552/posts
KarlCaillouet@ (the obvious)

Hh

"HeyBub"

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

01/01/2013 2:09 PM

Victor H. wrote:
> Have a Porter Cable 3-1/4 HP fixed base table mounted router and a
> Bosch 2-1/4 HP combo base router. Happy with both but at times wish I
> had 3-1/4 HP plunge router for hand held work . Not counting the
> Festool which 3-1/4 HP router would you suggest? Thanks.
> Vic

Well, the HF model at $80 might fit the bill, but in only plunges to 2-1/8.
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-1-2-half-hp-variable-speed-plunge-router-67119.html

'Course you could plunge twice - the second time with a longer bit...

It IS a nifty-looking tool, though.

Du

Dave

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

01/01/2013 5:56 AM

On Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:08:15 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
>>> Not to be out done... ;~) Got mine in 1974, I was 19 and paid $64 at
>>> Woolco. That was about the time B&D peaked.
>>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/lcb11211/8330683679/in/photostream

Bought my first router when I was 19 too, 1973. BD 1 hp router of
course, but I can't remember what I paid for it. Still got it and
still use it once in a while.

Made the mistake of loaning it to my brother about ten years ago. To
get it back, I had to go buy a new low end (90% plastic) BD router and
traded that to him for the original model. My fault this happened of
course, I should have known better than loaning it to my brother in
the first place.

rp

routerman

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

31/12/2012 7:41 AM

Not counting the
> Festool which 3-1/4 HP router would you suggest? Thanks.
*************************************
DW 625, : http://patwarner.com/selecting_router.html for more on
selection.

Ll

Leon

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

31/12/2012 4:49 PM

On 12/31/2012 4:29 PM, Swingman wrote:
> On 12/31/2012 3:52 PM, dadiOH wrote:
>> Been looking for one for quite a while, particularly wanted that old, no
>> longer made model because I have an even older B&D U-365 which only takes
>> 1/4" bits. It was the predecessor to a number of other B&D models,
>> the Elu
>> and the DW-610. All can use the same base and the motor units fit my
>> Porter
>> Cable plunge base.
>>
>> The U-365 only has 7/8 hp, cost me about $100 in 1970 or so
>> (expensive!!),
>> been used a whole bunch.
>
>
> Damn, I thought my 40 year old B&D 7610 was old (circa 1972).
>
> IIRC it was less than $50 when I bought it, which was a lot of money
> then ... hell, a brand new Ford stepside pickup was $3200 and I thought
> that was outrageous at the time, at about half the price of the first
> house my Dad bought 20 years earlier.
>
> ... that thing of yours must be 50 years or older?
>
> FWIW, as of a few minutes ago, that old B&D 7610 still runs like new:
>
> https://picasaweb.google.com/111355467778981859077/EWoodShopJustStuff#5828239038191291490
>
>
> B&D ain't what it used to be! :(
>
> Happy New Year!
>


Not to be out done... ;~) Got mine in 1974, I was 19 and paid $64 at
Woolco. That was about the time B&D peaked.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lcb11211/8330683679/in/photostream

MM

Mike M

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

01/01/2013 5:19 PM

On Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:29:34 -0600, Swingman <[email protected]> wrote:

>On 12/31/2012 3:52 PM, dadiOH wrote:
>> Been looking for one for quite a while, particularly wanted that old, no
>> longer made model because I have an even older B&D U-365 which only takes
>> 1/4" bits. It was the predecessor to a number of other B&D models, the Elu
>> and the DW-610. All can use the same base and the motor units fit my Porter
>> Cable plunge base.
>>
>> The U-365 only has 7/8 hp, cost me about $100 in 1970 or so (expensive!!),
>> been used a whole bunch.
>
>
>Damn, I thought my 40 year old B&D 7610 was old (circa 1972).
>
>IIRC it was less than $50 when I bought it, which was a lot of money
>then ... hell, a brand new Ford stepside pickup was $3200 and I thought
>that was outrageous at the time, at about half the price of the first
>house my Dad bought 20 years earlier.
>
> ... that thing of yours must be 50 years or older?
>
>FWIW, as of a few minutes ago, that old B&D 7610 still runs like new:
>
>https://picasaweb.google.com/111355467778981859077/EWoodShopJustStuff#5828239038191291490
>
>B&D ain't what it used to be! :(
>
>Happy New Year!

Black & Decker used to be the industrial tool in the early 70's. I
bought a SDS roto hammer, a sawsall and a portaband. The portaband
was stolen off a job site, but I still have the rotohamer and the
sawsall still going strong. Actually still have the promotional B&D
jacket for spending enough money. My pride and joy is my dad's
Skilsaw. Judging by the serial number a 1958. This thing is all
metal, and seems to have more power then most of the new ones. Believe
it or not other then a TS55 it's the only circular saw I have.

Mike M

dd

"dadiOH"

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

31/12/2012 4:40 PM

Victor H. wrote:
> Have a Porter Cable 3-1/4 HP fixed base table mounted router and a
> Bosch 2-1/4 HP combo base router. Happy with both but at times wish I
> had 3-1/4 HP plunge router for hand held work . Not counting the
> Festool which 3-1/4 HP router would you suggest? Thanks.
> Vic

Bosch is nice, so is Milwaukee. It really boils down to what *you* like.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Taxes out of hand? Maybe just ready for a change?
Check it out... http://www.floridaloghouse.net

dd

"dadiOH"

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

31/12/2012 4:52 PM

Swingman wrote:
> On 12/31/2012 9:53 AM, Victor H. wrote:
>> On Mon, 31 Dec 2012 09:56:20 -0500, tiredofspam <nospam.nospam.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On 12/31/2012 9:32 AM, Victor H. wrote:
>>>> Have a Porter Cable 3-1/4 HP fixed base table mounted router and a
>>>> Bosch 2-1/4 HP combo base router. Happy with both but at times
>>>> wish I had 3-1/4 HP plunge router for hand held work . Not
>>>> counting the Festool which 3-1/4 HP router would you suggest?
>>>> Thanks. Vic
>>>>
>>>
>>> Just out of curiosity, what type of work requires 3 1/4 for plunge
>>> work? I understand if you said raised panels.
>>> While plunging deep mortises I can go pretty deep with a spiral
>>> up-cut on my 2 1/4 Bosch combo.
>>>
>>> So just curious to know where you need more.
>>
>> when using bits such as
>> http://www.freudtools.com/p-87-multi-profile-bits.aspx
>> on thick dresser tops etc. Can be done with a fixed base router, but
>> I don't want to keep removing the table mounted router. And if I am
>> buying a fixed base 3-1/4 HP may as well spend a bit more for a
>> plunge router.
>
> Many years ago I decided to go the opposite route (no pun intended).
> ;)
> I keep my PC-7518 3 1/4hp workhorse permanently mounted in the router
> table, and use the lighter routers (I have another four or five
> routers and router motors) for handheld use, including all plunge
> work.
> Not to mention that I find using a plunge router on edge profile
> routing, particularly with larger bits, to be a bit fussy and prone to
> disaster on occasion.

+ 1

In fact, I just bought a new, used small router...a Dewalt 610.

Been looking for one for quite a while, particularly wanted that old, no
longer made model because I have an even older B&D U-365 which only takes
1/4" bits. It was the predecessor to a number of other B&D models, the Elu
and the DW-610. All can use the same base and the motor units fit my Porter
Cable plunge base.

The U-365 only has 7/8 hp, cost me about $100 in 1970 or so (expensive!!),
been used a whole bunch.



--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Taxes out of hand? Maybe just ready for a change?
Check it out... http://www.floridaloghouse.net

Sk

Swingman

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

31/12/2012 5:20 PM

On 12/31/2012 4:49 PM, Leon wrote:
> On 12/31/2012 4:29 PM, Swingman wrote:
>> On 12/31/2012 3:52 PM, dadiOH wrote:
>>> Been looking for one for quite a while, particularly wanted that old, no
>>> longer made model because I have an even older B&D U-365 which only
>>> takes
>>> 1/4" bits. It was the predecessor to a number of other B&D models,
>>> the Elu
>>> and the DW-610. All can use the same base and the motor units fit my
>>> Porter
>>> Cable plunge base.
>>>
>>> The U-365 only has 7/8 hp, cost me about $100 in 1970 or so
>>> (expensive!!),
>>> been used a whole bunch.
>>
>>
>> Damn, I thought my 40 year old B&D 7610 was old (circa 1972).
>>
>> IIRC it was less than $50 when I bought it, which was a lot of money
>> then ... hell, a brand new Ford stepside pickup was $3200 and I thought
>> that was outrageous at the time, at about half the price of the first
>> house my Dad bought 20 years earlier.
>>
>> ... that thing of yours must be 50 years or older?
>>
>> FWIW, as of a few minutes ago, that old B&D 7610 still runs like new:
>>
>> https://picasaweb.google.com/111355467778981859077/EWoodShopJustStuff#5828239038191291490
>>
>>
>>
>> B&D ain't what it used to be! :(
>>
>> Happy New Year!
>>
>
>
> Not to be out done... ;~) Got mine in 1974, I was 19 and paid $64 at
> Woolco. That was about the time B&D peaked.
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/lcb11211/8330683679/in/photostream

$64!! Did you get any change back? <g>

Hehe ... I didn't even know you had one like mine, or I would have let
you tush it ... :)

Don't let the girls know, too damn many parallel universe coincidences
to put up with as it is.

--
eWoodShop: www.eWoodShop.com
Wood Shop: www.e-WoodShop.net
https://plus.google.com/114902129577517371552/posts
KarlCaillouet@ (the obvious)

LJ

Larry Jaques

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

01/01/2013 5:38 PM

On Tue, 01 Jan 2013 17:19:46 -0800, Mike M
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:29:34 -0600, Swingman <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>On 12/31/2012 3:52 PM, dadiOH wrote:
>>> Been looking for one for quite a while, particularly wanted that old, no
>>> longer made model because I have an even older B&D U-365 which only takes
>>> 1/4" bits. It was the predecessor to a number of other B&D models, the Elu
>>> and the DW-610. All can use the same base and the motor units fit my Porter
>>> Cable plunge base.
>>>
>>> The U-365 only has 7/8 hp, cost me about $100 in 1970 or so (expensive!!),
>>> been used a whole bunch.
>>
>>
>>Damn, I thought my 40 year old B&D 7610 was old (circa 1972).
>>
>>IIRC it was less than $50 when I bought it, which was a lot of money
>>then ... hell, a brand new Ford stepside pickup was $3200 and I thought
>>that was outrageous at the time, at about half the price of the first
>>house my Dad bought 20 years earlier.
>>
>> ... that thing of yours must be 50 years or older?
>>
>>FWIW, as of a few minutes ago, that old B&D 7610 still runs like new:
>>
>>https://picasaweb.google.com/111355467778981859077/EWoodShopJustStuff#5828239038191291490
>>
>>B&D ain't what it used to be! :(
>>
>>Happy New Year!
>
>Black & Decker used to be the industrial tool in the early 70's. I
>bought a SDS roto hammer, a sawsall and a portaband. The portaband
>was stolen off a job site, but I still have the rotohamer and the
>sawsall still going strong. Actually still have the promotional B&D
>jacket for spending enough money. My pride and joy is my dad's
>Skilsaw. Judging by the serial number a 1958. This thing is all
>metal, and seems to have more power then most of the new ones. Believe
>it or not other then a TS55 it's the only circular saw I have.

Ditto Dad's old Craftsman circular saw. It's still working 25 years
after I inherited it from him without any servicing on my part at all.
I recently added a 2nd circ (plunge) saw, an SP6000K, the Makita
equivalent of the TS55.

--
You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore
the consequences of ignoring reality.
--Ayn Rand

VH

Victor H.

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

31/12/2012 10:53 AM

On Mon, 31 Dec 2012 09:56:20 -0500, tiredofspam <nospam.nospam.com>
wrote:

>On 12/31/2012 9:32 AM, Victor H. wrote:
>> Have a Porter Cable 3-1/4 HP fixed base table mounted router and a
>> Bosch 2-1/4 HP combo base router. Happy with both but at times wish I
>> had 3-1/4 HP plunge router for hand held work . Not counting the
>> Festool which 3-1/4 HP router would you suggest? Thanks.
>> Vic
>>
>
>Just out of curiosity, what type of work requires 3 1/4 for plunge work?
>I understand if you said raised panels.
>While plunging deep mortises I can go pretty deep with a spiral up-cut
>on my 2 1/4 Bosch combo.
>
>So just curious to know where you need more.

when using bits such as
http://www.freudtools.com/p-87-multi-profile-bits.aspx
on thick dresser tops etc. Can be done with a fixed base router, but
I don't want to keep removing the table mounted router. And if I am
buying a fixed base 3-1/4 HP may as well spend a bit more for a plunge
router.

Vic

Ll

Leon

in reply to Victor H. on 31/12/2012 9:32 AM

31/12/2012 9:36 AM

On 12/31/2012 8:32 AM, Victor H. wrote:
> Have a Porter Cable 3-1/4 HP fixed base table mounted router and a
> Bosch 2-1/4 HP combo base router. Happy with both but at times wish I
> had 3-1/4 HP plunge router for hand held work . Not counting the
> Festool which 3-1/4 HP router would you suggest? Thanks.
> Vic
>


Are you sure you want a heavy 3+ rated HP router for hand work????

Having said that I have an old Bosch plunge router, 3+ rated HP and it
weigh 14 pounds. It used to hang upside down in my router table and now
rests in a tool chest drawer, never used. I also have a Bosch 11617EVS,
fixed base only. And now under my router table I have the bigger Triton
router. BUTT ugly and I was skeptical when I bought it. That was in
2004. Still works just fine. The big plus to that router is that it
was built to be a used as a plunge router and or be used as a fixed base
with out having to change bases. My latest addition needed on my last
job is the small Makita trim router. I bought the one with 4 different
bases. I needed to be able to use the router at a 30 degree angle so
the tilt base was necessary. and routing laminate on 3/4" narrow edges
required a smaller easier to handle router with a fixed base. And it
has a plunge base which I did not see using but ended up using that base
to plunge and cut a 5/8" diameter hole in the top of a post 3.5"x3.5"
cut at a 30 degree angle. And then there is the base that provides a
bit offset for getting in close to corners. So on my last job I used 3
of the 4 bases that came with it.


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