I'm just starting. Have a contractor table saw and need a good router to
start off. Budget is about $200 and I just need a good all-around router.
To start, I'm going to hand some doors and need to make mortises for the
hinges.
Suggestions for brand, make, and retailer are much appreciated.
Scott King
Please remove the "_remove_" from my address when replying directly.
I'd recommend a plunge for what you describe.
Brian.
"Scott King" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm just starting. Have a contractor table saw and need a good router to
> start off. Budget is about $200 and I just need a good all-around router.
> To start, I'm going to hand some doors and need to make mortises for the
> hinges.
>
> Suggestions for brand, make, and retailer are much appreciated.
>
> Scott King
> Please remove the "_remove_" from my address when replying directly.
>
>
In article <VvDEc.22557$rn1.4542@okepread07>, RonB <[email protected]>
wrote:
> take a look at the 1617 2-1/4 HP combo packs
I'll second that. I'm very happy with mine. I use the fixed base in the
table and can easily switch over to the plunge base as needed.
djb
"Scott King" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> I'm just starting. Have a contractor table saw and need a good router to
> start off. Budget is about $200 and I just need a good all-around router.
> To start, I'm going to hand some doors and need to make mortises for the
> hinges.
>
> Suggestions for brand, make, and retailer are much appreciated.
Visit www.patwarner.com for lots of router information.
IMO, you will do good with DeWalt, Porter Cable, Bosch. I'd go with a plunge
for my first and only router.
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
I have the Hitachi MV-12 3HP and really like it. Got it at Amazon
for $159.00. That being said I am looking at some of the PC
1.25HP routers. The Hitachi can be bulky and heavy for free
hand routing plus I hate removing and replacing it in my router table.
But for the price it is more than adequate and I'm happy I bought it.
Joey in Chesapeake
"Scott King" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm just starting. Have a contractor table saw and need a good router to
> start off. Budget is about $200 and I just need a good all-around router.
> To start, I'm going to hand some doors and need to make mortises for the
> hinges.
>
> Suggestions for brand, make, and retailer are much appreciated.
>
> Scott King
> Please remove the "_remove_" from my address when replying directly.
>
>
One of the first things that you should do is take some time to evaluate
exactly what you will be using the router for over a period of time. If the
only thing that you will be doing is mortises, then practically any good
brand-name router will do (PC, DeWalt, Bosch, Makita, etc). However, if
there is the likelyhood that you may want to build some raised panel doors
or something else that requires a large bit in the future, then you would
want a high power (3hp range) variable speed job like the Triton TRC001,
Makita 3612C, PC 7539, or Hitachi TR12 plunge routers (among many others).
Those will bust the $200 budget a tad, but could possibly save the cost of
buying another router in the future.
Of course, you could always start a router collection. In one episode of
the New Yankee Workshop, Norm Abrams said that he had 21 routers.
Wayne
P.S. The Triton is going to be my next router. All I have to do is find a
new job and save for about 3 years. :-)
"Scott King" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm just starting. Have a contractor table saw and need a good router to
> start off. Budget is about $200 and I just need a good all-around router.
> To start, I'm going to hand some doors and need to make mortises for the
> hinges.
>
> Suggestions for brand, make, and retailer are much appreciated.
>
> Scott King
> Please remove the "_remove_" from my address when replying directly.
>
>
Take a look at the Bosch 16** series router and combo packs. You can buy a
basic 2 hp 1617 for about $165.
Or, take a look at the 1617 2-1/4 HP combo packs. These combos provide a
nice router with an add-on plunge base and accessories. I have an older
Bosch combo pack that has the wood ball handles on the standard router base
and I really like it. It is fairly lightweight, has good power and handles
very well. The plunge base also does a respectable job. I think you can
get a combo from Amazon for about $205, including their super saver
shipping. Lowe's might charge a little more. Also the 16** series usually
provide both 1/4" and 1/2" collets that give you some flexibility in bit
selection (make sure the one you select has both). This approach gets you
started with the utility of two routers at a good price.
Don't overlook the price of router bits - they are pricy little devils.
Stick with carbide cutting edges because non-carbide bits are throw-aways
(and cost almost as much). Your best bet is to buy an assortment in a set.
For example, Woodcraft offers a set of 20 assorted bits that is usually on
sale for around $100. They also offer some smaller box sets but the
price/bit goes up rapidly as quantity goes down. These are good starter
sets and if you purchased the bits separately they could run you $9 to $20
each. The sets are offered in both 1/4" and 1/2" shank and I would recommend
1/2".
"Scott King" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm just starting. Have a contractor table saw and need a good router to
> start off. Budget is about $200 and I just need a good all-around router.
> To start, I'm going to hand some doors and need to make mortises for the
> hinges.
>
> Suggestions for brand, make, and retailer are much appreciated.
>
> Scott King
> Please remove the "_remove_" from my address when replying directly.
>
>
B a r r y <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> On Wed, 30 Jun 2004 12:40:47 -0500, "Scott King"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Suggestions for brand, make, and retailer are much appreciated.
>
> Either the Porter Cable 89x or Bosch 1617 variable speed 2. whatever
> HP _kit_.
>
> Either will come with both a plunge and fixed base, a variable speed
> motor, the little bits, and a nice case. Outside of a production
> environment, these guys will turn large raised panel bits without a
> problem at lower speeds, and are still plenty light and nimble enough
> for general work. Both companies sell bases separately, so you can
> purchase an extra fixed base to leave in a router table.
>
For my first router, I fell into the trap which often comes when buying a
truck. "If 2 HP is good, then 3 1/4 must be better." WRONG! The darned
thing, even with soft start, scared the @#$% out of me. I ruined some
otherwise pretty good panels, and learned how to hide some errors in the
back, with trim not in the original plan.
That router now gives excellent service in a home built table, where the
torque and weight are not disadvantages.
I find that the routers I reach for most often now are the PC690VS and the
PC 7310 trim router, although the 7310 is about to get replaced by a 310P.
I believe I've used the plunge base for the 690 twice.
Barry's recommendations are sound. Just don't think that a truck is
needed, when a sports car will certainly be more appropriate.
And expect that, at some time in your future as a woodworker, there may be
another router come along, for that 'special project'. Or however you
choose to justify the purchase to yourself, or the budget controller in
your household.
Have fun with this. THAT'S why most of us do these things.
Patriarch
I bought the 2 1/4 combo at www.amazon.com. free shipping, no tax, $25 off
order of $199 or more, also a free edge guide and mat. Have not used it yet
but was a best buy on one of the consumer sites. David.
"Dave Balderstone" <dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_S.balderstone.ca> wrote in message
news:300620041634069086%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_S.balderstone.ca...
> In article <VvDEc.22557$rn1.4542@okepread07>, RonB <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> > take a look at the 1617 2-1/4 HP combo packs
>
> I'll second that. I'm very happy with mine. I use the fixed base in the
> table and can easily switch over to the plunge base as needed.
>
> djb
If you're only going to have one router, I'd get a plunge model. The Porter
Cable 8529 or the DeWalt DW621 are good choices, some like the Bosch, but I
don't have any experience with it. If you want fixed base, look at the
Milwaukees. They both have above-the-table height adjustment. The Hitachi
MV12 a 3+HP router, can be had for $165 from toolcrib (a good consolidated
source of info, specs, prices, etc). http://www.amazon.com/toolcrib I
haven't used this router, but I see it a lot in magazines. My personal
choice would be the P-C 8529. 2HP, variable speed, abve-the-table
adjustablility. It's running around $220 right now. I got mine for $150 on
closeout at Lowe's, plus it came with a $50 rebate, so really $100 even. I
just got lucky though.
Charlie
"Scott King" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm just starting. Have a contractor table saw and need a good router to
> start off. Budget is about $200 and I just need a good all-around router.
> To start, I'm going to hand some doors and need to make mortises for the
> hinges.
>
> Suggestions for brand, make, and retailer are much appreciated.
>
> Scott King
> Please remove the "_remove_" from my address when replying directly.
>
>
On Wed, 30 Jun 2004 12:40:47 -0500, "Scott King"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Suggestions for brand, make, and retailer are much appreciated.
Either the Porter Cable 89x or Bosch 1617 variable speed 2. whatever
HP _kit_.
Either will come with both a plunge and fixed base, a variable speed
motor, the little bits, and a nice case. Outside of a production
environment, these guys will turn large raised panel bits without a
problem at lower speeds, and are still plenty light and nimble enough
for general work. Both companies sell bases separately, so you can
purchase an extra fixed base to leave in a router table.
Plunge is great when you need it, but I greatly prefer a fixed base
when no plunge action is necessary. The center of gravity is lower
and the fine adjustments are better on a fixed base.
If you can touch both brands, do it. One or the other may fit your
hands a bit better. You can't go wrong with either of them.
Barry
Scott King wrote:
> I'm just starting. Have a contractor table saw and need a good router to
> start off. Budget is about $200 and I just need a good all-around router.
> To start, I'm going to hand some doors and need to make mortises for the
> hinges.
>
> Suggestions for brand, make, and retailer are much appreciated.
>
> Scott King
> Please remove the "_remove_" from my address when replying directly.
>
>
I have owned a Hitachi M12V for about 18 months now. I Love it. Wish I had it as my first router. Latest price I saw on
it was about $180.00
JAW
On Wed, 30 Jun 2004 12:40:47 -0500, "Scott King"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I'm just starting. Have a contractor table saw and need a good router to
>start off. Budget is about $200 and I just need a good all-around router.
>To start, I'm going to hand some doors and need to make mortises for the
>hinges.
>
>Suggestions for brand, make, and retailer are much appreciated.
I fooled about for almost a couple of years with a Chinwanese
Kamakooza. Then read a lot of reviews, tried several of the others at
shows and friends, then settled on the Triton, when I found it at an
exceptionally good price, have not regretted it for one second.
Barry Lennox
On Wed, 30 Jun 2004 20:07:50 GMT, "Leon"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Umm Because they are affiliated does not mean that there is a comparison in
>quality. This would be like comparing a Mercedes Benz to a Dodge.
Seen the reliability / repair frequency statistics for Mercedes
lately? <G>
I know the point you're making, but I felt the need to tweak you.
Barry
"Scott King" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Porter-Cable
> 1-34 In. HP Variable Speed Router Kit
> Model 694VK
I have the slightly earlier incantation 693VSPK.
Likes: PC690 is a rock solid lil' guy. Great first router. Accessories all
fit the PC690 series. Haven't bogged down the 1 3/4 horses yet (but haven't
really slung any extra large bits).
Dislikes: Plunge base. PITA to mount motor; plunge mechanism very stiff --
not smooth at all.
I'm happy with it, but the more I plunge, the more I'll be looking at a
dedicated plunger like the DW621.
Have you been here yet? www.patwarner.com
"toller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In addition to all that, you have to determine how much you expect to use
> it. You can get a Skill for half the price of a Bosch (both made by the
> same company) and the better choice depends on what you want out of it.
Umm Because they are affiliated does not mean that there is a comparison in
quality. This would be like comparing a Mercedes Benz to a Dodge.
"Scott King" writes:
> I'm just starting. Have a contractor table saw and need a good router to
> start off. Budget is about $200 and I just need a good all-around router.
<snip>
You are in luck, $200 will do the job nicely.
Porter-Cable has a kit with both fixed and plunge bases for about $200.
I have one, it does a good job.
Understand Bosch has a similar offering, but I'm not familiar with it;
however, I have other Bosch tools and they are bullet proof, so they are
worth a look.
As for bits, think CMT.
As I have said before, until they prove they don't deserve it, they get my
business.
There are other good bits out there, Freud and Whiteside come to mind, I
just like CMT.
HTH
--
Lew
S/A: Challenge, The Bullet Proof Boat, (Under Construction in the Southland)
Visit: <http://home.earthlink.net/~lewhodgett> for Pictures
I'm looking at a Port-Cable plunge router. Comments, feedback, comparisons,
etc?
Porter-Cable
1-34 In. HP Variable Speed Router Kit
Model 694VK
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/prodmeta/pg_prodmeta.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&MID=9876&CNTKEY=Products_2%2FPower+Tools%2FRouters%2FPlunge&sortOr
der=priceDesc&ProductOID=614847&BV_SessionID=@@@@1417490988.1088616881@@@@&B
V_EngineID=cccjadcllilhjekcgelceffdfgidgjn.0