Routers You Recommend?

cassius987 · #1 11-04-2010, 05:33 PM

I was wondering what routers people here liked for the skilled amateur who works on his own guitars and that of his friends, but isn't necessarily a pro luthier.

202dy · #2 11-04-2010, 05:39 PM

This is a choice that is driven by the tasks, not the job description.

What do you want to do with the router?

cassius987 · #3 11-04-2010, 05:42 PM

Pickup routs, pickguards.

mid_life_crisis · #4 11-04-2010, 06:02 PM

I am not a Luthier, but I am an enthusiastic woodworker. For what you describe you need something that can be easily controlled but is powerful enough to cut cleanly. You also want something versatile. I suggest looking at one of the kits that come with multiple bases. Bosch makes one that is very well reviewed, for example.

fretster · #5 11-04-2010, 06:08 PM

I have a Cisco router and a couple Netgear and Linksys routers. These are really good for connecting computers, but I don't see how they could be used for pickguards.

Rodger Bryan · #6 11-04-2010, 06:16 PM

The Porter-Cable models with the interchangeable bases for fixed and plunge are excellent for the $. Shop around for this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-6.../dp/B00006411C

I own a Bosch that I really like, but it was more hp than what I really needed and the fine-height adjustment is not as precise as I anticipated.

Philonius · #7 11-04-2010, 06:18 PM

'Gotta be a plunge router if you haven't decided that already. Bosch makes some very nice tools, and you can often pick up a reconditioned one, with full factory warrantee, at CPOBosch.

202dy · #8 11-04-2010, 06:29 PM

For pickguards a good quality laminate trimmer will do the job handily. In a pinch, it will handle pickup routing, too.

If you plan on hogging out a lot of pickup recesses or doing a lot of body shaping, the Porter Cable line of routers is excellent. One and a half or two horse power models will perform and last a lifetime if you use them properly and do regular maintenance. The can also be mounted in a table to function as a router/shaper. That is handy for routing binding channels.

bassbenj · #9 11-06-2010, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 202dy

For pickguards a good quality laminate trimmer will do the job handily. In a pinch, it will handle pickup routing, too.

If you plan on hogging out a lot of pickup recesses or doing a lot of body shaping, the Porter Cable line of routers is excellent. One and a half or two horse power models will perform and last a lifetime if you use them properly and do regular maintenance. The can also be mounted in a table to function as a router/shaper. That is handy for routing binding channels.

+1 on all of this. I own several routers but by far my favorite and most used is my laminate trimming router (designed to trim the edges of Formica counter tops and the like) It's quite powerful, but much smaller, lighter, and easier to control than the bigger routers. I use it a lot on various jobs on guitar and drum building. For serious body hogging any of the better brand large routers will work well. And I have a nice router table too which was not very expensive if I recall correctly.

ThrashMaster · #10 11-08-2010, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philonius

'Gotta be a plunge router if you haven't decided that already. Bosch makes some very nice tools, and you can often pick up a reconditioned one, with full factory warrantee, at CPOBosch.

Disagree on the plunge router thing...the height adjustments on the 'attractively priced' ones are usually sloppyish, and the speed advantage doesnt matter for a hobbyist, plus I personally always feel squirly using them (like im gonna move the router to the side as I push it down, but thats obviously just my issue). The big uses for plunge would be pickup routes and control cavities, and in the greater scheme of things the old 'tilt in' method is fine for somebody not tryin to make money doing this work. I know...everyone will say tilting the router in is definately more dangerous than a plunge router, but its how I learned and how I'm comfortable.

If its something more serious than a hobby then an overarm is called for, and if price is a concern on that front then combine a table router and some inginuity.

All that said, I love love love my Bosch routers...I own several so that I can leave some set up for specific things (binding routes, truss rod slot, etc)

wow...that got long really fast haha

ThrashMaster · #11 11-08-2010, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 202dy

They can also be mounted in a table to function as a router/shaper. That is handy for routing binding channels.

and roundovers, and truss slots, and 6 billion other things

tdvt · #12 11-08-2010, 04:18 PM

I use routers alot & my favorite is still the Porter Cable 691, mentioned a few times already. It will handle most everything big or small, with both 1/4" or 1/2" shank router bits.

That said, laminate routers are more powerful now than they used to be & will handle many of the jobs encountered building or repairing instruments.

One of each will have you covered.

bassbenj · #13 11-08-2010, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdvt

I use routers alot & my favorite is still the Porter Cable 691, mentioned a few times already. It will handle most everything big or small, with both 1/4" or 1/2" shank router bits.

That said, laminate routers are more powerful now than they used to be & will handle many of the jobs encountered building or repairing instruments.

One of each will have you covered.

Rule: You can never own too many routers!

festaadams · #14 11-23-2010, 05:37 PM

Here is my 2 cents...

I am a woodworker, by hobby. Soon to be making my bass... Like some said, about the Bosch.. biggest bang for your buck. I have the Bosch 1617EVS pack. It is 2 1/4 hp, multiple bases, and many people do not know this, but mount this in a router table with the fixed base, and you can do height adjustment from the top of the table. I have to say that it is indeed awesome!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...QY3CZA8CTEM02E

Musiclogic · #15 11-24-2010, 09:41 AM

You mean the plunge base. The 1617 fixed base is a turn and lock mechanism. The plunge base has the rod for ab ove the table adjustment, Unless something has changed with it. The OP never mentioned what was going to be done with the router, or the pricerange.
Economical- Ryobi 180 evs variable speed plunge router, 2 hp, and both 1/4 and 1/2 collets.
Midrange Hitachi MV 12, Porter Cable 690, Bosch 1617, Milwaukee 8523
High end- Bosch 1619, Porter Cable 7518, Freud 3000, Makita, Triton, or Festool
Just some suggestions of good quality routers with good reputations. Avoid laminate trimmers if you plan to do anything more than cleanup work, even the Bosch Colt does not have a stable enough shaft for heavy routing.