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08-21-2011, 10:04 AM
| | | | Which brand/model routers are you using?
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I'm getting ready to buy a new router and was wondering what everyone was using and why. I'm thinking about one of the DeWalt combo plunge/fixed base kits but am open to others. |
08-21-2011, 10:35 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Simo  | +1 on that router, and the bases. Stateside it's called a Bosch 1617evspk, you can find the kit for around 200 bucks. I love it. |
08-21-2011, 10:48 AM
| | | | Do you guys find that you use the plunge base much? I'm concerned with wobble that I've seen on some. I would like a plunge but don't think I'd feel comfortable using one routing out a neck pocket for a setneck. |
08-21-2011, 11:05 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Francisco, CA | | | Porter-Cable 690LR Variable Speed. It's the industry standard for a reason.
I use the fixed base 90% of the time, but the plunge base is necessary for some tasks. No wobble issues. |
08-21-2011, 11:41 AM
|  | Less barking, more wagging! | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by harrybosch I'm getting ready to buy a new router and was wondering what everyone was using and why. I'm thinking about one of the DeWalt combo plunge/fixed base kits but am open to others. | That DeWalt is a very nice little trim router. The clear baseplate and LEDs make it easy to see your work. A trim router is great to have - in addition to a full-size router; compared to a full-size router a trim router is underpowered, and they only take 1/4" shank bits.
Among full-size routers that accept both 1/2" shank and 1/4" shank bits, Porter Cable is a good bet in the USA because more people carry PC accessories than other brand.
For handheld use, I strongly prefer a router that provides "soft start." I have an old single-speed Porter Cable 690, and although it works well, it has its limitations. The handheld router I used the most is a Bosch 1617EVSPK (really nice); however, the new Bosch model, with the on/off switch built into the handle is tempting.
For pattern routing with guide bushings, I prefer Porter Cable guide bushings to Bosch's; I replace the baseplate on my Bosch router with a PC baseplate when I'm going to use guide bushings.
When routing round-overs and other edge profiles, I use a teardrop-shaped router base which provides much better balance and control than a standard baseplate.
I keep a Porter Cable 7518 in my router table. It's a do-anything workhorse. IMO, variable speed is a necessity for any router in which bits with a diameter greater an 1 1/4" will be used.
As usual, IME, IMO, YMMV...
Last edited by Jazzdogg : 08-21-2011 at 12:03 PM.
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08-21-2011, 12:01 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charleston SC | | | I have a DeWalt 611, a Porter Cable 690 and a Porter Cable 895 (mounted in a table). I have to tell you that I probably do 75% of my work with the DW611, and once I get a plunge base for it, that % will probably go up a bit. The only thing I use the larger routers for (on basses) is doing large roundovers. |
08-21-2011, 01:14 PM
| | | | The DeWalt I'm looking at is the 618 which is full size 2 1/4 HP. I've looked at the PC's and the Bosch as well. The DeWalt felt a little better in my hands. Anybody have any experience with the Hitachi M12VC? |
08-21-2011, 01:16 PM
|  | Registered User
Owner/Builder: HJC Customs USA, The Cool Lute, C G O | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Southwest Michigan | | | 2- Bosch 1613evs, Bosch 1619, 2-Ryobi RE600's, Porter Cable 7513, Porter Cable 690, Milwaukee(don't know model, I never use it) Trrnd T-4, and a PC laminater trimmer. I use ALL plunge routers. My 690 is mounted in a table which I rarely use. Never had any wobble problem with Plunge router, and I find "Good" plunge routers to be more versatile than fixed base in my shop. |
08-21-2011, 01:22 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Germany | | | Check... Festo ,great products , you can quick- change bits . |
08-21-2011, 07:07 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Miami Gardens, Fl | | | Craftmen plunge/fixed soft start combo $119.. had it for two years awesome..porter cable plunge / fixed combo
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08-22-2011, 09:24 AM
|  | Tuxedo BassŪ - That's Me! | | Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hamilton, Montana | | I have a couple of older big horse units that I don't really use much at all.
I tend to gravitate toward my Dremel Advantage (variable speed with a plunge- and a fixed-base, interchangeably) 
- my hand-held Dremels 
- and a 1 1/2 HP fixed Craftsman on an inexpensive table unit 
Since I'm not in the bass business and don't run an assembly line, I don't feel it's too important to have extremely expensive nor sophisticated tools, but they should be trustworthy and reliable. |
08-22-2011, 04:05 PM
|  | Fan Fret Fan and Builder | | Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Anytown USA | | | Wow surprised nobody else likes Hitachi, love mine.
Dirk |
08-22-2011, 04:46 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler Wow surprised nobody else likes Hitachi, love mine.
Dirk | Doesn't Wilser use that green alien router? I remember him saying he loves it too. |
08-22-2011, 04:56 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Netherlands | | | i use the Bosch plunge router, compareable to the one on top of the list above (but in Europe they have a slightly different line of products). I absolutely love it and however it's a plunge it isn't wobbly at all. Real steady and sturdy tool, not too expensive, thought the DeWalt was more expensive. So I recommend the Bosch router kit, but I think the DeWalt kit is a very good choice as well.
__________________ Rob Habraken You have a bass with a wormhole capable of traversing the vast expanses of space/time - and you patched it with a toothpick...
There's something very existential about all that! tZer |
08-22-2011, 10:28 PM
| | Registered User
Owner/Builder: HJC Customs USA, The Cool Lute, C G O | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Southwest Michigan | | | Yeah, I had a Hitachi MV-12, good router, but only lasted about 4 years, my ryobi's I havbe had 15+ years, and my oldest Bosch, 12(my goto router) |
08-23-2011, 04:43 AM
|  | Registered User
Builder AC Guitars. | | Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Moffat D&G Scotland | | | Couple of Bosch plunge routers and a Hitachi fixed base. Also the Bosch palm router but I have not used it yet. The two Bosch routers are my main machines and have work without problem for the last 5 years. I would really like to try a Festool router but have not had the chance yet. I also have a Wadkins pin router but have not got the 3 phase inverter to run it yet. So many tools so little cash. |
08-23-2011, 06:37 AM
| | TalkBass Pro
Owner: FBB Bass Works | | Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Maryland | | | I have two Porter Cable 690s, one with fixed base and one with the plunge bass. The plunge is the router that I bought when I started making instruments 14 years ago. It has had the power cord replaced and that's about it.
Most plunge bases have a little wobble but you might not notice if you don't attempt to measure it. For most cavities it's not really a problem.
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08-23-2011, 07:14 AM
| | Registered User
Owner/Builder: HJC Customs USA, The Cool Lute, C G O | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Southwest Michigan | | | I am guessing the above is for "removeable plunge base's". Never experienced any wobble with my plunge routers. | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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