Recommendations for a router.

Ray Holt · #1 06-26-2008, 08:41 PM

Hey guys, I guess this will be a bit of an update too... I'm leaving Benedetto Guitars. I've been here about a year, but due to many reasons I'm leaving and going back to NY. I'll just work for a while but I'm planning on going back to college.

Anyways, I'm going to keep building my own stuff as soon as I get home. I haven't been able to build my own stuff while here in Georgia because I don't have anywhere to work... Benedetto won't let us use the shop... and I don't really get paid enough to buy anything. That will change once I'm home.

My birthday is coming up and my parents asked what I wanted, and I think I'm going to ask them to help me buy a router. I figure it's probably the single most versatile power tool when it comes to making electrics.

So do you all have any recommendations? Here are the styles I'm looking at.

Porter-Cable 691 D-Handle
http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-6...4530685&sr=1-9

Bosch version..
http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1618-4-H...530778&sr=1-23

Any suggestions? Even on the brands in general? I have experience with the Porter-Cable D-Handle, because that's what they use at Roberto-Venn. I liked it a lot, worked just fine... just wasn't sure if you guys had some other suggestions. Thanks for your time.

PasdaBeer · #2 06-26-2008, 08:45 PM

porter cable +1 , ive used a lot of stuff from them, all built very well.

im not a fan of bosch to be honest.

I use some older craftsman routers and old (70s) chicago electric. So im a bit out of date on new stuff : )

quick edit:

D handle i find annoying : / i like to have a small ( 1- 1 1/2) router for freehand type work, and a larger 1 3/4-2hp for my table......another IMO type thing here : )

Yellow · #3 06-26-2008, 08:53 PM

I have a Bosch but I must say they have gone down in quality in my opinion,

You know what I came accross the other day is a Freud Router, vertually identical to older Bosch, still made in Italy and 5 year warranty. I might consider one I am also thinking of a new router.

Ray Holt · #4 06-26-2008, 09:23 PM

Thanks for your opinions. I'm leaning pretty strongly towards the Porter-Cable because I've used them before and thought they were great. Just wanted some other opinions

I personally like the D-Handle, love the trigger switch for immediate on and off. And it feels more stable to me, especially around edges.

PasdaBeer · #5 06-26-2008, 09:34 PM

i use my router table 80% of the time, and the rest usually i have goofy jigs i use : /

I have a wierd rig i use that someone posted up here a long time ago for all my "freehand" type cuts, so stability isnt an issue.

Jonsbasses · #6 06-26-2008, 10:36 PM

Hey Ray, I was just talking about you today. People keep asking when I'm going to luthiery school.. whenever I get accepted.

Sorry to hear the job isn't working out for you, but the experience is certainly great to have.

I bought a Porter Cable router in the "clearance" aisle at Sears in 2005 and it's still a beast of a router. It's not as adjustable as I'd like it to be, but it's still as good as day one. Stick with a router with a sealed switch, I know of a good few people that have purchased routers with unsealed switches and after a year or two of time the switch needs replacement. A waste of time for such a simple feature.

Ray Holt · #7 06-27-2008, 12:07 PM

T2W · #8 06-28-2008, 03:35 PM

I have used a Porter Cable for a while and the on off switch stopped workin at some point, it was always on basically, really freaked me out the first time I plugged it in, hehe. I also got two of those Freud ones, with the small red table, one of them stopped working, period. Perhaps it didnt like all the waynescotting I did with it. I still love my old black and decker, works marvelously, even after 30 something years. and Triton is definetely making some heads turn with their routers. You should check em out.http://www.tritonwoodworking.com/

Mr. Majestic · #9 06-28-2008, 08:43 PM

Here's a link that was up a few months back. There's alot of pictures and opinions in there:
Looking for a new router, suggestions?

Ray Holt · #10 06-28-2008, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Majestic

Here's a link that was up a few months back. There's alot of pictures and opinions in there:
Looking for a new router, suggestions?

Thanks for the link! I really like your post in that thread, thanks for sharing your experience. Do you build guitars full time or just work in a woodworking shop?

I was looking at the PC691 which is basically the 690 but has a D-Handle on the fixed base. Always found the D-Handle nice... don't have to let go of it to turn it on/off.

radii · #11 06-29-2008, 05:54 AM

I always liked plunge routers. Porter Cable makes a good 2HP version. I own and despise the 2 HP Bosch version but love the 3 HP Dewalt (made in Switzerland by whoever used to make the ELU routers).

Welcome back to humid NY ...

Ray Holt · #12 06-29-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radii

I always liked plunge routers. Porter Cable makes a good 2HP version. I own and despise the 2 HP Bosch version but love the 3 HP Dewalt (made in Switzerland by whoever used to make the ELU routers).

Welcome back to humid NY ...

I've never used a plunge router... just got used to fixed base.

Psssssh NY has nothing on Savannah, Georgia when it comes to humid! I can't wait to be back!

wilser · #13 06-29-2008, 08:20 AM

The hitachi V12 routers (2.25hp ones) are a great value! I got the kit with 2 basses and keep the fixed base table mounted and use the plunge base for freehand operations. It's been working great for me for the last 3 years and I don't intend to get another router unless I buy that table top pin router I've been thinking about.

Jazzdogg · #14 06-29-2008, 02:00 PM

I strongly recommend a variable-speed router with electronic speed control and soft start - an attribute of some PC routers, but not available in the PC 690 series.

I have a PC 7518 (3.25hp) permanently mounted in my router table, have PC and Bosch 2.25hp routers for hand-held use, as well as PC and Bosch trim routers; they're all able performers.

If you can find the money, take a look at Festool routers, but be forewarned, Festool gear is expensive AND one you're hooked, you'll be counted among Festool addicts

Here's an excellent website dedicated to routers:
http://www.patwarner.com/

Pat Warner is an avid proponent of DeWalt routers.

Mr. Majestic · #15 06-30-2008, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Holt

Thanks for the link! I really like your post in that thread, thanks for sharing your experience. Do you build guitars full time or just work in a woodworking shop?

I was looking at the PC691 which is basically the 690 but has a D-Handle on the fixed base. Always found the D-Handle nice... don't have to let go of it to turn it on/off.

I have one PC691, and it is a very nice router. It was dropped a while back and the handle broke. I have been looking for another handle, but time and money have been thin lately. The Milwaukee has picked up the slack from the D-handle.

I have never built a guitar, but I am a fifth generation cabinet maker and have owned a cabinet shop for 7 years.

Ray Holt · #16 06-30-2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Majestic

I have never built a guitar, but I am a fifth generation cabinet maker and have owned a cabinet shop for 7 years.

Awesome, you have all the respect in the world from me! You just had so much good information to share on the different routers I was curious what you did for a living.

Building guitars is easy

... cabinet making is something I would like to get my hands into.