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Best router for the buck?

Jisch

Jisch

Jun 1, 2005
5,933
13,206
Connecticut (Northeast USA)
#1
It's getting close to Xmas and I want to drop a few hints about a router ending up under the tree. I spent a few minutes on Amazon and the web today and it seems that the top manufacturers are: Bosch, Porter Cable and Dewalt. But for every positive review I found, I found one that talked about bad bearings, and other issues. I think I want to get a router with both a fixed and a plunge base and it looks like it takes about $200 to get something decent.

Can anyone assist with an opinion on which is best? My dad has a Bosch that he's had forever, but he doesn't recommend it because there is an issue with the base being unique to that router. I'm leaning toward the Porter Cable router.
 
#2
I've seen recently that the Bosch routers currently have a bad problem with "slop" in the base that comes with it, so I would highly recommend staying away from them. I am a dewalt guy so I would recommend them... but I don't actually own a Dewalt router so I can't say for sure how good they are. No experience with the PC so I can't comment.
 
#3
I have a Porter Cable 690 with standard and plunge base. I mounted the standard base underneath the side table of my tablesaw, to do most all my body contour routing. I use the plunge base to do neck and pup cavity routing. I've had them for over 25 years with no problems, except for inconvenience of using 2 wrenches to change bits. One motor and two bases is all I need
 
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#5
As far as I know, *all* router bases are unique to a particular router.

I've used a Ryobi floor model from Home Depot since my first build. The only thing I don't like is that it has only a 1/4" collet, so I am limited as to what I can do with it. I can't use big roundover bits and such. Beyond that, I have no complaints about it. It has been a trooper. It doesn't have an available plunge base though. And, to be honest, the plunge base isn't all that useful over a standard base. I have a plunge router, and I rarely use it.

(But I have a router table for roundovers and other big-bit operations anyway, so I don't really care that much.)

However, if I were asked to pick one to buy right now, I would go with the Porter Cable 895PK.

http://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-895PK-4-Horsepower-Fixed-Plunge/dp/B0000DCBKN/
 
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#6
I'll have to talk to my dad more about his complaint, but it's not the plunge base, I think it had to do with the attachment to do pattern cutting. I probably shouldn't have put that in there without fully understanding it.

thanks for the feedback, looks like PC is winning so far - Amazon reviews are great until you pull up the negative ones, I find the 0.001% failure and I start to question everything.
 
#7
I have had Porter Cable, Bosch, and Hitachi. I can't say enough good about my Hitachi KM12VC. Although Porter Cable is the standard pattern per se on routers, most major MFGs follow Porter Cable bushings etc... fitment. My edge guide on my Hitachi is actually a Porter Cable.

My issue with Porter Cable is a Quality Control issue. PC, Delta, etc... have been bought, sold, etc... so many times over the years that, well Black and Decker quality control has found their way into PC products... So until they get their stuff figured out QC wise I am not touching them....

The Hitachi is as well made as you would expect from Hitachi. Everything is top notch. If you want any better, go Festool and expect to fork over a small fortune...
 
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#8
I have the DeWalt compact router with fixed and plunge bases. I like the performance and surprisingly good power, but am not too thrilled with the plunge base. I'll eventually move to a full size router since the DeWalt compact router has limited router table plate options.

I've heard really good things about Triton, but they are pretty pricey.
 
#9
Yeah, it's worth noting that the company (Stanley B&D) that owns Porter-Cable also owns Delta, DeWalt, Bostitch, Mac, and others, and at one time also owned Husky, Craftsman, and DeVilbiss.

Hitachi routers are good, as are DeWalt, Bosch, and Porter-Cable. Yeah, you do have the occasional dud, and customer horror stories can be found for any brand. A lot of people complain about the carbon brushes on the Hitachi routers wearing out too fast, and the power switches on Bosch routers, etc., etc., ad nauseam. Triton are supposed to be great. Dude from Crimson loves them. Festool are amazing, but completely not worth the cost of admission, in my opinion.

There is no such thing as a perfect tool. They will all have limitations, and no manufacturer is immune from producing the occasional lemon. If you wait around to find the perfect router with 100% customer satisfaction and 0% failure, you will never find it.
 
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#11
I started looking at Hitachi routers, I have a Hitachi cordless drill and it's great. I got caught in another cycle of bad reviews over on Amazon, a fair amount of people seem to have problems with the plunge base being very sticky and with bits getting stuck in the collettes.

Festool, whew that's a lot of coin, way too much for me.

I see that Home Depot carries the Porter Cable, maybe I'll use their inventory as my own QC.

thanks again for the input, it's all helpful for someone who has used exactly one router.
 
#13
My .02 from being a wood worker for most my life.

If your planning on using the router for 2-10 hrs a week, buy festool. If your planning on using it for 2hrs a month, buy a ryobi. No matter what you buy, you should buy one with a variable speed. The larger the bit, the slower the speed. Want to burn out bearings and overheat switches and brushes, run a 1" roundover at 23,000 rpms.

I currently use a ryobi plunge router with variable speed. It may get used a total of 50 hrs a year now. Love having the variable speed and it came with both 1/2 and 1/4 inch collets. I don't understand why people don't like plunge routers. Works great for plunging into plywood for door and window openings, but I can also lock it into place at depth easily and it doesn't move. It has also been through 2 major floods, and all I did was hose it out...

IMG_0295.JPG

Tried to find a pic of the router, but here you can see the 10" ryobi table saw along with a craftsman 10" compound saw, both of witch get used weekly.
 
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#14
HaMMerHeD said:
Yeah, it's worth noting that the company (Stanley B&D) that owns Porter-Cable also owns Delta, DeWalt, Bostitch, Mac, and others, and at one time also owned Husky, Craftsman, and DeVilbiss.

Hitachi routers are good, as are DeWalt, Bosch, and Porter-Cable. Yeah, you do have the occasional dud, and customer horror stories can be found for any brand. A lot of people complain about the carbon brushes on the Hitachi routers wearing out too fast, and the power switches on Bosch routers, etc., etc., ad nauseam. Triton are supposed to be great. Dude from Crimson loves them. Festool are amazing, but completely not worth the cost of admission, in my opinion.

There is no such thing as a perfect tool. They will all have limitations, and no manufacturer is immune from producing the occasional lemon. If you wait around to find the perfect router with 100% customer satisfaction and 0% failure, you will never find it.
Click to expand...


Ahhh. That is where I got the Triton info from. I like his (dude from Crimson Guitars) video podcasts.
 
#16
mansjasont said:
Check out Triton... again no experience with working wiht one but I've been very intrigued by what I've seen. Also have a really cool plunge base that you turn the knob to plunge giving more control over plunge rate.
Click to expand...

I have got the biggest one. It can be used as both plunge and under the table. I haven't tried to use it under the table, but the knob turn plunge system is something that I need to get used to, but once I'm used to it, I love it. The normal plunge could be enabled, if preferred.

It has, i think 3 1/4 HP with smooth start. Its a beast.
The build is great too. Very solid.

Based on the features, I think Triton is the best value for money, compared to bosch, makita and dewalt, which were almost twice the price when I bought it.

The only downside for me is the weight. It is quite heavy. But because it is heavy, it does not vibrate very much when used.

20150126_100710_zpsektyir1c.jpg
 
#17
I work as a custom finish carpenter for a living. I use a router on something almost daily. The Bosch is great. Plenty of power and dependability. Very good features. My only complaint are the giant wooden knobs for handles. It starts to feel very bulky in a hurry.

I'm not a big fan of most Dewalt power tools other than their miter saws. Most of their other tools I've had haven't lasted.

The Porter Cable routers are very widely used by most of the carpenters I know. Built to be rugged and at a better price point than the other previously mentioned brands.

Festool is absolutely great, but is not in the price range you mentioned. None of the previous brands mentioned are near the quality of tool.

As far as the Rigid, Ryobi, and Craftsman tools, they are cheaper and will get the job done but are not near the quality of tool as far as power, precision, reliability, and feature wise as all the previous mentioned tools. If it is a tool you plan to use a lot for many years to come, I wouldn't recommend these brands.

I hope this helps you and good luck
 
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#18
I got a great Dewalt with rack and pinion depth adjustment, loaded with a decent carbide tipped 1/2" straight bit for $60 at a local pawn shop. Runs both 1/2" and 1/4" collets. Just saying, you can do really well buying used.

Whatever you get, the book, Router Magic, is worth it's weight in gold. Build your own bases, jigs, and patterns, router table, and fence. Great projects that increase your skills and yield useful shop fixtures.

I like a light router that will just do, over a big, heavy plunge router. I use a cheapo black and decker with a custom teardrop shaped base for light flush trim and round overs. I'll put a heavy machine on a custom baseplate and hang it in the router table.
 

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