• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Looking for a new router, suggestions?

#21
Well folks I have to chime in here... we've all got our opinions, and I'm no exception. Thing is, over the last 4 or 5 years I have tossed all my PC tools. Just can't take it anymore. If it wasn't this little thing breaking it was another. Noise... oh god.

For the router table I snagged one of those Milwaukee routers because of the easy to use micro adjuster. It's perfect for those little adjustments needed here and there. Admittedly, I use it for template routing 99% of the time so there's not much reason to move it. I have a 24" Incra setup on the table, so the router's fine adjustments are quick and simple if I decide to go off and make double/double dove tails.

For my hand held routers I have switched to Dewalt. (yeah, one for every bit) Why? My oldest one is 14. The only thing it's ever needed is a $6 bearing and brushes. I use it everyday even now. The others, well they haven't required any service at all to date.

One small thing I have to mention. For me, the ability to make quick small depth adjustments is key. The depth must stay fixed. This rules out those plunge type routers since solid, precise depth adjustments are more cumbersome with the springy action of the floating base. Dewalt fixed base routers are lighter, and smaller making them perfect for details. DW616.

My two cents...

-Doug
 
#23
wilser said:
This is mine and I love it as much as Rodent loves his PC. KM12VC. It's the quietest router of it's class, which is a BIG plus for me. 2.25hp. softstart, 1/4 and 1/2 collets, variable speed.

km12vc.jpg
Click to expand...

I think that's the one I'm getting free as rebate on the Hitachi slide miter saw I just bought for slotting :hyper:
 
#24
I have the PC 890 and it remains my first choice. In the shop here I have access to a number of routers, the easy bests of the lot being the Festool little and big routers (don't recall the model numbers). The Festools are not cheap and are really nice routers. If I had to guess, I would expect their durability to be excellent - for the price it should be.

The former notwithstanding, I still prefer the PC - it sets up faster and easier and handles a lot better. The only thing I would take from the Festool is their base material which glides super easy over wood when it's running.
 
#25
One of mine only holds a 1/4 spiral carbide for truss rod channel slotting. The nice thing about the ring is I just turn it 1/8" for each pass. The plunge type I had to fuss with that rod thing, and after a while I gave it away just so I didn't have to look at it anymore. :o)

Same is true for the other one that holds the 3/4" bit for the neck pocket and control cavity. I don't know... it's just that I like the quick, solid incremental drops I can get with that ring. The other one holds a 3/8" pattern bit for shaping oddly shaped headstocks. It's light and easy to hold flat when navigating complex curves and points.

What I should do is get another router table insert and mount one in that with the 3/8" bit. That might make holding in balance a null point.

For these small bits a 1hp router would do just fine.

So I guess that's why there's so many choices. Another thing is that I have checked the price of some of the common anticipated repair parts and they are cheap. It's even worth it to change a bad armature if need be.

I had half a dozen PC palm sanders and they kept burning out. Oh that smell! Yuk. I bought one Dewalt with PSA pad and it outlived the remaining PCs! The decision to switch was sort of a no brainer. I still have that original Dewalt and it's been 3 years since I tossed the last PC.

Ultimately I think we just go with what we find works. Hey, maybe I was just they guy who got all the lemons... LOL!

-Doug
 
#28
I have possibility of getting good discount on Invalid Link Removed (brand new, from shop), but seems you dont really like Black&Decker...would it still be good choice for a hobbyist/amateur?

Thanks in advance
 
#29
I have a Craftman router that I bought years ago (when I knew nothing about routers) and I wake at night to hate it...

I tried to destroy it by routing everything I could find in a almost not always safe way, there's not way to kill the thing... :bawl:

So if you want a router that you'll hate and that will never die, buy Craftman...
 
#32
Duplo42 said:
I have possibility of getting good discount on Invalid Link Removed (brand new, from shop), but seems you dont really like Black&Decker...would it still be good choice for a hobbyist/amateur?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

well sense I own this router..I'll give my imput.

before I bought this router all I've ever used has been the old trust PC routers, and the new fancy dewalts. (for work and other shops I've worked in)

I paid 59 bucks canadian for me B&D, I honestly thought "hey I can replace it in a month for this price"
I took it home, went over it and then went straight to work and I've gotta say it held up with all the PC routers I've used.
it's got some serious power too! I can plunge a 1/2 bit a inch into purpleheart and I don't even hear the thing slow down.

over all I'm -very- impressed with this router, I thought it was a temp. tool (I normally only buy dewalt, PC, and mil;) but after 3 months I've no plans to replace it now.

my only concerns are, how long it'll last, while I've no problems yet it is a cheaper router and it might not be around like my 15 year old PC is.
 
#34
Howe said:
well sense I own this router..I'll give my imput.

before I bought this router all I've ever used has been the old trust PC routers, and the new fancy dewalts. (for work and other shops I've worked in)

I paid 59 bucks canadian for me B&D, I honestly thought "hey I can replace it in a month for this price"
I took it home, went over it and then went straight to work and I've gotta say it held up with all the PC routers I've used.
it's got some serious power too! I can plunge a 1/2 bit a inch into purpleheart and I don't even hear the thing slow down.

over all I'm -very- impressed with this router, I thought it was a temp. tool (I normally only buy dewalt, PC, and mil but after 3 months I've no plans to replace it now.

my only concerns are, how long it'll last, while I've no problems yet it is a cheaper router and it might not be around like my 15 year old PC is.
Click to expand...

Excellent, thanks for reply!

Im getting like 30% of the shop price, yet i dont want to buy something that wouldn't do the job or would be pain the arse to work with.

I also checked DeWalts but they are bit price-y for my budget, so B&D it is! Im getting it in couple of months thou, but ill post here quick review from my side...
 
#36
Here's my 2 cents. My personal preference overall is Porter Cable. I personally think a person needs several routers to do different jobs. The only time I've ever burned a router up, was doing something I wasn't supposed to be doing, or not keeping the dust blown out of them. You defintely get what you pay for in this business and cute little features, usually mean lack of stability. Ease of adjustability does not translate into less aggravation whenever your router slips. I really like bosch, Milwaukee, Porter Cable's old stuff, Dewalt's/Black and Decker's industrial stuff, Makita's industrial stuff and in my opinion these are my top five routers in no particular order:

Porter-Cable 7518: I have owned 5 of these in the last 12 years and only have had problem out of the slow start feature on one of the older ones.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]



Porter-Cable 690LR: I have owned at least 15 of these routers and have never had any problems that a little cleaning didn't fix.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]



Porter-Cable 0310 Production Laminate: NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE 7310. The 0310 rocks for small stuff, fits nicely in your hand, very industrial, and doesn't "readjust" itself for you. We've had 2 of 0310's and 4 of the 7310's, there is no comparison in accuracy.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]



MILWAUKEE NO. 5615-20: I own one of these and have been very pleased so far. The micro-adjust doesn't work very well, but it is a very smooth and comfotable router. I have not tried the larger Miwaukee, but I think it would be a great router.
Invalid Link Removed



Bosch 1617: We have owned at least 5 of these and have never had any problems at all. Very industrial, holds up well under hard use and wooden handles!
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]




We have a router for almost every job in my shop. I am constantly looking at pawn shops and tool stores for deals on routers, because down time equals less profit. I personally like/own very few plunge routers, there are only a very few times where one is a must and a fixed router can't be used. I have never bought a router table, but we have built quite a few over the last 20 years, that look alot like the ones you can buy. We have had every kind of router under the sun and these listed are the ones that we use everyday and have gotten the best results from.

cn
 
#40
I ended up getting the Hitachi m12vc, I didn't get the plunge though, I've got a dedicated plunge router that sits on the shelf, its not really used very often. I almost got the Porter Cable, but decided to give the Hitachi a try, for under 100 bucks why not? It should be in soon....I can't wait!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back