Router Recommendations

[MPU]

I've had a Makita laminate trimmer for a few years. I love it. Lightweight, enough power. I've used my bigger Bosch only a few times since I bought the Makita. I route cavities and truss rod slots and a smaller router is very handy.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

LOL I thought you were talking about Web routers !! Never mind

I'll keep my WiFi 6 and long range signal extender comments for another thread.

Yeah, Power Over Ethernet doesn't run much of a wood-cutting device. This IS the LC, that discussion would have to be in Off-Topic.

 

[tjclem]

The porter cable 691 with the d-handle has always been my favorite. If I were to buy a new router today I would stick with the porter cable 691, or get the bosch 1617. These are my two picks, but there are lots of decent routers out there. The market is quite competitive these days and all of the top brands are pretty close as far as quality, it's hard to go wrong at certain price points.

I have a few of them but this one must have been my dads favorite. When he passed in 07 I got all of them then I went full time building in 08 and this particular one was my main work horse. The motor is all scored up from my usage and no matter how tight i tighten it it can move a bit. If I could find another I would buy it. But I cant find any.

 

[tjclem]

https://www.amazon.com/BOSCH-1617EVS-Electronic-Fixed-Base-Router/dp/B00004TKHV/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=35ILVG3LCBDF4&keywords=bosch+router&qid=1652187593&refinements=p_72:1248909011&rnid=1248907011&s=hi&sprefix=bosh%20router,aps,78&sr=1-2-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFMWTAwWDM1OTlLTTcmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAyODAzMTczNjRVTERDMDJIMEpZJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5MTE3OTMzMkdVNk43VExITEJHJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

Anybody have this one? Not seeing anything about a light. I would like one with a light. I don't do any plunge routing so I don't need that.

 

[tjclem]

Also do the cordless ones really hold up? Not having to deal with a cord would be nice!

 

[dwizum]

If you are going to toss the 691 I'll buy it off you to repair!

I will second @MPU's suggestion of the Makita. I got one a few years ago with the fixed and plunge bases, and I like it so much I literally never touch my other routers except for the ones that are bolted to jigs. It's the perfect router for guitar work.

I had the Bosch you linked and would buy it again in a heartbeat if I wanted a larger router. I don't remember if it had a light. I can't say I've ever paid attention to lights on routers since I'm pretty much always routing in templates and not really looking at the bit as it's cutting.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

eReplacementparts.com has most parts for many tools, including PC routers. Just type in model and serial number for exploded views.

I have 11 routers. My favorite day to day for the last several years has been a DeWalt DW611 with both bases. It has enough power to do most edge treatments, slotting, smaller grooves, etc... while being light, nimble and very easy to adjust. There are very inexpensive dust shrouds that are quite effective, not Festool effective, but very good. The Dw611 is good enough that I bought a second example for when I need to maintain two setups.

My favorite small router is theInvalid Link Removed.

I also have several examples each of 690's and Bosch 1617's, a Bosch laminate trimmer, a Dremel in a StewMac base, and a huge Milwaukee in a cast iron table.

 

[2groggy]

When I need to replace a power tool, I consider two main things - compatibility with the jigs and fixtures that I already own and access to parts for future repairs.

It's usually worth a try fixing the old one.

 

[FatOwlBass]

The small Bosch router is great for pickup routing. I Use a hitachi fixed base router often. Has served me well. But in truth i have at least ten routers. Sometimes you need a plunge router and sometimes you need something else. My older porter cable is great but I dont like the newer ones. DeWalt is ok but not Something I recommend. For Cordless I use a Milwaukee.

 

[tjclem]

If you are going to toss the 691 I'll buy it off you to repair!

I will second @MPU's suggestion of the Makita. I got one a few years ago with the fixed and plunge bases, and I like it so much I literally never touch my other routers except for the ones that are bolted to jigs. It's the perfect router for guitar work.

I had the Bosch you linked and would buy it again in a heartbeat if I wanted a larger router. I don't remember if it had a light. I can't say I've ever paid attention to lights on routers since I'm pretty much always routing in templates and not really looking at the bit as it's cutting.

What parts do I order to fix this. She looks pretty worn out

 

[dwizum]

Wow, I've never seen one wear like that so badly!

 

[Plain Old Barry]

Wow, I've never seen one wear like that so badly!

That's weird!

I've replaced the body on a Bosch 1617 that corroded and it wasn't a horrible job. I used new top and bottom bearings since I was doing the work.

In your case, the wear damage seems to be on both the body and base. Does it still hold tight? It looks as if the base clamp was too tight in the open position, not letting the body freely rotate during removal and replacement.

 

[tjclem]

Well like I said I got it used and it has been my work horse for the last at least 400 basses.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

If it still holds tight, I might smooth both parts, wet sanding with WD-40 or kerosene up to 400 grit, wax both parts, and keep using it. If it can no longer tighten, I'd probably replace it, as you'd need both a body and new base.

 

[tjclem]

If it still holds tight, I might smooth both parts, wet sanding with WD-40 or kerosene up to 400 grit, wax both parts, and keep using it. If it can no longer tighten, I'd probably replace it, as you'd need both a body and new base.

That is the problem it slips.

 

[tjclem]

eReplacementparts.com has most parts for many tools, including PC routers. Just type in model and serial number for exploded views.

I have 11 routers. My favorite day to day for the last several years has been a DeWalt DW611 with both bases. It has enough power to do most edge treatments, slotting, smaller grooves, etc... while being light, nimble and very easy to adjust. There are very inexpensive dust shrouds that are quite effective, not Festool effective, but very good. The Dw611 is good enough that I bought a second example for when I need to maintain two setups.

My favorite small router is theInvalid Link Removed.

I also have several examples each of 690's and Bosch 1617's, a Bosch laminate trimmer, a Dremel in a StewMac base, and a huge Milwaukee in a cast iron table.

Thanks I like the large base on the PC is the DW that large?

 

[TerribleTim68]

What parts do I order to fix this. She looks pretty worn out
View attachment 4686231

I would think you could try a new base without replacing the router body. May or may not work. Alternatively, if you can disassemble the base you have, it should have a gap at one point where the whole base "clamps" around the router body. It's basically a pinch method of clamping. If you could file that gap wider, it may allow it to pinch tighter, which would keep you from needing to replace it. Also, may or may not work, but is free. Just a thought from one low budget guy who always tries to find a way to not spend money (because I don't have it).

 

[T_Bone_TL]

What parts do I order to fix this. She looks pretty worn out
View attachment 4686231

Looks like it was stored under the grinder and got an unhealthy dose of grinding wheel particles (or sandpaper particles, grit of some sort) to grind the <bleep> out of it like that. My 25 year old 690 has no similar wear pattern, and it does get used.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Something to understand about the differences in designs and brands of routers:

Most of Porter-Cable's routers are designed and intended for production use. Woodworking factories and cabinet shops. Where the router is set up for one job and some poor schmuck runs it all day, all year. The setup isn't being changed very often. Special job bits, bases and fixtures. Generally an indoor environment, relatively clean, and the router will get cleaned and maintained regularly. Frames are strong and heavy, the bearings are stout, good cooling, designed to be repaired when parts wear out. Factory workhorses made to run all day.

Other brands like DeWalt, Bosch, Milwaukee are designed for contractor use. Out on filthy outdoor job sites, a series of small jobs, many different setups, physical abuse from getting dropped and overloaded and thrown in toolboxes. The design priority is on comfort of operation in bad environments, and resistance to abuse. When they get too beat up or broken, they get thrown away and replaced.

In my shop, I have about 20 routers. Maybe 14 are Porter-Cables of various sizes. Three of the big 7518's and about 8 of the small classic 691/693 series. A couple of old vintage PC's from the 1950's. The rest are different brands; one Bosch trim router, several old Craftsmans, and a couple of little Black & Deckers. I bought most of the PC's 20-25 years ago. I bought them for long-term production-use durability. I use them in production-like mode; mostly set up for one job that gets done over and over. A clean environment, cared for. They've been very reliable over the years. The main thins that wear out are the switches, cords and brushes. I've had one lower bearing go out on a 693.

The Porter Cables are good machines that will last a working lifetime. But they do need to be reasonably respected and cared for.

 

[deff]

https://www.amazon.com/BOSCH-1617EVS-Electronic-Fixed-Base-Router/dp/B00004TKHV/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=35ILVG3LCBDF4&keywords=bosch+router&qid=1652187593&refinements=p_72:1248909011&rnid=1248907011&s=hi&sprefix=bosh%20router,aps,78&sr=1-2-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFMWTAwWDM1OTlLTTcmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAyODAzMTczNjRVTERDMDJIMEpZJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5MTE3OTMzMkdVNk43VExITEJHJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

Anybody have this one? Not seeing anything about a light. I would like one with a light. I don't do any plunge routing so I don't need that.

I have the next size down. All of the Bosch stuff I have, I found the quality to be great, where brands like Dewalt and Makita it might depend on the year you bought them. I also think that Porter Cable has been pretty consistent.