Advice for a woodworking newb

[ForceFed70]

Woodworking isn't really my thing. I'll never built nice furniture or cabinets.

However, every once in a while I do find myself wishing I had a router.

The latest example: Building a simple bath tray with my boys for mothers day.

We ended up going over to a friend's house to route the edges.

What kind of a setup would you recommend for a guy who will only use a router once a year for simple jobs? Do I need a table?

 

[derosa]

Really depends on what you want to do and have equipment for. A soft start variable speed router with interchangeable bases can do a lot without a table but only if you have a bench or table to safely lock/clamp your work to. I have a decent sized tablesaw which I replaced one wing of with a homemade rougher table. I've also seen people attach the router to their regular workbench. A decent kit will be 200+ but worth the money. A table can be nice, nicest if its free standing; but there are workarounds based on time and budget.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have used a router for ages. My favourite is a Porter Cable Model 100. While those are no longer made, the model 690 does a nice job, as well.

Mose of what you will need to do can be done with an assortment of router bits with ball bearing guides on the bottom of the bits. Clamp your work piece to a table and work slowly.

Above all else, ALWAYS WEAR A GOOD PAIR OF SAFETY GLASSES.

 

[ForceFed70]

Thank-you!

Most of the time I wish I had a router it's just because I want to round off a sharp edge. However, If I had the tool (and actually learnt other applications I can use it for) I'm sure I'd do a little more with it.

 

[jimreed2160]

Once you get a router you will find uses for it. Hook it up to a shopvac because routers make a mess. And use glasses. Also wear HEARING protection. Routers scream.

I use a simple table for my router but started with a router and an edge guide. Get some bits on sale and some construction lumber for practice. And make yourself a nice bench to hold the workpiece steady.

Good luck.

 

[CTyankee]

For small HO jobs I'd go with this..even if you don't get the free sander:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-5-5-Amp-Trim-Router-with-Free-1-4-Sheet-Sander-R24011/202488411

While it technically is a "trim" router..this little sucker can do more than you'd think. The size makes it easy to handle and control. Bigger routers can be a little unwieldy if you're not use to using them and often are more than is needed for simple jobs. I'd nix the table unless you intend to use it a lot.

Invest in some high quality bits and store them so they don't get all banged up.

JMO.

 

[ScottsGT]

My jump into routers was via eBay. I picked up a really nice used Porter Cable with a fixed and a plung base. Went ahead and ordered the PC router table too. Now I find myself thinking about a palm router for lighter use.

 

[eddiemeddiem]

I have the Ridgid Palm router linked above, and agree with their recommendation. The smaller diameter palm size is nice and easy to control, and can do 90+% of what a full size can do. This would be an excellent first router as long as you have a way to hold your work piece securely enough

 

[Toolfool]

Get the Porter Cable 690 with the fixed base and plunge base kit. Great setup that will give you a lot of versatility. They can be found on ebay pretty cheap.

 

[skruft]

As a hobbyist (and not very good) woodworker, I do most routing in a table, so would suggest that if you have space. In the table is an old Porter Cable 690.

 

[lilredex]

Have had a PC 690 for about 25 years and the first thing I did was make a new base to fit my newly made table. Smaller jobs are done in the vise with a foot switch, controlling the router. The pin holes in the base (RHS) are for circle cutting. I never take that large router base off.

 

[Firebrick43]

Good lord, all the recommendations for a 690? Nothing wrong per say, but you know technology and features have been introduced in the last 30 years since they came out. Things like router with both fixed and plunge bases,base with effective dust control, variable speed control, and soft start. Also Porter cables quality has really been swirling down the toilet.

Milwaukee makes the awesome 5616-24, dewalt the great dw618 or smaller dwp611, Bosch the 1617evspk. If you are a PC fanatic and want to take a chance, they have the 893pk

Buddy has some ridgid tools, and they seem nice enough but the are always changing things and don't support the last model well. His fixed base was on his router table and he hated pulling it off to use it. I suggested buying a second fixed base, no dice, not available even though it was only 5 years old.

 

[PelicanPines]

I have two DW618s... with all the bases... D handle is my favorite.

If I used a router once a year... I would get a decent trim router and a good straight edge.

 

[jar944]

Dewalt 611pk or if you ever see yourself getting more into woodworking the bosch 1617evspk

 

[tab2]

Another vote for a trim router. I have the Bosch Colt which is good. I think the DeWalt depth adjustment is better on that size though. If it's something small (rounding an edge over) I grab that one. Big stuff gets the PC 690. Repitive use or if my dad's barn is clean I take out the Festool because the dust collection is phenomenal.

Ditto on the ear and eye protection. They make a mess too if you remove a lot of material.

 

[TNBurban]

Some advice:

1. Get variable speed. Some materials or species of wood, or router bit profiles like different speeds.
2. Get a kit with a fixed and plunge base. Will cost a bit more, but if you find you like using the router, the two bases increase your ability to use it in different situations.
3. Whatever router you decide on, the bit is every bit (no pun intended) as important. And whatever cut you are making with whatever profile bit, look into which direction you need to make it. Can make a huge difference depending on the species of wood.
4. Practice on a scrap piece before working on the finished piece.

I myself have a Dewalt 618 kit that has been great. Can't go wrong with Dewalt, Milwaukee, Bosch, Makita kits. Hitachi has a decent one that is a little bit cheaper than those.

 

[Robinson1]

Pick up an old Porter Cable or B&D (Think vintage all metal made back when B&D made professional quality tools) off eBay. Should be able to get a nice one for about $60 shipped if you take your time and watch. Fixed base is fine for most jobs and while a table is great for production work you already said you weren't going to build cabinets.

Skil is actually a decent value in router bits. Buy the carbide ones. Just starting out a few round over and ogee bits will be plenty. Add as you find a need because router bits add up fast. If you want really good bits I think Roman Carbide and Bosch are about the best you can get without spending crazy money.

 

[LeeG]

For a router table, start with a piece of MDF with a hole drilled through it for the bit to stick though. You can get an extra base and leave it permanently screwed to this base then clamp it on the edge of your workbench.

When I went to Woodworking in America a few years back, one of the instructors said that it was basically all he ever used for a router table.

 

[bcradio]

For small HO jobs I'd go with this..even if you don't get the free sander:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-5-5-Amp-Trim-Router-with-Free-1-4-Sheet-Sander-R24011/202488411

While it technically is a "trim" router..this little sucker can do more than you'd think. The size makes it easy to handle and control. Bigger routers can be a little unwieldy if you're not use to using them and often are more than is needed for simple jobs. I'd nix the table unless you intend to use it a lot.

This x10

Great little router that has all but replaced my larger Bosch. It is dumb to try and wield a huge router when the vast majority of the time you only need the small one.

Also, I have never had a need for a router table, so I bet you will do just fine without one as well.

 

[ez-duzit]

...What kind of a setup would you recommend for a guy who will only use a router once a year for simple jobs?...

Once a year? Watch for a bargain at yard sales. That's where I picked up a near new Ryobi router with carbide round-over bit for $15.

 

[bdelmar2]

Yeah, for once a year I'd go the used route also, can get them for 20-50 on CL around here.

For new I'd get a Bosch Colt for the kind of thing you are looking at doing, or the full size Bosch kit that comes with a plunge and fixed base if I needed a bigger router.

Bosch has been making the exact same router for many years, for a reason.

I was getting ready to buy the bigger Bosch myself, but I bought a table saw that had a router setup in it, and came with an extra router, so now I'm looking for an excuse to get the Colt - and some of the many attachments for it also, like the tilt base which nobody else makes, or not yet anyway.