Advice for router

[Iwearcrocs]

Hello,

I have been doing some small furniture builds, bed, shelves, storage etc. It would be nice to have a router to give some detail and rounded corners/edges.

Ive done some research at some of the different HP routers available, just not sure what be best.

Price range: 100-150

I have enough space, would like to eventually get/make a router table as well.

Thanks!

Ben

 

[jakemac]

Porter Cable model 100 series. (If they're still available)
Bought mine in the 90's and it has never let me down.

 

[Jmanders]

I very recently went through this. I ended up with a porter cable 690 that is right at the top of your price range. I have been very satisfied with it, mostly using it for roundover bits and the occasional dovetail with a jig. If a table is something you are considering in the near future I saw that rockler is offering a table/fence/router lift with a free 690 router. I believe the cost was 399. If you have any questions feel free to let me know.

 

[eddiemeddiem]

The Bosch 1617 has a really good reputation and lots of accessories. It goes for ~$150 with the fixed base or $190 (1617evspk) for the fixed/plunge base combo. It's pretty much a tried and true option. I don't think you can go wrong with this, it's worth putting on your short list.

 

[Iwearcrocs]

Thanks for the info will take a look.

 

[James-W]

You might want to look into a shaper as well as a router and a router table. I have both and I like the shaper for some things more than a router with a table. The bits for the shaper tend to be more expensive, but I really like the way a shaper handles larger pieces of work. There are times when router is a must have and then thee are times when you want a smaller router rather than a larger one. I have this router, well, they call call it a laminate trimmer, and I have used it on several occasions. Works really well for small jobs that a larger router would have difficulty with due to their size.

http://www.dewalt.com/en-us/product...-and-joiners/routers/laminate-trimmer/dwe6000

 

[WWheeler]

For $100-150 budget a shaper, even a used one, is all but totally out of the question.

A Porter Cable 1.75HP 690 series router is a workhorse in this price range (I have one that's almost 30 yrs old and it still runs like new), but it's small and underpowered for use in a typical router table. For that you'd ideally have something like a 3HP Dewalt 625 or a 3.25HP Triton TRA001 or something similar which run somewhere about double that price range. I would suggest using a horizontal router table with a router like a PC 690, where the router sits sideways to the work being shaped. In fact, the 690 is pretty much ideal for use in that type table. Also, if you can find one for cheap either by itself new or used or with an old used PC 690 router I'd also suggest getting an extra fixed base #1001 for it to mount to the table so that you can easily spin the router out to use either as a handheld or in the table.

Search "diy horizontal router table"
https://www.google.com/search?q=diy+horizontal+router+table&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=diy+horizontal+router+table&search=Search

 

[MushCreek]

I used a Craftsman 1/4" router for about 40 years before I bought a 'real' one- a Bosch 1617evspk. What a difference! I never used my cheap little Sears much because it was so limited.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I agree with Jakemac. I have a Porter Cable model 100 and a 9100. Both are the same mechanically, but the 9100 has a case and a stainless steel head. They are 7/8 horsepower, and mine have never let me down. You should still be able to find good model 100s on eBay.

The sad part is that they are discontinued models. There are still repair parts available.

They use the same base as the Porter Cable 690 which is a 1 3/4 horsepower motor, and can use either 1/4" or 1/2" bits. I have a 690, as well, it's a workhorse, but a little big for one handed operation when using horizontally.

 

[ssdave]

I have both the smaller Porter Cable and the larger 690 that were recommended above. I'd second that recommendation, they do some great work and have held up to semi-professional use for a lot of years.

I also had one of the Bosch 1617's permanently mounted on a table in my last shop, it processed a huge quantity of millwork that I custom made without any problems at all. It was extremely loud was the only detriment to it. Don't know how the base and guides and accessories work on it, as I only got the body and height mechanism, it was built into the side extension of a cabinet saw that I bought, so what was there was all I got.

I don't think you'd go wrong with any of these 3 routers that have been previously recommended.

 

[Tim37]

My advise no matter what brand or model you decide on get a 1/2" you can buy collets to adapt down to 1/4" but not the other way around.

 

[James-W]

Here is a router and table that you might be interested in. The router is only 1hp but it accepts half inch shank router bits.

http://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-full-size-router-table-with-router-91130.html

 

[derosa]

Lowe's Jan an Hitachi set at that range, I'm pleased with it so far. Besides 1/2 collet make sure it had variable speed for some of the bigger bits.

 

[rharman]

Hard to beat the Porter Cable 690 series.

 

[BlackLS2]

Porter Cable 690. Stay away from the HF combo...not one of their best products.

 

[Zeke]

I have 3 Porter Cables in different sizes and I'm happy with them. I did have a 690 that literally blew up in my hands. I took the carcass down to the tool repair place just so they could hang it on the wall of shame.

But if buying new today, I'd look for a 'soft' start.

 

[Empty Pockets]

As a followup to my previous post..... The Porter Cable 690 motor can also be used in a D-Handle Base and a plunge base

 

[allenb12]

I purchased a PC 100 in 1976. Used it a lot. Still runs like new. Bought my PC 690 some time in the 1980's. Same type of proformance as the 100.

 

[PBCampbell]

If going for a Stanley-B&D brand, I'd skip Porter-Cable and go for their top tier brand, DeWalt. Pat Warner (The Router Man) has long preferred DeWalt routers, mainly because they started as rebadged Elu's. Bosch has proven itself as a workhorse router over the past decade or so, especially the 1617. Makita has always had solid offerings as well as Milwaukee. Best to remember that you're buying into a system and accessories for one brand seldom work with another brand. Think ahead in case in the future you decide to add to your arsenal. Irregardless, the actual router is the least expense. Cutters, jigs, tables will quickly exceed the cost of any router.

 

[Git]

At the price range your looking at ($100-$150) I think you should think about getting a decent, smaller router for now (1 hp range) and when the time comes you can buy a second router for your table/lift

I would look at something like the Bosch or Dewalt

The Bosch Colt - with a fixed and plunge base is a little over your price range, but it goes on sale from time to time
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZQUB4U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Dewalt has a similar version - roughly the same price
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0049ZFUK2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

When it comes time to for a router table with a lift - I would look at the Porter Cable 75182 - they sell it without any base so you can save some money if it is going into a lift

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007SXHXM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[exmaxima1]

But if buying new today, I'd look for a 'soft' start.

+1 on the soft start. I have maybe 6 or so routers, and I always grab a soft start model when I can---less tiring to use, and most models also have VS.