Hercules compact router

[iagsxr]

I have some Harbor Freight money I need to spend by the end of the month. Been thinking about this router:

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-brushless-cordless-compact-router-tool-only-59615.html

Anyone have one? I have no router currently and think it would be a good addition to my woodworking tools.

Along with that, are HF router bits any good? My feeling is that it's normally worth it to pay for name brand in blades and bits.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I have some Harbor Freight money I need to spend by the end of the month. Been thinking about this router:

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-brushless-cordless-compact-router-tool-only-59615.html

Anyone have one? I have no router currently and think it would be a good addition to my woodworking tools.

Along with that, are HF router bits any good? My feeling is that it's normally worth it to pay for name brand in blades and bits.

It should be a serviceable tool. Hercules is about on par with Milwaukee; plenty of power, a bit low on refinement.

I bought the Hercules 45 degree chamfer bit to use in my Makita router and it performed as well as any other bit I've used. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

 

[Hakeem]

I’d go for a corded router over a cordless one. The big Hercules corded router looks pretty sweet, is that within your budget?

 

[The Cobbler]

with routers, a lot depends on your usage . if you plan on small bits that router is probably fine. but don't expect to do anything with too heavy of a cut , you'll probably want a bigger router

 

[iagsxr]

I’d go for a corded router over a cordless one. The big Hercules corded router looks pretty sweet, is that within your budget?

I'll look at the corded router. I've never used a router before period so I'm not sure what I'll use it for. It does look like a tool that will get used more and more as I become proficient with it.

 

[The Cobbler]

routers are very handy tools, but I think many home woodworkers had or have Craftsman routers they were given for Christmas with very little use on them .

 

[iagsxr]

routers are very handy tools, but I think many home woodworkers had or have Craftsman routers they were given for Christmas with very little use on them .

That's the way with all my woodworking tools. They sit for months and months at a time, but when I do do a project I always think it would have been nicer or easier if I only had a ___________.

 

[Hakeem]

I'll look at the corded router. I've never used a router before period so I'm not sure what I'll use it for. It does look like a tool that will get used more and more as I become proficient with it.

I’ve never used a cordless one but for high draw, extended use tools like routers or grinders, I think corded makes more sense.

I’m not much of a woodworker, I’ve only used my router for cutting door mortises and touching up moulding but they are exceedingly versatile. Let us know what you decide on getting.

 

[loganb]

I've got the makita version of that...I really like it. Very nice to have for basic edge profiling of chamfers or roundovers. If you don't already have their battery platform, a corded one with a bit more power may be more useful as it would give more flexibility

 

[RegeSullivan]

I'm not familiar with that particular router but I can tell you if I could only have 1 router it would be cordless. For the record own 3 corded routers. One on a router table, the other 2 I have not used for since I got a compact cordless.

I do wish someone would make a 1/2" cordless just so I could use the 1/2" bits.

 

[manwithtools]

I'm not familiar with that particular router but I can tell you if I could only have 1 router it would be cordless. For the record own 3 corded routers. One on a router table, the other 2 I have not used for since I got a compact cordless.

I do wish someone would make a 1/2" cordless just so I could use the 1/2" bits.

M18 1/2" Router

 

[manwithtools]

For the uses a compact router is intended for, a cordless version is perfect. Using it to quickly chamfer edges and not having to fight with cord is magical. I've got 8-9 routers and the Milwaukee M18 1/4" cordless is used the most just because it's easy to grab and get to work. Battery lasts plenty long for anything I'd use that router for and there is always another battery ready to go as I'm deep in the M18 ecosystem.

 

[dogdog]

I have some Harbor Freight money I need to spend by the end of the month. Been thinking about this router:

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-brushless-cordless-compact-lrouter-tool-only-59615.html

Anyone have one? I have no router currently and think it would be a good addition to my woodworking tools.

Along with that, are HF router bits any good? My feeling is that it's normally worth it to pay for name brand in blades and bits.

Like mentioned I would go with the corded one. I don’t have the Hercules brand but do have the Kobalt 24v one and the Ryobi handheld one. They are ok. But lack of power imo. Good for trims that is about it. Almost always have to pull out the Bosch/ maybe a makita 1/4 hand held. The Kobalt corded 1/4” one is also very nice on par with the Bosch/ makita. I think the corded hercules one would be the same, pretty balanced at the hand when I played with it at the store.

https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-variable-speed-compact-trim-router-59436.html

As far as Hercules 1/4” bits. It cuts fine for me but I have only used the 1/4” shank 1/4” straight cut so far and it cuts the 3/4 plywood fine. But I used a guide and cut it in 3 different step depth. Probably not many 1/4” router would be able to cut the full depth at one shot. There was one post some years back here, one guy tried, and he posted a grave warning about Chinese bits. lol . Ymmv

I find the battery cordless routers also a bit unbalanced or top heavy. Weaker when the battery ages. Over all good for trims and lighter work. Not good when I try to enlarge the hole for the sink on the countrtop.

 

[budget76]

I find 90% of the use my router gets is just doing basic roundovers or chamfers on edges. If you see that being your use, buy the cordless one with the cheap bit set and be happy.

if you think you're going to want to do more than that regularly, but a fullsize corded of some sort.


like others have said, my cordless Ryobi is my go-to now. the only thing I've used the fullsize/plug in for in the past year was on a flattening jig.

 

[iagsxr]

I picked up the cordless router today. Don't have an immediate use for it, but something will turn up.

Also got a cordless hammer drill. It makes me a little nervous because it doesn't have near the mass the Dewalt I've borrowed from my nephew in the past does. I do have a fairly immediate use for it so I'll see how it does sooner than later.