signcrafter
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 9, 2012
- Messages
- 12,318
I have about a dozen routers of all sizes. My biggest is an older PC plunge and my smallest is a PC compact router with many in the middle. Each one has it's own use. I use the compact router all the time for free hand work. It's lite and moves easy and has power to do most things. I use my PC 2.25HP kit(fixed base and plunge base) for jobs that require a little more power. Also have an older dewalt medium sized router that is a beast for it's size. Then one for my router table. Then the big boys for when I need serious power. It all depends on what you plan on using them for. You just said woodworking but that is kind of vague. If you just want to round over an edge then a small router will be fine. If you want to take big chunks of wood out then you will need a big router.
Depending on what exactly you are doing the best bang for your buck is going to be a kit that comes with a fixed base and a plunge base and one motor. A nice 2.25HP router will be powerful enough to run most bits but still small enough to do most detail work.
Also routers are addicting. Once you start using them and buying different bits you will end up putting edges on all sorts of things and making jigs to do some neat stuff with your routers. Also buy decent bits, these are also addicting and can add up to well over the cost of the router very quickly!
Lastly, make sure you read up on safety. Things like which direction to run them for doing different jobs. They aren't crazy dangerous but they are a blade spinning at 20,000 RPMs so they deserve some respect. Another tip is I go through a bunch of that cheap non slip kitchen drawer liner. It works great to set a board on and do your routing.
Depending on what exactly you are doing the best bang for your buck is going to be a kit that comes with a fixed base and a plunge base and one motor. A nice 2.25HP router will be powerful enough to run most bits but still small enough to do most detail work.
Also routers are addicting. Once you start using them and buying different bits you will end up putting edges on all sorts of things and making jigs to do some neat stuff with your routers. Also buy decent bits, these are also addicting and can add up to well over the cost of the router very quickly!
Lastly, make sure you read up on safety. Things like which direction to run them for doing different jobs. They aren't crazy dangerous but they are a blade spinning at 20,000 RPMs so they deserve some respect. Another tip is I go through a bunch of that cheap non slip kitchen drawer liner. It works great to set a board on and do your routing.