Router

[Gojeremy]

Anyone recommend a decent router for use for my home projects.

 

[carterbeauford]

fixed or plunge base? 1/4 or 1/2 drive?

 

[McFarmer]

Makita RF1101.

 

[Thumper68]

I like this kit, comes with both the fixed and plunge base.

http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/porter-cable-893pk

 

[FMC1959]

^^^^ This, or the similar Bosch
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005RHPD/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Frank Dukes]

i have that bosch, its nice enough.

 

[FMC1959]

Of course a bit more info would be good. What kind of budget, do you want fixed or plunge, power of a 3 1/2 HP or maneuverability of something smaller.

Any info helps but the 2 kits above should cover most bases for most people.

 

[Beemer533]

I got this kit a few years ago. It also has the D handle base.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CCXU3/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Dev_]

Triton TRA001 (2400Watt) or Triton MOF001 (1400Watt) depending on what power do You need. Most universal router I ever used. Different collets, built in lift to use in the table, micro adjustment, unique design.

 

[Frank Dukes]

TRA001 is on clearance right now at menards for $200 if your interested/have one of those local.

 

[Gojeremy]

Looking for a plunge but didn't know if i should do 1/4 or 1/2.

 

[Gasgt1]

Go for the 1/2"

Chunk of sharpened steel turning at 24,000 RPM can be a dangerous flying object.
1/2" is four times as much shaft as 1/4.

Larger diameter will open up more possibilities in the future as well

 

[signcrafter]

Get the porter cable or bosch kit that comes with the fixed and plunge bases. They also come with two collets so you can use 1/4" or 1/2". Both 1/4" and 1/2" have their places.

 

[exmaxima1]

Anyone recommend a decent router for use for my home projects.

If you don't need a plunge router for your immediate projects, get a fixed base and preferably with a D-handle. Look for something not too heavy or tall, as it makes it harder to control.

I have many routers, but grab the smallest one that does the job. I rarely find a need for anything massive, but I save that role for my router table.

BTW, soft-start is a nice feature, as well as variable speed if you plan to use large bits or woods that burn easily like cherry or maple.

 

[kctyphoon]

just throwing this out there.. but dewalt makes, or at least made (cause i have one) a router kit that has both plunge and fixed bases...

 

[Gojeremy]

I found a brand new Craftsman fixed and plunge router that accepts 1/4 and 1/2 on Craigslist.

 

[exmaxima1]

I found a brand new Craftsman fixed and plunge router that accepts 1/4 and 1/2 on Craigslist.

Good luck with that. Hopefully it's not a Chinese model

 

[Jim C.]

I like this kit, comes with both the fixed and plunge base.

http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/porter-cable-893pk

I have an older version of this and have never had a single problem with it. I'd recommend it to any DIYer.

Jim C.

 

[metaldad]

i have always wanted to get the porter cable fixed/plunge set.
i though they were #690
i see they changed to #693

 

[Gojeremy]

Hey guys, i have no clue why i said i found a Craftsman router. I meant Porter Cable. Guy says it has had 1 hour of use. Not a kit, like i thought, just a fixed, but still gonna pick it up Friday.

 

[Jim C.]

Get the porter cable or bosch kit that comes with the fixed and plunge bases. They also come with two collets so you can use 1/4" or 1/2". Both 1/4" and 1/2" have their places.

I mentioned earlier that I like the Porter Cable combo plunge/fixed base set. I didn't get into the details, but since we're talking about shank diameters, I thought it would be good to add the fact that I like the versatility of the PC set. Over the years, I've needed different sized collets for various bits that I've used. I don't know if they still do or not, but Porter Cable used to make several size collets and collet reducers. The collets shown below depict a few of the PC collets I've picked up as I needed them. From left to right are 1/2", 3/8", 8mm, and 1/4". I think they made other sizes too.

Jim C.

 

[JimD1]

I have two PC 690 motors, one is variable speed, the other single. I have 4 bases, one plunge, two fixed, and one D handle. I also have an old Ryobi R-500 (bigger than the PCs) and a Bosch colt (smaller). The Ryobi is in my router table. I used the Colt today to cut some hinge mortises.

The Bosch mid-sized fixed/plunge setup usually gets the top reviews. I like my PCs just fine, however. If you can find the older 690 for a good price I would get that. There are differences and I'm sure the newer PC and Bosch are good but mid sized routers are a very competitive market and all the major players offer something totally usable.

You didn't ask but MLCS is a good source of bits.

 

[Gojeremy]

$75 on Craigslist. What do you think? I don't know much about this stuff.

 

[McFarmer]

$75 on Craigslist. What do you think? I don't know much about this stuff.

I've had that router a long time, put new bearings in once, good router.

Make sure you plug it in before you buy, with a larger bit in it. Wouldn't want to buy one with a bent arbor, shaft, whatever it is. If he used it an hour he might have screwed it up somehow.

Probably also offer less, if you feel comfortable doing that sort of thing.

 

[exmaxima1]

$75 on Craigslist. What do you think? I don't know much about this stuff.

I've owned several PC routers like that but find them top heavy, noisy, and old fashioned. That said, many people like them just fine (especially those that never tried a shorter router with soft start), but I wouldn't pay more than $50-60 for a single-speed 690.