Suggestions for 1st router

[dmwdesign]

I'm looking to get a router to expand my woodworking capabilities.

Budget is a big consideration, and I don't need something that is industrial-grade to crank out high production for selling furniture.

I was thinking of a smaller trim or "laminate" router that I could use handheld, or attach to a small router table to use as a stationary tool.

Would one of these routers be of good application for a beginner? Anyone have good luck with specific models?

 

[tmwebb3]

In the same boat as you, want a router for woodworking but not sure I need a big one. Been eyeing a Bosch Colt laminate router, but were wondering what other's thoughts on going with a small trim router as the only router?

 

[rlitman]

Bosch Colt variable speed (the one with the rubber grip).
It is in the trimmer form factor, but has power to get real work done.

edit: Ha, I see tmwebb3 hit the post button while I was still typing.

Yes, the Colt is plenty capable, but only the variable speed. Any single speed laminate trimmer spins too fast to run larger bits. Most larger routers don't have the speed to run smaller bits effectively.

The only limitation I've hit with my Colt is that it won't take 1/2" shank bits. When I'm doing heavier work, I'll step up to one of my bigger routers, but as a first, I'd stick to my recommendation of the Colt.

 

[woody 73]

I have heard some good stories on the bosch Colt PR20 EVSK trim router; that sounds like a good router to start with. You might want to google trim routers and read some of the reviews.

 

[Just_George]

Trim routers aren't typically recommended for router-table use...just don't have the guts, plus they can only run 1/4" shank bits. The Bosch 1617 kit (standard base & plunge base) can be had for under $200 and would likely do anything you ever need. In my opinion, that's a better bet than buying something that may be too small and being disappointed...

 

[rsanter]

Get a good quality basic router, don't worry about too many bells and whistles
Dewalt
Bosch
Porter cable all have good ones

You can look for a kit that will give you the standard base and the plunge base so you can put the standard base on the router table and still have the plunge base for hand use

Bob

 

[woody 73]

The op was asking about trim routers, but yes indeed they would not be well suited to a router table. I have the bosch 1617 and it is a fantastic router but I have replaced the switch already, (bad switches) only downside to a great router.

 

[signcrafter]

I know you said budget was a big thing and looking for a trim router but if I was getting a first router I would pick up a kit like this, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000DCBKN/?tag=atomicindus08-20. It will do pretty much anything you want. Has 1/4" and 1/2" collets. Can mount the fixed base in a homemade router table and keep the plunge for hand use. It's bigger then a trim router but not huge. Has good power also. With the two bases it's kind of a jack of all router and will probably do all you want and then some, even if you do get into more woodworking.

 

[5lima30]

get a good quality basic router, don't worry about too many bells and whistles
dewalt
bosch
porter cable all have good ones

you can look for a kit that will give you the standard base and the plunge base so you can put the standard base on the router table and still have the plunge base for hand use

bob

^^^^this!^^^

 

[cgv69]

If you get even semi serious into WW'ing, you will probably end up with at least 4 routers. A standard 1.5-1.75HP fixed bade hand held model, 1.75-2.25HP plunge model, a 3+HP fixed router dedicated for router table use and a small laminate trim router.

Out of the 4, the laminate router is probably the least useful and I would not recommend it first. I'm sure a lot of people will recommend a 2 base kit but I'm not a fan of those. With most of them the plunge bases leaves something to be desired and the fixed base is always a 2 knob job.

I would start with a fixed base router with at least 1.5HP. Variable speed is nice to have but not absolutely necessary. I STRONGLY recommend you get a D handle model over the standard 2 knob design. The D handle models give you MUCH better control.

I have an older PC model 691. Its a very good router but it's an old design with a crappy adjustment method. If I was buying today I would buy a Milwaukee 5619-20 which would also make a good router table router for bits under 2"-2.5"

Speaking of bits, stick with 1/2" shank bits when ever possible. 1/4" shank bit break easily and should be reserved for times when there are no other options.

 

[Steevo]

I still have the first router I ever bought (although I also have others now).
It is a Craftsman single speed, basic router. I now have it permanently screwed to the bottom of a home-made router table.
A step up from that is a basic Porter Cable router. You can get different bases and accessories for them as your needs grow:
http://www.woodcraft.com/PRODUCT/20...ode=10INGOPB&gclid=CJP5uqfaw7YCFQ5xQgod9xoAVw

I have one of those with several bases, collets, bushings, door hinge mortising kit, etc.

 

[rallenc]

I still have the first router I ever bought (although I also have others now).
It is a Craftsman single speed, basic router. I now have it permanently screwed to the bottom of a home-made router table.
A step up from that is a basic Porter Cable router. You can get different bases and accessories for them as your needs grow:
http://www.woodcraft.com/PRODUCT/20...ode=10INGOPB&gclid=CJP5uqfaw7YCFQ5xQgod9xoAVw

I have one of those with several bases, collets, bushings, door hinge mortising kit, etc.

The PorterCable 690's have always been the basic starting router for woodworkers; relatively light, easily adaptable for a router table, a bunch of different bases, D Handle, plunging......

Just a really great all around router.

 

[NY_treeguy]

Agreed on the P-C 690. Have had one of the sets for about 15 years and have never "needed" another. that being said, I own 3 others, all of which are older than my P-C. Nice set and never had a problem.

 

[Southern]

I have a Freud and love it.

PC would be my second choice, Craftsman my third.

Get a real router. Trim routers are for trim, don't be skimping.

 

[billp603]

Agreed on the P-C 690. Have had one of the sets for about 15 years and have never "needed" another. that being said, I own 3 others, all of which are older than my P-C. Nice set and never had a problem.

+1 on this PC, if it is above your budget, you can easily find a lightly used one, but if you are serious about this as a hobby it will last a lifetime. Like Steevo, I started with a cheap craftsman that I still have and never use, got the PC-690 about 15 years ago and it gets 90% of the router use. (which probably totals less than 2 hours/year)

 

[acer66]

JLC, I think, reviewed recently trim router and the Dewalt came out as the winner
and the Bosch Colt with variable speed, they also make one with fixed speed, was a close runner up.

What I really like about the Dewalt are the led's and the clear base.

 

[cgv69]

I have to say that yes, the PC 690 series has been around for decades and it is a production quality workhorse and an industry standard BUT...

That said, there are much better designs out there these days for the WW'er that will use it for multiple purposes. I would not recommend the 690 series for anything other than production work where it will be set once and used over and over till the bit needs to be sharpened/replaced.

 

[djjsr]

There's a really good deal on a Hitachi right now on ebay "daily deals". $169 with free shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hitachi-KM1...805487730?pt=Routers_Bits&hash=item2c6ce4b072

 

[TheGrooveking]

I have 12 routers of various shapes and sizes, the two I use most are the Bosch Colt and the new DeWalt mini(colt equivalent - model number escapes me at present). If I had to choose one it would be the DeWalt. The DeWalt comes with LED built in which greatly enhances your site of the work, it also comes with the plunge base, which is $100 more for the Bosch. My old favorite was my Porter Cable D handle unit as that I love using a D handle router, next is my Makita D handle. I strongly recommend not going for a mega horsepower plunge monster right off the bat, I have the largest DeWalt and the Porter Cable 3.25hp 5 speed which I use for my router table.

TheGrooveking

 

[acer66]

I have 12 routers of various shapes and sizes, the two I use most are the Bosch Colt and the new DeWalt mini(colt equivalent - model number escapes me at present). If I had to choose one it would be the DeWalt. The DeWalt comes with LED built in which greatly enhances your site of the work, it also comes with the plunge base, which is $100 more for the Bosch. My old favorite was my Porter Cable D handle unit as that I love using a D handle router, next is my Makita D handle. I strongly recommend not going for a mega horsepower plunge monster right off the bat, I have the largest DeWalt and the Porter Cable 3.25hp 5 speed which I use for my router table.

TheGrooveking

The Colt can also be bought as a combo kit and than it is more or less the same price as the Dewalt.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0049ZFUK2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZQUB4U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

At the JLC review they said the 1/4 more hp the Dewalt has over the colt makes a big difference.

Is that something you would agree on?

 

[mstewart]

Definitely a combo kit w/ the fixed and plunge base. I think it gets down to the price and not so much the name brand manufacturer. I don't think I would consider a cheap chinese brand from HF.

I have a Makita combo. I got it because it come w/ a set of bits and the others didn't for the same price point.

A buy once, cry once.

 

[TheGrooveking]

The Colt can also be bought as a combo kit and than it is more or less the same price as the Dewalt.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0049ZFUK2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZQUB4U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

At the JLC review they said the 1/4 more hp the Dewalt has over the colt makes a big difference.

Is that something you would agree on?

Definitely, also the light makes a huge difference. I bought the Colt almost two years before the DeWalt was available. Personally I wish DeWalt would of given all of the features to the Porter Cable model, but they held back the variable speed and LED. DeWalt IMO has done the woodworking world a major disservice as to how've twisted Porter Cable into a consumer brand.

TheGrooveking

 

[tornadocaster]

When I bought my first router an experienced ww taught me the router will end up being the "cheapest" part you buy and boy was he right. Back in the day I spent my savings for a Freud plunge router (around $300) then I started to buy bits and cabinet sets.
I always bought the Freud or CMG brand and now I get what my friend was saying. Between the router table parts, fences, clamps, dust removal parts etc, I'm into routing for more than a fully outfitted cabinet saw. Moral of the story... I don't know, expect routing to be expensive.
On the other hand, having the routers changed how I work. I built my whole kitchen from th cabinets right to the rail and stile doors, so the savings (my time was free as I was in a new city with nothing to do) paid for all my router equipment and then some.
I liked the router so much I bought two. After building one into a table I wanted a loose one for mobile work. On the next project, I was building some merchandise spinners and in the same day using the routers in a table, some tiny wood off cuts fell into the routers and burned out the motors on both of the routers.
I took them in for repair and they weren't worth fixing.
Since I needed to finish the job I found a fixed base Freud with some great features such as a built in router raiser and dial micro adjustment for less than $150.
Once I started using it my handheld routing improved 100%.
The plunge routers were extremely top heavy and it was really easy to ruin edges as you changed hands. I really didn't need the plunge feature often so I never replaced it.
Cheers
Gio

 

[acer66]

To the OP, I would also get some good ear and eye protection if you not already have some.
I personally became a big fan of wearing a full face visor.

 

[jmm]

I have a Colt (+ bits) that hasn't seen much use you could probably talk me into parting with...

 

[Plombob]

Go to a pawn shop and buy what you like. If you end up doing a lot of routing, you may decide to get another. I still have the CMan router I bought for $25. It's done all the routing I needed for years.

 

[bseant]

The PorterCable 690's have always been the basic starting router for woodworkers; relatively light, easily adaptable for a router table, a bunch of different bases, D Handle, plunging......

Just a really great all around router.

agreed! great router for what your looking for. yes they are a little finicky as far as adjustments but well worth the money. I have used mine for years for freehand and table mounted. i'm actually thinking about upgrading to the triton for my table mounted router and use the 690 strictly for flush trim and freehand work. You can find the 690 used all over the place for relatively cheap prices and be pretty confident that it will last a good long time. good luck.

 

[neophyte]

The worst router I ever used was a Porter Cable 690. Maybe I just had to deal with the Christine version of that particular router, but I have would have no desire to ever use one again. The Porter Cable 691 D-Handle version of that router might be OK since it eliminates some of the safety issues with the design, and the Porter Cable 890 routers looks like it might be good redesign, but the 690 is an old design with performance and safety flaws compared to newer designs.

 

[tarbellb]

Go with a basic 1.25-2.5 hp router, find what feels good. If you are looking at trim routers though, definitely look at the Rigid trim router. I just got one and its great, good features, cheaper the the competitors and lifetime warranty.

"Soft Start" is a really useful feature for learning/general.

 

[skippy24]

^^^^^ this

I also have the Rigid trim router. Lifetime service agreement and with using the Harbor Freight coupon at Home Depot it came out to 80 bucks or so. It is a trim router so it does have limitations. For me I leave my big boy in the router table and bust out my trim router for quick round overs and chamfer cuts. It is easier to handle if I'm mobile or away from my garage. And was mentioned before good ear and face protection is a must and always be aware of where your free hand is when using a trim router.

 

[tmwebb3]

Based on you guys advise, I got a Bosch 1617 2.25hp combo kit. Found it on Craigslist in great condition with a brand new Bosch router table for $70. Think I practically stole it from the guy.

 

[neophyte]

Based on you guys advise, I got a Bosch 1617 2.25hp combo kit. Found it on Craigslist in great condition with a brand new Bosch router table for $70. Think I practically stole it from the guy.

Yeah, that about sums it up. You made a good choice on the router.

 

[bseant]

great score!

 

[dmwdesign]

Thanks so much for all the feedback!!

I think I should probably hold tight and wait until I can get a decent one that will take 1/4 and 1/2" bits. I'll start watching for used ones also.

Just finished my first ww project (53" wide bookshelf, on casters) with my Kreg jig. It's amazing that by taking my time how much better the end result is. I've got some areas where the trim and backing has a slight overhang, and a flush cut bit would be ideal to even up all edges.

Thanks again!