Which budget router?

[brass89]

For those here who use routers either strictly diy or frequently, hoping for some input on routers. Mainly looking at the skil 1830 or the craftsman combo fixed/plunge (12 amp, not the 14a pro).

I haven't used a router a ton in the past, though some. Think it was an old fixed speed porter cable, khaki plastic housing.. no clue what happened to it. Anyway, would like to do a few things that require a router but not looking to spend a huge chunk. Both of these combos are around the $100 range, the next step up for bosch or dewalt is double that.

Things I'm looking to do are freehand/guide work, stopped dados, rabbets, round overs on 3/4" material. Being able to mount in a table later on might be a perk but not a requirement as I doubt I'll use a table much. I know lots of people use their handhelds in tables but I've always thought they were a little underpowered to do that well.

Figured there might be more guys here who use them once in awhile vs a wood working forum. I don't doubt all the recommendations for porter cable etc but I think it's overkill for my use and while I have some projects lined up I'd hate to dump $300 in a tool that might collect dust for 2mo at a time. All I need is a 'decent' router - aka, doesn't have to be pro grade, just fairly dependable and capable of doing the job without trashing it. Thanks for any input.

 

[BirdMobile]

I bought a compact sized Bosch 5 years ago, it's filled all of my needs for a router since then. Don't remember exactly what I paid for it, but it was a sale of some sort and I remember it being somewhere around $70. Never felt the need for a full-sized model, but I use mine mostly on small projects and plastic.

 

[cagullett1]

Bosch 1617 and don't look back.

 

[PBCampbell]

Some years back Ryobi had a kit (fixed base & plunge base) that got good reviews online. Sears also sold the Bosch 1617 rebadged as Craftsman, it's possible you might find one of those used for short dollars.

 

[bcradio]

I bought a full sized Bosch unit a number of years ago and hated it because of how big it was. Just recently I bought a palm router and now love doing that again. Sooo much smaller and easier to use.

Get a palm router

 

[LJZ]

Brass:
Like you, only need a router once in awhile lately. My old plunge met a fateful end last year and I needed to come up with one for a project . Had time to look so was shopping around at different tool shops. Was either not impressed or the price was to much for what I had. BUT I wanted a decent one. thus the conundrum....
Have an old craftsman also but its only ok for what it is , A cheap router that works.
from my own selfish perspective wanted variable speed, electronic feed back, 1/2 capacity and soft start. And not spend over a hundred bucks. I have some big *** bits I use. Asking to much??
Craigslist. Diligently search every chance you get. Type in Router, Routers, woodworking, powertools , power tool, etc. It took a couple weeks but ended up with a router that Im not worthy of. For 75 dollars in like new shape with acces..
You can mount any router to a table or saw with a little work be it plunge or fixed. .
That skil your looking at was a possibility if nothing came up. There was something goofy about it??? Think it was the shaft lock got in way of changing bases or something??? But your getting a lot for your money.
Anyway thats my experience this past summer. Way more happy with the used good grade router.
good luck bud
Luke

 

[dj_110]

Brass,
I have a Craftsman that I got for being at my current job for $15 as an award. It is just a fixed base, but works decent for a DIYer. I use mine to make book shelves and stuff for around the house and it works fine for the things you described. I also have an old fixed base (Made in USA) craftsman that I typically leave mounted in my little router table, I bought it cheap from a co-worker that wanted a new one just because.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-12-amp-2-hp-fixed-base-router/p-00902768000P

 

[Holzarbeiter]

I would go with Porter Cable 9690, 1-3/4 hp motor, 125-150 Dollars, well worth the extra money

 

[Major Ramifications]

Have you considered a lightly used one from a pawn shop, craigslist, ebay or a garage sale?
You could get a really nice one for less than a cheap new one, but you may have to be patient.

 

[brass89]

Not too many garage sales lately. I tried craigslist and either nothing or they want almost full retail for used stuff. Not trying to get something for nothing, but hard to pick up used for 150 when it's selling new for 170 kind of thing. I've checked cpo outlet, in fact the skil i was looking at was around 80 for a refurb. Something does look kinda quirky about it, but sort of expect it from a hobby model.

The only good thing about the skil or craftsman was they were 1/2 capable. Dewalt had a nice compact with both bases (between trim and full size) but it was limited to 1/4". Watched a review on one of the newer hitachi mk12's and seemed it had a few hiccups. The plunge would get stuck (the reviewer was a pro podcaster) and was able to reproduce it..having to jerk to get it to release. And the swivel stop for the plunge at the base was so loose it just spun, like it had no detents. Not good if it makes accidental deeper plunges.

I have nothing against the nicer ones (bosch/dewalt/p.c.) they're just pricey.. I'm looking at twice or more (in the case of p.c.) for 'similar' even though they might be better. Having no bits and recently through searching realizing I needed different bits yet for plunging like at least an up spiral that extra $$ could go to bits or materials.

I've been keeping my eye open for sales or ebay and stuff and have no issue with used so long as it's not tore up. My only other choice for stopped dados since I don't have access to a table saw/dado setup is either many strokes with my dremel or rough passes with my circular saw. Got a feeling either way it's going to frustrate me to no end.

I agree some of the nicer models are similar in price for just a fixed and could get a plunge base later for another $80..but what do I do for stopped dados in the meantime. Wondering if I could get away with drilling a starter hole and dropping a fixed into it. Just worried it'll leave major tear out or grab/skip trying to freehand into the starter hole.

Do plunge routers stay locked in position well enough to double as a fixed for edge routing? Roundovers most likely, doubt I'll be trying to do dovetails with a router especially without a jig.

 

[brass89]

I'm sure even if I could find that old router that was a hand me down of a hand me down, most any of these newer ones would be nicer.. the old one I'd used I think was a 1/2" - no frills, no soft start, so variable speed or lighting..just hang on and 'get close' to any marks.

With money being tight, my big concern is putting any real money in one and not having a daily need for it. Not discounting it would do a better job, be more comfy etc. Just a shame to have a 'nice' router collecting dust or rusting. Sorta like buying a snap on ratchet and socket filter wrench kit to do a few oil changes. I have put money into screw guns and cordless impacts cause I use those a lot more often for all sorts of stuff. But like my circular saw, it's a skil 7 1/4 I think I got for like $40 new. It's there when I need it, I just blow the dust off every now and then and don't feel bad about it in the meantime. Course it's probably 10-12yrs old now and was made in the u.s. (not sure if they still are or not). Maybe that's why a 'cheap' tool works decent.

 

[tarbellb]

What Skil is to circular saws is what Porter Cable is to routers. There are lots of PC out there, and should be the easiest to track down at a decent price (used).

I was in the same boat, had a terrible Black'n'Decker plunge router that I eventually burned up and hated for sloppy controls etc... Ended up buying a PC used off Craigslist. Love the soft start feature.

I would look again for some used routers. These arent something you want to be sloppy, very scary if things go sideways.

 

[GuyllFyre]

I've been quite happy with my Porter Cable PK691 kit. It has the motor, plunge and fixed bases.
It's been handy as all get out.

 

[Dust Devil]

you cant beat a Porter Cable router.

 

[PBCampbell]

You can beat a Porter Cable router unless they've come up with something new in recent years. PC was the standard in regular (so called fixed base) routers for a long time. Elu/Dewalt was the plunge router of choice. Nowadays there are many good to excellant brand options. The router itself is the cheap part if you continue to build things. I've probably got $600 in routers, but most likely $2,000+ in tooling (bits, jigs, tables). A plunge router is a poor choice when running long like edging, rule joints, and such. Fixed base routers suffer the same when doing plunge cuts like at the beginning of a stopped Dado. If I had to choose only one though it would be a fixed base. Fortunately with the "kit" routers available it's no longer a this or that decision. PC guide bushings are still a standard so you'll want a router compatible with those. A solid edge guide that can be fine tuned and easily available is also very nice. Soft start is nice in a hand held router but I think variable speed is an overblown option. A standard size router(10-12 amps) with 1/2" collets is the workhorse router and larger and smaller can be added as need arises.

 

[LJZ]

Hi Brass:
My Router that got wrecked was a 2 1/2 HP plunge router. It was an animal and did all I needed for my little stuff.
I just mention the feature are widely available now as they are great.

Did not have speed control before and it was a pain having to watch feed rates with big bits. The electronic feedback and variable speed take care of that issue.
The soft start is great. When I had my big wing bit in for trim. You better make sure you had a good hang on it before starting. Or if the bit was in a slot.

If I had my choice between a fixed or plunge I would get the plunge, If you dont need the plunge no big deal just lock it.
Just made custom top and bottom railings for a porch. All without a table. Not easy but doable.
Again do you need this stuff, NO. But is it nice , heck ya.
Back in the day My Dad had a tractor with manual steering. When you used the loader it was a workout. I made dang sure when I bought my used tractor it had power steering. Had to pass by several good tractors but ever time I use it I am thankful for waiting. Good things take time.
Just saying.
thanks
Luke

 

[LJZ]

You can beat a Porter Cable router unless they've come up with something new in recent years. PC was the standard in regular (so called fixed base) routers for a long time. Elu/Dewalt was the plunge router of choice. Nowadays there are many good to excellant brand options. The router itself is the cheap part if you continue to build things. I've probably got $600 in routers, but most likely $2,000+ in tooling (bits, jigs, tables). A plunge router is a poor choice when running long like edging, rule joints, and such. Fixed base routers suffer the same when doing plunge cuts like at the beginning of a stopped Dado. If I had to choose only one though it would be a fixed base. Fortunately with the "kit" routers available it's no longer a this or that decision. PC guide bushings are still a standard so you'll want a router compatible with those. A solid edge guide that can be fine tuned and easily available is also very nice. Soft start is nice in a hand held router but I think variable speed is an overblown option. A standard size router(10-12 amps) with 1/2" collets is the workhorse router and larger and smaller can be added as need arises.

Ya PB you know it. Dang those bits add up. Im just a hack not in the pro thing like you and probably still have 2-3oo dollars in bits. And most of those came from woodwoorking shops at auction..
thanks bud
Luke

 

[brass89]

Thanks for all the responses.. I'm still keeping an eye out so hopefully I'll run across an affordable deal before I need it. Lots of discounts and good prices for the tools, just nicer tools than I can afford right now. So far I think the craftsman is looking ok for the money.

I could be wrong but a couple pluses I see over the skill I was also considering, the skil doesn't have separate collets and I've had issues with adapters in other things get stuck in the past. The craftsman implies it has replaceable brushes so at least there's some hope of repair if need be. Hard to get accurate info but after some searching I believe the cman accepts the pc guide bushings.

Some were saying the reason for the base plate opening being so small was so it could accept pc guide bushings - others were complaining the base plate opening restricts bits to around 1 3/16" diameter and anything bigger requires a modified or separate base. I'm guessing this is an issue in table mounts? Lots of counter arguments that if the bit's over whatever that base plate opening is that it shouldn't probably be run freehand anyway. I'm not too concerned since I don't plan on doing any raised panel work anytime soon (couldn't afford the bits if I wanted to).

I'll gladly pick up a better machine like the ones suggested if one comes available at a price I can afford. If not then maybe I'll have to settle for 'ok' and save up for 'great' at a later date. Being that I'm a bit new to using a router like these, I might be happy with a diy/hobby model not knowing what I'm missing (or not enough time spent/experience to appreciate the better features). As they say, ignorance is bliss lol.

 

[BikerDad]

Of those two you list, I would get the Craftsman. I checked to make sure it will handle 1/2" bits, that's a very important consideration. That said, were it my money, I would spend twice as much and get a DeWalt or Bosch combo kit. Not the PC, unless they've changed it from a spiral height adjustment to a rack & pinion. I had the PC 690 until it died an untimely death in the router table when a spiral carbide bit broke and dropped down into the motor.... not good to put it lightly. Since replacement was necessary, and the inability of the PC to keep the bit centered when adjusting the height had caused me trouble in the past, I went for the Bosch.

 

[boiler7904]

Having bought a couple of factory reconditioned Bosch tools, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again for something that doesn't foresee a ton of use.

Bosch Reconditioned