Best router for inlay work

[iggie zawicki]

I'm researching plunge routers and bases for inlay work. its a wide open field, but I've narrowed it down to Festool OF 1400, or the Bosch Colt using the Micro fence plunge base. I would like to hear from experienced users of either tool/system for pros and cons.

[TerryMcK]

It depends upon what sort of lnlays you are doing. In my field I do mother of pearl and other shell inlays into musical instruments. These pieces are very small but can be intricate. As this is rather precise and exacting work I use a Dremel in a precision base. And I also use router cutters of 1/32" or 1/16" (if I'm hogging out waste ). Of course you need very good light and magnifying lenses to see what you are doing.

For bigger inlays you can't go wrong with either of the tools you mentioned. If money is no object Festool but the Colt is a superb little machine.

[duckkisser]

I agree with terry it depends on what your doing I do a bit of inlay work on my bowls using stone chips.  for that its mostly detail work so I sort of made my own router.  its a dremel with a stewmack inlay router base that attaches to my dremel.  I then hooked up some dust collection to the back only missing a tiny little light.  if you need to do fairly large inlays I would use a trim router with and adjustable base for the depth you want to cut out.  and if you are remove giant spaces then you should probably get a full size plunge router. 

 

if  you search on here for mini router then it will come up with pictures of the router im talking about.  it has pictues of the set up and a link to the company where I bought my base.  for some reason I cant past links or images on here. 

[iggie zawicki]

Terry, what precision base are you using?

[TerryMcK]

It's the same one that Duck uses. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for_Routing/Precision_Router_Bases/Precision_Router_Base.html?actn=100101&xst=1&xsr=5263

[Egraff]

If you are looking for a full sized plunge router, I've had a lot of luck doing some very intricate inlay work using a Dewalt 621.  They are awesome because they are so nice and open, letting you see your work easily.  

[Skunkeye]

I have the Colt with the Microfence base, wonderful set up for all but the tiniest inlay.