bignoise Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 I'm an apprentice carpenter and the router is a tool that I haven't really explored the possibilities of. I use it now and again at work but I spend more of my time on site than in the workshop. I would like to try some projects at home/boss's workshop and would like to buy my own router as I prefer working with my own tools. I would appreciate any recommendations for a good quality investment all rounder router. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mahoganus Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 Here are the best routers known to man http://www.festoolusa.com/products/routers and I wish when I first started I would have never wasted the money on my craftsman and would have bought Festool off the get, but I would have never imagined back then how addicted I have become working with wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nayliner Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 I agree the festool would be my number one choice. If that's too steep a price I have had really good luck with the porter cable routers. They have been bullet proof for me and you can pick them up for Under $200. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keggers Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 What ever brand of router you decide to buy, I'd suggest a router combo that comes with a fixed base and a plunge base. Here's a link to five combo router reviews. http://woodworking.about.com/od/routers/tp/Best-5-Combo-Router-Kit-Values.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minorhero Posted October 13, 2010 Report Share Posted October 13, 2010 What ever brand of router you decide to buy, I'd suggest a router combo that comes with a fixed base and a plunge base. Here's a link to five combo router reviews. http://woodworking.about.com/od/routers/tp/Best-5-Combo-Router-Kit-Values.htm When I bought my router I did a lot of research and asked around on a couple of different forums including the "Router Forums." The answer that consistently came back as the best all around router for a beginner is the Bosch 1617evspk which is the combination fixed base and plunge router. Things I like about it include the ability to raise and lower the router from above a table (assuming your router plate has a hole drilled in the right place) and the overall sturdiness of the unit. Hope that helps. Oh and unless you are rolling in the dough I'd steer clear of the festool stuff. It may be nice but I don't think it is 2 to 3 times as nice as Routers like the Bosch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Posted October 13, 2010 Report Share Posted October 13, 2010 I have 3 routers... One cheap 2.25 HP that is in a dedicated router lift that I use only in my table, a rigid trim router and the Triton MOF001. I've had the Triton for a couple years now and it's fantastic. It's a plunge router that operates like any standard plunge router, but it also has the capability to move on a rack and pinion system which is very convenient. In addition to that, it also has a micro-adjustment which is great for fine tuning the bit like when I use it on my leigh dovetail jig. Bit changes are easily done with only one wrench due to the spindle lock. It all comes in a large sturdy case that protect it when moving from site to site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jones Posted October 13, 2010 Report Share Posted October 13, 2010 Hey, I'm sort of in a similar situation as you right now. I am an electrician by trade, but I enjoy woodworking as a hobby. I have always preferred bosch power tools and I'm looking at their latest plunge/fixed router myself. I'll let you know how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMarcel Posted October 13, 2010 Report Share Posted October 13, 2010 The latest successor to the Bosch 1716evs router looks very very nice. I have the 1617evs among others. Second only to the OF-1400 (but a third the price). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bignoise Posted October 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2010 Cheers for the feedback. I'm guessing that this is the same as the 1617evs but renamed for the uk market. If so then the is basically £100 between the festool and the bosch. So....do you think I should save a tad more and get the festool or is it overindulging and I should use the £100 quid to buy cutters and other accessories? hmmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
went_postal Posted October 15, 2010 Report Share Posted October 15, 2010 I bought the porter-cable combo kit when I started. Very happy with the router but.... Not the best choice for a router table if/when I wanted to go that route because it just doesn't have enough HP. it was recommended to me to go for at least a 3HP if I wanted to do table work. I think the one I have is two and some change Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMarcel Posted October 15, 2010 Report Share Posted October 15, 2010 Cheers for the feedback. I'm guessing that this is the same as the 1617evs but renamed for the uk market. If so then the is basically £100 between the festool and the bosch. So....do you think I should save a tad more and get the festool or is it overindulging and I should use the £100 quid to buy cutters and other accessories? hmmmm Yes, that is the same as our 1617evs. 1400W is the same power as the OF-1400 (duh). For 100 quid, I'd think the Festool would be better, but I have green glasses. BTW, I've always been told Axminster has the best prices for both (yes, kiddies, in the UK they sometimes discount Festool). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted October 15, 2010 Report Share Posted October 15, 2010 I burned up a 2 HP Craftsman in my router table a few years back. That has been replaced with a 3 HP Porter Cable and I love it. I also have a 2.25 HP Ryobi kit with three bases (std, plunge and D handle) that has been great so far. When I first got it I heard horror stories regarding Ryobi, but I've had it for about 5 years now and my experience has been great. I find Festool interesting, but I have a hard time justifying the expense... maybe if I go pro.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bignoise Posted October 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2010 I have decided on the QF-1400 (my bank manager will be crying) What about bits? Are there any brands to look out for or indeed avoid? Are router bit sets worthwhile or should I just start accumulating individual ones as I go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rutabagared Posted October 17, 2010 Report Share Posted October 17, 2010 So....do you think I should save a tad more and get the festool or is it overindulging and I should use the £100 quid to buy cutters and other accessories? hmmmm The Festool is worth the added cost if you value dust collection and it's ability to integrate with the Festool system - guide rails, MFS, etc. Otherwise, I'd save the cash and buy the Bosch. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted October 17, 2010 Report Share Posted October 17, 2010 Are router bit sets worthwhile or should I just start accumulating individual ones as I go? I like the idea of buying a moderate quality router bit set, especially if you get a good deal on it, and then replace the bits you wear out or use frequently with high quality ones. The problem with buying individual bits as you need them is that you can't easily try out a bunch of profiles to see which looks best in a particular application. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bignoise Posted October 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2010 My festool arrived today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMarcel Posted October 23, 2010 Report Share Posted October 23, 2010 Welcome to the slippery slope... watch your step Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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