Nick2cd Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 i'd like to have a new router that can take up to 1/2" shank bits. i'd also like it to have fixed and plunge bases. it needs enough power for most common tasks and the occasional raised panel door (i say occasional because i've yet to make one). whadda ya recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmykx250 Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 Porter cable sells a combo kit with fixed and plunge basses that does 1/4" & 1/2" bits and has an edge guide - most bang for the buck and i have yet to burn one out. I have several pc units and happy with all. I am still looking for the d handle but i cant get myself to spend 50 bucks for the d handle itself!! If I was u start looking used on craigs list - america is having a garage sale due to this wonderfull econmy u know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jab73180 Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 any brand name 2 to 2 1/2 hp range router will work for you. i have a bosch 2 1/4 hp that works real well and a ridgid 2 hp thats real nice also. i would go with porter cable, bosch, ridgid (discontinued now i think), dewalt, makita, or milwaukee. i think they will all perform very well, but the features on each will be different. happy hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Nick - I have the Dewalt DW618 kit that I like - It's 2 1/4 HP, variable speed, and came with fixed and plunge bases. Any of the manufacturers Jason mentioned above make good models. Just a thought - "common tasks" and "raised panel doors" might mean different classes of power. I've found the 2.25HP Dewalt more than adequate for a range of tasks. I suppose you could do raised panels with 2.25Hp or so (I have yet to do it) but you really might want 3HP for that. Many people seem to dedicate a 3HP unit to a router table and then use a smaller one for handheld use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkdiamond Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 I have the DW618 kit as well and I am happy with it. Plenty of power, has the fixed and plunge bases, 1/4 and 1/2 collets, and variable speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jab73180 Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 my bosch is in a bosch table and i have done small raised panels in walnut with it. it worked great and i only took one pass. i should have taken at least two or three. it bogged down initially but picked right back up. it was kinda numb to take one pass but it did work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMarcel Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 A 3 hp is nice for raised panels, but I've done them with no issue with the Bosch 1617EVS in my table. I took multiple passes not so much for the router as for the quality of cut. Some 3hp units can be cumbersome to use hand-held. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knotscott Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Milwaukee 5616-24 plunge/fixed kit. It's built like a tank, runs strong, has variable speed, accepts standard PC bushings, has a great plunge base, and has the BodyGrip fixed base which I really like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimV Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 I have the Bosch 1617evs fixed and plunge base and am very happy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 I have 2 Bosch 1617evs kits, and am completely happy with them. I have ran a raised panel bit in it on several occasions, and take small passes with it on low speed. Works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 I don't really think there is a one size fits all router. For years they told us how dangerous it was to run horizontal panel raising bits with anything other than a 3 1/4 hp router. So we used vertical bits to make it safer, that seems to have gone by the wayside for some reason. Personally I think routers are all about ergonomics and agility. With the cost coming down like it has I think even the hobbyist should have at least two different sizes. I use a PC 3 1/4 in the router table, A 2 1/4 plunge for dovetails and anything that needs a plunge, Little PC 690's as edge treatment routers and general purpose trimming and little PC trim routers for veneer trimming and edge easing routers. If you can fit different sizes in your budget it sure makes routing tasks easier. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Hadn't heard that using a horizontal bit on 2hp vs. 3hp router is any more or less dangerous. In reality, it is probably the most dangerous bit you can use on any router as that is a lot of metal spinning over a fairly wide radius. The key is how you use the bit. Regardless of router HP, run it at its slowest speed! Use push blocks. Take more passes while cutting away less material for each pass on the smaller router. Use push blocks. If your router table is equipped with a guard, use it. Only use the bit in a router table!! Use push blocks. If not using the fence, make sure you use a good sturdy starting pin, and do not let the work piece leave that starting pin until it meets the bearing of the bit. Did I mention you should use push blocks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick2cd Posted October 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 i have strongly considered the bosch 1617 for a while, but the only thing i don't like is the lack of a trigger switch in the grips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jab73180 Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 i have strongly considered the bosch 1617 for a while, but the only thing i don't like is the lack of a trigger switch in the grips the new bosch kit has that i believe. here is the website......http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=MRC23EVSK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoneRider Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Milwaukee 5616-24 plunge/fixed kit. It's built like a tank, runs strong, has variable speed, accepts standard PC bushings, has a great plunge base, and has the BodyGrip fixed base which I really like. I bought the fixed base version (before the plunge was available), and put it in my lift, love it. How is the plunge for run-out, or side wiggle on the Milwalke plunge base? When the new PC618 first came out I was at a Rockler and played with one, and was really disappointment with the play in the plunge. I have an older PC plunge only router, and its plunge bearings are still perfect. I've had to fix the switch and speed control. But the hard mechanical bits are still perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
areynoldsre Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 I have the Bosch 1617evs fixed and plunge base and am very happy with it. me too - when I needed a second router I got another Bosh 1617evs. Now I have an older one in my router table and hand held one with a plunge base. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knotscott Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 I bought the fixed base version (before the plunge was available), and put it in my lift, love it. How is the plunge for run-out, or side wiggle on the Milwalke plunge base? When the new PC618 first came out I was at a Rockler and played with one, and was really disappointment with the play in the plunge. I have an older PC plunge only router, and its plunge bearings are still perfect. I've had to fix the switch and speed control. But the hard mechanical bits are still perfect. I haven't taken any measurements, but haven't noticed issues with slop on the plunger. It seems excellent to me, and is considerably nicer than the plunge on my Freud FT1700. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Zillig Posted November 2, 2011 Report Share Posted November 2, 2011 Hitachi M12V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim0625 Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 I agree with Don...we need many routers....many.....routers. You don't have to attend a RF class (Router Fettish Class) until you reach 21 of them. I have a Makita 1101 and love it. 2 1/4 HP will do about anything I need it to. Works great also in the router lift. soft start and low noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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