Best Router?

[Rob-bee]

So I am going to have to buy a new router. What is the best bang for the buck? Only using it for small hobby projects. No major work. Brand and power and any other advice would be good. Consider I know very little about routers so take nothing for granted.

Thanks Robert

 

[Steve D]

The best answer is "it depends". You indicate that it's only for small projects. Will you be using it in a router table, freehand or both? What types of projects do you anticipate using it for? What is your budget? I have the PC 690 combo kit that has a fixed base and a plunge base that share the same motor housing. I also have a big Milwaukee 5625 that is primarily used in my table. Bosch makes an excellent router too.

 

[DaveO]

I am a big fan of the Dewalt 618 combo set. The soft start and smooth plunge action won me over when I compared it to the similar offering by PC. The DW618 has enough power to do most jobs but is also light enough to be used easily by hand. My .02, Dave

 

[windknot]

I second the Dewalt 618 kit. It comes with D handle, plunge, and fixed base for the router table. Great buy at Amazon also.

 

[hannah01]

Check out http://bosch.cpotools.com/reconditioned/ for great deals on reconditioned Bosch and Skil tools.

Also check http://portercable.cpoworkshop.com/reconditioned_tools/ for PC recon tools.

I have purchased from the Bosch site and you can't tell the recon tools from the new ones. They do Ebay auctions as well which may allow you to get tools even a little cheaper than the website prices.

 

[Joe Scharle]

Don't overlook reconditioned tools from Amazon and others. I bought a 5625 for a table from Tool King for $239 last year. Came with new Milwaukee warranty.
Joe

 

[fivestring]

Any brand EXCEPT Craftsman.


<fivestring running out the door>

 

[McRabbet]

Robert, I would suggest that for your hobby work, you get a smaller Porter Cable router like the older 690 series (they've been improved to include newer features) and to buy one that includes a starionary base and a plunge base. These come with both 1/2" and 1/4" collets and are available as reconditioned units at a reduced price. For example, got to http://portercable.cpoworkshop.com/reconditioned_tools/routers/combo_packs/694vkr.html for a good, solid deal. You won't be disappointed.
Rob

So I am going to have to buy a new router. What is the best bang for the buck? Only using it for small hobby projects. No major work. Brand and power and any other advice would be good. Consider I know very little about routers so take nothing for granted.

Thanks Robert

 

[Splinter]

I am a big fan of the Dewalt 618 combo set. The soft start and smooth plunge action won me over when I compared it to the similar offering by PC. The DW618 has enough power to do most jobs but is also light enough to be used easily by hand. My .02, Dave

I also have the Dewalt 618 combo set and really like it. I also have the Dewalt DW621 but it is in the shop now because I overloaded it with a raise panel bit.:BangHead: I'm waiting on a repair estimate. It works great (or did) but the on/off switch is tricky to get use to. Messing up the DW621 gave me a good excuse to buy the 3 1/4 HP Freud FT2000EP for table mounted work. My wife really wanted the kitchen cabinets completed.:mrgreen:

 

[Mountaincraft]

So I am going to have to buy a new router. What is the best bang for the buck? Only using it for small hobby projects. No major work. Brand and power and any other advice would be good. Consider I know very little about routers so take nothing for granted.

Thanks Robert

I've had a Porter Cable 693 combo kit since it first came out. It is a work horse, but putting on and taking off the plunge base is a MAJOR pain. I recently bought the Hitcachi Km 12VC combo kit, and am very impressed by the performance for the price. All my Porter Cable accessories work with it, and it is a breeze to swap bases. It came with a full bushing set, bushing adaptor and centering post, and a large base with 2.5 in. hole for larger hand held bits. $200 at Lowe's. I almost bought the Porter Cable 894PK kit. $280 special order. I just couldn't justify the price difference.

william

 

[DavidF]

Does the Hitachi have built in dust extraction?

 

[D L Ames]

David, I have a Hitachi M12V that is about 5-years old and it does not have built in dust extraction on it. And from the looks of this picture, the current M12V does not have it either.

D L

 

[Rob-bee]

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0273741414.1136638380@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccefaddgjjfllmicgelceffdfgidgmj.0&CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc/searchResults.jsp&MID=9876&N=2984+3966&pos=n24

Okay I found this at Home Depot. What do you guys think of this? Link wont work!!!! aarrgghhhh!

Ryobi
1-1/2 hp Router Table Combo Kit
Model R162RTA
Price: $99.00/ea

This is what I was looking at on the website.

 

[DaveO]

I found the listing from your link. I think you will get what you pay for. My first router was a cheap Craftsman, it works but it is loud and the adjustments aren't very precise. My first and currrent router table is a Vermont American job from Lowe's, again it works, but the cheap sheet metal and aluminum table amplify the noise of the router. I have since upgraded to several better routers and plan on making a better table. So I think the answer, again, is what you plan to use it for, and what you can afford. Buy the best tool you can afford, and the best tool for the intended uses. My.02, Dave

 

[SteveColes]

Please don't buy this. I can't remember all the details, but I remember general impressions. Not good. I sold it to someone who just wanted the router.

 

[D L Ames]

Rob-bee, I am going to have to agree with DaveO on this one. That table and fence look awful small and IMHO I think it would lead to a lot of frustration when trying to work with it. Again, buy the best tool you can afford......it will pay for itself in the long run.

D L

 

[Rob-bee]

Okay I agree with you guys. Went to Home Depot today and looked at it, my thoughts were it sure does look and feel cheap. So I will pass on it. Thanks again for the advice.:icon_thum

 

[stoneskippers]

I agree with daveO about the Craftsman routers, except it took more than 1 craftsman router to make me a believer. The 3rd craftsman router was a hoss and I was still disappointed with it. To big, hard to adjust, and awkward to use. I finally broken down and spent the money that I should have at the start and save money, time and aggravation. I bought the PC combo. about 5 years ago and still using it. I also have a "D" handle softstart Makita and love it. Two of the craftsman routers I gave away and the big hoss is anchored under my router table with a raiser. Work great, so long as it is not a hand held.

 

[golfdad]

I have that one in the arsenal. Works like its suppose to. Not near as heavy as a 3hp. Does not have DC though. I also have the monster craftsman in my table setup. Been in there about 12 yrs.Might be lookin a new one of those pretty soon.

 

[Mountaincraft]

Build your own router table. Buy the Ryobi 2 horse variable speed plunge for 99 bucks. I still use my old Lee Valley round base system mounting system($25). It just plain works. If this is nearly your first router / table system, you may want to try the Ryobi combo kit (three bases; standard, plunge, and D handle). Pick one base (probably the standard) to leave in the table. I don't know if this router is variable speed, though. It also may be less powerful than the plunge.

When it comes to cheap tools, Ryobi has been the best (by far), in my experience.

william