What current routers fit the BT3100

[dano34]

Hello -

I bought a BT3100 last November & I'm just now getting around to setting it up. I'd like to get a router to use with it.

I bought the Ryobi router attachment kit from a guy on eBay but I'm not sure what current routers fit it. The FAQ here and the router kit manuals refer to older Ryobi routers that I can only find on eBay.

I'd like to buy a new router but I don't know which ones fit it - I assume some Ryobi and Sears ones will. I don't want to spend more than about $100 since I've never owned or even used a router before.

From what little I know, a plunge router looks handy but is that a waste to get a plunge router to attach to the BT3100? Should I get one of those sets with multiple bases or something?

Thanks
Dano

[steve-norrell]

Hello -

I'd like to buy a new router but I don't know which ones fit it - I assume some Ryobi and Sears ones will. I don't want to spend more than about $100 since I've never owned or even used a router before.

From what little I know, a plunge router looks handy but is that a waste to get a plunge router to attach to the BT3100? Should I get one of those sets with multiple bases or something?

Thanks
Dano

I used a Craftsman and a Bosch 1617 with the Ryobi accessory table for about six months. The Craftsman fit pre-drilled holes, but I had to drill some for the Bosch. The Bosch has an "above the table" adjustment feature that required drilling another hole in the mounting plate AND through the accessory table. The Bosch set-up was way better than the Craftsman, which did not have the "above the table" adjustment feature.

I would recommend buying a dual base (plunge and fixed) package because it is almost certain that you will want to use the router off the table. Indeed, I still have both routers and use them both quite regularly. The Craftsman is on a plunge base while the Bosch has found a happy home (IMO) mounted to a router table top installed on the BT3100.

Best advice, though, is wait for the excellent advice you will get from folks who read this forum.

Good luck.

[LarryG]

Welcome to the forum, Dano.

Steve covered it well. To my knowledge, Ryobi and (most) Craftsman routers are the only ones that bolt straight up to the mounting plate, but it's no big deal to drill the three or four holes necessary to mount any other brand. I'd venture to say that someone or another here has done this for literally every popular router make and model out there.

One of the two-base kits is usually the wisest purchase for a first router. The fixed base goes in the table, the plunge base is used for handheld work since it will do everything the plunge base will, and more.

As for WHICH two-base kit, that's a case of them all being "the same, but different." The Bosch 1617EVSPK, DeWalt 618, and Porter-Cable 89x series are probably the favored models, being the most modern and feature-rich; and they cost not that much more than the older designs like the Makita 1101, P-C 690/694, etc. OTOH these older models are still fine tools and you can often find some really good deals on them. I own both the Bosch and the Makita. The Bosch is newer and nicer, but the Makita has never failed to do anything I asked it to do.

The usual, and I think best, advice is to get your hands onto as many of these two-base models as you can, see which one lights your fire, see which one fits your budget. The only two things you should insist on are (1) variable speed, and (2) a 1/2" collet so you can use the more robust 1/2" shank bits.

[steve-norrell]

Dano:

Thanks to Larry for remembering what I forgot to mention.

The ability to use a 1/2 collet should be considered an absolute requirement. To paraphrase (when buying a router), "Never leave the store without one."

Regards, SN

[dano34]

Thanks for the information!

I called the Ryobi support number on ryobitools.com & the technician I spoke to said that any current Ryobi or Craftsman router should fit the 3100. I'll do some comparison shopping - the Bosch 1617EVSPK looks nice.

[Luckbox]

Through pure luck I drill holes in the mounting plate to fit the Bosch 1617 and the above table adjuster line up with an existing hole, so I just have to drill a hole through the table. My original Skill router fit the existing holes perfectly.