Routers

[LCHIEN]

Regarding router bits, the PC 694 router, and others too I'm sure, uses 1/4 and 1/2" bits with a 3/8 collet available for extra $. I presume one would want to use the larger bit for heavier work, maybe harder wood too. If one were to want to get a starter bit set would it generally be better to go with 1/4 or 1/2?

Any recommendations on bit sets for a guy just getting started?

Thanks, as always!

The 1/2" shanks are usually no more expensive but they are oh so much stronger. The forces of spinning around at 23000 RPM or so are unforgiving - there' have been published pictures of 1/4" shank bits that have literally bent and or broken in the shank from the forces when something go t out of kilter. The cut from a bit with a bigger shank will be better due to lower vibration and bending.

Think of it this way - the cross section and hence the strength of 1/2" vs 1/4" is 4 times bigger.

I'll leave you with that thought.

P.S. if you are thinking of the PC 694 please take a look at the
Bosch 1617 or the PC 895. Larry G will kill me for this but the C694 is in my opinion "dated" and running on old reptation alone from when it was the king of routers. It'll do a good job no doubt but the features of the new routers are so nice. Why start out behind? Unlike jointers for example which have changed little in 20 years there's a lot of competition and design improvements in routers.

[venkatbo]

The router bit set and Bosch kit may be a good deal with the $75 off ?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/lis...697175-4439933

[jdschulteis]

I can only speak for one router, the Bosch 1617 EVSPK. I've had no trouble with it either handheld or in the BT3100. I'm sure the Bosch's Craftsman clone, or the DeWalt 618 or Porter Cable 895 would be great too. I'll second LarryG's advice--if you're buying your first router, a multi-base kit is the way to go.

[kmk]

Checkout www.routermania.com. Seems to be very useful site.

[jAngiel]

Which ever one you choose, look around before you buy. I was able to get the Bosch 1617 EVSPKE, the kit with the extra template guides, edge guide and the dust collection hood for about $150 delivered to my door. May not be the most awesome deal but I thought it was enough of a deal to jump on. It is definitely a much better router that my single speed, fixed base craftsman.

[venkatbo]

I'm thinking of getting the Bosch 1617 EVSPKE Kit but I also have the Hitachi M12V unit. Between these two, which one would you recommend as a table-mounted unit (M12V ?) or would it be possible to easily use the Bosch unit for both table/hand use ? If its the latter, I'd rather sell the Hitachi off...

Thoughts anyone ?
Thanks,
/venkat

[LarryG]

Venkat: Many use the Hitachi M12V in their router tables because its 3.25HP is ideal for swinging big bits such as panel raisers, and there's no other router in this power class that's anywhere near as inexpensive as the M12V. But a smaller router such as the Bosch will drive those big bits too ... you would not want to do try this in a production environment, where the router is running all day long; and you may have to make three passes instead of the two. With the Bosch, you'd mount the fixed base in the table and reserve the plunge base for handheld use since it will do everything a fixed base will and more.

Loring: No, I'm not going to go all homicidal on you, but I really don't understand your vendetta against the P-C 69x series in their CURRENT iteration. If you disregard trivialies that truly don't matter (like the maple handles on the Bosch), the P-C 69x is pretty much the same as every other router in this class. They're all rated at either 11 or 12 amps; the P-C happens to be one of the 11A models, but so are the Makita and new Hitachi. P-C continues to rate the 69x at 1.75HP vs. the 2.25HP the others claim; but as an electrical engineer you will know that if anything, it is P-C that is being the most honest.

Beyond that, the differences are either minor, or come at considerable extra cost. Example of the former: the Bosch fixed base now had provisions for above-table height adjustment; a nice feature, but it's also fairly new (meaning the other mfrs will likely copy it soon), and doesn't the adjuster itself cost extra? The DeWalt 618 kit has thru-handle dust collection on the plunge base; another nice addition, but one must consider that the DeWalt normally sells for around $240 vs. $200 for the P-C. Both of these features -- above-table height adjuster, thru-handle dust collection -- are included on the P-C 895 that you recommend, but that's a $260 kit! One should always expect to get more when one pays more.

It may be that your opinion of the 69x is based on outdated information, in which case I would suggest you take an objective look at its CURRENT specs and see just how close it is to all these others. In the meantime I think you're doing the readers of the FAQ a disservice by interjecting a personal opinion about this model that, in the final analysis, cannot be fully substantiated when all factors, especially price, are considered.

[wreckwriter]

Well, I thought about this a lot. In the end I went with the 694 for several reasons:

1- Its Porter Cable, I like and trust their tools
2- I could get it locally, therefore right now (not really a good reason)
3- With the price I could also afford a decent set of 1/2" bits, had I went with the PC 895 I couldn't have bought them now.

I figure the 690 series has been around a few years and is likely to be bug free. Is it the best router out there? Probably not, but for a guy that's just starting to learn I think its representative, on the high end, of most standard good quality routers. Seems a good starter set to me.

I appreciate everyone's advise.

Now to figure out how to drill my plate and keep the thing centered...

[jdschulteis]

I'm thinking of getting the Bosch 1617 EVSPKE Kit but I also have the Hitachi M12V unit. Between these two, which one would you recommend as a table-mounted unit (M12V ?) or would it be possible to easily use the Bosch unit for both table/hand use ? If its the latter, I'd rather sell the Hitachi off...

Thoughts anyone ?
Thanks,
/venkat

It's easy to switch the Bosch motor from the fixed base (attached to the table) to the plunge base. I'm pretty sure I could do it in well under a minute.