Any one want to brag about their router?

[BigguyZ]

I have 3 routers. Having more than one router is a help if you're doing a project where you are using more than one profile over and over. When I was building my speakers I was using two bits one after the other. Having two routers allowed me to switch without having to do a bit change. Those were stolen, so now I have a whole new set of routers!

Now, I have a PC7539 3-1/4 HP plunge router which I bought for a little under $200 at a pawn shop. It's a brute and excellent for the big bits. Now it's attached to a Woodpecker Plungelift and is awaiting the building of a router table.

To supplement my handheld needs, I got a Ryobi PL180. It's lightweight, and it's one of the models I originally had before it was stolen. I bought that router for $45 from a pawn shop, and it works very well for what I need.

And most recently, I bought a Bosch 1617 EVSPKE. I've been waiting to buy this machine for the longest time, and used some store credit at Lowes to finally pick one up! That combined with the bushing set I bought about 5 or 6 months ago (I ended up not buying the router then, as Amazon didn't have them in stock), I can use the PC bushings no problem and use it with my PC 4212 DT jig. I haven't had a change to fire it up yet, but I can tell already it's a wonderful machine. All of my Bosch tools have become among my favorites to use!

[bigdaddyjohn]

Don't Laugh

If you do laugh, don't hurt yourself but, I like my HF knock off of the Hitachi M12. It's mounted on the BT3 and granted, it's only been there 2 weeks but I like it. I don't like the smell when using the electric brake! Stinks.

Anyway, the price was right for me. I returned an item and put $22 out for it. It handles more than the little 1/4" shanks that I have collected, doesn't vibrate while mounted to the table so chatter hasn't been a problem.

Guess I am not a router professional. All I wanted was a product that was cheap, held my bits tight and vertical, didn't rattle and cut my wood.

I think I found it.

However, it weighs a ton. Don't think I would like to use it everyday as a hand held.

Bigdaddyjohn

[jseklund]

Also, don't understand some of the reviews I have read that start out with "I own 6 other routers ..." I would like to own 1, (at least for a while!!)

Shaun, I don't think you're probably much different than most of us were with this sentiment when we first bought a router. I'm new enough to all of this that I only bought my first router about 5 months ago. I remember thinking- get a good router with all the bases, and that's all I'll need. I didn't understand why everyone said they had 2-3 routers.

Some things that I learned:

1. You will need to spend some money on router bits. I bought the 35 piece 1/2" bit set from Holbren for around $90 with the BT3 discount. Great set, good for starting. A lot of people said don't buy sets, but this set has let me get started, learn which bits do what, and see which bits I will need to buy by themselves later on.

2. You will want a router table sooner than you think. After getting a feel for the router and learning what it is capable of (stuff I had no idea about)- I quickly realized my blunder in not thinking I would need a table. Doing things freehand has its place, and I've gotten by- but I got a table for christmas and just know that it will change what I am capable of and the time it will take me to accomplish things.

3. Once you see how the router goes into the table, you will realize how handy a second router for freehand will be. It will save you time swapping things out. I guess it comes full-circle very quickly- first you dont' realize how necessary the table is, and then that makes you realize how necessary the free-hand router is.

Having said that, I bought a Dewalt 618B3. Like the others have stated on here, it is a great little machine. Variable Speed, Soft Start, seems powerful enough, gives me control, easy to use, etc. I don't have any comparisons though to other routers, but I would be happy to buy this one again in a heart beat.

The only thing is- the Dewalt is LOUD. It is probably my loudest tool actually. This may be the case with routers in general though- a quiet router may still be louder than your table saw. I'm not disappointed at all by this, I expected noise. Use ear and eye protection though (dust goes everywhere with the router and if you're looking at the work as you do it....easy to get in your eye).

Hope this helps!

[TheRic]

I think it would be hard to pick one router that will do everything you want when you don't know what you want. A large motor will have more power, and more weight. A smaller motor will have less power and less weight. If your only going to be using it for a few minutes a week, you won't notice much. If your going to be holding / handling it for several hours a day you will notice the weight diff.

If you only going to use small bits in it, you don't need a large router, with extra weight, and hp, $$$$. IF your going to mount it in a table and use large bits then the the large router is needed.

If you will only buy one router then I would suggest you get one with several bases. This will at least allow you to use the advantages of the different types of bases.

The only router I own is the Ryobi 3 base set. Got it on sale a couple of years ago. Thinking of another router for a dedicated table, leaning toward the Triton 3 1/4 at this point.