Screwed by my Ryobi Router - now what?

[SJL_Computing]

As much as I like Ryobi, my R161 router screwed me over - I was doing dovetails using the incra ultra jig and first my doevtails fit together perfectly, then halfway through my 2nd project suddenly the tails were a little too big.
It turns out the bit on my router is slowly creeping out.

This happened to me before. I thought maybe I did not make it tight enough. I cleaned the collet with mineral spirits, then tightened it so tight that it would never creep out. Wrong!

I can't afford to ruin another project so I am going to buy a new router. I assume a 1/2 shank will hold better; I haven't decided on a model yet, except it will probably be a Porter Cable, Bosch, Milwaukie or Dewault.

The purpose of this post is to see if anyone has had a similar problem with one of the brands I am considering.

Feel free to recommend a model. I plan to spend $200 - $250. Thanks in advance.

- Steve

[LCHIEN]

As much as I like Ryobi, my R161 router screwed me over - I was doing dovetails using the incra ultra jig and first my doevtails fit together perfectly, then halfway through my 2nd project suddenly the tails were a little too big.
It turns out the bit on my router is slowly creeping out.

This happened to me before. I thought maybe I did not make it tight enough. I cleaned the collet with mineral spirits, then tightened it so tight that it would never creep out. Wrong!

I can't afford to ruin another project so I am going to buy a new router. I assume a 1/2 shank will hold better; I haven't decided on a model yet, except it will probably be a Porter Cable, Bosch, Milwaukie or Dewault.


As for the new router choice, there's been tons of discussion here.
My fav is the Bosch 1617evsPK.
Or
The purpose of this post is to see if anyone has had a similar problem with one of the brands I am considering.

Feel free to recommend a model. I plan to spend $200 - $250. Thanks in advance.

- Steve

It's probably not the collet creeping, its the height/elevation mechanism in the base... Ryobi notorious for that.
Not that it makes any difference in the end result....

as for the choice of new router, there's been tons of discussion here.
My fav is the Bosch 1617evspk,
also you can read my BT3FAQ, router choice is a frequent question.
The link to the BT3 FAQ is in the First Thread under "Getting Started" discussion group.

[SJL_Computing]

I forgot one thing - need to mount to BT3100

I forgot to mention that I plan to mount my new router to the BT3100 accy table, so if any one knows that one brand is more compatible than another with Ryobi's mounting kit, please let me know.

Thanks again in advance, Steve

[LCHIEN]

I forgot to mention that I plan to mount my new router to the BT3100 accy table, so if any one knows that one brand is more compatible than another with Ryobi's mounting kit, please let me know.

Thanks again in advance, Steve

Again- read that FAQ!

[SJL_Computing]

Faq

Loring,

I read the FAQ - good piece of work; I saved it onto my hard drive.
Thanks for the info.

Steve

[jbalders]

I forgot to mention that I plan to mount my new router to the BT3100 accy table, so if any one knows that one brand is more compatible than another with Ryobi's mounting kit, please let me know.

Thanks again in advance, Steve

Sears sells the Craftsman version of the Bosch 1617evspk, which is identical except for the color and supposedly it's drilled to match the other Ryobi/Craftsman hole patterns.

The kit generally sells for around the same price as you can find the Bosch one.

Costco was selling the Bosch kit for $197 or thereabouts just before Christmas. We almost bought it for my Dad until we found out about the Craftsman-ized version for the same price. -- on sale.

[SJL_Computing]

I bought the Bosch from Amazon

Based on Lorin's recommendation and other favorable reviews, I bought the Bosch router from Amazon for $206 after using the $25 promo code posted on the bargain alerts forum.

Thanks all, for your input.

[Wood_workur]

It's probably not the collet creeping, its the height/elevation mechanism in the base... Ryobi notorious for that.
Not that it makes any difference in the end result....

as for the choice of new router, there's been tons of discussion here.
My fav is the Bosch 1617evspk,
also you can read my BT3FAQ, router choice is a frequent question.
The link to the BT3 FAQ is in the First Thread under "Getting Started" discussion group.

Try tightening the heild lock mechanism. Might make a difference.

[LCHIEN]

SJL, you're going to like that new router!

[John Hunter]

I have an R161 mounted in the BT3100 and have used it for years. I did run into the same problem you did and found it was not the router but the bit which I had just purchased at a Wood Show (made in China and undersized shaft) I replaced it with a Freud bit and never had another problem.

[SJL_Computing]

Could it be the bit?

FWIW, I was using a new bit purchased from MLCS.

Does anyone know anything about the quality of MLCS bits? Hopefully they are good because I just purchased (not yet received) their Incra Bit set.