I've been told to go buy another router by LOML

[smorris]

But do I need to? So I come to the experts for your thoughts on how to preceed.

I've got some projects coming up that required me to finally build an actual router table. The wife, bless her, was looking at it and observed that my router was mounted in it, (go figure). So, she decides that since my router, a PC 690 is committed I should have another one to avoid the mounting/dismounting hassle.

My first thought is to buy a base or bases and just move the motor as needed. Problem is the price isn't that far removed from buying a whole new router, and I find myself lustfully eyeing some of the multi units. Anyone want to toss out some advice? Suggestions on a good router in the under $300 range?

Thanks!

[JR]

Oh, you'll get plenty of advice on this!

The first thing you need to do is decide whether you're looking for a multi-base system or a table-mounted router. The multi-base ones probably need to be lighter than a table-mounted one, to facilitate periodic hand-held use.

That probably leads to something in the 2 to 2-1/2 hp range for multi-base. I chose the the Bosch 1617EVSPKE when faced with this choice. Others will chime in with their favorite. You might also get suggestions in favor of the Trition 2-1/4 HP plunge unit, which is said to be a good tool.

You might want go to 3 hp or more for a table-mounted router. Popular ones here are the Hitachi M12V and the big Triton.

Good luck.
JR

[messmaker]

Check Peachtree Woodworking. I think I saw a deal on a Freud router. I don't recal the details.

[Knottscott]

The 690 is a great hand router. Pull it out of the table and buy a bigger router for the table...13-15 amp. I love the features of my Freud FT1700 for under table use. My Milwaukee 5625 is more powerful but doesn't have quite as many of the above table features that the FT1700 has.

[Pappy]

I started with my Bosch 1617 in the table with extra bases for hand held use. Took 1 project that needed both techniques to take the Bosch out of the table and hang the Hitachi M12V in it's place.

[jaybee]

Excuse me, but hasn't the real point been missed? If I weren't happily married, I'd be asking if the wife had a sister. Any woman who utters a phrase even remotely resembling - go buy another tool - must be looked upon with shock and awe

[Uncle Cracker]

Excuse me, but hasn't the real point been missed? If I weren't happily married, I'd be asking if the wife had a sister. Any woman who utters a phrase even remotely resembling - go buy another tool - must be looked upon with shock and awe

Yes, this is true. But it is equally true that the discussion must move swiftly to the router discussion, as the tool needs to be bought right away, in case somebody changes her mind...

[Sawatzky]

If you can get a new larger router, go for it. But I will add that I have a PC690 that I use in the table and handheld. Other than raising panels, it has done everything I have needed on the router table. You can find bases farily cheap on e-bay. I bought one for the 690 for $15.00 and put it on my table. I don't see much of a hassle switching the motor from hand held to router table as it only takes a few seconds.

[LarryG]

Many of the replies have suggested a more powerful router for dedicated table use, and that's not a bad way to go. But just to muddy up the waters yet another way ... if you're not spinning big bits often enough to overtax the 690 in the table, you might leave it there and get yourself a nice plunge-only router for hand-held use.

I have six routers in all, including two two-base kits (Makita 1101, Bosch 1617). Although I use both of these often enough to justify having them, for most hand work my "go to" router has become my DeWalt 621 equipped with one of Pat Warner's round base plates. When I need a plunge router, I much prefer using the plunge-only DW621 to either the Makita or Bosch with their plunge bases fitted. When I don't need the plunge function, it locks down as easily as a fixed-base router, in a form factor that's scarcely any larger. It is sooooo nice to have one hand-held router that'll do it all in a nice, compact, ergonomically-friendly package.

[dkerfoot]

I occasionally suffer from HP envy while looking at my PC 690, until I realize I have never done any operation that seemed to bog it down in the least.

The little bit of panel raising I have done has been with a vertical bit. Worked great.

I bought the 690 kit with both the fixed and plunge base. Later bought an extra used fixed base, so I can have one base permanently mounted to both my "real" router table and another on a spare accessory table for my 21829.

In retrospect, I probably should have gotten another 690 (fixed base + motor) so I could have the option of leaving them both table mounted at the same time.

I haven't used other routers, but the 690 is really easy to slide into and out of the fixed base. Other setups I have seen look muc more difficult to atually mount/dismount the router. I like the flexibility of being able to swap the motor around quickly and easily and for me, the 690 poses no limitations to what I want/need to do.

[smorris]

Thanks for the info everyone. After looking over your recommendations and browsing around I have made the purchase, but not the way I planned. We went to Lowes to get some drawer handles and there in the clearance pile were several Frued FT1700VCE routers for $126. That has everything and then some I was looking for including above the top height adjustment and spindle lock for easy bit changing and variable speed I'll need for larger bits when I start on the cabinet doors. Strangly it just happens to fit exactly to the BT3100 router mount plate and that is what I milled my table top to take. Almost like it was meant to be.

And Jaybee is correct, my wife is a keeper. We were watching one of the woodworking shows a couple weeks ago when out of the blue the wife asks if I have ever thought about getting a lathe. I said not really as I don't know what I would make with one. She started rattling off all kinds of things I could do with it including making pens. I wonder what she was reading while I was gone to China for the month of September.

[Mr__Bill]

Before you spend your money on a new router, you really have to ask yourself; What does she want? Are you going to find that you bought a router and a sewing machine? Perhaps a router and a new car? The new Beemers look really nice.
If you just forget the router and get her that something new she just may say; "Dear perhaps you should get that new Saw Stop you were looking at".

Bill

[smorris]

Before you spend your money on a new router, you really have to ask yourself; What does she want? Are you going to find that you bought a router and a sewing machine? Perhaps a router and a new car? The new Beemers look really nice.
If you just forget the router and get her that something new she just may say; "Dear perhaps you should get that new Saw Stop you were looking at".

Bill

LOL. Actually what that means is that she expects me to get cracking on those plantation shutters she wants. I already got the bits from woodline and the Norm DVD so now she expects me to actually get to work. Back to cleaning the garage to make room for everything and getting my new router mounted.

[Mr__Bill]

LOL. Actually what that means is that she expects me to get cracking on those plantation shutters she wants. I already got the bits from woodline and the Norm DVD so now she expects me to actually get to work. Back to cleaning the garage to make room for everything and getting my new router mounted.

Good luck with the plantation shutters. I have been looking/thinking about those too. I need to replace mini-blinds, however the cat has found out how to climb through the mini-blinds, without breaking them, and watches the humming birds. I am afraid that I may have to get up in the wee hours of the morning to open the shutters for the cat.

Be sure to post pics of the project, especially on how you drill all those holes in the ends of the slats. Hmmm may need a new radial drill press for that

Bill

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Excuse me, but hasn't the real point been missed? If I weren't happily married, I'd be asking if the wife had a sister. Any woman who utters a phrase even remotely resembling - go buy another tool - must be looked upon with shock and awe

The fact that everyone missed this is amazing!

The second thing is . . . . what kind of question is this? Do you need a *second* router? For crying out loud man, of course you do.

Edit: All right! I see you pulled the trigger. We have a club that meets once a month, but you need to have at least 5 routers to join.