Router Advice

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  • steve-norrell
    Veteran Member
    • Apr 2006
    • 1001
    • The Great Land - Alaska
    • BT3100-1
    #1

    Router Advice

    I am looking for a reasonable plunge router for some, relatively light, hand work. Has anyone worked with B&D's Firestorm router?

    http://www.firestormtools.com/produc...view=1#details

    It features a 12 Amp high performance motor, accepts both 1/4" and 1/2" collets and electronic variable speed control (11,000-28,000). It also has a decent dust collection system (important for me) and LED worklights (important for my old eyes). It sells for less than $90 at Lowe's.

    I also have a Bosch mounted in a router table that I use for most work.

    Any advice and/or critique would be welcome. Regards, Steve.
    Tags: None
    • jonmulzer
      Senior Member
      • Dec 2007
      • 946
      • Indianapolis, IN
      #2
      What kind of work are you needing to do? There are few things you can do freehand that cannot be done better with creative use of a router table. Unless you are working with a large workpiece that is.

      I am skeptical of the quality of all B&D tools. It never seems as though they are made to last. You may want to look at the newer Craftsman plunge routers. They have a 1 3/4 HP plunge router that is in the same price range and will most likely be better quality.

      I probably sound like a shill for Craftsman seeing how I made the same recommendation in another thread, but I just really like their newest routers.
      "A fine beer may be judged with just one sip, but it is better to be thoroughly sure"

        Comment

        • steve-norrell
          Veteran Member
          • Apr 2006
          • 1001
          • The Great Land - Alaska
          • BT3100-1
          #3
          I have a Firestorm drill that is serving me quite well but no other experience with B&D tools. I have an older Craftsman and have looked at the newer versions but was not that impressed. Maybe I am looking for too much. Maybe I'll just have to keep the old Craftsman until it dies.

          I want it for occasional pattern work, rare dado cuts, and very occasional edge trimming and wanted to improve on the lighting and dust collection. My use-ratio between the table-mounted Bosch and my older Craftsman is about 15:1 so its not a big issue at this time.

          Thanks and regards, Steve.

            Comment

            • jonmulzer
              Senior Member
              • Dec 2007
              • 946
              • Indianapolis, IN
              #4
              How long has it been since you looked over them? Up until maybe 6 months ago everything except the Craftsman Professional 26620 (re-badged Bosch, which I have) was pure crap. Until this latest revision almost all of them were 1/4" collet only. Give the newest ones another look and check out the thread about the HF router. Another forum member has really grown to like his. You also might want to check out this thread on another forum.


              http://www.routerforums.com/general-...bo-review.html

              The last experience I had with B&D Firestorm tools was helping a friend build a workbench. His cordless circular saw crapped out on him about halfway through and it was almost brand new. The batteries had been cycled about a dozen times so I know it was not a typical new battery scenario. My cordless saw would have built three of them easily before needing charged. Maybe a dozen or so cuts was as long as it lasted. I am glad your experience has been better though.
              "A fine beer may be judged with just one sip, but it is better to be thoroughly sure"

                Comment

                • eccentrictinkerer
                  Senior Member
                  • Aug 2007
                  • 669
                  • Minneapolis, MN
                  • BT-3000, 21829
                  #5
                  My first router was/is a Porter-Cable 690. I've used it for many projects and have added two more to the collection. One's mounted in the router table and one is always in the plunge base.

                  The fixed base unit is often on sale for $99, about what I paid for my first one 30 years ago. It takes 1/4" or 1/2" bits, many accessories are available.

                  The plunge base isn't the handiest, but it works.

                  Highly recommended.
                  You might think I haven't contributed much to the world, but a large number
                  of the warning labels on tools can be traced back to things I've done...

                    Comment

                    • steve-norrell
                      Veteran Member
                      • Apr 2006
                      • 1001
                      • The Great Land - Alaska
                      • BT3100-1
                      #6
                      Done the deed.

                      Checked out the Sears stuff and came away with this: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...inate+Trimmers

                      I was hoping it would fit in the plunge base of the Bosch router. But, alas, it did not.

                      So I took it back, got a refund, and picked up one of these: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...inate+Trimmers

                      Its a kit with a fixed and plunge base that looks suspiciously like one of Sears' Bosch clones. Importantly, it has variable speed, LED work lights, good dust collection, reasonable depth control, and accepts both 1/2 and 1/4 collets. Best of all, it was about $30 less than the first one.

                      I don't think I am the first to have three routers! But, I think I am a happy camper . . . Am I allowed a small gloat?

                      Anyway, thanks for all the advice and suggestions. Regards, Steve

                        Comment

                        • siliconbauhaus
                          Senior Member
                          • Dec 2006
                          • 925
                          • hagerstown, md
                          #7
                          you bought the one I was just about to suggest mate....nice one
                          パトリック
                          daiku woodworking
                          ^deshi^
                          neoshed

                            Comment

                            • LCHIEN
                              Super Moderator
                              • Dec 2002
                              • 22056
                              • Katy, TX, USA.
                              • BT3000 vintage 1999
                              #8
                              I took a poll in 2003 (when there wasn't any poll support in the forum software)
                              and as a group the BT3 family had 2.54 routers per respondent. Some had none and some had five or more.

                              http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...hlight=routers
                              Loring in Katy, TX USA
                              If your only tool is a hammer, you tend to treat all problems as if they were nails.
                              BT3 FAQ - https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...sked-questions

                                Comment

                                • jonmulzer
                                  Senior Member
                                  • Dec 2007
                                  • 946
                                  • Indianapolis, IN
                                  #9
                                  Nice choice. The next one I buy will be either that or the 3.25 HP Triton. Glad you like the Craftsman.
                                  "A fine beer may be judged with just one sip, but it is better to be thoroughly sure"

                                    Comment

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