My thoughts about Routers !

Thanks Dick.
The reason these things are important is because I’ve got three routers and still need one more to fit the custom Router Table I bought.

Router #1 Milwaukee 2-1/4 hp single speed (Was a gift) Does not work with large router bits because you need to be able to slow it down. Has a jerky start, kind of makes me nervous

Router #2 Hitachi 2-1/4 hp variable speed, fixed base. Better, I can slow it down, but needed something for when I want to Mortise or whatever else you need a plunge router for

Router #3 Ryobi 2 Peak HP Plunge Router – Factory Reconditioned $50.00 I havent used it yet

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

Thanks Dick. What I need is a router that can hold up to daily use. I have 1/2 dozen porta-cable routers. I like a simple router. It turns on and off, goes up and down. I can do the quick change to the plunge base for more complicated processes. I had a buddy who bought a router and wanted me to show him how to work it. (it was a cheap plunge router) It was very complitcated. Took along time to set up. We got it to work, but sometimes designers are just selling bells and whisles to people who don’t need them. So thats my two bits. Keep it simple. If you need to read the directions the router is too complicated! I have been happy with my dewalt tools also.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

The Dewalt would be good for this. It has soft start, & it variable. My main use for it has been in a table. I made my table top so it tilts for adjusting. I made a large adjusting Knob for the adjusting screw. I’ll take a picture for you.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

O.K. I want one

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

I bought a DeWalt router set, but mine is the DW618PK. This set has a fixed base and a plunge router base. My previous router exposure was to my dad’s Sears router. The DeWalt is much quieter, variable speed, and handles both 1/4” and 1/2” shanks. So far it has been a great machine.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

I have some questions for you, Dick. My father gave me the DW 625 after he got a good deal on it but didn’t use it much. I’ve used it a few times as a hand-held and I’d like to put it in a table. It seems big to me to be a hand-held, but I guess that’s the trade off for power.

I’m not a big guy, but I find it takes a lot of force to plunge the router. So much so that it’s difficult to plunge and keep the movement of the tool steady. This is my first plunger router though, my only other router experience has been with an old fixed Sears router. So do you find it to be comparable with other plunge routers you’ve used?

I’m not really fond of the soft-start feature. I expect the torque on startup, the soft-start feature kind of delays that and I find I’m not ready for it. The variable speed is definitely a nice feature and the up- and down-stop adjustments are straightforward, even for a less-experienced user like me.

Some interesting (if strangely written) comments on putting this router in a table:
http://www.patwarner.com/plunge_or_fixed.html

-Tim

Ok, I need to point you all to one of the best routers available on the market. It’s an Australian designed product that has received rave reviews from recreational woodworkers and professionals alike.

It’s particularly designed for table use, but serves as a great hand-held if you don’t mind its heavy build. For those that want a lighter version for hand-held use, it also comes in a smaller copy.

I’ve used both models, and have owned the larger version for over four years. It’s a great router with some very important safety features not generally available in other brands.

Here’s two good product reviews. Review #1 Review #2

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hilsbiblechurch.org/

That does look like a great Router. It’s a funny thing, Fine Woodworking just had a review of Routers & Thee Triton was shown first. I like the raising mechanism. Some more to look at.
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ProjectsAndDesign/ProjectsAndDesignPDF.aspx?id=27782

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I don’t think weight is a problem with hand held Routers. Your not holding them up anyhow. Heft stabilizes them with less vibration, & bounce.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Here’s my Router mounted to a hinged top table. I purchased the table top from Rockler. The hinged top makes it easier to change bits, & you can eyeball down the top while adjusting the height. Notice my adjusting mechanism. I brazed a nut to a piece of 3/4’ conduit. Then made a turning knob, & epoxied it to the conduit.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Good old Yankee ingenuity!

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hilsbiblechurch.org/

I’ve got a Porter-Cable 693. I’m happy with it so far, but I haven’t used it all that much. I paid around $200 for it. Now I see that one of the big-box stores (I’ll omit the name so as not to be an advertisement for any given company) is selling the Porter-Cable 893PK (2 1/4 HP w/ fixed and plunge bases) for $189 plus you get a $50 gift card by mail. If you’re in the market for a new router, that’s a deal that’s hard to pass up unless you want a 3 HP model.

-- Joshua, Olathe, Kansas

I just purchased a Bosch 1619EVS router about a month ago. I should probably do a blog post of my research if people want. Briefly though, The Triton has been rated very high and is a good router but I didn’t buy it for three main reasons. First, I don’t have anyone local to service the product. Second, people have raised concerns that it is too top heavy when using it out of a table, and three, I read concerns that when mounted it in a table, the router didn’t raise high enough for things like panel bits.

Porter Cable is one of my favorite products and I have a 1.5 HP router but I spoke with a friend who teaches wood shop at a local high school, and he stated that Porter Cable routers tend to suck air (dust) right into the motor from table mounted positions.

-- There are three types of people in the world, those who can count and those who can't!

I used my Hitachi 2 1/4 hp Router on the raised panels I made for the coffee table and in making the 8 little panels, it was too hot to handle. I think I need a bigger router.

3 1/2 HP Variable Speed Plunge Router… Price is no object.

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

Did you cut the raised panels in one cut or nibble your way in Obi.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

I just had to have that new 3 1/4 HP Triton, after all the fine reviews I’ve seen so I just got it a couple of weeks ago. It’s about the best put together router I’ve ever seen, or laid my hands on. I don’t think I’ll have to worry about having this machine serviced.
I haven’t used it much yet , but what I’ve seen so far It’s all good.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

This is a great discussion. Here is what I have found and done.

I originally got a PC 690 fixed base router. About six months later I purchased a plunge base for it. It is a 1 3/4 hp motor and does well. I used it in my router table as well. I finally got tired of taking it out all the time when I wanted to use it as a plunge or to roundover edges of large cabinets.

I decided I needed a 2nd router with more hp for the table and I would not have to change it out. I was looking for at least a 3 hp until I found out that my router lift would only accept the PC 690 and 890, some DeWalts and Makitas. None of those models were larger than 2 1/4 hp and I didn’t want to spend another $200+ for a new router lift.

I didn’t need a base, just the motor. To buy a router and spend $225 for it and never use the base(s) seemed a bit foolish to me. I found someone online at EBay who was selling a brand new PC 890 2 1/4 hp motor for only $129. I installed it last Friday. It is variable speed with a soft start. So far, I am very pleased. And Dick, I used it to cut those 45 degree locking miters and didn’t notice any load problems.

-- Fred Childs, Pasadena, CA - - - Law of the Workshop: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.

I know the Triton is on my shortlist for the router to purchase and just leave set up in the table. Two weeks ago I saw one used at the Woodworking Shows as they were in town. It seemed to be a champ and I’ve heard nothing negative about the unit other than what BassBully commented. I own a Bosch 1617EVSK kit and the PC 693PK. Both are champs but I’m still looking for the one that never leaves the router table unless necessary. I’m also considering the PC 7518. 3.25 horses, 5 speeds, and an auto-release collet. This one has been around for a while and is a proven router I thnk. I’ve seen just the motor for sale on ebay a number of times if someone already had a lift.

BassBully, where did you read the comments about the Triton?

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

Hey BassBully,
You can raise the collet on the Triton for changing bits above the table. How much higher do you want to go ?

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I apologize, I got my Bosch and the Triton confused in regards to how high the collet can be raised. I didn’t have all of my notes with me. However, I am confident about the top heavy comment. Search the internet for ‘Triton Router Reviews’ and you’ll find a few good articles.

My mix up occurred because the Bosch’s spring mechanism can be disengaged on the plunge base just by pushing a button. This is nice for having it under a table. The Triton however, you have to remove the spring manually. This would be disadvantageous if you needed to use the router frequently for both table and table top applications.

-- There are three types of people in the world, those who can count and those who can't!

Thats OK BassBully.
I just wanted you to know how high it can be raised. I bought my Triton mostly for table use. I’ll be using my DW625 for handheld work. The spring on the Triton is real easy to remove, & replace. I’ll just have to be careful not to lose it. LOL

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I don’t want to talk about routers. We don’t have one set up in a table yet.
Still waiting.

But, we do have electricity running to our bandsaw now.

and.. maybe on Saturday we will be taking a look at the Triton.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Atta Girl Debbie!!
Now I don’t have ro look for you behind me anymore. You’ll be on passing Obi pretty quick. LOL You’ll like that Triton.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I’m not sure what people think about the PC in general.

For hand held routing I have the Porter Cable 894PK kit. I’m using a second PC 890 in my router table that I found used for $60 at the local flea market and it seems to work well. I’m using it in a Jessem router lift, so I have not tried Porter cable’s built in router lift capability.

I considered the 7518, but the Jessem lift to fit it was quite a bit more and I wanted a lift. I was not sure that I would be using bits large enough to justify the extra spend. I will address it if I find that my 2 1/4 horse routers are not handling things.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

not sure if we are buying, Dick. I’m only been passing on information to Rick and he hasn’t actually seen it or checked it out yet.
It’s getting my vote, though.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I looked at the 3 1/2hp Harbor Frieght router, but after reading a review that said that the router had a problem with loosing the bit in a 4 foot cut, I opted to purchase the Ryobi that was a best choice in the article and have enjoyed using it ever since.

-- Jesus is Lord!

OS, I’m sure your happy with your Ryobi.

I’ve got Two Ryobi tablesaws, a planer, detail sander, & powercarver. I like all of these from Ryobi.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Dick, I guess I should have asked earlier, have you experienced any problem with the bit loosening in your Harbor Freight router? Probably not, since you didn’t mention it, huh?

So many tools, so little time!

-- Jesus is Lord!

Karson, two passes

I want three more routers.
The three I have all have their purposes designated. I want all three of them over 3 hp, plunge, variable speeds. The biggest Hitachi strickly for the table, because Mark Summerfeld designed this insert so that only the Big Hitachi will fit. The smaller one has a different hole pattern which screws up everything.

OS, I bought a Ryobi Reconditioned from Amazon.com for $59.00. That’s the one I use for my mortising. (designated) I want to use my current Hitachi strickly for dovetails, and the Milwaukee for flush trim only.

See? I NEED three more routers.

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

OS.
I have never had a problem of the bit loosening on my Harbor Freight router, but I have never changed bits in it, because I use this router only in my Logman tenoner.

I mentioned in another thread that I had a problem long after the Warranty was up. Because I hadn’t used it before. There was end play in the shaft, so I took it apart. The bottom bearing retainer was bent, which caused the end play. I straightened it out, & it worked fine after that.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

oscornor,

I’ve never heard of the Harbor Freight router but I have heard of Chicago Electric that Harbor Freight sells. My Chicago Electric is either 2.5 HP or 3.5 but I can’t remember. I’ve never had a problem with the bit loosening on mine. I probably wouldn’t purchase another one even though the price is very reasonable and the motor seems solid (You get what you pay for).

The reasons for me not getting another one are due to missing amenities with the router: 1) It is LOUD and adding the noise of the bit hitting the wood makes it even louder, 2) The plunge action is not smooth at all 3) The router is not variable speed so I had to purchase a controller to make it VS and 4) the machining isn’t the highest quality as I sometimes have problems screwing in the bolts to attach it to a face plate.

The Harbor Freight router that you speak of may be better than the Chicago electric that I have but if you want top quality, buy top quality.

-- There are three types of people in the world, those who can count and those who can't!

BassBully
Your correct, my HF router is a Chicago Electric. This one works fine on my Logman Tenoner, I just set it up one time, forget it, & I don’t have to adjust it again. So far the thing has held together.

I don’t recommend any one buying Harbor Freight Battery tools. They just don’t last very long. They’re equivalent to a throw away razor.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I have a chicago electeric hammer drill… It is junk but works… and it cost me $30 on sale from harbor freight with a whole bunch of bits included. That was less than it would cost me to rent a Hilti for one day. Thus I am the proud owner of one Chicago Electeric tool… there is a place for them. That being said I have a Makita variable speed 2.25 hp router with a fixed (for my table) and a plunge base. The reason I purchased a makita is it has the soft start (not good for a remote switch but nice when plunging) and is powerful, small in my hands and it is about the only router of this size where the motor was designed for this tool rather than the tool being wrapped around a generic motor. If I were to purchase another one I would get a Triton… I had a ryobi in the past but someone took it. (their loss) now I have the router table for it sitting in my shop as I cannot throw stuff away…

Drew

-- Drew, Pleasant Grove, Utah

I have a Chicago Electric Battery hammer drill that only lasted me about 3 months, but it’s to light for a boat anchor.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I am going to point out my cheap $60 Ryobi router comes with an adjusting screw with a hex head on the bottom so all you have to do is drill a hole in your table and put a nut driver down the hole to adjust it. Well okay you have to release the catch too. It is only a 1/4” collet though, and that bugs the hell out of me.

-- Rob McCune