Second router!

Hey Charles
Different routers do different task . Sure you can make one router work but if you have more than one it makes it far easier. I would usually suggest if you budget allows to have one “D” handle, one plunge ,one 1 3/4 hp or more Hp for a router table and one trim router.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

I was going to use my Hitachi M12VC 2-1/4-Horsepower Variable Speed Router in a router table.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

Of course Jim would tell you to get another router. I’m surprised he didn’t tell you to get 30 routers! LOL
I do agree with him though. You can never have too many tools.
Hi Jim

-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!

I now have 5 routers, laminates, full sized, plunge and installed in a table. WoodWorkers Rule, You can nerver have too many tools.

during any given project I will set my choice of router with my choice of bit. No more changing bits or depth or speed.

Basically buy as many as you would like to have.

Create it With Passion!!!

-- Ronald Coone, Florida, www.expressionwoodworks.net

Wow, not sure about 5 routers :) but I was in your position last year and I find having 2 is great. I don’t have to mess with the setup of my router table each time I want to do bigger pieces by hand.

Good luck – have fun shopping.

-- JimGuy, StAlbert

Hey Kent
I guess I’m never going to live down having a large number of routers. Oh well :-))

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

“I dont wont to own to many tools :)”
Hey Charles…..you are in danger of being asked to leave Lumberjocks!!!!!! Too many tools!!!! Impossible!!!
I too am looking into getting another router. I have a Porter Cable “D” handle. I bought another base to install it in my router table but don’t have a plunge router. Recently on this list there was a discussion about the Bosch Combo router. Thinking about it.

-- Don, Pittsburgh

I can buy a Hitachi plunge base for my router but it cost a 129 bucks!

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

I have the Milwaukee and several others , I like it the best—

-- rob

JIM I only have 13 routers but I want to buy 2 more.. one for the new Incra router table set up I have just ordered.. and one for the Leigh FMT… I move the router from the leigh to the Torque Workcentre..
Charles go for it both are a good deal..
Larry

-- Drink once, cut twice. New website up.... lazylarrywoodworks.com.au

I only have 2. 1 in a cast iron extension on my table saw, and a plunge. I someday will get a small trim, or maybe a dremel router.

-- I'm a lumberjock and I'm ok, I sleep all night and I work all day!

CJ,
Having 2 routers is a little more than mere convenience. One can be dedicated to a router table; the other to hand held functions. Often times, when making a project, it is very time consuming to have to tear down the router table setup to make a hand held cut. If you need to go back and remake the same table cut, resetting the exact cut can be a real pain.

Lew

I have 4. One for my router table, a plunge router, fixed based router, and palm router. I put them all to use. It is nice to have more than one when doing a larger project. Sometimes I wish I had m,ore…LOL.

-- Randy, Allen Texas

Beginningwoodworker, you can find the plungs base for the Hitachi router on ebay. I bought the set which includes both bases for $75 and that included shipping. I am now the proud owner of 6 routers…and my garage isn’t even done yet!!!

-- Dave, Colonie, NY

I have 7 routers and use them all.

-- --<<<<<< I will not stop until I get it right. >>>>>>--

Tools for a woodworker is like candy for a kid!
You always want more tols as soon as you see something new you want it.

-- --<<<<<< I will not stop until I get it right. >>>>>>--

Hey Larry sounds good . Like some of your jigs I never could figure out how the Inca system works. I guess its that dyslexia thing. Let us see it when you have it all set up. Maybe Charles will want one too.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

A couple more routers will look nice in that newly organized shop Charles !!!

-- Eric

After reading this thread , I feel router deficient !!!Some of you guys really have a lot of routers—

-- rob

I have two and would like to have a real small one for the small stuff.

I have 9. I really hate breaking down a set-up or taking one out of a dedicated jig to use somewhere and then have to go thru the trouble of putting it back. Also going to get a couple more with 1/2 inch collets for my newer bits.

Two routers is better than one, but not enough. I have a PC-690 plunge router that I use as a utility router. I have a second PC-690 in my router table (soon to be replaced with a PC-890). I have a Bosch Colt that generally has eitehr a round-over or chamfer bit in it, plus a Skil plunge router. On some projects, I have used all four. The advantage is being able to set up different routers for the various profiles you need. I have a friend who makes his living building furniture … last time I counted be had 13 routers!

-- The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. -- Vincent T. Lombardi

I’ve started down that slippery slope that you appear ready to go down. When I had one router, I thought one more would be great; one for the table and one for hand held. Now, I find that since I do both mortises and tenons on the router table, I have both of them mounted, since it helps to have one set up for each, and I could really use a third for hand held. I guess it never ends, but apparently each one you buy makes things a little easier, so yes it is a good idea to get a second one, but don’t expect that you will be satisfied for long with only two.

-- Dale Manning, Carthage, NY

Charles,

I think it would be a great idea to get another router. I have 8. For you situation, I would suggest finding a good deal on at 3.5hp router that you can permanently install in your router table. You will never out grow it. You can use the Hitachi kit for hand held routing. While I don’t believe having a d handled router is vital, it is nice. Again, my first choice would be a big boy, the Hitachi M12v2 and Freud go on sale for about $100 to $150 pretty often. If you don’t want to go this route, try buying another kit. They are awful useful. I do agree at some point you should invest in a lamenate trimmer. They are great for the small jobs.

Good luck!

-- When you earnestly believe you can compensate for a lack of skill by doubling your efforts, there is no end to what you CAN'T do

Having two routers is really convenient, especially if you put one in the table. I have the Hitachi and the Milwaukee you mentioned, and like them both…each for different reasons. The Milwaukee is built like a tank, the plunge works great, and the Body Grip is a nice feature.

I trust you’ve seen the deal thru Tyler Tool?

I have 6 routers, one Frued 2 1/4 hp in a table, my other 5 are pc 690s, two of them are plunge/fixed kits. All my routers set up so I don’t have to change bits or set hieghts anymore. I do think I will end up with about 6 more adventually as I would like to set up a few more router tables. I love routers. I actually would like to sell my frued and buy the PC table router on sale at rockler.com for 149. My vote is go on ebay or amazon and spend away.

-- Jerry Nettrour

BWW: One thing noone has mentioned, and I’ll throw in my % cents worth. If you’re a little strapped for funds, and trying to save on spending big bucks, you might think about going to a pawn shop or two and looking at their used tools. Sometimes they carry some good used routers that’s top-notch, & fairly cheap. Most time nothing wrong with them—people hock them for money, that’s all. Most time they don’t come back to get them. So it’s another source to try.

-- Remember--- one good turn-- gets most of the blanket!!!!

Thanks guys I will be getting the Milwaukee 5615-24 1.75-Horsepower Multi-Base Router Kit soon, I need to build or buy a router table for my Hitachi.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

Charles, I have 3 Porter Cable’s. Two 890’s, and a 690. Can’t have too many routers!!

-- Matt, Houston Texas

That looks like a great bargain That Scott found. It should be a good addition for you Charles.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

It’s OK to have More then one router. Just ask Norm on New Yankee Workshop.

When he re-built his storage along the wall, he had to remove all 53 (I think that was the #) routers out of the way. He doesn’t change bits, Just pics up a different router. haha

Must be nice to have those kind of funds.

-- Scrap Wood's the best...the projects are smaller, and so is the mess!

The Milwaukee 5615-24 looks like an excellent deal…however it is a single speed router, not variable speed. Still, I am ordering one too. Like everyone says “Ya can’t have too many tools”.

-- Each and Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. Greg Little

I have 3 routers one dedicated to my router table one dedicated for dovetailing and a plunge router looking to buy another just in case

-- Dan, New Hampshire

I have 5 routers myself and all have special purposes for me. Go for it.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

I think routers are a lot like clamps but more expensive… I have 4, a 1 3/4 Milwaukee with strap, a Ridgid laminate, a DeWalt combo plunge/stationary kit and another Milwaukee 3 1/2 HP brute for my router table. Would I get another, maybe…

-- jack -- measure once, curse twice!

I have 2 KM12VC’s which is the same as your M12VC, but a complete kit with the plunge base as well. I was going to buy an M12VC specifically for the table, but the second kit came up on sale for less $$...

Operations like Dovetails where you have 2 different bits for your cuts, that need to be set at a specific height are a GOOD reason to have 2 separate routers. Saves a TON of time setting up…

For what it’s worth, I have a total of 3 routers right now, but one of them is so lousy I don’t wanna mention it…

-- Trying to follow the example of the master.

I am planning on doing half bind dovetails on my next project.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

If you plan on having a router dedicated to a table and have another free to do other tasks it is a great idea.
I have found that set-up time can be costly, besides aggravating. If you use routers for certain jobs a lot especially in tables than get one or two more for what you need to do out of the table.
I find it trying to save a dime, can cost you more in time and frustration then it is worth.
This really depends on on much woodworking you do.
For me it is worth having more.

-- Eric, Illinois, www.wooddesignsbyeric.com

I have at least 12 and soon as the economy perks back up I will probably have more. My goal is to have one for every bit but…... bits multiply like rabbits and routers are more like well…..... oh never mind! :-]
my name is skeezics and I am a routerholic. or is that a toolaholic? hmmm….. I need help!

-- hey honey! watch this!

one of my routers died of old age since this thread started !! LOL

-- rob

After reading this thread, I officially have router envy.

Routers. Who needs routers? Unless, of course, you want to do woodworking. I think I’ll just go buy another one to add to the six I already have..

-- Bruce from Central New York

Thats guys for the help, Scott I really like the Milwaukee 5615-24 1.75-Horsepower Multi-Base Router Kit Includes Plunge Base and BodyGrip Fixed Base thanks for link. Milwaukee here I come :)

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

as stated above , charles ,

get more routers ,
changing bits and setups is time consuming ,
and very frustrating !

when you get going ,
it’s good to keep the work pace flowing .

-- david ,new mexico ,allheart

I only have two…...but I only have two hands!! I agree with everyone, that having more than one router is advantages.

-- Doug, New Mexico.......the only stupid question is one that is never asked!........don't fix it, if it ain't broke!

I only have 1 router now, the 2 1/ 4HP Bosch fixed and plunge kit. But plan on getting the Milwaukee 3.5HP router and put that in the table. Not sure what type of stuff you do, but my 2 1/4Hp router seems a little underpowered for using larger bits, such as raised panel bits. 3.5HP should do the trick ;)

Btw, does the Bosch Rotozip count as a mini-router? if so, make that 2 routers :^)

Old

A second router is a good idea. You can probably find one at a yard sale that will do fine.

-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."

Old, the tip is to use vertical raised panel bits, for 2-1/4 hp router and less.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

routers, like clamps, never too many. or lets see when you have more routers than bits then you have too many. dang knotscott i am too late i “need” one of those. (and the sale is over now)

-- A thing of beauty is a joy forever...

This is a great post for building my xmas wish list.

Ok Charles, I think your grace period is over and you are now legally obligated to buy a second router! Any router! ;-) FWIW, I literally had all 4 of my routers out yesterday working on some molding for my fireplace project.

The two hottest deals I know of currently are still the MW5615 (Amazon) and now the Freud FT1700 (from Peachtree) both for ~ $120…the MW has the edge for hand work, and the FT1700 is better as a table router but also works well for hand use IMHO. One option is to pick up the FT1700 for the table and use your Hitachi for hand use….the FT1700 is more powerful and has better above table features, and the Hitachi is lighter for hand use. For hand use, once you get past the basic requirements, it really should boil down to which feels best to you.

I would like to use the Hitachi for hand use but since I cant do any plungeing with I think I will better serve with the Milwaukee 5615-24 1.75-Horsepower Multi-Base Router Kit.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker