which router would you buy

I have 4 Bosch Model 1617 routers. I don’t have the plunge base, but it is available. They also have the 1617EVS, if you want variable speed router. I have been very pleased with these routers. I use them a lot and they have held up well. 3 of them were bought used off of Ebay.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

i have and love the dewalt DW618. you can get the plunge/fixed base combo at lowes for 200$ and it has 2 1/4 hp. its a really nice router.

I own nothing but Porter Cable’s. I have a 690 fixed base, and 2 892’s, one in my router table, and a fixed/plunge base combo. I have never had an issue with either of them with the exception of concentricity. I was told by Leigh Jigs that the Makita has a better sub base, but I’ve read on Amazon that Makita’s switch often gets clogged with dust, opening up the circuit, and causing it to fail. I wish I knew of a better router for cutting dovetails, I would try it. The motors in my PC’s are rock solid!! Good luck!!

-- Matt, Houston Texas

Just bought a Bosch 1617EVSPK 2 1/4HP fixed/plunge base combo pack tonight. Payed $197.00 plus tax = $210.00 out the door. I have used Porter Cable in the past but thought I would try a Bosch. Both have about equal reviews.

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

I love my Elu…...............too bad they sold out to a foriegn company and are no longer available

-- http://www.furnituremann.ca/

I have 7 or 8 PC’s They all seem to work great.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

I just got the Freud FT2000 (??? I think that is the model #; close at least) on closeout from Woodcraft. It is a 3 1/4hp plunger with 1/2” & 1/4” collets, dust collection fittings, etc… and it was $129. I know Western Tool had them for $109 about a week later, and they threw in an edge guide… Oh well.

-- Jarrod, Eagle Nest, NM http://anthologyfinefurniture.wordpress.com

any router is better then no router but frued would be last choice….............unless its free

-- http://www.furnituremann.ca/

After about 15 years my DW621 developed a crack in the chassis which has the depth stop lock on it’s last legs but otherwise it’s been an excellent. I believe it’s also the one Pat Warner recommends for a plunger. It comes with both 1/2 & 1/4 collets and has fair (not great) dust collection. I upgraded to a Festool OF1400 for the better dust collection and in most ways it’s an all-around better router. I much prefer the depth adjustment mechanism on the DW621 over the OF1400 though.

-- Use the fence Luke

I have 3 Ryobi, 2 Porter Cable and a Milwaukee and other that one of the Ryobis, I have nothing bad to say about any of them. However, if I had my druthers (whatever they may be), I’ve have another Milwaukee or two. My daughter bought it for me for Christmas, and I am quite impressed. So far, it’s a good solid machine.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

My favorites are Porter Cable.

-- Bruce from Central New York

I would get a plunge router with at least a 2 hp motor. I have a PC, Hitachi and two Dewalts and like them all. Look in the reviews section. There have been a number of router reviews posted there. That may help you decide which brand you would like. A friend of mine, who is a pro, once advised me when buying tools to not opt for budget priced tools but buy the most tool for the money that I could afford.

Hope this helps.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

I have one of these like quite well.
The one in the picture comes with a built in rasier for table mounting.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

My Triton 2 1/4 hp 1/2 collet has through the table height adjustment, smooth plunge and comes with an assortment of accessories for 199.99. I really like the soft-start feature and the variable speed control. There have been a couple of reviews on this tool in the LJ reviews.

-- ....next big purchase is wood for the next project, Mark

I have the PC 694 with the plunge and fixed base. I love it. Don’t forget about accessories. I have found most are made to fit the PC brand. They may fit 50 others but PC is normally one of them.

-- Jimmy, Oklahoma "It's a dog-eat-dog world, and I'm wearing milkbone underwear!"

Mon dieu! First, I think you need to ask the question, “How MANY routers will I need eventually?” I usually answer that one with, “I dunno, how many bits do you own?” The implication being that I might like one for EVERY bit. Fat chance but you get the drift.

But seriously folks, if you can answer the question with ANY number more than one then I think you should build your collection around a particular brand. It simplifies things somewhat. I currently own three different brands BUT I own a whole lot of one brand more than the others. It’s nice to be able to swap motors in bases that I’ve “dedicated” to various processes. As to choosing a brand, they all have strengths and weaknesses.

So If I were just starting out, I’d check my wallet/bank account, keep in mind what kind of work I do AND aspire to do, compare comparable models [2hp to 2hp, etcl] THEN check the depth of the brand’s line of routers and look for a legacy of power tool innovation. Bosch, Milwaukee, Makita, Hitachi, P-C, DeWalt all have such reputations therefor you won’t go wrong with ANY of them. Fein and Festool are fine power tools, pricey as Porshes and just as pleasureable to drive.

WoodNut, just buy what you can afford and don’t fall for a lot of fluff and bit sets that some “consumer grade” power tools use to get you to buy them. You can smoke the motor in a B&D in an afternoon of heavy usage. Don’t ask how I know that.

Good luck,
J.C.

-- "Imagination is more important than knowledge" -- Albert Einstein

I just got a couple fixed base Milwaukee’s 3.25hp and 2.25hp. They are very good tools (for the moment anyway). I currently have 2 cheap china plunge routers. They are not the easiest to use (height adjustment handle too low), but do what they are supposed to do. I have had them 6 years. They look just like Makita 3612’s. They work good enough that I can’t come up with a good enough reason to buy a new brand name plunge router. When I do get an itch to look at new ones. I am always pulled towards Porter Cable. I like the Milwaukee’s, and I know some others have some really good new features. But PC has been putting out quality products for a while now. In other words a proven time tested product!

-- Ben, Living the good life in Maine now (almost, just need to retire in 2 decades time)

Pro use- PC
DIY- What evers on sale
I can’t remember which mag it was in but that was there recomendation
I use PC and nothing but, never had any problems 690’s and 890’s and they both fit the same base and jigs

-- Ed Collinge- Edmonds, WA.

I own multiple PC and Bosch. Been considering Milwaukee and Freud. Wood Magazine (July 08) just did a review, rated Bosch top pick. PC did not even get a nod.

Owning both PC and Bosch (and a couple craftsmen that have been marginal performers) if I had to pick I’d go with Bosch. I’m looking at the Milwaukee for something heavier to table mount. If I could only have one all around router I’d have to go with the Bosch. Nothing wrong at all with the PC, but the Bosch is smoother, a little cleaner, seems a cut above the PC.

I’ve never owned a Festool router, and dont intend to for the price they go for, but the festool junkies say they are the cat’s meow.

I like my Bosch 1617EVS. Soft start and variable speed. The wooden handles are sweet.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

I have a Milwaukee bodygrip router that I think you can get
a plunge base for. I really like the fixed base design because
I have always preferred to wrap my hand around the body
of the router. It’s also very heavy duty and has the feel
of quality… plus a thing in it that lets you stick an alan wrench
through a hole in the base and adjust the height in a router
table situation.

I also have a Dwalt DW621. It’s a decent plunge router but
like most of them it’s top heavy. Good for mortising and stuff
like that. Too awkward for detailed work in general in my
opinion. I have a little Festool OF 1000 – but it’s a light-duty
router and won’t take your 1/2” bits… otherwise highly
recommended because it handles so nicely.

-- http://amherstcabinets.com - also a marketing consultant with expertise in direct response marketing for woodworking and online business building