Looking for a new router...

[thekl0wn]

I'm in the market for a new router in the sub-$100 range. In the shop, we have multiple Ryobi routers, and they've been good to us. At $60-70 a pop, they're kinda hard to beat, and with having a few burnt up, we always have spare parts. :rolleyes: Just wanted to know what the opinions were on some other cheap models. for the most part, the router will have a Jasper Jig attached, as well as a good up-cut spiral bit, and be working with MDF.

[Dagster]

I'm a Porter cable fan but you won't find any for that price. I've been hearing good things about the Hitachi M12VC 2.25HP variable speed router. Supposed to be quiet as well. $138.36 at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=blended&field-keywords=hitachi%20m12vc&results-process=default&dispatch=search/ref=pd_sl_ms_tops-1_blended_26186323_1&results-process=default

[thekl0wn]

I've heard nothing but good things of the Hitachi's. The PC tools we own are all of very good quality as well. I'm still leaning towards the Ryobi, namely on the price and abundance of spare parts! ;)

[Dagster]

Sounds like the Ryobi is a good bet for you, with the price being so reasonable you can afford to pick up new ones and pilfer for parts on the others as you mentioned.

[dustyangel42]

Ryobi and dewalt fan here. I have tried alot of brands within a months time I was having to have them repaired.

[Terry Mac]

The Ryobi I have now, is working pretty good. But have looked into buying a Skill. They're cheap; at Ace I saw one for $44.00 bucks. I like cheap.

I saw a Dewalt at Lowes for $279.00. Very nice router, good looking, all the bells and whistles. But for that price it needs to have cruise control, and router the piece itself while I watch and drink a beer.

[mmwood_1]

I have had porter cable routers and sanders in my shop since before they were porter cable (Rockwell). I believe they're still U.S. made, and their service center has been outstanding, in my experience. I have 2 routers and in 13 years of industrial use, I've never burnt one up. Granted, I'm not doing production work with them. But they do get heavy use, especially the 3hp table mounted router.

[Don]

MM, sounds like you've been at this a while, remember the old "bell head" Rockwell routers? They were bullet proof and would last a lifetime in a home shop, for several years in a business. All of my routers are Porter-Cable as well. My favorite is the big heavy 3HP variable speed plunge. Expensive, but it will outlive me I'm sure. I think a router benefits from having a solid, heavy, metal casing. I know there are a lot of other fine routers out there as well.

dawjr

[mmwood_1]

The ones I worked with were small and could be operated with one hand. The moter screwed down into the base for depth adjustments. The top end of the motor had a rounded metal end, like a dome shape. I don't know if that's the one you mean. We had a couple of those in the shop I worked at in Chicago, when I was a teenager. The tool reps used to bring us a variety of different tools to try out, and I used ryobis, hitachis, dewalts, makitas, etc. But we stuck with the rockwells. They were built solidly and performed flawlessly. I wish I could get hold of one of those small routers. It would come in really handy sometimes. But that was 25 years ago. I know there are other makes available, but the ones I've looked at don't fit my hand the way those rockwells did....gods! Am I really sitting here waxing nostalgic for an old router?! Someone hand me a beer!

[Don]

Those are exactly the ones I'm talking about. I'd like to have one too, just for display if nothing else. Seems I saw one in a woodworking catalog, a special run from the factory or something. I can't remember how long ago though. Yeah, the stuff we miss, huh?

dawjr

[dustyangel42]

Dewalt is more expensive but if you use it everyday 5 or 6 hours a day it's worth the money. I think I paid $140. for mine at lowes. The great thing about it is you can use 1/4" and 1/2" router bits in mine. If you make crown molding or trim a lot of the router bits are 1/2". Have you ever looked on eBay? Sears sell a lot of reconditioned routers on eBay.

[thekl0wn]

For milling, like crown moulding, we have shapers for the task. This router will just be for basically cutting circles in MDF.

[Joe C]

The Bosch 1617 Variable speed fixed-plunge combo is really coming down in price. I have two. One mounted in a table and one for other work. It's 2 1/4 hp.

http://www.craftandwoodworking.com

[woodman43]

I am a firm believer that if you use a tool extensively then spend the money and buy ones that are going to give you trouble free operation with less down time.
I only buy Dewalts and Porter Cables and have never regretted it. If you add up all the money you spend on the cheap ones and all the time wasted when it burns up then is it really worth the hassle.

[thekl0wn]

I only buy Dewalts and Porter Cables and have never regretted it. If you add up all the money you spend on the cheap ones and all the time wasted when it burns up then is it really worth the hassle.

Yes. In all honesty, I've never found DeWalt to be the holy grail of tools that everyone (around here) seems to think they are. We have at least two DeWalt routers I can think of, and one of them has been on the fritz since day one, and we've never had any luck getting it fixed because the problem is intermittant, whereas the Ryobi's we've always had good luck getting them fixed/exchanged.

[thekl0wn]

Looks like I waited long enough to buy another one... :D

Got this one for X-mas! http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=6404

[Don]

Hey, kl0wn. Missed you around here for a while, Dagster still hasn't come back. I hope all's right with you and your's. Looks like you got a nice router kit.

dawjr

[thekl0wn]

Thanks... Had two weeks off for the X-mas season, and have SLOW internet at home, so I only did the necessities online. Guess I'm gonna have to start a new thread entitled, "Looking for new router PROJECTS..." :D

[Domer]

I already owned a Bosch 1617. So I the combo at Amazon so now I both the fixed base and the plunge routers set up.

[bogydave]

Just got this Bosch 1617EVS at Lowes. $209 for everything. In store special with the guide. Still learning how to use a router for more than fancying up a board edge with a Roman ogee bit.
I also own one 1/2" bit. Looking online for good place to buy good router bits. Whiteside, Eagle rated good. Ship to Alaska is always an issue for me.
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj269/bogydave/newroutor.jpg[/IMG]