Carpentry and Woodworking - Need advice on Routers and buying one
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Always Learning
07-25-04, 01:15 PM
Im very new to doing woodwork were I would need one. So I was looking around pricing to pick one up and see many choices to choose from.
what im looking to find out for people that know more then me is what all the differences between a fixed router base and Plunge Router base.
Also is there that much different between one with 1.75 hp and one with 2.0 hp?
Mainly looking to start off building small projects like chairs and maybe a dresser so I need the router for rounding the edges.
Thanks for any help
what im looking to find out for people that know more then me is what all the differences between a fixed router base and Plunge Router base.
Also is there that much different between one with 1.75 hp and one with 2.0 hp?
Mainly looking to start off building small projects like chairs and maybe a dresser so I need the router for rounding the edges.
Thanks for any help
fewalt
07-25-04, 08:23 PM
If you're undecided, the Porter Cable 690 combo is great.
A fixed base and a plunge base all in one pak. Not sure if they still designate it as the 690 though. This unit is plenty strong enough for most woodworker needs.
fred
A fixed base and a plunge base all in one pak. Not sure if they still designate it as the 690 though. This unit is plenty strong enough for most woodworker needs.
fred
chfite
07-25-04, 08:32 PM
Well, a plunge base allows you to push the bit down into the workpiece, then retract it. A fixed base does not. Otherwise, they are the same. 1.75 hp is probably plenty for most uses.
The collet size is a concern in that more profiles are available for 1/2" than for 1/4" but the prices are higher. If you start with a 1/4" router, there will always be a place for it in your shop after you move up to a 1/2" model. The big 3 hp or so models tend to be rather heavy for casual use.
It is quite easy to accumulate a greater investment in bits than you have in the router. I don't recall what I paid for my Bosch 1/2" router, but I have over $1000 worth of bits. It does not take many at $100 each to reach that amount. Take care of your cutters.
Hope this helps.
The collet size is a concern in that more profiles are available for 1/2" than for 1/4" but the prices are higher. If you start with a 1/4" router, there will always be a place for it in your shop after you move up to a 1/2" model. The big 3 hp or so models tend to be rather heavy for casual use.
It is quite easy to accumulate a greater investment in bits than you have in the router. I don't recall what I paid for my Bosch 1/2" router, but I have over $1000 worth of bits. It does not take many at $100 each to reach that amount. Take care of your cutters.
Hope this helps.