Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Fixed based router or plunge router

I'm looking to do some light cabinet/furniture work. I probably won't log a ton of hours on the machine and won't get to fancy, which brings me to my question:

Should I get a fixed based router, or a plunge router, or a combination pack? I know Porter Cable and Bosch have nice deals on combinations packs, but I only want to pay for the plunge capability if I know I'll use it.

Thanks in advance

For shelving, book cases and cabinets, you will mostly use simple edge profiles and cabinet cutter sets. Even for picture frames you use edge profile bits. You would not need a plunge router for those projects. You would be better off looking for router and router table combinations.

I have two plunge routers and only used them once to make fluted trim and I would never use that method again. Other than playing with them, I doubt I will use my plunge bases. You can use them to make mortises, but there are eaisier ways to do that too.

Most uses that I have seen include fairly complicated templates for specialty projects.

A few years back, plunge routers cost more than today. Now plunge bases are offered on more and more routers, so as they become more affordable, Im sure more DIY's will own them.

I bought the Porter Cable combo. I use the fixed about 90% of the time. But as you can read that means 10% of the time I couln not have done my project without the plunge base. They work great for stopped dados and fluted moldings. Buy both now and be set for many years to come.