Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - lookin' to buy a router
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chetmichaels
02-26-01, 11:34 AM
Hiya...I'm going to buy my first router soon...was wondering what to look for. I will probably get a table too. Also, is Craftsman a good/decent brand? Thanks
Chet
Chet
Jack the Contractor
02-26-01, 01:08 PM
A router is a tricky piece of equipment. You will love yours, only if you do not buy a cheap one. Buy the top of the line. Cheap ones will burn out. Don't know where you live, but if I were going to buy another router, I would expect to pay not less the $175.00. Also get the very good steel router bits. Do not get the soft bits. The price I gave for the router does not include the table. I just looked in my trusty new Craftsman catalog. they have a 3 piece 1 1/2 HP Router ket Includes both plunge & fixed bases, for $199.99. #27948
mikejmerritt
02-26-01, 04:23 PM
chetmichaels, I have used Crafstman routers for many years but I am an occasional user not a carpentor. First one still runs and cuts well but the adjusting knobs and hold downs will not hold a consistant setting. Also the shaft lock doesn't work. The new seems to be better made in the areas that the older has failed. These are $80-$90 routers and should serve the DIY well. The table is a must for very much long small mouldings. As Jack the Contractor said, don't but any bits that are not carbide tipped. A few regular bits may come with the router and can be used once or twice, if that, and then I toss them....Mike
fewalt
03-03-01, 07:41 AM
chetmichaels,
If your router needs include a possible plunge router, consider the Porter Cable model that comes with a fixed as well as a plunge base. Too bad you don't live around the corner - I've got an excesss mall router stand since I have built a nice router cabinet. Yep, stick with the carbide bits. Good luck.
If your router needs include a possible plunge router, consider the Porter Cable model that comes with a fixed as well as a plunge base. Too bad you don't live around the corner - I've got an excesss mall router stand since I have built a nice router cabinet. Yep, stick with the carbide bits. Good luck.
George
03-05-01, 04:13 PM
Chet:
Personally, I buy only carbide tip router bits, and I try to find brands that have the ball-bearing wheel at the end - saves a lot of burn marks on wood. I still have in use many of the router bits I bought 10 years ago.
Whichever router you decide on, I'd strongly suggest getting one with a 1/2" collet as standard, with a reduction collet to use 1/4" shaft bits. This does make the bits more expensive (1/2" that is), but there are special shapes and styles available that only come in 1/2". Eventually you'll want one or more of them.
Personally, I buy only carbide tip router bits, and I try to find brands that have the ball-bearing wheel at the end - saves a lot of burn marks on wood. I still have in use many of the router bits I bought 10 years ago.
Whichever router you decide on, I'd strongly suggest getting one with a 1/2" collet as standard, with a reduction collet to use 1/4" shaft bits. This does make the bits more expensive (1/2" that is), but there are special shapes and styles available that only come in 1/2". Eventually you'll want one or more of them.
Eric L
03-15-01, 08:30 AM
I have had Black and Decker, a couple Craftsman, Porter Cable, and a Bosch. Stay away from the cheap ones and Craftsman. Even the top end Craftsman's were poor quality. Porter Cable makes a nice plunge router for around $200 including a nice guide fence. For a fixed base, I would suggest the Bosch "D" handle for around $200.