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How to choose a router.
Marsupial:
I posted this in woodworking this morning
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=102515.0
but am getting to wonder... its about the tool, not about actual woodworking. Maybe in Main is better?
I'd like to stop at the hardware store on my way back tonight, tips would be more then welcomed.
When selecting your first router, what do you check?
Not that I find that routers are overpriced - they are precision tools at a fair price - but they are still a lot of money and I think it would be best to choose correctly the first time.
SOOOOooooo how do we choose?
What are the interesting specs?
What will make it a good buy instead of something you'd hate?
Is there something specific that we require for our cab building?
Do you simply take the cheapest you can and learn with it?
I saw a Black & Decker for 90$ at the local hardware store, didn't know what specs to compare. Figured I'd ask.
Beretta:
i dont have a router yet but i've been reading up on them.
it seems the most expensive thing about routers is actually the bit's.. not the router it self.
they have HSS = high speed steal.. and carbide or carbide tipped.
you'll wanna go with carbide tipped bits, apparently they last 10x+ longer then the steal bits.. but they do cost more.
as for picking a router.
there are two kinds.. fixed and plunge.
fixed base routers have a sipmle metal base but they are more stable then plunge.
for edge work fixed based routers offer more stability.
for middle of the wood cut's plunge routers work best they ride on springs so you can plunge the bit down
into the wood while the router is on.. however since they ride on 2 springs and have a higher center of gravity.
they do not work as well for edge work.
some routers come with both bases.
you can do middle of the wood cuts with a fixed base but you have to tilt the router into the wood which can be tricky.. and sounds pretty dangerous to me.
since im more concerned with edge work my self im looking for a fixed base.
as for power.. they come in different ratings form small trim routers to heavy duty production routers to everthing in between.
the trim routers usually run about 1 hp.. and only have a collect that can take 1/4 inch shafted bits.
usually routers dont come with the thicker 1/2inch shaft collect until about 1 & 3/4 HP
some bits can' only be found in 1/2 and the 1/2 shaft makes them more stable during cutting.. so 1/2 is where a lot of the higher quality bits are.
usually routers large enough for 1/2 collect will also come with a 1/4 collect.
as for the best router maker?
i dont know.. in my research porter cable seems to be a very high quality but also high cost brand.
i believe the took over "rockwell" which if you see one of those routers (used) is older but also of high quality.
from what i can tell in my research the router is really the least important part, some have lights or finer adjustments but ultimately it's the bits that do all the work and have the greatest impact on the results.
hope this helps you a little.
andrewbean90:
i would look at buy sell and trade for 1 :tool:
Marsupial:
you mean the buy/sell/trade here? Haven't found any... :(
Beretta, it does help a lot. Thanks very much.
I was there yesterday wondering what was the difference between fixed and plundge, and why it was important to me.
I am thinking I can do a "start hole" in the middle of the board with a drill same as with the jig saw, and prefer stability over gadgets.
I saw one with what I assume is a fixture for the vacuum cleaner hose, that's the only gadget I'd be interested in IMHO. Maybe light too.
What's the deal with 1/2" and 1/4" shafts?
I'll look again today, and likely go for the B&D one; my parents had their B&D drill for ages before it broke, can't go wrong with that?
ids:
I read an article a while back showing differences between cheapos and pricey ones. Ultimately the price difference buys you a high quality tool that can take a real beating and last for years. If you are buying this for a cab, and maybe will find occasional uses beyond that, a cheap unit is probably good enough. I got a cheap one, it had both bases and both collets (Rona brand). No complaints so far, but no other experience to compare it against.
Having both collets I've found handy - never have to worry about the size of a bit. The plunge base is sometimes useful.