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How to choose a router.
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Rusty Shackelford:
Im happy with  a cheap router I brought its called Osaki I think. The best bit of advice I can give you is dont cheap out on the actual cutters. I brought a fairly expensive pattern bit and its been nothing but exellent. Cheap bits tend to be suprisingly blunt.
javeryh:
I am EXTREMELY happy with my DeWalt.  I bought the package with the fixed base, D-handle base and plunge base and it is awesome.  Easily the best and most versatile tool in my shop.  HERE is a link.  IT was pricey but I use it for more than working on arcade cabs - it helps with every project around the shop.
Marsupial:
ids I was looking at that rona kit, its interesting. There's a special this week at canadian tire on a just-fixed-less-powerful one; but I am thinking the plunge *will* be useful when I get the hang on the tool and start using it for other stuff...


If by then I want to buy another tool, where's the point?
lol


Thanks guys!
Dafu:
Initially I bought a Ryobi, used, for something around $40. I would not recommend that brand. Its very cheaply made, the height adjustment ring broke after a while, and it never had a very good feel. I read of other people experiencing the same failure after a few weeks of use.

Later, after realizing that I like this woodworking stuff and an investment is in order, I bought a Hitachi router, considerably more expensive, but this is a quality tool, and I'm happy with it.

Having learned my lesson from Ryobi I would suggest you take into the consideration the quality of the level raising/lowering mechanism. If they look flimsy, steer clear.
Franco B:
I'm on my fifth router at the moment.

My first was a fairly cheap 'own brand' model from B&Q which has been pretty good, especially for the price. It did the job for the little work on my first cab and on a couple of other projects and I still use it now and its permanently mounted in one of my tables.

My second and third were a pair of pretty awful Chinese Hongda routers that I used in my dual router table. One of them died on me and I had issues with the collets on the other so I soon slung them.

I then decided I would spend a bit more on a decent router and bought a Erbauer. I ended up taking it back before I had even started it up as the plunge was stiff and the micro adjuster didn't seem to work.

After those set backs I thought I would really do my homework. I consulted a few forums and read and watched some reviews and ended up buying the [Triton MOF001]

I have been blown away by the quality and features of this router and there really isn't a bad thing I can say about it.

I do a hell of a lot of table routing and the fact that the collet extends past the table height and then automatically locks the spindle is an absolute godsend for changing bits.

The ratchet/slide plunge feature is fantastic  You can also easily take the plunge spring out to make under the table adjustments even easier. The micro adjuster works really well and winds through the whole of the plunge range too.

There is a pretty good review of it [here] and a quick video here:



The through table winding is a great idea too although I don't really need to use it as I can access the bottom of my router table easily.

There is a larger 3.5HP model but I wanted the 2.25 as it would be easier to handle on top of the table.

It cost me £150 which I think is a bargain. I would buy another in a second.

Cutter quality definitely makes a difference but the right router can make work a pleasure or a pain, believe me.
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