You were all right

[JayB]

First time using a router today. Had been apprehensive about it but, wow I love it. I want to router everything now 

[codefenix]

I rented one so I could recess my trackball and joysticks under my panel.  Great little machine, isn't it?  Just be careful about sawdust fires.

[DaOld Man]

A router is a very good investment for our hobby. Just remember to wear the breathing mask, especially if you are routing MDF. (Cheap paper ones are better than nothing.) The dust is very fine and is not good to breathe. Also safety glasses and earplugs are must have items. One mishap could mess up your hobby and possibly your life plans.

[kahlid74]

To add on to DaOld man the router is an amazing tool and also one of the most dangerous.  The small form factor of the router and it's power means it has a high chance to jump if you're not watching it.  Always use both hands on the router and remove the router before ever turning it off.  Dust mask/Ear plugs/Glasses are a MUST and if being used in an enclosed area you need to make damn sure to have a dust collector and an ambient air scrubber.

If you can, always route in your garage!

[JayB]

I was extremely cautious how it was held and double checked the bit was secure on each cut. I'd done a rough cut a few mm shy of the actual cut line using a template I made so the router didn't have to work more than it needed to. All done outside, couldn't imagine doing that indoors what a mess. The garage door was open and the back of the car looked like it had just come back from the Dakar rally

It was actually for a studio desk I am building. The router had originally been bought for building my arcade cabinet but ended up buying a MKII cabinet so never got used. I feel like I could knock out a few cabs in a day with this    I had to post this on here as I wouldn't have bought one if not for this site 

[GregD]

Yes.   They are essential to doing any type of woodworking.   I think I have 5 of them now if I count my trim router.   My beast is the Hitachi ;12v but that stays mounted in my router table.

[selfie]

I lost count at a dozen or so routers. One for each type of bit I use regularly.

[HotDogg]

+1

Just did some t molding slots this evening.  First time using a slot cutter and I was very tepid given the thought of a carbide tipped throwing star flying off at a bazillion rpm.

Taking my time moving in small increments worked great.  I'm sold, it is a must have.

This is my router, there are many like it but this one is mine...

[Mysterioii]

I picked up a router late last year but haven't had a chance to get into any new projects and try it out.  Bits are expensive though, so what do you all suggest?  I like to be prepared (without breaking the bank) so I was looking at some of the big-daddy sets on ebay, like 80 assorted bits for $90...  Sure the quality probably isn't as good as the bits that run $18 each but for occasional use they should be alright, right?  Only problem I saw was that most of those sets, despite the huge number of bits, usually only had decorative trim bits and not many joining bits so I'd have to pick those up separately if I wanted to do that stuff.

Example big daddy set:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160583468729

Example joining bit sets:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/180630879289
http://www.ebay.com/itm/370560972454

I am conflicted because I like having tools and being prepared but hate wasting money.     Any thoughts from the pros?

[GregD]

I started out with one of those 50 piece sets about ten years ago and I still use them all the time.  Some have broken or dulled over the years and when they do i usually just replace them with better quality bits.  Many people will tell you not to buy one of these sets but not me.  I thought it was great for me.  I had almost every bit I needed for short money.  The ones that ended up being used the most have been replaces with high quality bits.  I suggest picking one of those sets up.  They aren't going to have everything like a raised panel set or such but it is nice to have the profile you need without ordering it or having to go to a store.

[Mysterioii]

Doing a bit more research it seems like people generally recommend routers that take a 1/2" bit?  The one I have at home is a Ryobi 1/4" router but it's never been out of the box, so I'm sure Home Depot would give me store credit for it if I decided to take it back.  The 80-piece set on ebay that I linked to is all 1/4" bits but the joining bit sets are 1/2".

Harbor Freight has a 2.5HP 1/2" plunge router for only $30 more than the 1.5HP 1/4" Ryobi (and it comes with collet adapters for 1/4" and 3/8"...)  Would that be a better way to go?  (I know Harbor Freight has a bit of a reputation as being cheaper for a reason, i.e. good for "light duty", "occasional use" tools, but that's pretty much all I need right now.

[GregD]

In my experience, all routers that accept 1/2" shanks also come with a 1/4" adapter.  What are you looking to do with the router?  What type of joinery are you looking to accomplish.  There are certain things that should not be done with a handheld router.  For most joinery, you will need to table mount it.  For dovetails with a jig, a 1/4" shanked bit is fine.  Larger bits like panel raising sets need to be done in a table and at a lower speed so a variable speed router is essential.

[Mysterioii]

In my experience, all routers that accept 1/2" shanks also come with a 1/4" adapter.  What are you looking to do with the router?  What type of joinery are you looking to accomplish.  There are certain things that should not be done with a handheld router.  For most joinery, you will need to table mount it.  For dovetails with a jig, a 1/4" shanked bit is fine.  Larger bits like panel raising sets need to be done in a table and at a lower speed so a variable speed router is essential.

Actually that's a good point, it's all kind of TBD really.  I'd like to try my hand at some really simple low bookcases and toy chests for my little girl, maybe put together a new control panel for myself, do the edge slots for T-molding.  Would I build a full size arcade cabinet from scratch?  Maybe some day but not just yet, I've got a kit cab now that I'm looking to improve upon and I'd have to start small and hone some basic skills before tackling something big.  I've got a biscuit cutter and have done some doweling too so I could put together some basic boxes without the advanced joining, but I just came across those bit sets on ebay and it got me thinking.

So, why exactly would you say that you have to use a router table for joinery?  I was just contemplating earlier today if I really needed a router table or not. Assuming I've already got my edges cut straight, isn't the whole point of a handheld router that you can go around the edge perfectly and the bearing keeps you lined up dead on?  How does the table really improve on that?  I can see ease-of-use but how does it actually improve upon a bearing and base plate physically preventing you from moving the bit further into the wood?

Of course, I've never used one before so I'm probably oversimplifying...  I really am curious  to hear your thoughts.

[GregD]

Depends on the type of joint.  If your are doing simple half lap joints then a handheld router would be fine.  If your are doing finger joints then you need a table.  Dovetails can be done with a handheld router and a jig.  That said, you can make a router table really easily.  I have mine mounted as a wing in my cabinet table saw. 

[JayB]

Mine came with a handful of bits but, none were long enough for 1/4" MDF. I paid a couple of quid for the bit I needed to see if I got on with it before spending any more. Seems to be ok so far.

Finished cutting the pieces I needed for my desk about 4pm and had a load of left overs and idle hands...so started making a mini cab. I don't even need one    Nearly built, just need to drill the button holes.