Anyone Recommend a good router

[vader]

I have 2 Craftsman routers....their about 3 yrs old each...both brand new.  Each of them has the same problem as you routing, the depth changes.  This is not big deal when your just recessing joysticks or even a mounting plate, but is disastrous when do the t molding groove.  Which do you guys recommend using with a 1/4" collet.  I love Craftsman, but their routers blow.

Tim

[vader]

Thanks Spy.....but mine looks totally different...maybe your is newer and fixed the flaw mine has.....

Tim

[Mameotron]

Have you tried one of the new wireless routers?  These are really sweet!!

[Mameotron]

Sorry, couldn't resist.....


Actually, I have a Skil router I bought about 10 years ago for $35.00 (brand new at Sears).

[vader]

Skil looks kinda nice......I'm not a big Ryobi fan, but when  I was at Home Depot last nite, they had a nice plunge router with a locking mechanism that seemed to work really well.....have it on my list of things for xmas......

Tim

[SeaMonkey]

Have you tried one of the new wireless routers?

[Gamecab]

Tim,

Pick up a Porter-Cable Router.  I have lost many control panels due to the sears routers.  I purchased a Porter-Cable router last month and have been very happy with the results.  I'm going to retrofit my smoothy maker with the motor from the sears router because it's pretty much worthless to me.

Check this link http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=2810

Thanks
Charlie

[Mameotron]

BAH!! those are cheap trinkets. What you want in the way of wireless router is a 2Wire Homeportal 180HG. They even do HPNA networking though the phonelines. They broadcast at 400mw ..... over 4 times the power of the industry standard. I am pulling satalites out of the sky.

Uh, that was a joke.

[SeaMonkey]

Uh, that was a joke.

[DrewKaree]

Porter Cable, Milwaukee or Bosch.

All three make VERY nice routers you'd be ecstatic to own.

I've owned 2 Porter Cable's, and 1 Milwaukee.  I work with a guy who swears by Bosch.

If I had to buy a new one for work and had the cash handy, I'd buy yet ANOTHER Porter Cable.

I needed one for "around the house" type stuff, and bought the Ryobi 3 base set from Home Depot.  Excellent set for the money and for the purpose - no production-type work, easy cuts, it accepts both size shanks so you're not limited to the quarter inch bits.

If you use yours for a bit more than infrequent use, buy a PC or Milwaukee.  They're priced higher than most, and for a reason.     They're worth it.

[vader]

Drew, 

do u think this would be a good one to pick up

http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=77344-546-9690LR\

Thanks

Tim

[RobopedeII]

Just my 2 cents: I just finished the routering on my control panel. I used a Porter Cable similar to the one you're asking about, but with the variable speed feature. It was only a few dollars more, but it's a handy feature. I ordered it from Amazon and saved about $15 over Lowe's. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006411B/qid=1102667592/sr=1-42/ref=sr_1_42/104-2726895-5951938?v=glance&s=hi

[DrewKaree]

The model Robo is speaking of is one of the two I used - I picked that one up after my original 690 took a crap on me after being run over by a truck   

The variable speed is nice, but unless you know how to match the bit to the speed, you won't really "utilize" the feature (knowingly, anyway)

The model you link to is a STELLAR price for that model, and if I'm correct, it's the updated model of the standard 690.

IF (and that's a BIG if) you are able to find a PC 690 somewhere near you, buy THAT - it just "feels" more solid than the newer version. 

If you can't, or don't want to look for a 690, the one you link to should be bought before they up the price again - I'm guessing that's on sale for a limited time, or internet sale only.  That thing usually sells for ~30 more at the HD by me (129.99), so snatch that up.

You'll LOVE the ability to use ¹/₂" shank bits if all you could use was ¹/₄" before - big timesaver depending on the bit and now you can make all those raised panel doors you could never find to fit your small collet! 

[DrewKaree]

My bad, the 890 is the replacement for the 690 - everything else applies

Also, and I'm not positive on this, so don't quote me, the motor is removable, allowing  it to be used with other bases (D-handle or plunge).  I know for certain the motor is removable, it's the other bases I'm not positive on. 


If you want to give variable speed control a try, but don't want to drop the dough right now, go ahead and get that one you're looking at.  Later on you can add a separate speed control for it

Link to speed control for router and why you might want to have variable speed control

[Grauwulf]

I have the Skill set that Mameotron linked to, I've only used it twice since

[Stingray]

Mine's a Black & Decker, I think it's 1 3/4 HP. Don't know if it's a good one or not as it's the only one I've ever used. It does everything I need it to do though.

-S

[Matt Berry]

It all depends on what style you are looking for, do you perfer fixed base or a plunge router. It use to be porter cable, dewalt or Bosch were all good choices.  I'm not sure if porter cable is still good or not as Pentair sold porter cable and Delta to Black and Decker who also owns dewalt. If you noticed a lot of the newer porter cable tools look like dewalts they are just gray. For fixed base the PC 690 is good, or the bosch. Plunge routers I have a dewalt and pc and they are both great. Toolcrib of the north which is part of Amazon.com usually has good prices for these.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Have you tried to track down WHY your Craftsman routers are changing depths?
I've had mine for about 10 YEARS, and never had a problem with that.

Starting with simple stuff first, have you checked the lock collar on it.
If you can't get the lock collar tight, the depth adjustment ring will slip, and cause the depth to change.
(For those who haven't used one, the lock collar is the big ring around the handle area, with a wing nut on it. That clamps around the router, and keeps the bit depth from moving).

Second, if it's the BIT that's changing, check the collet for debris.
It's really easy to get something stuck in there if you turn the router over to change bits.
That may keep the collet from tightening on the bit, causing the bit to slip under torque.

[vader]

Ok, after reading NoOne's post I realized this may be user error.  The latch on the collor has a type of set screw that I never tightened since I didn't realize it was necessary, I thought you just had to have the latch down.  I'll run a length tonite and see how it turns out and let you guys know.  I'd hate it if I was bashing Craftsman if it was my fault, never had any problems before with them.

Thanks

Tim

[Mameotron]

LOL yeah, I was going for straight-man, but I guess I played it too straight.

Hehe, good to know there's yet another smarta%% here now!!!

If you hadn't noticed, DrewKaree's title says it all...

[DrewKaree]

HEY!  I'll have you know I REQUESTED that moniker! 

Indeed they DO have a sense of humor, and they also humor the mentally deranged, such as myself, but I want the record to show I humor myself, too!

[neuromancer]

Skil looks kinda nice......I'm not a big Ryobi fan, but when

[shmokes]

Mine's a DeWalt DW616.  It came with both a plunge and fixed base.  It's probably overkill for me, as I'm not much of a carpenter, but I love it.  It's by far my best and most useful tool.  Lot's of great little touches, like a removable powercord with super heavy-duty ends.  You'd be amazed at how nice it is to be able to remove the power cord (especially when changing bases). 

Anyway, I'm also a sucker for the DeWalt yellow motif.  It's like they're saying, "We can be ugly because we're so damn tough."  Like Caterpiller.  Porter Cable probably has the sronger reputation, but they're not yellow.

[Tailgunner]

Mine's a DeWalt DW616.

[DrewKaree]

Isn't it funny how, if you need them for work stuff, you happen to have, like, 50 times the normal amount others would have, and yet, ya don't see a problem with it at all? 

[Tailgunner]

Isn't it funny how, if you need them for work stuff, you happen to have, like, 50 times the normal amount others would have, and yet, ya don't see a problem with it at all?

[pgifford]

Ok, after reading NoOne's post I realized this may be user error.

[vader]

Well......it worked right when I tightened those set screw, but I mangled up the MDF so much the first time, I need to cut a new pieces....chalk it up to lesson learned.  I will stil lget a new router since I'm borrowing my fathers

tim

[DrewKaree]

Newer models SHOULD be easier to adjust than that one.

I say "should" because of the obvious - they may not care to improve what they feel is a "proven tried and true" design. 

[Tailgunner]

Save a few of the drops when you're cutting you replacement panel to size. Then use them to make sure your router is set up properly before you mess up another control panel.

Without a pic I can't tell for sure, but if all you messed up was the t-molding slot then you could likely fix it with bondo. Use a plastic putty knife and pack it deeply in the slot. When it's good and cured bondo actually routes quite well.