Spiral Saw or Router??

[clanggedin]

My in-laws gave me a gift card to Home Depot for X-mas and I'm not sure what would serve me better. I would like something that will let me cut a complete cab out using just that tool. I know that I can't cut the slots for t-molding using the spiral saw, but all around which one would serve me better?? Has anyone cut out a complete cab with a spiral saw?

[gobuchul74]

I tried cutting MDF with my spiral saw, and broke two cutting bits.  I consider it a tool of limited usefullness.  I just finished my cab and I'd have to say the three most important tools I had were 1. Circular Saw, 2. Cordless Drill and 3. Router.

[Bones]

You

[clanggedin]

I know there are tons of guys that have cut out their whole cabs using a router. I was going to get a circular saw, but I thought I would get more out of a router or a spiral saw.

Money is not an issue, I just don't want to have to buy 10 tools for 10 specific purposes. I would just rather get one or two tools that can accomplish all of them.

[jace055]

I have a "Roto-zip".  It works great on drywall and tile and everything the commercial says it will do.  Ever see it cutting a stright line the entire length of an 8 foot piece of MDF ? No.  I got it beacuse I was a car audio installer and  I would use the circle cutting attachment, which would work great.  It wil not cut slots for T-molding and it will not countersink joystick or trackballs.   I would get the router much better all around tool.

[coasternuts]

I have the same issue only I got Lowe's coupons and I got the circular saw also, 7 1/4"  Craftsman, I'm hesitant to own up to this as I've already opened the package. 

So, I'm going for the router.  However, I'm a novice with saws and such and somewhat scared to turn on the saw now after hearing the 4 finger problem.  BrokenBones, would you please let me know what to   watch out for?  Yikes!!

[Bones]

I have the same issue only I got Lowe's coupons and I got the circular saw also, 7 1/4"

[Xiaou2]

lol @ BrokenBones1   

  Ok here goes...

    A rotozip uses a smaller 1/8th " bit or something like that.   Its thin and can break fairly easily in wood.   
 
  However... Rotozip also makes a 1/4" bit which is thick - and fits into a Router!  : )   Cuts MDF like a hot knife thru Butter!   Ive cut a good deal with it - no sign of any wear.  I doubt youd break that bit.  (its labled as window/door - i think)

  However... my favorite tool is my tablesaw.

  It seems to get the most use out of all my tools.   Much much faster cuts, easy to use... decent accuracy.   Can cut metal by changing the  blade to the metal cutting discs.  Cut slots using a daido blade.
More durrable than a circluar saw (ive seen cir.saws get bent out of allignment too easily).   Less dangerous IMOP... as you can see the blade.   Fairly cheap ones go for 80 to 100$ - and work great.

 Every tool has a special advantage.   Eventually, you will probably want the specific tool for the specific job. Till then... I saw grab a tablesaw.  Or - if you really cant afford it... get a router w/ a 1/4" rotozip bit. 

  I suppose circluar saws are good - but Im just too scared to use those things.  I can envision all sorts of nasty accidents with em.
 
 
 
 

[etoasty]

Less dangerous IMOP...

I'd have to agree that i don't know what i'd do without a tablesaw. Just please please please use a pushstick to guide the wood through if you decide to get a one clanggedin. If the wood ever kicks back then the hands somehow seem to gravitate towards that saw blade. 

[Bones]

I honestly think most accidents can be prevented by reading the user manual, using some common sense and have a tidy and clean work area.

People also forget the little things like hearing and eye protection which really are most important.

If you

[Beeeph]

I just finished my cab and I'd have to say the three most important tools I had were 1. Circular Saw, 2. Cordless Drill and 3. Router.

I concur!

[DrewKaree]

Get the router.  It's better suited to what you're doing.

Anyone here build kitchen/bathroom cabinets?  Tell him what you'd use for buidling cabinets. 

You will NEVER walk into a cabinet factory or onto a remodeling jobsite and see someone building a cabinet with a rotozip. 

You are building a "kitchen" cabinet, albeit one that will never be hung on a wall or used to store dishes (unless you're a COMPLETE slob, in which case you should have Murray the cop come and arrest you).


There's a saying about using the right tool for the job.

The router is the right tool for this job.

The rotary saw will work, but it is not the right job.

I can cut a tree down with a circular saw too, but the chainsaw is better suited to the task. 

Use the right tool for the job.  Don't give that rotary saw a second thought, go buy the router. 



When looking at routers, try to buy one that has both a ¹/₄" collet AND a ¹/₂" collet.  You'll thank me later when you want to use your router for a project and you find they don't make the bit you want with the smaller shank.  There's a reason it only comes in the bigger shanked model.

[clanggedin]

If I pick up a router will 1.5HP be enough? Should I spend the extra $$ and get a 2HP?

[DrewKaree]

The horse and a half will be fine for your cab, the 2 horsey is nicer in the long run.  Do you need the extra half a horse?  No.  I'd still want the 2 horse, though 

[Tailgunner]

If I pick up a router will 1.5HP be enough? Should I spend the extra $$ and get a 2HP?

Unless you'll be building your cab out of rock maple, don't bother.

[ericball]

My only suggestion is to go corded (and variable speed) rather than cordless for your first drill.  Why?  Grunt power.  I don't care how many volts is in the battery pack, a corded drill has 100+VAC and 10+Amps to draw on if necessary.  Cordless is great when you are working in places where there are no outlets handy, but the rest of the time I plug in.

Oh, and there's the safety side.  When changing bits I unplug just in case.

My dad says I can have his drillpress & tablesaw when he finishes his basement.  Now I just have to figure out where to put them in my basement & how to ship them cheaply cross country.

[rdagger]

I just finished my cab and I'd have to say the three most important tools I had were 1. Circular Saw, 2. Cordless Drill and 3. Router.

I'd substitute a Jigsaw for the Circular saw, because although it is slower, it can make all the cuts you need for a cabinet.

[clanggedin]

I built my last cab using just a Sabre saw (JigSaw).

[Lilwolf]

My vote is...

[wakerlet]

I caved last night and bought a router.  I found one on sale at Home Depot (Ridged) that had three bases (plunge, fixed and some other one) for $87.  2HP and both 1/4 and 1/2 collets.  Not a bad price IMO.

-Todd