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Router question?
markrvp:
Knievel recommended a good setup. That Porter Cable set has been an industry leader for awhile now. I noticed the last time I was at Home Depot that they weren't even carrying the 2 HP Porter Cable plunge router anymore. I guess there wasn't much demand for it over the set Knievel recommended.
Steve Kaz:
I bought a Craftsman plunge router on sale at Sears for $60-$70 and it worked great.
Dire Radiant:
I think the point here is that if you're not a professional then you don't need professional grade tools. There really isn't anything wrong with plastic housings for routers unless you're taking it to a job site where it's going to get knocked about and using it every day. For someone who keeps it at home and uses it a couple of times a year, plastic will be just fine.
DrewKaree:
--- Quote from: Sinner on May 11, 2005, 02:05:14 pm ---i have no clue when it comes to power tools...I want to buy a router, but I'm not sure what to look for...
Is this one any good?
What should I look for??
http://www.homedepot.ca/escalate/store/DetailPage?pls=hd_canada_gift&bc=hd_canada_gift&clist=018980323807:01898032388c:12efae00140300:&pc=940350
--- End quote ---
Your link doesn't work.
Check out this link:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,36441.0.html
Porter Cable is one of the better manufacturers. Ryobi isn't a bad manufacturer of routers, but their lower price is due to materials used, different design of the motor used, etc. For what you'll use it for, Ryobi makes a 1.5 hp router that will work just fine for your needs. Porter Cable will also make one that will work just fine for your needs. The difference is in materials used to make the tool. That Porter Cable router will cost quite a bit more than the Ryobi, but it WILL look like it SHOULD cost quite a bit more. That "a bit more" is up to you to decide if it's worth paying.
Since your link didn't work, I don't know for certain what you were looking at, but I've got Ryobi's 18V laminate trimmer that's the cat's ass. You'd never use it for building a cab, but for doing the trimwork if you laminated your cab, I love the cordless trimmer vs hassling with a cable.
Getting at least a 1 hp router will work. More hp will obviously work better.
nostrebor:
I have both the Ryobi $99 plunge router and the 3 base kit from Ryobi (Christmas gift). These are decent "starter" routers. Mine do a fine job, and this is my most used woodworking tool after the table saw. The 3 base kit is noted for having "sticking problems" with the motor-base interface, but there are fixes.
With all that said, theay are "stepping stone" routers. If you can swing the PC 2 base kit, or the Bosch 2 base kit, do it. They are nicer to use and you can get better results. Multiple bases are nice because eventually you might want to mount a base in a router table. This makes it easier to switch from table to hand-held routing.
If the woodworking bug gets you, you WILL own at least 3 routers before it's over. I have 4 :P I have finally settled on the PC. Nice router.