Dremel *edit* Router attachment

[said7]

Anyone buy this before?

Is it woth it and are the bits effective. Which bit is best used for t-molding slots?

I dont wanna drop 150 for a router when i can get an attachment for only 25..

[Pixelhugger]

I've got a dremel and a router. I routed my tmolding channel with a 3 wing cutter and judging from my experience I wouldn't go the dremmel route - no pun intended. You should be able to get a decent router for $40 bucks somewhere, no? You don't need much HP or the plunge capability. It shouldn't be that much more than the dremel bit methinks. On the other hand if your cash is suuuper tight, I guess the dremel could work if you go slow and steady.

[Chris]

Anyone buy this before?

Is it woth it and are the bits effective. Which bit is best used for t-molding slots?

I dont wanna drop 150 for a router when i can get an attachment for only 25..

By "rotary attachment" do you mean "router attachment"?  I have one of these, but haven't tried it out yet; I should be doing my T-molding channel this weekend.  Of course, I'm only doing a CP, not a whole game...

--Chris

[said7]

Yes my mistake....

I meant router attachment.

I think the cheapest router i found at home depot was like 70 bucks and thats without bits  

Let me know how it goes and tell me what bit you used. Im very curious. Thanks

[Chris]

The best bit for the job, I'm told is the one at http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?cat=51199&dept=5428&product_id=1215240&path=0%3A5428%3A51199%3A4093%3A55338%3A55341 :



If you're doing a whole cabinet, though, it'll take forever, as you'll need to keep stopping to let that tiny little motor cool down!

People keep saying that you'll always find great uses for a router, so it may be worth looking at http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47937 .

--Chris

[said7]

Yeah I saw that same bit at HD.

Thanks for the link it looks like a great deal. Maybe I should just bite the bullet having a router would be nice.

Whats the difference between a standard and a plunge router.

[hyiu]

I bought a dremel and later, a router...
I have to say... if I have a chance to do it again...
I will just buy a router.... (actually... I got a plunge router...)

dremel is good for small task.... but if you're cutting t-molding slots... and so on... ROUTER rules !!...

ok... if you have steady hands, dremel will also work....
but I would say router makes it much easier...

as for plunger router and router.... plunge router has a mechanism so that the whole motor part (and the drill bit can sink in after you positioned it correctly....
hmmm.... I don't think I can explain clearly....

try reading this thing.... and you'll be clear....
http://www.wood-worker.com/articles/router_guide.htm

good luck....
 

[locash]

On a plunge router the motor and the base assembly are connected by a sliding rail system.  This helps to make controled depth cuts in the middle of a piece of wood.  You set a stop for a certain depth, place the router base down on the hole location, start the motor, and "plunge" the bit down into the wood.  Great for routing out recesses for joysticks.

[AlanS17]

Given the choice I think I'd rather have a regular router than a plunge router. I've found most plunges to be sticky. They don't plunge smoothly. On top of that, if the arms aren't lines up properly you get a really funky pseduo-sideways cut. Even worse, if one of the arms loosens while you're in mid-cut you'll screw your world. Happenned with the one I had. One arm just let go. Luckily I was using test wood. ust took the whole thing back to Sears and got a refund. Plunges really do kinda suck. Every once in a while they have their place, but there isn't much you can't do with a sturdier regular router.

(My 1/50 of a buck.)

[SS427]

I tried the dremel with the attachment and the same bit in the previous post.  Three words...GET A ROUTER.  Using the dremel was very slow going, not to mention that you have to go even slower or make multiple passes to keep the dremel from overheating.  Mine overheated before I had even got a 1 foot lenth finished (thought I had ruined it, but worked after cooling off).  The dremel just isn't made for that type of abuse.  

Might try ebay for a router, I have seen numerous ones on there even for the buy it now option that were much cheaper than 70.  Just my 4 half pennies.

SS

[said7]

I check out the Dremel section and found this....

http://www.dremel.com/productdisplay/att_template.asp?SKU=963-01&Color=99CCFF

I see it working similar to a plunge router and its only 25 bucks.
I just read this feature....

Removable tool insert (Remove insert to use standard size rotary saws)
So i guess it will work the same bits giving you more options.

My main dilema is this thing worth it or am i better off just buying a real router?

[AlanS17]

Well, as some people have posted, you're gonna choke your Dremel if you push it hard. It wasn't made for that kind of abuse. I've heard of some places that rent tools, though. May wanna check with local hardware stores.

If you don't mind being underhanded about it, Sears has a great return policy. I took back my all-in-one cuz it was genuinelt busted, but then didn't ask any question. They really didn't even look at the thing. I kept a 1/4" collet just in case I need it for the future. *whistles innocently*  

[said7]

The Dremel does have a 5 year warranty so if i blow it i can always get a new one.

Hmm decisions decisions.....

[hyiu]

well.... 5 yr waranty for the dremel is of course a good thing...
but if you ruin your piece of wood during the cut....
I doubt that is worthed or waranteed...