Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: dmel75 on April 28, 2008, 02:33:09 pm
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Would this be a decent router for cabinet building? T-mould routing, etc?
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Skil-Fixed-Base-1-3-4-HP-Router/1796200/product.html?cid=123620&fp=F&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=10147491-000-000
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I have the same router with a plunge base. I've used mine for cutting cab sides and slots with no problem. Its definitely not high end, but if you're just going to use it for cab stuff, its fine. Mine was under $100 with the plunge base, which is a nice option to have.
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I really dig my Craftsman plunge router, super solid and super clean. You'd think Sears would have the best price (which I think is $79 on sale) but OSH (in California) has it for $79 every day, $69 for the fixed... but you want plunge if you can get it, it saves a lot of mistakes. I never touched a router before doing this project and I got fairly decent with it pretty quickly, only because it was a plunge router.
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I think it depends on your mindset. I like to have the best and get a good price, despite the fact that I don't always have any idea what I'm doing... I bought the Dewalt 618PK (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006JKXE) for $152.81 and then added the Whiteside 401 (http://www.amazon.com/PART-401-SHANK-BASIC-ROUTER/dp/B000AM31QI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1209614120&sr=1-1) starter bit set for an additional $88. Do I think my cabinet will look better than yours because of this, absolutely not. Do I feel like upgrading, thankfully not! Will you?
I have a DeWalt miter saw, my brother-in-law has a Craftsman. I think the miter lock on mine is far superior to his. And I think this is the key to the miter saw. His came with a laser guide and a stand, which I would have to add to mine. And he probably paid less than I did for the saw. If you aren't going to get the upgrade bug, buy that router. If you are, wait for a sale on the DeWalt or the Porter-Cable.
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I pretty much always buy good tools. Like you, my miter saw is a DeWalt, I have a good Makita jigsaw, 2 good circs (one Makita, one Porter Cable). I never needed a router before I did a slot cut. Even when I cut my cab sides, I did it with a circular and sanded the corners. I used it to cut the sides on my bartop, but that was just because I already had it. My Skil isn't a total crap tool, but not up to the level of my other stuff. For the half hour per year it gets used, its fine. ;)
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I got a Ridgid adjustable speed router with a plunge base attachment for only $90 or so quite a few months back. I am completely happy with it and don't ever plan on upgrading. For buying that router, I got for free a B&D jigsaw which is worth exactly what I paid for it; NOTHING! Biggest POS on earth, but it gets the rough jobs done and lets my hand planar and sanding finish it up.
I recently got a Ryobi Circular Saw which has been fine for what I've been using it for thus far, and a Ridgid Random Orbital Sander. My shopvac is a Ridgid model so all their power tools easily connect to it which keeps dust and debris down to a minimum. I'm quite happy with the tool collection I've acquired.
I went through Harbor Freight to get my 10" compound miter saw. It's not really all that great and is made my Chicago Electric, or some other company that I can't recall. I paid a mere $50 for it and it gets the job done, but not all that accurately. It can't cut all that wide of a piece, but the kerf it leaves is the perfect size for my hand saw so the power miter saw does most of the cutting, then I put my hand saw into the groove and finish it off for a nice straight cut.