Should I take the plunge

[Jammin0]

Let me preface this by saying that I have never used a router.  I've done plenty of carpentry in remodeling my old home but I haven't had much experience with finish carpentry.  My question for the group is what kind of router setup to buy for my first cabinet project.  I will probably only be doing 1 for the time being and it is actually not even a full cabinet.  More of a pedestal control panel to go along with an LCD TV mounted on the wall.

Plunge router vs. stationary router.  Do I need a table for it?  Can I build one pretty easily, does it just bolt on to the table?

I assume I will need the router for my cp edges and my button / joystick cutouts, as well as T-molding.  Any other uses for the router on this project that would make things easier. I have a table saw, jigsaw, and miter saw.  Are the control panels typically just cut out using a jigsaw and then sanded down?  I want to know what the pro on a budget would do.

I plan to put acrylic on top of the CP can the router work for trimming that down to flush work as well?

My 1 question kind of turned into a whole bunch so I will stop there.   I guess part of it is me just needing to get my feet wet and try it out.  I have a really cool idea for the base of the pedestal to give it a nice custom look but we'll see if I can pull it off.

[Vigo]

Howdy!

I personally prefer a plunge router. It is not necessary, but if you can find a good plunge for the right price, go for it. For me it is for these 3 reasons:

1) It is much easier for cutting out inside areas in wood. You can alternately drill out an area, and then take a fixed router to cut afterward.
2) I find it just easier to set the height of the bit.
3) I do woodworking outside of arcade cabinets, and other projects have needed the plunge feature.

I still haven't built a router table, but I have seen homemade ones before. They seem easy enough to build.

Jigsaw should be fine for cutting a CP, but be sure to get or make a straight edge guide for any straightaways. Also, get a heavy duty cutting blade, jig blades tend to bend when they overheat. You will get a ton of recommendations for a circular saw though, because it is just the easier route for straight cuts.

I haven't cut acrylic with a router yet, but everyone seems to do fine with it.

[Jammin0]

Oh yeah, I have a good circular saw too, forgot to mention that.  I also have a little mini drill press but don't know if I can use it because of the size of the project.

Thanks for the advice on the plunge router.  I kind of figured that there weren't really any advantages to a stationary router vs. the plunge router.  I have a killer pawn shop right by where I live and I see plunge routers for $40-70 dollars or so all the time, craigslist is also really big where I live so I don't think I will have too much trouble finding one.  Just have to convince the Mrs.  Luckily I am also working on a basic cabinet/shelving for our new bathroom remodel so I think I will "have" to buy it for that project as well.

[Vigo]

  It looks like you will be pretty well set up! Drill presses are great for button holes, but yeah, sometimes they are just not big enough to use on a large CP.

[EvilNuff]

Plunge no question.  You can do everything with a plunge that a stationary can do and more.  You could also consider a 2 base kit where there is one motor than you can move between the bases.  IMO this is really only useful for mounting the stationary base in a router table, however.

Also in my opinion its worth spending a little extra to get a decent router like a porter cable, dewalt, etc.  (As opposed to an el cheapo.)

[BobA]

I think the title of your thread answers your question.  Take the plunge and get a plunge router. 

[Jammin0]

ok, despite all of the advice I ended up not getting a plunge router.  I was just having a really hard time finding any used.  I picked up this guy instead from the local pawn shop.  I was actually pretty happy because they wanted $70 and I got them down to $40.  Now I just have to get some bits to go with it.  I decided to go deWalt because most of my tools are deWalt already.  Ever since I used a 18V drill in my job going through college I have been a huge fan, I figure that if they turn on at all they are safe to buy used.
Any advice on must have bits that I need to buy now?