*almost* bought a router yesterday

[ChadTower]

So, I'm walking around Sears yesterday and I come to the routers.  They're like $10 off.  No big deal, but I find suddenly I want to buy one and start learning the various things you can do with them.  Much of my ignorance of woodwork has always been that I'd look at things with odd edges and such and have no idea how that was done.  I'm starting to see maybe a lot of it was router work...

Didn't actually buy one, though, as it's 5 degrees outside and everything is covered in 2" of ice.  So I wouldn't be able to use it for months.

[leapinlew]

D'oh! So close!

I tell you what Chad... That router purchase I made was the best thing that happened to me with this arcade business. When I need to buy a new one, I'll gladly spend some money on a quality piece of equipment. My first one (which has lasted me for 6 cabinets and seems to still be going strong) is similar to this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Chicago-Electric-1-3-4-HP-PLUNGE-ROUTER-43585_W0QQitemZ250082954181QQihZ015QQcategoryZ20781QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It's just your run of the mill Harbor Freights model. While the router itself could be better, actual using it has opened up a whole world of possibilities of wood working for me.

[ChadTower]

THAT TOOL IS ORANGE.   

So, would I want plunge or fixed base?  I was peeking at router tables too but that's something to consider later on if I ever wanted to get that far.

[leapinlew]

It's orange so all the other tools know to beware. It's a badass. 

I have a plunge, but I'm not sure I know enough at this point to say plunge or table. I usually working on large enough pieces that I have to secure them down to a table. I got mine for around $20 after it was shipped.

I bought it just cause I needed a t-mold slot. Then after learning about the flush trim bit and chamfer bit - I'm hooked.

Take the plunge. (painful pun intended)

[ChadTower]

Anyone else have an opinion for a woodworking newbie?  Plunge or fixed?  I assume you can do most with either and that plunge is just easier to use for "landlocked" routing?

[Rusty]

Anyone else have an opinion for a woodworking newbie?  Plunge or fixed?  I assume you can do most with either and that plunge is just easier to use for "landlocked" routing?

You're pretty much right on here.  You can do still route inside using a fixed-base as well just by drilling a pilot hole first.  (i.e. - When cutting button holes in a CP while using another CP as a template.)  I have a multi-base set and find myself using the fixed-base way more often simply because its lighter and easier to maneuver.  My set also has a D-handle base that is much more comfortable to use on certain pieces.

One thing I would recommend, regardless of fixed- or plunge-base, would be to get a variable speed router with soft-start.  I have no idea if the Chicago Electric / Harbor Freight ones have these features.

You might want to check out Amazon, who happens to be having a router sale right now.

[ChadTower]

Good to have that confirmed.  I'm leaning towards fixed base at this point.  When I get it in the spring I'll probably end up just taking it outside and routing the crap out of the pile of scrap wood in my yard to get used to it.   

[Crax]

I'm leaning towards fixed base at this point. 

A plunge can do pretty much everything a fixed can plus more.  There are combo routers that you can switch bases on as well.  If you are just going to get one router to start out with, i would get a plunge.