Router questions

[Inu_Yasha]

Right now, I'm thinking about buying me a router (Amazon has some on sale). I was thinking about getting one of the Milwaukee 5625-20 3-1/2 HP Fixed-Base Router since it has good reviews. I was wondering though, are there any other suggested routers, and is a plunge router better than a fixed. Thanks!

[ThomasW]

You might consider this, it's one of the best routers available. Wonderful, smooth, and very powerful motor. Fits the Jasper circle cutting jigs ....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000223K9/qid=1152676768/sr=1-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-4957476-4372705?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=hi&v=glance&n=228013

[Inu_Yasha]

You might consider this, it's one of the best routers available. Wonderful, smooth, and very powerful motor. Fits the Jasper circle cutting jigs ....
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

Thanks for the quick reply thomas! I was actually considering that router as it was on sale for $112 earlier today, but I missed the sale Right now, the Milwaukee is on sale and comes with a free sander which was one other thing that kinda convinced me. Overall, if they were the same price, which would you choose?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00007FPJK/qid=1152677086/sr=1-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-2724732-1649702?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=hi&v=glance&n=228013

[Amphiprion]

If you are looking at routers, there are two IMO to get: the Dewalt 621 or the Hitachi that Thomas linked to. The strength of the DW621 is its dust collection (freaking awesome, especially for circle cutting and freehand routing, or anywhere where you must see the workpiece), and the Hitachi is reknowned for its power (and smoothness too, I think). If you ever watched the PBS show "The Router Workshop", they used the Hitachis exclusively. If I was to buy something to complement my 621, it would be the 'tachi.

[jonathanb3478]

Overall, if they were the same price, which would you choose?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

If this is your first/only router, I would get a plunge model. Or a dual base (fixed + plunge), but they are costly. Get the Hitachi or the DW621 that Mark suggested. I have the DW625, and enjoy it immensely.

If you want to run 3/4" roundovers, or larger, you need the Hitachi. The ~2HP models are not safe with large diameter (>1.75") bits, according to advice I have gotten on numerous woodworking forums. Something about the ratio to the motor bearing to bit diameter.

[seattle_ice]

I have the Hitachi, and a DeWalt 625 with the dust collection attachment. Both have lots of power, plunge well, yadda yadda.

For my next one, I am getting the DeWalt 621 simply for the dust collection capabilities to use for all the MDF crap. The attachment works, but not as well as the built in one on the 621.

The Hitachi is not quite as slick as my DeWalt, but it can be found significantly cheaper.

[jonathanb3478]

I have the Hitachi, and a DeWalt 625 with the dust collection attachment.

The Hitachi is not quite as slick as my DeWalt, but it can be found significantly cheaper.

I got my DW625 for $213, shipped. That was significantly cheap enough for me to pull the trigger.

[seattle_ice]

I got my DW625 for $213, shipped. That was significantly cheap enough for me to pull the trigger.

I love that router. It powers through anything, the plunge works great, and it is not too heavy for being such a workhorse. I have been using it for production work for three years, still works like new. Just wish the dust collection was on par with the DW621.

[jonathanb3478]

Just wish the dust collection was on par with the DW621.

Well, I have only used mine with out any dust collection, so once I get a method together to adapt my shop vac 2.5" hose onto that little port on the DC attachment my DW625 came with anything will be an improvement.

[ThomasW]

I have 2 Hitachi M12V's, 2 DeWalt 621's and a DeWalt 618.

For a first router I suggest the M12V. It will out live you. The DeWalts are nice but don't have the tank like build or the power of the M12V.

The 621 DeWalt have great dust collection and the worst power switch and locking mechanism of any tool I've ever used in my life. It's action is completely counter intuitive and wears out prematurely...

[Amphiprion]

The 621 power switch is a love it/hate it thing. I've read reviews where guys just trash it. But it's the router I first started using so it seems totally natural to me. Had I used other routers first I might have not liked it. I haven't used mine heavily enough to experience any possible wear problems with it, maybe 15 speaker projects so far. I was using a supremely crappy Craftsman router from the 70's before that. Bad times.

[seattle_ice]

I have 2 Hitachi M12V's, 2 DeWalt 621's and a DeWalt 618.

For a first router I suggest the M12V. It will out live you. The DeWalts are nice but don't have the tank like build or the power of the M12V.

The 621 DeWalt have great dust collection and the worst power switch and locking mechanism of any tool I've ever used in my life. It's action is completely counter intuitive and wears out prematurely...

I don't like the switch on the 621 either.

I must have had different experience than you Thomas. My DW625 has outlasted two of the Hitachis, and that is despite doing twice as much work with it. Of course, I build houses with them, so it is not the typical workload that many routers will see. Cutting 30 windows openings in a day through 7/16" OSB in the rain with a flush cutting bit, etc. YMMV. And the Hitachi can be found for ~$50-75 cheaper if you really look.

OP: If you are buying a router simply to build an occasional cabinet, one of the lighter 2 hp routers will be easier to use. If you want one that can handle a lot of jobs, the 3+ hp models will definitely be the ticket. And you will definitely want the plunge capabilities for doing the driver recesses.

I would also suggest a 1/2" x 1-1/4" or longer solid carbide upspiral bit for cutouts. They really cut smoothly, and keep all the dust from packing in the grooves. The are a little on the spendy side however, and not necessary, just nice.

[Inu_Yasha]

WOW!!! Thank you all for your quick responses and great advice! The main reason I wanted to get a router was to build my speakers and to do the molding for one of my house rennovation projects. So it looks like the hitachi and dewalt are the two main contenders! I'm leaning towards the hitachi more as I've had one bad experience with dewalt before.

So put basically, the plunge router is the one that I need in order to do driver recesses?

Also, I haven't heard anything about the bosch router with fixed and plunge base. Is that any good?

[Amphiprion]

Yes, you definitely want the plunge for driver recesses. Also get the Jasper Jig (model 200 I think) if don't have one.

[ThomasW]

And the Hitachi can be found for ~$50-75 cheaper if you really look.

How about throwing him a bone?..

[seattle_ice]

How about throwing him a bone?..

Hey, np.

Amazon.Com ~$150

Ebay - with shipping ~$132

[topp]

I figure I would throw my 2 cents in. I have both, a Porter Cable 8529 and the Hitachi M12V. I use the PC for free hand and the Hitachi will be used in a table, when I finish that. I would suggest getting a 2 to 2 1/4 HP router, either a plunge like the 8529 or one that have fixed and plunge bases. I would also look for one that has variable speeds. I don't think I would want to use the M12V or any other 3 HP router for handwork, since they weight so much. You mainly get the 3+ HP ones for large bits, which you are suppose use in a table.

[seattle_ice]

I don't think I would want to use the M12V or any other 3 HP router for handwork, since they weight so much.

He does make a good point. I forget sometimes that I am bigger and stronger than the average person, and have been using these things for so many years. When you are 240 lbs. and used to carrying beams around two stories up while balancing on floor joists, even the big routers feel like feathers to me. And I like the stability.

I am guessing that most people would find it fatiguing to route a bunch of small stuff with a big, heavy router, and might find it harder to see what they are doing as well. And MDF does not take high horsepower to machine well.

[ThomasW]

My first real router was a M12V. All I did then was hand-held work. It's nice to have a router with some 'cajones' when cutting speaker holes in 1.5"-2.5" thick front baffles. I really like the weight of the Hitachi. The weight keeps it nice and steady not jumping all over the place.

And using one is proof the owner is a real man not a mouse..... :B

[seattle_ice]

My first router was an old D handle Rockwell. Weighed about the same as a cinderblock I think, and was about as esthetically pleasing.

[technimac]

Love my Dewalt 618 combo

I've had this set for about 3 years now and find it powerful enough to do 3/4" roundovers with no strain. Currently the fixed base is mounted under my Ryobi BT 3100 router table, and I use the plunge base for cutting circles and other freehand stuff.

The dust extraction system in the plunge base is a real plus. If I had it to do over, I would probably spring for the this 3-base deal (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013)
on now at Amazon, because the D-handle gives you so much control with the center of effort so close to the work.

Good luck in your quest!

[topp]

Inu_Yasha
Check out http://www.patwarner.com/ and http://www.woodnet.net/ for information on routers. If your going to make a lot of speakers or round cut out I would get the Jasper jig that ThomasW recommended. I haven't had any problems with my 2 HP router going thought material, but I might be taking shallower cuts then others. I am more worried about the bit breaking then running out of power. The router is of my most used tools; next to my table saw. I seem to use it on any project I do. For what it's worth, if I hadn't got a great deal on the Hitachi, I would probably buy the Milwaukee and use it in a table. I haven't read too much bad about the Milwaukee, but most people us it in a table, since it has the ability to adjust the height from above the table.

[ThomasW]

The Dewalt 618/616/etc is the same motor and bases as your link. We had a thread discussing it's dust extraction capabilities a while back....

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=8171

[Ten 99]

I own a DeWalt DW621, and have used a DW625. The 621 is my favorite router, and if I could only have one, it would be the 621. It is a bit awkward to use at first, but you get used to it.

I also own the Hitatchi M12V which is dedicated to a table now. It is a good router, and a great value. I don't think it has quite as smooth of a plunge action as the DeWalts, but overall I have very few complaints with it.

I also own a Porter Cable 690 fixed base router. It is also a nice little router, which I am quite fond of.

The last of the bunch that I own is a Bosch Colt 20 trim router. I've only used this one a small amount, so not much experience - so far I've been very pleased with it.

As far as the router that was mentioned by the OP, that Milwaukee is a fantastic router - for a router table. I wouldn't want to use that heavy thing for a fixed base hand held. In fact, eventually I would like to replace my Hitachi with that same Milwaukee. You know what they say, you can never have enough routers!

Good luck with your decision. If you have any local stores that carry any of these models, I would suggest trying them out in your hands and seeing how they feel to you.

[Dennis H]

is a plunge router better than a fixed.

Yes, if you are only going to have one router/base, it should have a plunge base. A plunge router can do anything a fixed base can do but the reverse is not true. Cutting circles with a jasper jig or patterns with a template is much harder with a fixed base than with a plunge base.

[jonathanb3478]

I don't think I would want to use the M12V or any other 3 HP router for handwork, since they weight so much. You mainly get the 3+ HP ones for large bits, which you are suppose use in a table.

My DW625 is a breeze to work with, free hand. I do not own any bits that require a table, but I do not think my router weighs too much for hand work. I have never worked with a different router, however, so maybe I would "prefer" a smaller one. Never the less, mine is easy enough to work with.

I will say I get a kind of "using a chainsaw on butter" impression when I use this thing on MDF with the bits I have now.

[jonathanb3478]

You know what they say, you can never have enough routers!

I could have sworn that was for clamps.

[seattle_ice]

I could have sworn that was for clamps.

It applies for almost any tool. :roll:

[yousuredo2]

not to highjack the thread...
but can you tell/explain the diferences in routers...
I am new to routers, only been using one(craftmans) for about a year...
I understand that these discussed here are better, but how so...
I would love to upgrade to a Better one...
but there isnt anything wrong per-say with mine...
so I need to justify the cost of another one...

[Amphiprion]

http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00087.asp

http://www.woodzone.com/articles/router_guide.htm

http://www.woodzone.com/articles/bits.htm

[jdb]

Hi, long time lurker, just joined today just to let everyone know: I saw the M12V at Home Depot today marked down to $133 (from $219).

[ThomasW]

Markdowns like that will be at the discretion of the particular store manager. So this won't be a chain wide situation.

[dyazdani]

not to highjack the thread...
but can you tell/explain the diferences in routers...
I am new to routers, only been using one(craftmans) for about a year...
I understand that these discussed here are better, but how so...
I would love to upgrade to a Better one...
but there isnt anything wrong per-say with mine...
so I need to justify the cost of another one...

It may depend on the particular model you have. I got a Craftsman as a gift, but it is the professional model. I think it is actually a Bosch unit with the Craftsman name slapped on it. It does a fine job, at least so far.

If I had to pick one out myself, hindsight would lead me towards the Hitachi, I don't anticipate enough incremental performance gain to toss mine aside though.

[FlashJim]

I personally have a Porter Cable 895PK, Bosch Colt and a Craftsman 1HP circa 1960.

Porter Cable 895PK



Bosch Colt

[FlashJim]

I think it is actually a Bosch unit with the Craftsman name slapped on it. It does a fine job, at least so far.

That's exactly what the Pro model is. I have have the Craftsman Pro biscuit joiner and it's a rebadged Dewalt.

The Bosch 1617 is nice.

[awm]

Get the DeWalt 621 if you haven't, yet...

Despite the power on/locking mechanism, which is one of the silliest designs I've ever seen, the dust collection is so exceptional that it simply obviates almost all other concerns. And, you can actually tame the absurdity of the locking design with a bit of practice. I learned of the importance of dust collection with heavy use of, ironically enough, the Hitachi. The Hitachi is great and would easily be my number two choice, for all of the reasons everyone, especially ThomasW, has mentioned. But, after the enormous amount of dust generated working mdf with the Hitachi, dust that gets everywhere and covers the piece you're working on, to boot, it was a no brainer of a decision that I haven't regretted once. (Well, okay -- maybe once when the damn locking thing decided to be even sillier... )

Andy

[Martyn]

Bosch Colt
[/QUOTE]

This looks like one of them there dustless models... :lol:

[Ray Collins]

The Dewalt 621 is the nimble winner in the hand held category. It is a bit tippy due to the narrow base which is easily compensated with the addition of a round or offset base. The Porter Cable 7518 is the standard in the "Big Boy" category....especially for table mounting