[Hank's 68]

I going to take a stab at a few basic woodworking projects. What features should I look for when buying one? Although my projects will not be too complicated, I'd like one that has good functionality down the road. I'd rather pay a little more now to get something that will make the job easier.

Thanks

[dbx1969]

There are a lot of good ones on the market these days. I've got 3 different brands and they're all worth what I paid for each. My first was a Craftsmen (20yrs ago); relatively cheap, low hp rating (1/2hp I think), but great for light finishing routes. My second, is a Freud (15yrs ago), 3.25hp, variable speed, plunge, and has been mounted to a router table for 15yrs. The 3rd, is a Porter Cable (5yrs ago) 2.25 "Pak" set, with two changeable bases, variable speed, plunge, and is the best all around router....and probably one of the best/reliable brands on the market. The costs were approx $220 & $290 respectively, for the Freud & PC routers. Can't recall the old Craftsmen cost ($100?).

Keep in mind that these features are worth getting if you want flexibility; variable speed control (essential if you go from routing oak to pine, etc.. and also essential for using larger bits at slower speeds), plunge cut capable, comfortable grip handle(s), 14-15amp, 2hp is very flexible, adaptable collet change (from 1/4" to 1/2" or vice versa). I would also recommend going 1/2" collet for all bits. They cost a bit more, but are more stable, less run-out, and will cut smoother because of these things, etc...

Hope that helps.

[fishin4info]

I like the porter cable brand myself. It seems like most of the accessories that are made for routers tend to be for the porter cable brand as the standard. There are other brands that are good routers but they just do not have the compatibility with many accessories. I second the recomendation for using bits with the 1/2" collet. The 1/4" bits chatter and just do not make good cuts in the long run. I would also suggest you buy good carbide bits like Freud or Whiteside. The steel bits do not stay sharp and they tend to burn the work pieces after a short amount of time. The cheaper carbide bits are made with a lesser quality carbide and can not be resharpened where as the higher quality bits can. I have personally had the cheaper store brand bits go bad after about 10' of routing a pine board and learned my leason a long time ago.

For an all around router the 890 Porter Cable is a good router that you can buy separately or in a kit which would be my preference. They have a the 895pk which includes the standard base, plunge base, and my favorite the above the table adjustment for the router table which makes setting the bit height a breeze on the table. This router has variable speed, locking spindle for single wrench bit changes, the collet extends far enough above the base so you can change the bit while it is mounted to the table, comes with 1/4" and 1/2" collets, has a fixed base and a plunge base, and micro-height adjustment just to mention a few of the options. There are other routers that would be better for dedicated uses but this one is the best multi-purpose router in my opinion.

The 690 used to be the standard all purpose kit, but they made improvements upon it when they came out with the 890 series, which has more power, variable speed and better height adjustment to name a few of the major improvements.

If you are looking more towards a dedicated router table type router for using the big raised panel router bits you will want a fixed base router with 3 HP or more. But from your description It does not sound like you are running a production shop and would be better off with a more general multi-purpose router.

Plunge routers are good for hand held operations but not really made for under mount router table applications. They are all most a necessity if you are making mortises and other plunge type cuts, which is why I recomend the kit with the two different bases.

A router table would also be a good investment. You can buy a commercially availabe one or make your own.

If you are interested in more information I would suggest you visit a store like Woodcraft or Rockler instead of the home improvement stores (Lowes, Menards, Home Depot,Sears). Woodcraft and Rockler are online, have mail order catalogs, and stores throughout the country. The employees at these stores are woodworkers and will help stear you in the right direction.

If you are just looking to round over the edge of a piece of wood by all means buy a Craftsman, Ryobi, or what ever brand with 1/2" collet and a good carbide bit and you should be happy. But if you are looking to advance your skills and do more complicated projects I would suggest a quality router to begin with that you can buy additional accessories on down the road.

[fireeater]

Great advice Kevin. I have the Porter Cable and stand by it 100%. I am by no means a master craftman but have done my share of outside furniture, decks , and storage units for my girls.

[dbx1969]

Originally Posted by fishin4info

I would also suggest you buy good carbide bits like Freud or Whiteside. The steel bits do not stay sharp and they tend to burn the work pieces after a short amount of time. The cheaper carbide bits are made with a lesser quality carbide and can not be resharpened where as the higher quality bits can. I have personally had the cheaper store brand bits go bad after about 10' of routing a pine board and learned my leason a long time ago.

Yep, learned right off the bat that steel bits were a waste of time. And Whiteside are absolutely superior in quality to most anything on the market. I was Inside Sales Mgr at a worldwide German tooling mfgr, and we had Whiteside private label our router bits.

Originally Posted by fishin4info

For an all around router the 890 Porter Cable is a good router that you can buy separately or in a kit which would be my preference.

Yep, my PC is the 894pk

Originally Posted by fishin4info

A router table would also be a good investment. You can buy a commercially availabe one or make your own.

This is a great project to make one yourself! And it requires a router for the phenolic insert on the table. Mine is simple and functional, and has been standing for 15yrs or more.

Originally Posted by fishin4info

If you are interested in more information I would suggest you visit a store like Woodcraft or Rockler instead of the home improvement stores (Lowes, Menards, Home Depot,Sears). Woodcraft and Rockler are online, have mail order catalogs, and stores throughout the country. The employees at these stores are woodworkers and will help stear you in the right direction.

I agree with visiting, but not buying from Rockler or Woodcraft, as they are overpriced. Shop them first, but buy the same items from Amazon etc., for much lower price almost always.

Originally Posted by fireeater

Great advice Kevin. I have the Porter Cable and stand by it 100%. I am by no means a master craftman but have done my share of outside furniture, decks , and storage units for my girls.

I've done woodworking for over 20yrs. In fact, lol, I actually have all but stopped these past 2yrs, and I sold several pieces of equip to make garage space for my 69' . Here's an example of one of the last things I made:

[Gambitt]

I personally used a Porter Cable and a Bosch at my old job. I preferred the Bosch hands down. It was easier to handle and more reliable...but it is all just a matter of personal preference.

[Havin' Fun]

Originally Posted by Hank's 68

I going to take a stab at a few basic woodworking projects. What features should I look for when buying one? Although my projects will not be too complicated, I'd like one that has good functionality down the road. I'd rather pay a little more now to get something that will make the job easier.

Thanks

Good functionality down the road....
Amazon.com: Porter-Cable 895PK 12 Amp 2-1/4...
I think Porter Cable, Delta, and Dewalt are all the same company now.

[MissionCritical]

I started out with a cheap Sears router and learned over time using it what I wanted. I now use a Dewalt router (a DW618 I think)

- something that can handle the 1/2" bits instead of only 1/4". 1/2" is definitely the way to go.
- enough horsepower to handle the 1/2" bits...
- An easy way to adjust the height. I use my router both on and off a router table and either way you need a way to adjust the height in very small increments. The Sears was nearly impossible as it was plunge only. The Dewalt has a twist collar that you just turn the collar to adjust the height.
- Variable speed. I can't imagine ever going back to a fixed speed router.

A good router table is also about as important as the router.

-Kevin

[Vintage 68]

Welcome to the TC 'Woodworkers' Club
I think we're gonna need our own forum (jk Al)

I fully agree with all the comments about PorterCable and Bosch tools being first rate and great tools
I have many different PC routers, saws and etc. and every one of them are excellent and haven't given me any trouble at all.
One other brand that hasn't been mentioned, but is priced competitively with them is Hitachi.
I have a Hitachi KM12VC Router kit that I just love
These have variable speed, over 2hp (plenty for all but the largest panel shaping bits, which need to be used in a fixed router set-up anyway), come with both 1/2" & 1/4" collets and have both a fixed and a plunge base in the kits.
Here is an Amazon link - Amazon.com: Hitachi KM12VC 11 Amp 2-1/4... These will give you a great 'bang-4-buck' and grow with you as your projects do.

Along with the brands of router bits mentioned, look into Amana brand router bits for any cabinet & panel work - these are well priced and very sturdy bits.

ps: I built all the cabinets, cupboards and custom woodwork in our house - kitchen, baths, laundry room and etc. - I love working with wood almost as much as my cars

Originally Posted by Havin' Fun

... I think Porter Cable, Delta, and Dewalt are all the same company now.

I heard the same thing awhile back and it lead me to buy another brand when getting a saw ...

[GMJoe]

I'm a cabinet maker / installer and yes porter cable will be fine but there quality has been going down hill in the last few years(mostly motor failures). We have burnt up about 8 PC routers last year.
Another brand that Id give a thumbs up to would be a Milwaukee.
I would avoid Dewalt also i took one out of the box and used it for less than 5 minutes before it died. This was a laminate router if it matters but what kind of quality control do they have to let garbage go out the door? we wont be buying any more dewalts.......

[dbx1969]

Originally Posted by Vintage 68

ps: I built all the cabinets, cupboards and custom woodwork in our house - kitchen, baths, laundry room and etc. -

Same here. I made almost every piece of furniture in my home

Originally Posted by Vintage 68

I heard the same thing awhile back and it lead me to buy another brand when getting a saw ...

Black & Decker bought them all (and more like Devilbiss) about 4yrs ago. But I also believe they are keeping the different levels of quality/value in place. Although, Dewalt hasn't been the same quality for quite some time now.

[fishin4info]

Originally Posted by Vintage 68

I love working with wood almost as much as my cars

Glad to see others are in the same boat. Its hard to justify all the tools needed for woodworking, and wrenching on cars in one household. Man, I sure do need a bigger garage!!! Right now it seems like I have a whole car stored in the attic with all of the car body parts I have stored up there.

[yellow69RS]

I'm glad to see all of us woodwrkers on here.... Ya'll can come help me build my new garage if they give me a permit! I own a Hitachi router (i thought M12V but it's 3 HP)> i'd replace it with a Porter Cable if I was doing it again. If you are going to do a lot of router table work and not much hand held, buy a shaper instead. Shapers don't cost much more than a 3 HP router and a good table and lift set up and are design to take the loads. Routers are not designed to be run upside down all day every day and small trim routers will not last if used for solid surface countertop work (corian and similar). I belong to a Shopsmith users group on Yahoo, don't know if there is a forum for routers or not.

FWIW YMMV

Jeff

[Steptoe]

I have had a Hitachi router for yrs, I have done a heap with it..including full custom kitchen including solid laminated timber benches, custom bathroom, office etc etc
Built garden furnitue , garage...decks
They only thing that gave up wad the on/off trigger switch which was only a couple bucks to replace.
Bits..I went for the middle cost range, its just for home use so no need for full on tradesman stuff.
A few pics around home...bit out of date but everythng from gardens to decks to car have built myself
http://www.steptoe.sytes.net

[Hank's 68]

Thanks for all the great input. Its very helpful