Help choosing a router

[DanielW]

In respect to bushes not fitting,you don't really need to get another base,just a case of getting a piece of aluminium and making it fit the base intended with a guid bush hole to suite the guide bushes.

These are common to all routers as they just screw attach to the base/s

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Router-Gu...394459?hash=item33a483359b:g:9NgAAOSwBahVED8W

 

[brewdexta]

I have a 1/2" dewalt with soft start for big stuff and a 1/4" Trend for smaller stuff, both are nice to use and not too scary.

For biscuit jointing I bought a cheap Ferm for about 25 quid and I have done probably about 500 biscuit joints with the same blade in it, it does need sharpening now but was fine until the last few slots. When I refurbished the house, I used kiln dried oak for all the skirting, architrave and upstairs floors and biscuit jointed all butt joints and mitres. Nothing has moved and its been 10 years, all mitres still nice and tight.

 

[clift_d]

I've got an older version of Makita's basic router - current model RP0900. The one I have is an 800W router with 1/4" collet, but also takes an 8mm collet, and it's been fine for most of the things i've needed a router for, including biscuit jointing, mitre jointing in timber upto about 15mm, flush cutting and general routing with smaller bits.

If you take a look at Trend's website and the kind of bits that you would need for the various jobs you have in mind, you can see which ones are available in 1/4" or 1/2" shank and so this will you a better idea of how big a router you might need need.

Also, if you're looking to do a lot of routing work, particularly if you're looking to use larger cutters like kitchen counter cutters, finger jointing cutters or similar, then you should definitely get something with a 1/2" collet which would be roughly 1800W or more.

Until you're used to it, all routers feel like they give you a bit of a kick on start, and they howl like the proverbial banshee.

 

[bigegg]

In respect to bushes not fitting,you don't really need to get another base,just a case of getting a piece of aluminium and making it fit the base intended with a guid bush hole to suite the guide bushes.

These are common to all routers as they just screw attach to the base/s

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Router-Gu...394459?hash=item33a483359b:g:9NgAAOSwBahVED8W

Its not just about the bushes.
A trend base in truly concentric with the bit - makes jigs, or even just running against a fence, much more accurate.

 

[tlovatt]

The big routers don't kick like a 9 inch angle grinder as they don't have a big disc to get moving

They do if the bit grabs the wood, they can pull themselves out of your hand - been there, had the fright of my life!

 

[tlovatt]

If you want to join worktops you will need a 1/2 inch router, but you do not need to go about 1kw (in a reasonable make) as you will not stall a motor of that size with hand held bits. If you are doing edging work with smaller profiles then a smaller 1/4 inch router is the way to go as they are light and easy to work with. If you want to make your own kitchen including the doors then you will want a router table and 2kw router. If I were to be buying a new router now I would get:

1/4 inch small - small Bosh fixed base laminate trimmer (small and really easy to control)
1/4 inch mid size - Trend T4 (versatile enough for smaller work as well as working up near the limit of what you should do with a 1/4 inch bit without the bulk of some others)
1/2 inch for hand held - Triton JOF001 (1kw, well prices including a fine height adjustment and through base bit change*)
1/2 inch for table work - Triton TRA001 (2.4kw, good for use in a router table as you can remove the balance spring and it has a rack and pinion system for raise / lower, also through base bit change*)

*the through base bit change has an auto spindle lock so when you put the router all the way down it locks the spindle, locks the power switch and puts the nut for changing the bits out the bottom of the base, makes it easy and simple, especially in a router table

I own all of the above (plus some others) having tried a wide variety for the woodwork I do.

 

[malcolm]

I've arranged to borrow a biscuit cutter tomorrow so panic off. The Trend T4 routers aren't getting good reviews on the internet which makes me a bit nervous. Anyone tried a nice Makita? It would match my other tools - http://www.screwfix.com/p/makita-rp0900x-2-900w-plunge-router-240v/52281

1/4 inch seems the way to go. I'll not be taking up carpentry or joining work surfaces (If I do I can justify a different one) but there have been a few little things that a router would have been ideal for - drip edges, doors, little details and things like that. I think the time I have spent messing around would have paid for one.

What's the thing about the base that might require a different one for some tools? Is there a standard to look for?

 

[DanielW]

Trend is overpriced.

 

[bigegg]

What's the thing about the base that might require a different one for some tools? Is there a standard to look for?

The trend unibase *is* the standard.
You dont actually need a base beyond the one that comes with the router-except sometimes to do specific jobs.
Making jigs/attachments for a router is an artform in and of itself - and addictive!

 

[bigegg]

Ps, "router magic" by bill hylton is about the best book on using routers and making jigs/bases etc

 

[Newlands]

I just counted up and realised I've got 4 routers - an old Elu 96 1/4" which has always been brilliant, a Festool 1010 ¼" and 8 mm, also brilliant but not as handy to use as the Elu because of all the dust extraction stuff on it; a DeWalt 625 ½", also good but it is certainly a beast of a thing and I put my respect hat on when I use it; and lastly a Ryobi ½" which lives full time in a home made router table.
Of all of them, it's the Ryobi which gets the most use, despite being the crappiest of them all, because it is in the router table. Whatever router you choose I strongly suggest you make or buy a router mounting plate, stick it in an offcut of worktop and make a guide fence (a bit of angle and 2 G cramps will do). You will make your router far more useful and versatile, and get a hell of a lot more value from it.
As for biscuit joints, i only ever cut one set in my life, (I use a Festool Domino for carcase construction) but if I had to I'd get a proper biscuit jointer - much quicker to set up and use, and likely to be more accurate.

 

[Rudi McAnichal]

...if any can make fitting a lock easier than one of those cutting things on a drill and hours of chiseling. ?

I’ve been asking myself the same question. Long router bits seem to be all 1/2 inch shank, which implies a fairly big, heavy machine. Is there any way to cut a door lock mortice using a fairly small, handy sized router?

 

[tlovatt]

I’ve been asking myself the same question. Long router bits seem to be all 1/2 inch shank, which implies a fairly big, heavy machine. Is there any way to cut a door lock mortice using a fairly small, handy sized router?

To get the depth for lever locks you normally need a 1/2 inch router but it is not really worth the effort to bother. When I moved into a new house I did have several doors to do prior to hanging, I ended up using a 1/4 inch router with a top guide bearing to cut out the hinges (particularity easy as the hinges in my house have rounded edges). I made a template and used that for all the hinges, quick and simple. I routered out the top recess for the locks but then for the doors with level locks I drilled a set of holes and then chiseled out between them, faster, simpler and safer that using a router at the depths required for locks.

Either way, for that length you would need a 1/2 inch bit, 1/4 inch shafts would not be strong enough - they are surprisingly easy to snap.

 

[tlovatt]

The Trend T4 routers aren't getting good reviews on the internet which makes me a bit nervous.

I see what you mean, I have had mine for several years, but it seems Trend have been having problems on newer ones

Anyone tried a nice Makita? It would match my other tools - http://www.screwfix.com/p/makita-rp0900x-2-900w-plunge-router-240v/52281

In my opinion that model is a bad choice, you get all the disadvantages of a 1/2 inch router (weight, bulk) combined with the disadvantages of the 1/4 inch and the smaller bits and capabilities. I have used a couple of Makita routers (older ones) and had no problems, but I have also abused the crap out of a £25 Homebase one without problem.

1/4 inch seems the way to go. I'll not be taking up carpentry or joining work surfaces (If I do I can justify a different one) but there have been a few little things that a router would have been ideal for - drip edges, doors, little details and things like that. I think the time I have spent messing around would have paid for one.

It depends what you mean by doors, if you want to make doors (i.e. use rail and stile sets) then you need a 1/2 inch,

What's the thing about the base that might require a different one for some tools? Is there a standard to look for?

Personally I would never buy a replacement router base, there are a some area where you want to use guide bushes such as worktop jigs or other purchased jigs (search for router jigs and you will get a selection, everything from stars to dovetails), but most routers support a variety of guide bush sizes and homemade templates etc can be made and used with bearing guided cutters which are often simpler as there are no offsets.

 

[mike os]

The makita is ok...

Trend are ok but a bit nasty to use

If you want anything better then the only choice is festo but very expensive

 

[clift_d]

That Makita router is a newer version of the one I have - see my post a few back. It's a similar weight and size to a T4 type router, depth adjustment is basic but useable, no speed adjustment but this is okay for basic work, and it's tough as old boots.

Is there any way to cut a door lock mortice using a fairly small, handy sized router?

For lock morticing maybe have a look at the Souber DBB Morticer which you use with a decent power drill. I've not tried it myself but it gets very good reviews.

 

[malcolm]

The borrowed router was a cheap as chips green Bosch 500W job with a biscuit cutter tool and was brilliant for the biscuit joints in the new facia. I'm going to look for a little cheap one for now. I can always buy a big one later and build a router table to put it in.

 

[tlovatt]

If you are ever passing Rugby and want to try a few different ones then let me know