1/4'' router - buying advice.

[Bill Derr]

I need to get a new 1/4'' router. It will mostly be used with a Trend hinge jig and rounding over, also a bit of light duty regular routing.
I have a Bosch GKF600 and it's pretty decent with the plunge base tbh, trouble is it won't take guide bushes so I have fitted the Trend universal base, that works quite well but the brass inserts the screws go in to to hold a guide bush in have failed and I'm reluctant to but another.
So I bought a Katsu with a plunge base, same problem with guide bushes but the Silverline Porter Cable style one sort of fit, at least they did until I switched the thing on and the guide bush came unscrewed and got chewed up by the bit - the bushes were well made but the Katsu has a bit of vibration in it so I think that was the problem.

So I'm looking for a proper 1/4'' plunge router as it needs to be fairly light to be comfortable with the hinge jig and is ready to go with no adaptions for guide bushes - so far I like the look of the Trend T5 and the Makita RP0900X, Festool too dear for me so not even in the running.

Your recommendations will be most welcome

 

[J_Ashley]

I bought the DeWALT D26204K just over a year ago - I predominately use it in the plunge base configuration, and I've never had a bad experience to date when using it. It seems to get decent reviews across the board , so it might be worth a look.

 

[sammy.se]

I have a trend T5, which I like. But I have never used another brand unmounted. The 1/2" router in my table is a Freud.

Check out this thread also:
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=ht ... are_type=t

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[sunnybob]

I have 3 makita routers, 1 x 1/2 and 2 x 1/4.
If I get a fourth, it will be the same colour.

 

[ScaredyCat]

I have 3 makita routers, 1 x 1/2 and 2 x 1/4.
If I get a fourth, it will be the same colour.

A Katsu then?



.

 

[sunnybob]

You know, I dont even know what that is. :shock:
I'm out of touch here admittedly, but I do stick to stuff I know works, and makita routers work.

 

[novocaine]

a katsu is what makita copied for it's palm router.

 

[sunnybob]

so at its best, the katsu is as good as a makita? :roll: :wink:

 

[ScaredyCat]

so at its best, the katsu is as good as a makita? :roll: :wink:

and it only costs £32...

Popular on here too https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/katsu-router-again-t108384.html


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[MikeJhn]

The Draper Expert, although not a 1/4" its light the handles are on the lower area of the router and it takes the Porter Cable bush's as standard, added benefits are a transparent base and three LED work lights built in, I was impressed enough I bought a second one, best router I have ever used in a jig.

Mike

 

[sunnybob]

so far I havent used bushes routing.
80% of my routing is on the table.
18% is with a sled mounted router for thicknessing small pieces,
and 2% is a roundover bit in an edge trimmer.
I just might investigate a katsu as the sled mounted router (NOT a makita) is rubbish and needs to be binned very soon. But I am leary of something cheaper than its copy.

 

[Bill Derr]

I'm leaning more towards the T5 at the moment as it has variable speed which seems a useful thing to have, seems odd that the Makita doesn't have variable speed and just spins at 27,000 RPM - pretty sure I have seen on some router bits that the max speed is lower than that????
Not too sure if that is a problem or not as my Bosch is single speed and I have never had any issues with it.

 

[galleywood]

The Katsu accepts the Makita guide bushes - secured with two screws.
I have not had an issue with mine.

 

[sunnybob]

Makita do make a variable speed router. I didnt spend the extra. i have never felt the need to change speeds. I have a couple variable speed machines, again, I have never changed the speeds. Just something else to go wrong (and they do).

 

[siggy_7]

I love my little Katsu router, if you have one of these already no need to buy another tool. I made a base to take Trend type guide bushes out of 6mm acrylic, it only takes a couple of hours and works perfectly.

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I wouldn't think a single speed to be a drawback on a 1/4" machine - they don't really take large enough cutters to cause a problem. I've a few cutters that need slower speeds - like a 36mm square and a 40mm ovolo - but of course these are not made with 1/4" shanks, and of course some are designed for table use rather than freehand.