Dewalt DW625 vs. Makita RP230FCX vs. ?

[NotLRG]

Hi there,
I'm hoping this isn't a repeat post (I did go through the forums honest!). I'm looking into buying my first router and have made the decision to go for a 1/2" as I can see at least a few occasions in the near future where I'm going to need it for some larger stock, including kitchen worktops. I'd also like something that I can mount in a router table.

I've been looking at the dewalt-dw625ek and the makita-rp2301fcx.

I haven't seen the Makita up close but build quality on both tools appears to be similar (I have other Makita tools and have always been very pleased) and reviews for both are very positive.

I think the plunge adjust is a little bit better on the Makita although I can't tell whether you can lock out the depth it like on the DeWalt. I've seen the thread about using a jack as a micro adjust so there's always that option =)

I've had some discussions with my local tool dealer in Brighton who are a Dewalt dealer. Obviously their recommendation is DeWalt; their reasoning for not going for Makita is to do with motors they use. Apparently the use the same motors from their coring drills and gear them down, clearly this means more moving parts and more to go wrong but I can't help but think that gearing down an over-spec motor means the motor is less likely to burn out.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[murdoch]

hi,

Dewalt 625 routers are about the best and most trusted in the joinery industry. I think they are the same router as the trend t10 and 11, and are also compatible with all trend router fittings.Spares are also much easier to get hold of. Get the dewalt or trend.

 

[NotLRG]

hi,

Dewalt 625 routers are about the best and most trusted in the joinery industry. I think they are the same router as the trend t10 and 11, and are also compatible with all trend router fittings.Spares are also much easier to get hold of. Get the dewalt or trend.

Thanks for the advice murdoch =)
My feeling is that I should in that case go with the DeWalt as I've noticed the comparable (OK, IDENTICAL ;-)) Trend machine seems to have inferior quality casting. I found this particularly noticeable on the base. What do you use btw?

 

[carlb40]

What are the intended uses for the router? When i looked at getting a big router years ago i looked at all the models at the time. Freud, Dewalt, trend, bosch, porter cable etc etc
One of the uses for me was it was going in a table aswell as hand held. After a lot of research i went with porter cable. Due to the fact they were the only ones that had a large enough opening in the base for panel raising bits to fit through.

I used the makita last year at work and it was a good router, easy and comfortable to use. I would be happy to own one if i did't already have 3 routers :-D

 

[murdoch]

We have most routers in the workshop (hitachi,makita,trend,ect) and the one that's always being used is the dewalt. I've no experience of using them in a router table though as we use spindle moulders. whichever one you choose i'm sure you'll be happy as there all good nowadays really.

 

[NotLRG]

What are the intended uses for the router? When i looked at getting a big router years ago i looked at all the models at the time. Freud, Dewalt, trend, bosch, porter cable etc etc
One of the uses for me was it was going in a table aswell as hand held. After a lot of research i went with porter cable. Due to the fact they were the only ones that had a large enough opening in the base for panel raising bits to fit through.

I used the makita last year at work and it was a good router, easy and comfortable to use. I would be happy to own one if i did't already have 3 routers :-D

Where did you source your Porter cable from dude? Not seen them on Axminster or the like....

 

[carlb40]

They are no longer distributed in the uk/eu. I got all my porter cable stuff from rutlands when they used to sell it. But that was at least 6yrs + ago. I think there is a place in the uk that sells factory reconditioned tools, not sure if they have any stock at present though. Ebay can be a good source, i know there is one on ebay at the mo, the seller has to keep relisting it. Not really suitable for table use as it is a fixed speed router.

I have the plunge version of this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390397821312? ... 1436.l2649

And at some point i want to get that one for my router table, so it can be left in there

EDIT

Dynatools for recon porter cable

http://www.dynatools.co.uk/products.asp?cat=93

 

[mailee]

I use the De Walt almost daily and have been very happy with it. I have a few routers of various makes and this is the one I go for every time. I have dropped it a few times and made it earn it's keep. I think you will find it also comes with a fine adjuster which is a big help in a table. The 625 was derived from the Elu 177 so it has a good pedigree. HTH. :wink:

 

[Oryxdesign]

I've got both of those, the Makita has been great in the table but hand held the DX is as poor as the DeWalt

 

[NotLRG]

I've got both of those, the Makita has been great in the table but hand held the DX is as poor as the DeWalt

Thanks for that bit of advice dude. Just out of interest, how is the Makita for kick-back? It looks like it could be better to handle given the ergonomic grips? Is it easy to mount and adjust whilst in the table?

Luke

 

[Oryxdesign]

It was easy to mount in the table, I don't use an insert, my table is made up of 3 pieces of 9mm mdf with a circle cut for the router in the bottom sheet and the router bolted captive nuts in the middle sheet with a flat top sheet. It's quick to make that way and I kinda consider the top disposable.

The grips are fine although not as good as my favourite Festool OF1400 (which has much better dust extraction btw) and it's heavy enough to be stable in use although I didn't use it out of the table for long.

I've been using my CMT625 clone today, boy it's LOUD.

 

[carlb40]

I know this is a bit more costly than either routers. Have you thought about the new twin base bosch?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bosch-GMF1600 ... 2a20768094

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d_1sk0k9sc

One fixed base in the table and one plunge base for hand held work

 

[Oryxdesign]

Looks like a good bit of kit that.

 

[NotLRG]

Just checked it out on axminster. It looks good but my slight worry is that there is a very unfavourable review regarding the motor. Will keep looking into this, anyone out there got one of these?

 

[carlb40]

Nothing else popped up anywhere else on google regarding the motor. Maybe it was a bad batch?

 

[jaywhoopee]

One fixed base in the table and one plunge base for hand held work

If anyone's interested in this but on a tight budget, there's a Draper Expert equivalent which Yandles sell for £99.

I've had one for a while now. I'm very happy with it and am toying with the idea of getting a second one.

John

 

[NotLRG]

I was just thinking that dude. Hoping it is as it sounds like a good deal. I did however find this thread which refers to over protruding guide bushes, looks like it can be easily rectified though. Am I right in thinking that over protruding bushes means the base doesn't sit flat on your jig and as a result you end up with an uneven cut?

 

[NotLRG]

Really stoked about all the input by the way fellas. Thanks

 

[NotLRG]

Looks like I'm off to buy my router this weekend. Thinking I'm probably going to go with the Bosch; I've not heard anything bad with regards the motor or anything else since first looking. I've watched a couple of online reviews of it and they all seem very favourable. My only bugbear so far is that the coarse depth stop on the plunge base looks a bit shoddy. It's literally a rod held down with a screw, unlike say the Dewalt which is adjusted using a dial. Apart from that though everything looks good. The locking and power mechanisms look to be well engineered and likely to stand repeated removal, etc.

It still has to pass the 'hold it in your hand' test but barring that I should be posting a review fairly soon =)

 

[carlb40]

Cool, good luck