New router??

[JWD]

Afternoon all!

I was hoping you would be able to help me find a half decent router, or indeed steer me away from the rubbish ones! My only requirements are that it has a circular base for easy jig work- or a small base that I can mod into a circle, and that the price is around the £150 region. Currently liking the look of the Bosch GKF 600 and very open to any suggestions
Many thanks in advance
Joe

 

[katellwood]

In that size range I would recommend one of these

http://www.aimtools.co.uk/101748-katsu- ... -700w.html

Its apparently a Makita clone and you can get numerous bases for it (inclined, plunge etc)

 

[MikeJhn]

Do be aware that the Katsu is only a 1/4" and 3/8" router.

The Draper Expert is a 1/4" and 1/2" router, I was impressed enough to buy another: http://www.rapid-tools.co.uk/tools/Expe ... 53113.html and within your budget its one big advantage is the polycarbonate base plate and three LED work lights built in, its perfect for jig work, I use both on a Leigh dovetail jig, one with the dovetail bit and the other with the straight bit permanently set up, so no changing bits and loosing the settings.

Mike

 

[SVB]

I've had a couple of cheap units and the item that keeps faiLing first time after time is the plunge lock. Seems they make the level from some sort of plastic cheese that just rounds over inside and make the whole unit u/s so that is something I'd pay close attention to for the less expensive units.

S

 

[monkeybiter]

The Draper Expert is a 1/4" and 1/2" router, I was impressed enough to buy another: http://www.rapid-tools.co.uk/tools/Expe ... 53113.html
Mike

Is the plunge depth really 10mm greater with dust extraction fitted as it states?

 

[MikeJhn]

No, they have the dimensions reversed.

To take up SVB point about the plunge lock, on the Draper Expert I use both in the fixed base, so can't really comment on its longevity for plunge cutting with a 1/2" router I have a rather nice Hitachi MV12-2, but compared to the Draper its very heavy.

Very long winded (typically American) video of a comparison between the Draper Expert and Triton MOF001: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78rBBE_bJ5g

Mike

 

[DiscoStu]

I've used the Bosch and it's a perfectly nice small trim router. I'd probably look at the Makita and probably buy the Katsu as it's so cheap it's worth testing it. Many on here have used it and rave about it.

If you want more options from your router then I'd suggest Triton represents excellent value for money.


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[Simou1]

The 240v Katsu trimmer/router from Aim Tools comes with either 1/4" or 3/8" collets but you can purchase additional 6mm and 8mm collets either direct from Aim or as a complete set of all four sizes off Amazon UK.

I bought the Katsu and all the bases (Aim Tools direct are much cheaper than elsewhere) based on its excellent reviews and have been amazed at just how good it is. It replaced a Makita 007 which was uneconomical to repair and the complete Katsu kit was about a quarter the price of the Makita equivalent.

It has been used to route door and window hinges, put rain channels underneath window sills, round edges with 1/4" Freud bits and is as good as the Makita it replaced. The only thing I don't like about it is the bearing follower attachment which is much cruder than the Makita equivalent.....but the Makita one fits perfectly.

Granted it is not as capable as a bigger router and its 700w motor and size would struggle with some tasks but if you want a circle base router for small jig work it is certainly worthy of a closer look. I am very impressed with mine.

Pat

 

[Droogs]

+1 for Katsu

 

[JWD]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Sounds like it's worth giving the Katsu a go, and if it does give in at least I haven't broken the bank. I'll get it ordered soon and let you all know how it goes!
Many thanks again
Joe

 

[Lonsdale73]

Do be aware that the Katsu is only a 1/4" and 3/8" router.

The Draper Expert is a 1/4" and 1/2" router, I was impressed enough to buy another: http://www.rapid-tools.co.uk/tools/Expe ... 53113.html and within your budget its one big advantage is the polycarbonate base plate and three LED work lights built in, its perfect for jig work, I use both on a Leigh dovetail jig, one with the dovetail bit and the other with the straight bit permanently set up, so no changing bits and loosing the settings.

Mike

Could the Draper be removed from it's base and fitted to a Router Lift such as a Jessem?

 

[Lonsdale73]

Do be aware that the Katsu is only a 1/4" and 3/8" router.

The Draper Expert is a 1/4" and 1/2" router, I was impressed enough to buy another: http://www.rapid-tools.co.uk/tools/Expe ... 53113.html and within your budget its one big advantage is the polycarbonate base plate and three LED work lights built in, its perfect for jig work, I use both on a Leigh dovetail jig, one with the dovetail bit and the other with the straight bit permanently set up, so no changing bits and loosing the settings.

Mike

Could the Draper be removed from it's base and fitted to a Router Lift such as a Jessem?

 

[MikeJhn]

Do be aware that the Katsu is only a 1/4" and 3/8" router.

The Draper Expert is a 1/4" and 1/2" router, I was impressed enough to buy another: http://www.rapid-tools.co.uk/tools/Expe ... 53113.html and within your budget its one big advantage is the polycarbonate base plate and three LED work lights built in, its perfect for jig work, I use both on a Leigh dovetail jig, one with the dovetail bit and the other with the straight bit permanently set up, so no changing bits and loosing the settings.

Mike

Could the Draper be removed from it's base and fitted to a Router Lift such as a Jessem?

The Draper certainly can be removed from its various base's, but you will have the check the diameter to see if it match's the Jessem lift.

Mike

 

[SVB]

Just ordered a katsu. At that price point and removal of crap plunge lock a Achilles heal on comparable prices plunge units may be the perfect compromise.

S

 

[Lonsdale73]

Do be aware that the Katsu is only a 1/4" and 3/8" router.

The Draper Expert is a 1/4" and 1/2" router, I was impressed enough to buy another: http://www.rapid-tools.co.uk/tools/Expe ... 53113.html and within your budget its one big advantage is the polycarbonate base plate and three LED work lights built in, its perfect for jig work, I use both on a Leigh dovetail jig, one with the dovetail bit and the other with the straight bit permanently set up, so no changing bits and loosing the settings.

Mike

Could the Draper be removed from it's base and fitted to a Router Lift such as a Jessem?

The Draper certainly can be removed from its various base's, but you will have the check the diameter to see if it match's the Jessem lift.

Mike

You have to laugh. Contacted Draper to say I was considering buying one and needed to know the diameter to see if it would fir a router lift and they replied they don't know! Still, at least they replied. Still not heard a dickie from Triton in response to my service request from nearly three weeks ago nor from another woodworking specialist emailed around the same time. Sometimes wonder why these companies bother with a contact page.

 

[MikeJhn]

Just measured mine with a tape so nothing scientific the plunge base is 89mm dia when closed, but there is a rack on one side of the router motor which will have to be accommodated in a lift.

Mike

 

[Lonsdale73]

No, they have the dimensions reversed.

Very long winded (typically American) video of a comparison between the Draper Expert and Triton MOF001: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78rBBE_bJ5g

Mike

Awfully english sounding for an American! I lost the will to live very early into the video and gave up completely before the halfway mark. An American might have been louder and or zanier but would have been far slicker.

Thanks for measuring the diameter for me however from what I saw of the video I don't think it's going to be the one for me.

 

[Quickben]

I'm interested to see what people think of the katsu after a few months of decent use. I have the Makita "version" and I love it, but wonder if I've wasted the 140 quid difference.

I did, however, buy Aim's step up collet set so I can use 8mm cutters as Makita don't do one.

Oh, Hi by the way. First post and all that...

Gary.

EDIT: Having now gone back through previous threads regarding the Katsu, I probably would've gone for one had I known about it. However, I'm glad I've got the real deal due to apparent quality concerns.

And I now have options for spares...