Router advice

[Dave-o112]

Hi,

First post, be gentle!

I'm in the process of building up a set of decent power tools. Next i need a router to finish off the thresholds on my parquet floor.

I think i'll mainly be using the router hand held and sometimes hand held in conjunction with a straight edge guide. I can't see me using the router table mounted as I don't really have a big enough workshop area to do any work in that room, just limited storage ( a "walkthrough" really).

I'm a bit unsure what to go for as I want something lightweight and suited to handheld work but I also have an upcoming job for which i'll need 1/2" cutter, oak kitchen worktops. My thinking is that i should go for a reasonably powerful 1/4" router than has the option of a 1/2" collect for this one off worktop job. For information, I have one 90deg joint for which i think i can use my Festool plunge saw and just use the router for the bolt recesses and biscuits. However, i have an internal and external 300mm radius to cut with the router for which i'm planning a DIY trammel to make MDF/plywood templates.

I don't want to spend loads and the DeWalt DW622K seems to fit the bill. I was also considering the Triton MOF001 but the reviews seems to suggest variable quality (lots of returns).

Some kind of compatibility with Festool track saw guides would be great but it seems like my options are make my own, or shell out for the micro fence kit or Festool router. My budgets seems to limit me to a DIY solution in the future.

Any advice appreciated.

thanks,
Dave

 

[johnny]

Hi Dave. I was just about to post the exact same question

I have to work to a very tight budget so I can't even afford the two routers you have suggested.

I'm going to buy the cheap as chips Silverline 264895 Plunge Router 1/2-inch, 1500 W jobbie.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-...rds=SILVERLINE++PLUNGE+ROUTER#customerReviews
It has some good reviews on Amazon and some reasonable features for the money . I only intend cutting 2x worktop joints and hopefully construct a simple ply tool cabinet so It doesn't need to last me a lifetime.
I figure if I end up using the router more than I expect to then I'll shell out for a much better quality router later rather tha buy a more expensive middle of the range router and be unable to justify the upgrade cost later

 

[Phil Pascoe]

You don't go for a 1/4" that has a 1/2" option - you go for a 1/2" with a 1/4" option. It is handy sometimes to have an ultra light weight, small 1/4" one for small inlays etc. but most small jobs can be done with a large router. Large jobs cannot be done with a small one. Get a decent 1/2" one and worry about something smaller IF the occasion arises. (I have both )

 

[finish_that]

I would go and get your hands on them - some 1/2 ones are not at all suited to hand held work due to their size/weight . There seem to be 4 sizes of router - tiny trimmer type , small 1/4 , medium 1/4-/1/2 , large 1/2 .
Sounds like you might choose a medium and that dewalt 622 might be a good choice - the "medium" size do it all.
I have a Trend T5 that I have had for years and is very versatile - a recent purchase of a router table prompted me to
seek out a 1/2 machine - a second hand Freud 1/2 - jig and table work only when I have the option of the T5 - its a monster in comparison.

 

[adidat]

If you have already been bitten by the festool bug then you wont go far wrong with this bad boy!

the festool 1400

adidat (who loves his one)

p.s the trend t11 is also quite nice with some great features, very easy to make a basic router table with it etc!

 

[sunnybob]

Hi Dave. I was just about to post the exact same question

I have to work to a very tight budget so I can't even afford the two routers you have suggested.

I'm going to buy the cheap as chips Silverline 264895 Plunge Router 1/2-inch, 1500 W jobbie.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-...rds=SILVERLINE++PLUNGE+ROUTER#customerReviews
r

Dont buy silverline, youll be sorry.
its the cheapest of the cheap for a very good reason

Always, buy the tool you just cant quite afford. It will pay you back threefold.

 

[woodenstx]

I know its not a super shiny brand etc but I got http://www.clarketools.net/cr3-clarke-1 ... 9303-p.asp this last year. Its a touch heavy, but other than that its great for what I do with it, and as I've learnt, 90% of the job is down to the router bits being top notch as opposed to the router being ace with poor bits. If I were buying again

I use the back edge of my festool track for straight edges on the rare occurance that I'm not using a jig or bearing guided cutter. The only caveat I'd put on that is you will want to put some masking take along the edge or on the router to prevent any marks.
I have wondered if the router attachment would work with mine but obvioulsy everyone will have different guide rail distances.
Dewalt and Makita make guide rail adaptors too and they should work with the festool rail.

 

[Roughcut]

I would advise buying a well known name brand Trade router.
And that doesn't mean a green Bosch.
DeWalt, Makita, Festool, Bosch (blue), Triton, Trend etc.
A good tool will cost you money, but will serve you well for many years and spares should be easily obtainable if you should ever need them.

 

[Dave-o112]

Thanks for the advice.

I like the look of the Festool but can't justify the cost. I only managed to talk myself into the plunge saw since it's the closest i can get to a table saw since i don't have the room for one. My wife saw the invoice for it and nearly had a heart attack. Maybe in the future...

The dewalt seems to get good reviews and is a fair bit lighter than most 1/2" routers. The Trends look nice but the t10/t11 is 6kg+ and the t5 seems lacking in grunt at only 1000w. I suppose 8mm shank is an option. Anyone attempted kitchen worktops with 8mm? cutter choice seems a bit sparse too.

Anyone know of a good dealer in the Derby area where i can get my hands on a few options? I normally buy online since as a non-trade buyer I always seem to get the rubbish prices at trade focused shops.

 

[mseries]

8mm cutters are not very common in the UK, get a 1/2" machine. For small jobs, hand held you really need a small router, big 1/2" ones are just too unwieldly. A table is really useful, my rule of thumb is move the smallest lightest thing. If the workpiece is easier to move than the router then fix the router, usually in my homemade table and move the workpiece. The 1/2" machine in the table works very well. You mentioned lack of space, my table is simply a piece of worktop sat in a Workmate, easy to store

 

[johnny]

8mm cutters are not very common in the UK, get a 1/2" machine. For small jobs, hand held you really need a small router, big 1/2" ones are just too unwieldly. A table is really useful, my rule of thumb is move the smallest lightest thing. If the workpiece is easier to move than the router then fix the router, usually in my homemade table and move the workpiece. The 1/2" machine in the table works very well. You mentioned lack of space, my table is simply a piece of worktop sat in a Workmate, easy to store

please excuse the hyjack but which 1/4" router would you suggest for light work like making boxes etc ? would the Makita trimmer be adequate ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAKITA-RT...147743?hash=item485163e9df:g:gN8AAOSwQiRUmtZ1

 

[adidat]

Johnny I have one of the small makitas nice little router, I use it mainly for hinge cutting on site and running small chamfers and edge details, if it was your only router then I would suggest going bigger as you then have the option on bigger stuff rather than 1/4 only

Adidat

 

[mseries]

8mm cutters are not very common in the UK, get a 1/2" machine. For small jobs, hand held you really need a small router, big 1/2" ones are just too unwieldly. A table is really useful, my rule of thumb is move the smallest lightest thing. If the workpiece is easier to move than the router then fix the router, usually in my homemade table and move the workpiece. The 1/2" machine in the table works very well. You mentioned lack of space, my table is simply a piece of worktop sat in a Workmate, easy to store

please excuse the hyjack but which 1/4" router would you suggest for light work like making boxes etc ? would the Makita trimmer be adequate ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAKITA-RT...147743?hash=item485163e9df:g:gN8AAOSwQiRUmtZ1

I don't know much about those trimmer type routers, I have a Freud one but not used it much so far. My Freud doesn't take a side fence so it's restricted in that respect and I don't know if those Makitas can either. I don't know if you'd need a side fence for box making to be honest but having that option makes things easier.[You could certainly make your own however]. If I was to get a small router for general hand held work, like I use my Elu MOF96E for, I'd go for somethingl like Trend T4 which does take a side fence, regular guide bushes and fine height adjuster as far as I know. To be honest my MOF96E is a great general purpose machine, perhaps a little large/heavy/ cumbersome for some tasks but I've always managed to clamp things satisfactorily to get round that or I have used my table to hold the router. The equivalent of the MOf96E is the Trend T5 and Dewalt 615
Don't let me put you off those trimmer types, I got one specifically because it can be removed from it's base and secured using it's 43mm collar in some other sort of fixture such as a horizontal stand and I sometimes like to use them one handed with a bearing guided cutter or against a straight guide.

 

[johnny]

Johnny I have one of the small makitas nice little router, I use it mainly for hinge cutting on site and running small chamfers and edge details, if it was your only router then I would suggest going bigger as you then have the option on bigger stuff rather than 1/4 only

Adidat

thanks Adidat . The Makita has some great reviews and there is an excellent video review on youtube . I have a few other Makita tools and like most folk I am brand loyal plus one battery fits alll is useful.

I cannot afford to buy two routers and I probably will never use ia router again after my current cabinet project. A big heavy 1/2 " router would be a bit unweildy for making a small box so i think I'll buy the Trimmer. :wink:
cheers

 

[johnny]

8mm cutters are not very common in the UK, get a 1/2" machine. For small jobs, hand held you really need a small router, big 1/2" ones are just too unwieldly. A table is really useful, my rule of thumb is move the smallest lightest thing. If the workpiece is easier to move than the router then fix the router, usually in my homemade table and move the workpiece. The 1/2" machine in the table works very well. You mentioned lack of space, my table is simply a piece of worktop sat in a Workmate, easy to store

please excuse the hyjack but which 1/4" router would you suggest for light work like making boxes etc ? would the Makita trimmer be adequate ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAKITA-RT...147743?hash=item485163e9df:g:gN8AAOSwQiRUmtZ1

I don't know much about those trimmer type routers, I have a Freud one but not used it much so far. My Freud doesn't take a side fence so it's restricted in that respect and I don't know if those Makitas can either. I don't know if you'd need a side fence for box making to be honest but having that option makes things easier.[You could certainly make your own however]. If I was to get a small router for general hand held work, like I use my Elu MOF96E for, I'd go for somethingl like Trend T4 which does take a side fence, regular guide bushes and fine height adjuster as far as I know. To be honest my MOF96E is a great general purpose machine, perhaps a little large/heavy/ cumbersome for some tasks but I've always managed to clamp things satisfactorily to get round that or I have used my table to hold the router. The equivalent of the MOf96E is the Trend T5 and Dewalt 615
Don't let me put you off those trimmer types, I got one specifically because it can be removed from it's base and secured using it's 43mm collar in some other sort of fixture such as a horizontal stand and I sometimes like to use them one handed with a bearing guided cutter or against a straight guide.

thank you very much for your detailed reply mseries its much appreciated .
I think the Makita RT0700C has quite a good range of accessories from what I could find on the net last night . It does become expensive if you need to buy the lot. It looks like you can buy a full kit incl a carry bag but gosh its expensive.
I think it should be perfect for making my little boxes essentially all I'll need to do is cut a lot of rebates. can't wait to get started
Is it ok to admit that part of the reason I'm buying it is because its so cute and Hitec looking ?

 

[loftyhermes]

Anyone know of a good dealer in the Derby area where i can get my hands on a few options? I normally buy online since as a non-trade buyer I always seem to get the rubbish prices at trade focused shops.

Jaymac on London Road, or Protrade on Ascot Drive.

 

[woodenstx]

Be warned, walking into Protrade is a BAD idea :lol: I know its the same as most tool shops but its just a grown ups version of toys r us

There is also the tool shop further into Hellvaston, by Wickes.

 

[johnny]

Be warned, walking into Protrade is a BAD idea :lol: I know its the same as most tool shops but its just a grown ups version of toys r us
.

:lol: :lol: I've got toys I've bought online that I haven't even opened yet :roll:

 

[Phil Pascoe]

My neighbours two year old walked into my workshop - Ooohhh, dad - look at all these toys!! Simon said the boy calls them toys when he's with him and tools when he's with his mother.

 

[JSW]

My neighbours two year old walked into my workshop - Ooohhh, dad - look at all these toys!! Simon said the boy calls them toys when he's with him and tools when he's with his mother.

As it should be. Budding Young Carpenter of the Year in the making there methinks