what brand router to buy??

[Derrick Williams]

I'm looking to replace my ryobi router. It does ok for light routing, but i want a router with a little more power. I have been looking at Ridgid and porter Cable. Any suggestions on what brands to look at or stay away from?

thanks

Derrick Williams

[Rick in Pittsburgh]

+1 for the FT3000 Freud router for the table. The longer shaft brings the collet above the table for bit changing and the shaft lock and hight adjustment are on top also. Makes bit changing and height changing a lot easier. The BIG plus is you don't have to pay extra for a lift mechanism like you will with the Porter Cable.

 

John Schaben said:

Woodcraft has been a good supplier for me. Lately though, their website has become maddeningly slow. I suspect it because of all the photos they put in there.

895 should make a decent table router, I believe the newer ones have above table height adjustments and above table bit changes. You will still need to go underneath for speed settings but those aren't (supposed to be) done dynamically. As has been stated, there are many, many good routers out there. I use a Freud 1700 in a portable table and a Freud 3000 in a large table.

[Mark Hodges]

Just a few minutes after reading the post about the Triton routers I got a promo email from Woodcraft.com and what is the featured sale item? An absolutely ripper deal on the midi-size Triton J0F001 9Amp (1-1/3 HP) Plunge Router for $99.99 - that $80 bucks off the regular $179.99!  I don't even dare think about adding another router to my shop - my wife would just plain old not understand why I need yet another router - but if you're looking at Tritons, that's a wicked-good price!

[Marc DeCastro]

John Schaben said:

Hi Marc - problem with magazine ratings is I'm never sure how advertising revenue fits into the test equation. Whiteside are very good, very expensive bits. For bits used a lot of the time I will spring for the higher dollar bits; Amana, EagleAmerica, Whiteside, CMT. Of those, I have had the best luck with the Amana. For lower usage bits don't overlook the house brands. I've had excellant results with MLCS, Wood River (Woodcraft), Stone Mountain (Peachtree), Rockler, and a couple of eBay vendors; Super Carbide Tools and Yonico. Go with high end bits for the straight and roundovers as you will use those on just about every project.

Marc DeCastro said:

As for router bits, I suggest you look at finewoodworking.com.  They conducted tests on a bunch of bits and results showed Whiteside and Eagle as the best performers.  I've been using Whiteside bits and after searching the web for good prices, I setteled on woodworkersworld.net.  It's a small company in PA and they deliver quickly; 2-3 days.  Whiteside bits are made in the USA and they have a tech support line that is actually at the factory and the guy I spoke with actually does woodwork.  Just don't call on Monday morning.

[Marc DeCastro]

Hi John - I generally agree with you on magazine ratings.  I got no help from them in trying to select a router.  In this case, it looks like they did a reasonable review.  The article looks like it could have been done by Consumer Reports; the only magazine that does not rely on product advertising.  I've read a lot of reviews on Amazon and who knows what the reviewers qualifications are.  What we need is a website for certified grizzled old veterans who have been around a long time; lots of experience; know what they are talking about.  In my career, we called these guys the "Greybeards."

[John Schaben]

Hi Mark - I share your pain.... I got that ad in myself but mother wouldn't understand a seventh router. That Triton looks to compare favorably to the deWalt 611 at $200 in plunge trim.

Mark Hodges said:

Just a few minutes after reading the post about the Triton routers I got a promo email from Woodcraft.com and what is the featured sale item? An absolutely ripper deal on the midi-size Triton J0F001 9Amp (1-1/3 HP) Plunge Router for $99.99 - that $80 bucks off the regular $179.99!  I don't even dare think about adding another router to my shop - my wife would just plain old not understand why I need yet another router - but if you're looking at Tritons, that's a wicked-good price!

[Jan bruce]

I have a Bosch and love it, however I had to buy special pads to fit the router in the Kreg router table lift system. I believe the lift is compatible with PC with the shims that come with the Kreg lift system.  I would suggest getting a router with variable speed, handy for different types of wood.

[Ken Darga]

>>>...a router with variable speed, handy for different types of wood./p>

 

Also, a lower rpm is a ''must'' when using larger dia bits.

Jan bruce said:

I have a Bosch and love it, however I had to buy special pads to fit the router in the Kreg router table lift system. I believe the lift is compatible with PC with the shims that come with the Kreg lift system.  I would suggest getting a router with variable speed, handy for different types of wood.

[Antoine boyd]

These are the things that I looked for when purchasing my router.

1) I look at the amps.  The more amperage the more power.

2) The collet must be able to support up to 1/2" shanked bits.

3) The base needs to be changeable to support a modified base.

4) A motor lift system just in case I would want to mount it in a router table.

5) Fine adjustment features would allow me to adjust the depth in fine increments.

6) dust collection port and of course lights.

7) A changeable lower unit or one that comes with two lower units.

   One  unit that is a plunger type and the other a fixed unit.

I for one decided on the Rigid with a life time warranty.

[david almond]

check out cpo outlets, you can get an excellent bosch  or porter cable at a good price! if ur not sure about fixed base or plunge, my bosch has both and i spent less than 200

[marvin kent kuhlman]

  Hi Derrick. I would suggest that you start by thinking how many times and also what size projects

       you intend to do. I have a Freud 31/4 h.p. router,and for what i do,it works really well. You may want  to

   go with a variable speed model,because it helps when you are working with different woods

 and thickness. Have you looked at possibly a bosch router? They have some newer models that are

 really heavy duty and ergonomic. Above all else,how much are you willing to pay?

[Derrick Williams]

Thanks guys for all the input, I have ordered a Porter Cable 895 from CPO. I havent bought any bits yet though. I am going to look at ordering some Whiteside.

THANKS !!

Derrick

[John Schaben]

Hi Derrick - Congratulations on the new addition.

What kind of selection of bits do you have now? If just starting a bit collection, I'm a proponent of buying a small set of mid priced bits. They usually give a good starter selection and some others that may or may not be used. The per bit price is very reasonable and if you haven't got it, you can't try it. Buy high dollar bits for frequently used bits, roundovers, straight bits, a good rabbetting set, ........ Don't try to fill your inventory with high end stuff, if your budget is anything like mine, you would have all the bits you could use but can't afford the wood to cut.

MLCS offers a pretty decent house brand set that won't break the bank. Either the 30 or 45 bit set would get one up and running very nicely:

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pag...

Derrick Williams said:

Thanks guys for all the input, I have ordered a Porter Cable 895 from CPO. I havent bought any bits yet though. I am going to look at ordering some Whiteside.

THANKS !!

Derrick