So what router would you really recommend for me?

[Colin Wollerman]

UUhm, The $99 Freud is available at WoodCraft...Honolulu! so ya better figure in air fare :-) I also have ever popular PC combo set. I am picking up the the 3HP freud cause the PC chokes a little with bigger bits and the price is right. There are some little quirks about the PC but all & all it has been a good machine.
Colin

[Simon Dupay]

Get a porter-cable can never go wrong with a PC router like the 890 and I also would look at ebay for a 690 as a second router as they usually go for under $100 used.

[Russ Kay]

Jeez, this forum is dangerous! I was reading the initial post the other day and, curious as to what the Amazon deal was with the Milwaukee router, I looked it up. Quite a deal, indeed. Hmmmm, I thought, I've never been completely happy with the last router I bought (a Triton), so maybe this is a sign for me.

So I tentatively set out an order for the $120 router package (with free shipping) when Amazon popped up a $30 discount offer if I signed up for their credit card. So now the cost is $90, which is what I'd been thinking about spending for a reconditioned Bosch Colt.

Milwaukee should arrive in a couple of days!

[Brian Kent]

I have narrowed my list to just 3 choices at this point. Bosch, MW, and Ridgid.
Joshua

From that list of 3, Pat Warner, the router specialist would recommend Bosch and Milwaukee.

Here is his brief article on choosing a router:

http://www.patwarner.com/selecting_router.html

[Joshua Dinerstein]

While I haven't as yet bought a router for doing this kind of wood working I wanted to say thanks for all the help.

In working with my lathe I am used to trying out the feel of the gouges and skews and what not. So the handle shape becomes a big deal. I have in fact made most of my handles now because I like one particular shape.

Following the advice of many here I drove all of town last night and started picking up the routers and playing with them a bit at a number of stores. I hit Woodcraft, Lowes, HD and Sears in my rounds. I had hoped to find some Milwaukee routers but none of these 4 carry them at least locally. Here is my basic take on them at large:

- I found the Ridgid multi-base kit really quite pleasant to hold. But the type and location of power switch on it isn't something I love. The power-switch is rubberized and a bit shwllow and very high up on the motor housing and takes quite a bit of force to turn on. At least on the display version. I had to take one hand off of the handles to operate it. From what I have read this is kind of a no-no. I could counter by wrapping a hand around the motor until any inertial kick was over but it gave me pause. The work lights on the bottom I think could be a really cool option to have. Being able to see what you are doing is always a good idea. At $199 it is in line with the other costs and has apparently a lifetime guarantee on the tool. I am not sure what that really means in practical use but it is interesting.

- At Sears I found that I really LOVED the feel of theirs in my hands. They ahve the 9.5amp, the 11 amp and their big 2.5 HP rotuers out. These are the all gray motors, the grey and black, and the red respectively. The size and shape of the tool handles was great on the plunge base. Seriously excellent for my hands. The fixed base was execllent as well. The location of the power switch and it's type coupled with the worklights on the base of the motor were a big seller for me. However the D-handle that I was kind of interested in turned out to be all wrong for me. I must have been trying to hold it wrong or something because it felt extremely uncomfortable and unwieldy. My concern with this one is that Craftsman quality isn't what it used to me. So at $219 for the 2.5 HP red ones might not be a good deal. I intend to do some further review searching on these.

- Lowes I found the Bosch 1617evs router set. I liked it. I found the wood handles on the fixed base a bit less comfortable. They were extremely smooth. It was also the heaviest of the options. It seemed quite well made but the combination of the weaker feeling grip on the handles and the higher weight a bit of a concern. The plunge base was good but I didn't like the location of the lock as much. Which was kind of telling. I had really begun to lean toward this one based on features and lifts etc...

- I also got to look at the Skil routers while at Lowes. A whole lot of NOPE! on that one. It was terrible and cheap feeling.

- I couldn't find a Milwaukee but I would really have liked too. Does anyone know if a local retailed carries them? Before I buy anything I want to try them out if possible.

I was continuing to think, incorrectly as it turns out, that getting a large HP router for versatility in work was a good idea. Now I am certain that getting a smaller router for working with handheld tools is at the top of my list. Having enough power is important but being able to work without getting tired/sloppy/etc... is a going to be a key for me. I think that this "lighter but still strong enough" idea is one of the reasons that I like the Craftman equipment. It felt good, was light enough to do a lot of work with. I just wonder at the quality of the tool, longevity and finite adjustment. I am thinking that the Milwaukee is probably a better call for this hand-held process. A better quality tool that is light at 1-3/4 HP weight. So while I haven't necessarily made a decision quite yet I believe that I finally have the keys to be able to make a good decision and be happy with my choice.

Thanks to one and all!

Again anyone know where i might be able to go and see/hold the Milwaukee router?

Joshua

[Von Bickley]

Simple answer.....

Name Brand

One of Each........ Everybody needs several routers.

[Homer Faucett]

I, too, have several routers, although I started out just like you: a circular saw and a 1.75 hp router (Ryobi). You can do an incredible amount of work with those two tools, but I did break down and buy a good table saw. Out of all the routers that have been mentioned, I do not have the Milwaukee and Rigid routers, although I did play with the Milwaukees when Lowe's had them for a short time here.

I would personally recommend either the Milwaukee or the Bosch out of the two that you mentioned. I like my Rigid 6" sander (no longer sold), but I always wonder about how long Rigid will support certain models. The Bosch 1617 has been around for a long time, and there are lots or add-ons you can pick up for it. The Milwaukee will probably feel better in your hands if you don't like the slick wood knobs . . . but you can always use some of that black rubber tool handle spray to take care of the Bosch. I'd probably decide based on price--and that Milwaukee is a great deal.

My one recommendation: consider getting a variable speed model. If you plan on having just one router for a while, the variable speed comes in handy when you're swinging a slightly larger bit. Anything 1.75 hp-2.25 hp is going to be plenty for you for now. I don't use a 3 hp router for anything but router table work.

Oh, and when buying bits, if there is a choice, always go with 1/2" shank instead of 1/4" shank.

[Rod Sheridan]

Ha! That's the funniest (and most true) thing I've heard in a long time...

I was going to disagree and state that I owned zero, then I realized that I didn't own one, so I'm now in agreement.

Then I remembered that I have an E.C Emmerich router so you can own only one.

I must be schizophrenic, the other argument always makes more sense.

regards, Rod.

[Tom Esh]

...
- At Sears I found that I really LOVED the feel of theirs in my hands....
Joshua

Those are often overlooked, but IMO unbeatable for the price. I've got two of the gray/black models I use for dovetailing and other hand-held work. (They also accept PC-style guide bushings directly.)
I looked at the red model too, but its height adjuster has a limited range whereafter you have to re-set the rack which seemed like it would be a nussiance.

[Jason White]

Find the biggest, cheapest on-sale router you can find -- but go with one of the better brand names. Check your local Woodcraft stores -- many are clearing out the older model 3-1/4 HP Freud plungers for about $100. It might be the only router you'll ever need (though I doubt it).

Jason

Thanks to one and all. I have begun to refine my list as was recommended one I started thinking about what I really wanted:
- I do want a "name" brand tool. So no skil, no black&decker, etc...
- I want a base that come ready to act as a simple lift when mounted in a table.
- I want a multi-base setup to start with as it gives me the most flexibility with this first purchase.
- I have yet to decide whether I want a 1 3/4, 2 1/4-ish, 3+ HP router. I can see the benefit when working in a table mount for a huge-ish 3+ HP beast of a router. But for hand-held work perhaps a lighter one is better. Which of course would be the reason that so many here have so many of these beasts.

I have narrowed my list to just 3 choices at this point. Bosch, MW, and Ridgid.

I am leaning away from the Ridgid the advantage is that I can get it here locally rather than getting it offline. The disadvantage is that I don't think it is as good a setup as the other two.

I greatly appreciate the feedback and I am open to more if anyone else wants to chime in.

But again thank you peoples for helping me out!

Joshua

[Mike Cornelsen]

Whatever router you finally choose, I highly recommend spending a few bucks with Pat Warner for one of his sub-bases. Betcha can't buy just one! And Pat is an outstanding, upfront guy to deal with. UPS (Undeliverable Package Service?) screwed the pooch on my delivery. Pat didn't wait for UPS to make it right. He shipped a replacement order as soon as he found out there was a problem. It was a real pleasure dealing with him.

[Stephen Edwards]

I really like my Bosch 1617EVS...I have one that's EVS and another that isn't. After working with them a bit the wood handles are perfectly comfy now.

My first router was a Craftsman.....it only lasted for 25 years. Great little router back then.

Agreed with the other poster....get 1/2" shank bits when you can. Get good ones, too.

I wish that someone made a good modern router with the a trigger on the handle. That's one thing I miss.

[Joshua Dinerstein]

Well I logged onto Amazon this morning and found that the Milwaukee 1 3/4 HP router multi-base kit was on sale even further. $103 for the kit. Only down from $119 but still it was enough to push me over the edge and further into the abyss. I bought. As fast as I could click a few buttons it is on it's way to my house. I love good tools at good prices!!!

Thanks for all the help. I am going to have to learn how to use a router now and get some bits. I bought some from HF, a simple kit, but now I am thinking a few higher end bits could be a good addition. I will just wait on that until I have a better feel for how i am going to use them. Maybe an MLCS kit would be a better call.

Joshua

[Eduard Nemirovsky]

Congratulations

[Chip Lindley]

Joshua, I standardized on Porter-Cable long long ago! There are many other good routers on the market, but for all around simplicity and dependability, IMO you can't beat a P-C 690! The newer 890s have mixed reviews.

For hand-held routing get the D-handle base. For permanent mounting in a router table, the P-C 7518-19's can't be beat! They got Lotsa Butt!