Router - Which Features Should I Look For?

[GuitarPhotog]

Linksys and DLink makes okay routers. I have some off-brand Chinese one that seems to be holding up well.

I knew someone would suggest these

Glad you beat me to it

<Chas>

[Fenlason]

I just purchase a new DeWalt router. It is a compact model, yet not specifically a laminate trimmer. I did more specifically buy it for freehand sign making. It has a transparent base, and 2 LED lights. It has a fixed base, and is variable speed. So far I love it.

[ssrjim]

There is nothing like horse power, the more the better.

I like the porter cable, my main router now is a Rigid, that has a plunge and standard base.

[GerryS]

Are you planning on using it on a single project or long term?

One project, if you can't borrow one, buy the one on sale. If you plan on long term heavy duty use, look for the words "festool".

[CarlLaFong]

im gunna throw a wrench in this. i have been using a Craftsman Router for over 20 yrs. you dont always need the newest and fandagalist. .

Today's Craftsman router is not the router of 20 years ago. I got a Craftsman router as a gift about 20 years ago. I wasn't into woodworking much, at the time, so it sat in the box until the warranty expired. When I finally went to use it, it immediately flung a segment from the armature and blue flamed in my hands. I gave it a flying lesson

[GerryS]

That is soooooo true. Craftsman used to be high quality, now it's pretty much bottom of the barrel. They can't even get wrenches right any more. My hand tools are all kobalt, the power tools are Festool or Bosch. Definitely pay a premium, but the quality is top notch....

[CarlLaFong]

Are you planning on using it on a single project or long term?

One project, if you can't borrow one, buy the one on sale. If you plan on long term heavy duty use, look for the words "festool".

While Festool is at the top of the game, they are stupid expensive. I can buy two Porter Cables and have enough left over for a nice trim router for the price of a Festool. There is no reason why a hobbyist, even a serious one would really need a 400 dollar router

[VijayGupta]

a) Which features should I look for in a router?
First choice would be a 1.5 HP, fixed and plunge base combo kit, 1/2" and 1/4" collets.

b) What could you live without?
Edge guide

c) What features and brands should be shunned?
Ryobi, Craftsman, Skil, Black & Decker any of the "house brands" are all meant for the Joe that's going to use it once a year.
Bosch, Porter-Cable, Makita, and DeWalt all make good ones. I met this guy once who lives and breathes routers http://www.patwarner.com/ He told me he didn't have a table saw, and I thought of the old saying, "To the man who only has a hammer, everything looks like a nail." HE has some reviews on his site.

I have never really seen the need for a 3HP router, which also seems to me to be a bit of an exaggeration on a 15-20 circuit.

d) When would a person need a router table?
You can either take the tool to the work (hand-held) or take the work to the tool (router table). There are some bits such as panel raisers and cope and stick that really should be done on a table to be safe.

I have a P-C 690 that I've had for 30 years after I burned through a B&D after just a couple of frustrating years with it (slipped bits, etc.). For most of that time, it was my only router. I ended up with a couple of trim routers that have come in handy for small jobs. Then I got a Bosch 1617 on a special and later got a plunge base for it at auction for a song. I like the Bosch because it's soft start and variable speed. I also like the depth adjustment on it better than the PC.

[VijayGupta]

I'd have to agree on the Festool. If you are making a living at it and don't have some moron in the place borrowing your tools and either abusing them or forgetting to return them, I can see Festool.

I have a Festool sander. It's really nice. If it's more than twice as nice as the Bosch that cost less than half as much is debatable. And I've done a lot of sanding, sometimes all day long.

Are you planning on using it on a single project or long term?

One project, if you can't borrow one, buy the one on sale. If you plan on long term heavy duty use, look for the words "festool".

While Festool is at the top of the game, they are stupid expensive. I can buy two Porter Cables and have enough left over for a nice trim router for the price of a Festool. There is no reason why a hobbyist, even a serious one would really need a 400 dollar router

[GerryS]

Maybe. Not for everyone, but the dust control precision are by every measure top notch. If the dust control on tools where better, the rate of COPD in old sawdust manufacturers would be a lot lower. I can run my router for 20 minutes and clean up with in 2, not the other way around.

The only downsides are 1). Metric measurements 2) price. But I can't tell you how price wont matter in a year after you buy quality, and metric...a calculator goes me close enough....

[RandyG]

I've had a Ryobi for 5 years now, works for everything I've needed it for (just the basics). But for $50 it has been a key tool in my garage.

[pete42]

no one has mentioned Bosch which was my first one I now own two one is dedicated to the router table
the Bosch is a plunge type router very big very powerfull.

if I were to start from scratch I would get one of the newer models 1/2 way between a trim router and a full size router
I think it would be used more do to it's weight and usefullness.

[lancew]

Ryobi, Craftsman, Skil, Black & Decker any of the "house brands" are all meant for the Joe that's going to use it once a year.

huh, i guess my Craftsman is pretty special. considering i have used it for 20 + yrs. daily. but then again now that i think about it, both of my routers were built in the good ole days. before black and decker got the Craftsman contract. guess this joe is lucky.

[Tom Kurth]

This is pertainent to any discussion of electrical power tools: A number of years ago I read comments in a woodworking magazine from a Black and Decker official regarding the difference between their (then) two lines of product, DeWalt and B&D. B&D had only recently purchased DeWalt and was in the process of integrating the two lines. The difference they were moving towards was to position DeWalt as tools for professionals and B&D as a less expensive line of tools for home-owners. For example, one of the primary differences he mentioned was the use of nylon bearings in the B&D and metal bearings in the DW. In practice this meant that a DW drill was going to stand up to daily use without engaging the warrantee, not to be expected of the B&D version of the same tool. One of my favorite routers is an old DW that is the exact same tool as an even older B&D 'Commercial' router. When the two companies merged they just re-labeled the B&D Commercial as a DW.

About 15 years ago I went to work in a cabinet shop run by a person who did not understand this difference. Craftsman had by that time degenerated into a home-owner product. But this owner kept buying Sears because they always honored their one-year warrantee and often blamed the failing tools on employees not exercising proper care of her property. When someone finally convinced her to buy DW tools they not only lasted for the whole warrantee but for YEARS beyond. Money ahead by spending twice as much initially.

How much use you will expect of a tool, how hard that use will be, how long you expect the tool to last, and how much money you are willing to spend at the moment all determine what is the best purchase for you. That said some cheap tools will NEVER perform as well as a pricier tool. Case in point, I'm a big DW and PC fan but I would never buy anything but a Bosch jigsaw. The old adage applies: Always buy the best tool you can afford at the moment.

Best,
Tom

[eamarquardt]

The old adage applies: Always buy the best tool you can afford at the moment.
Best,
Tom

Yup my wife always buys me the best she can afford as it's all her money.

I have a Bosch. 1613 evs. I like the way the guide bushings can be inserted/removed w/o tools and screws. I like the soft start as the tool isn't trying to jump out of your hands when you pull the trigger. I also like the way the height adjusts with the knob which makes it easy to adjust the height when on a router table.

When I was a kid I used to drool over the Craftsman catalog. As has been pointed out, a lot of the Craftsman tools now are junk.

Cheers,

Gus