Router vs. Jigsaw

[Nosty]

Kelleyaynn,

I've got some bad news for you. You may say now that you won't be doing any woodworking projects after your build, but you may be in for a big surprise. Once you smell the heavenly aroma of fresh cut lumber and start seeing your project coming together, all by your hand, you're going to be bitten by the bug. And the woodworking bug is one of biblical proportion. You'll start to envision that book shelf you always wanted, then the cost savings of doing this or that by yourself instead of paying a contractor and, before you know it, you're addicted to DIY shows and panting over power tool ads in the local big box flyers. It's not a hobby, it's an obsession.

As to your question, in my humble opinion, the router is one of the most versatile tools there is. With the right bit, you can do anything shy of brain surgery, (wait a minute, isn't a Stryker saw, in a sense, a router?).

That said, a jigsaw certainly does have its' place in the shop and the job can be completed using the jigsaw: it just isn't as much fun.

Post to the thread after you start smelling the freshly cut lumber and start seeing your TTT take shape. I'd be amazed if you weren't on your way to the Woodcraft Store to peruse the toys.

Good luck on your build.

Brian

[Kelleyaynn]

Kelleyaynn,

I've got some bad news for you. You may say now that you won't be doing any woodworking projects after your build, but you may be in for a big surprise. Once you smell the heavenly aroma of fresh cut lumber and start seeing your project coming together, all by your hand, you're going to be bitten by the bug. And the woodworking bug is one of biblical proportion. You'll start to envision that book shelf you always wanted, then the cost savings of doing this or that by yourself instead of paying a contractor and, before you know it, you're addicted to DIY shows and panting over power tool ads in the local big box flyers. It's not a hobby, it's an obsession.

As to your question, in my humble opinion, the router is one of the most versatile tools there is. With the right bit, you can do anything shy of brain surgery, (wait a minute, isn't a Stryker saw, in a sense, a router?).

That said, a jigsaw certainly does have its' place in the shop and the job can be completed using the jigsaw: it just isn't as much fun.

Post to the thread after you start smelling the freshly cut lumber and start seeing your TTT take shape. I'd be amazed if you weren't on your way to the Woodcraft Store to peruse the toys.

Good luck on your build.

Brian

I already pant over power tools. For no good reason other than they are cool. Used a power nailer once and thought it was the coolest thing ever.

My problem is I already have obsessions of biblical proportions (winemaking, scrapbooking............) But you are right. That whole saving money thing.....and doing it yourself and being proud of the results (that's why I like to make my own soap). I could be in for trouble....

[Cliffmeister2000]

Nosty is right on! I have 4, maybe 5 routers. I built a router table and have one of the routers permanently in that!

[Nosty]

Then you suffer the same fate as I, Kelleyaynn. I make beer, play guitar, publish books, continuously remodel this falling down hovel I call home and collect all sorts of stuff. They're symbiotic with the exception of sampling too much of the beer, (or wine), before or during the use of power tools. Not a good combination. I'd suggest you take my word on that. At best, it makes the lines you're trying to cut harder to see. At worse, your friends may have to nickname you "No thumbs" or Ole One eye. Not conducive to the fun factor of any hobby.

[toypusher]

One more opinion for you. You will find life much easier if you have both the jigsaw (saber saw) and a router!

[Mightydog]

One more opinion for you. You will find life much easier if you have both the jigsaw (saber saw) and a router!

+1

And a chop saw.
And a circular saw.
And a reciprocating saw.
And a table saw.
And a band saw.
And a belt sander.
And a table sander.
And a cordless drill.
And a big ole plug-in drill.
And all of the bits to go with drill.

And a radio to listen to while you use all of those.

[Mightydog]

Sorry about the deuce.

[Kelleyaynn]

One more opinion for you. You will find life much easier if you have both the jigsaw (saber saw) and a router!

We already have a jigsaw. Though I've never used it.....

Looking forward to my husband taking some pictures of little ole me working away with some power tools. I don't exactly look like the power tool type. But I love surprising people.....

[Kelleyaynn]

One more opinion for you. You will find life much easier if you have both the jigsaw (saber saw) and a router!

+1

And a chop saw.
And a circular saw.
And a reciprocating saw.
And a table saw.
And a band saw.
And a belt sander.
And a table sander.
And a cordless drill.
And a big ole plug-in drill.
And all of the bits to go with drill.

And a radio to listen to while you use all of those.

Perhaps I should have stayed married to hubby #1. My ex-father in law had every tool known to mankind, I think. And he would have let me use them.

[toypusher]

One more opinion for you. You will find life much easier if you have both the jigsaw (saber saw) and a router!

We already have a jigsaw. Though I've never used it.....

Looking forward to my husband taking some pictures of little ole me working away with some power tools. I don't exactly look like the power tool type. But I love surprising people.....

Just be sure that you know and follow the safety rules for each tool! Be Safe!

[GreatPumpkin]

Then you suffer the same fate as I, Kelleyaynn. I make beer, play guitar, publish books, continuously remodel this falling down hovel I call home and collect all sorts of stuff. They're symbiotic with the exception of sampling too much of the beer, (or wine), before or during the use of power tools. Not a good combination. I'd suggest you take my word on that. At best, it makes the lines you're trying to cut harder to see. At worse, your friends may have to nickname you "No thumbs" or Ole One eye. Not conducive to the fun factor of any hobby.

DISCLAIMER: No adult beverages involved - just stupidity

But my Porter Cable Biscuit Jointer gave me a cool scar on the third digit of my left hand. I get to show people my cool scar by dropping the other digits . The regular doctors were out that day, so Dr. Frankenstein filled in. 3 stitches to close the cut that covered the entire top of my finger.
Note: DO NOT HOLD THAT SMALL PIECE OF TRIM IN YOUR HAND. PROPERLY SECURE IT ON THE WORKBENCH!

[john curtis]

I have both router and a jigsaw ,did the entire trailer build with the jigsaw (wore out my old one and had to buy a new one) and never took out router out of the basement.
John

[Larwyn]

[Perhaps I should have stayed married to hubby #1. My ex-father in law had every tool known to mankind, I think. And he would have let me use them.

Sounds like, maybe, you should have married the ex-father in law instead. Or maybe just have him adopt your current husband

[whitefishpoint]

If you've never used a router before, NOTE there are 2 handles on a router for a GOOD REASON. Any router may "catch" on the wood you are cutting, and when it does - you'll need both hands firmly grasping it.

When a router catches on a piece of wood it can really kick good and twist in unpredictable ways (its essentially a 5 lb gyroscope!).

Don't ever think you can "one-hand it". And don't take either hand off the router for any reason, even to scratch your nose.

[Cliffmeister2000]

I have both router and a jigsaw ,did the entire trailer build with the jigsaw (wore out my old one and had to buy a new one) and never took out router out of the basement.
John

And I have had exactly opposite experience. I have a jigsaw, but use it rarely. If there is any way to use my bandsaw, I favor it bigtime over the jigsaw. And when it comes to making sawdust, nothing beats a router!



I guess that supports the old adage, "To each their own!"