Router vs. Jigsaw

[Kelleyaynn]

I have a jigsaw, but no router. I could buy a router for under $100, but would it be worth it? I don't think I would ever use it again after building the tear. However, if it makes certain tasks a lot easier, it would probably be worth spending the money.

So my question is, how useful, REALLY, is a router? Especially compared to just using a jigsaw? I'm probably showing my total lack of tool knowledge here, but I need to get educated.....

[synaps3]

A router makes cutting out doors and the roofline on the walls much easier, with a flush bit..

You can certainly do without it. I've been building all sorts of things with just a jigsaw since I was barely old enough to pick one up. I finally got a router this Christmas, and it does make things easier, and makes cuts MUCH cleaner (especially if you devise a jig).

[halfdome, Danny]

A jig saw isn't a very accurate tool but it's better than hacking it out with a hatchet.
Use your jig saw to make parts and then sand to the line.
A router is very useful for making copies of your sanded parts like galley lid ribs, & to refine your walls to be identical so everything comes out square.
You can make moldings & route materials (plam/aluminum) that are larger than the items your covering to flush.
With a little imagination/woodworking education you'll find a host of tasks you can use a router for.
Spend the $100 as it's nothing on the scope of things and you be happy you did.
I have about 10 routers and only one jig saw. Danny

[rainjer]

I 100% agree with Danny. I have 5 routers. I use them all the time. I also have a band saw so my jig saw does not get used much.

Jeremy

[halfdome, Danny]

I 100% agree with Danny. I have 5 routers. I use them all the time. I also have a band saw so my jig saw does not get used much.

Jeremy

Your right Jemery .
A band saw is a lot more accurate than a jig saw and easier on the hands.
I have one with a 105" blade and it gets used all the time. Danny

[Sparksalot]

I bought a router for my build, and used the heck out of it. Well worth the money.

[Mightydog]

Spend the money on the router.

We have two: one with a 1/4 inch and one with a 1/2 inch collet. We use the daylights out of them. The router with the 1/2 inch collet gets the most use. It's surprising how much that extra beef in the bit helps make everything go a little nicer.

The jigsaw is around..somewhere...I think.

[doug hodder]

Like others have mentioned...I too have a number of routers and only one jig saw. The thing is....you won't be able to freehand cut shapes with the router. It will require a template or a jig/fence to reproduce parts or cut a straight line. However...there is nothing better to give a uniform profile on a wood edge in any number of profiles. The 2 tools work well together. Cut the template with the jig saw...reproduce any number of what you want with the router. It's probably one of the most used tools in my shop. Cuts are really clean and no tear out. Like with any tool, there is a learning curve.

As with a jig saw, the blade or in this case, the bit needs to be a good one and kept sharp. Can you build a tear without one...probably, many have, would I...no. Just my opinion. Doug

[NathanL]

Another bonus on the router is you can either make a jig or buy an inexpensive one at the big box stores to cut out circles/arc and ellipses and get them dead on as opposed to following a line with a jig saw that has to be cleaned up.

It's one of those tools I bet once you get one you'll wind up using it a lot more than you thought you would.

[Kelleyaynn]

Looks like I'll get myself a router...or two.....javascript:emoticon(';)')

The thing is, I'm not a woodworker, and don't plan on doing woodwork once I'm finished with the teardrop. Too many other hobbies going on. So I'm going to be on quite the learning curve here. Can anyone suggest some ways to get used to using the router before I ruin some pricey plywood with it? Any simple projects that might be useful? I'm a teacher - fifth grade, science, and community college bio. Perhaps something that might be useful for me in class?

[Mightydog]

I'm in publishing, my wife teaches second grade so we're in the same boat as you in terms of learning.

On The New Yankee Workshop, Norm is always making a perfectly useful and beautiful prototype before he makes the one that he's building on the show. Now and then he'll make reference to "...the prototype that we built earlier." That got to be the joke in our workshop when we would build something and screw it up. It would become "...the prototype that we built earlier..." As a matter of fact, we built a hatch that juuuuuuuuuust almost fit. The second one was perfect.

I'd suggest taking a few pieces of wood and cutting a shape or two. We usually cut out the rough shape with the jig saw, then use the router to make the final cut. We didn't have a lot of luck plowing through an uncut piece of wood to get the final shape. Start out with some smaller cuts to see how it feels and acts in your hands. Maybe work up to making the ribs in your hatch.

[goldcoop]

Kelleyaynn-

If you are building a frame & then skinning with thin plywood I would recommend you consider a RotoZip. Smaller, easier to handle & not as scary.

I found it highly useful for flushing thin plywood sides & roof panels when used with a 1/4" collet & a carbide flush cutting cutter with a follower bearing.

Just a thought....

Cheers,

Coop

[Kelleyaynn]

Kelleyaynn-

If you are building a frame & then skinning with thin plywood I would recommend you consider a RotoZip. Smaller, easier to handle & not as scary.

I found it highly useful for flushing thin plywood sides & roof panels when used with a 1/4" collet & a carbide flush cutting cutter with a follower bearing.

Just a thought....

Cheers,

Coop

What is the difference between a router and rotozip?

[danlott]

A rotozip is similar to a router, but smaller. There are a few things that rotozips do easier due to their smaller size, but I would still go with the router. The router will do alot more and will retain it's resell value more than a rotozip. That is a way to go, buy a more expensive router, than resell it on ebay after your build is done. You should be able to get close to new price, so it would not be as much as buying a cheaper router and keeping it.

Dan

[Frog]

Kelleyaynn: Hopefully this will work. It a 7 minute video from woodcraft about routers: woodcraft.com/family/2063444/2063444.aspx?tab=videos#videos.

If it doesn't, click on woodcraft.com and look for their router add for arockwell 3 1/4 hp router. That should bring up the video.