What router do you use and why?

[RN]

I am looking to add a plunge router to my woodworking tools that can be mounted on a table or used freehand. I was curious of the various brands that everyone used and what you thought about them. There are several brands and sizes that I am tossing around in my head. I am not going to purchase the router until after Christmas, so I have some time to make an informed decision. Thanks for the help.

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

I ended up buying a Bosch router that came with the motor and two bases... One fixed and one with the plunge feature.
I mounted the fixed base under the side table of my table saw and that's where it's been ever since. I use the router motor with that base when I need a router table setup and I switch the motor over to the plunge base when I want to use the router free hand. The switch over from base to base is fast, easy and no tools or wrenches required. It was like getting two routers for the price of one.

[eamarquardt]

I too have a Bosch. It takes 1/4 and 1/2 shank bits, a nice feature. Also it has a soft start and variable speed dial. Both of these are really nice features to have as when you start the router it doesn't jump out of your hands and you can slow it down for different materials.

Cheers,

Gus

[Kevin A]

I bought this router combo at Costco a couple years ago. Seems to work quite well.
http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1617EVSPK-4 ... B00005RHPD

[Juneaudave]

I ended up buying a Bosch router that came with the motor and two bases... One fixed and one with the plunge feature.
I mounted the fixed base under the side table of my table saw and that's where it's been ever since. I use the router motor with that base when I need a router table setup and I switch the motor over to the plunge base when I want to use the router free hand. The switch over from base to base is fast, easy and no tools or wrenches required. It was like getting two routers for the price of one.

Yep...this is a nice setup...Bosch Router on Amazon for example

You want to be sure you get the 1617EVSPK because Bosch makes another one (I think its the 1617) that does not have the variable speed but looks identical.

[Gage]

I use a Bosch Palm Router for ease of use.

[halfdome, Danny]

I have over 10 Porter Cable routers from 3 HP plunge to 1 1/2 Hp to the laminate trim routers in various set ups.
Porter Cable is the standard in all the cabinet shops I ever worked in.
They have served me well over the years. Danny

[Kevin A]

I have over 10 Porter Cable routers from 3 HP plunge to 1 1/2 Hp to the laminate trim routers in various set ups.
Porter Cable is the standard in all the cabinet shops I ever worked in.
They have served me well over the years. Danny

Danny, ya just had to be different eh? Troublemaker!!!

[wannabefree]

I have 5 routers, and am just itching to add #6. In the order I bought them:

#1 is a Black and Decker I bought not long after graduating almost 30 years ago. It's rated 1HP, but there is a current Dewalt that is its spittin image rated 1.5HP. 1/4" collet and good for general use. Rack and pinion height adjust. This is a good all-around router, but the height adjust is not as accurate as the screw-in base common on PC routers.

#2 is a P-C 100 that's about 50 years old. Picked it up in a garage sale and put a new cord on it. Great all-around router if all you need is a 1/4" collet. My go-to router for small stuff.

#3 is a 3.5HP Ryobi. Haven't met a Ryobi tool I liked; this one is no exception. Too big except for the biggest stuff, hard to adjust, and the speed control fills up with sawdust and has to be torn down all the time. I only use it on the router table with the biggest of bits.

#4 is a P-C 690 with standard and plunge bases. If you can only afford one router, this is the one to get. 1/2 and 1/4" collets, 1.5HP. It does everything I want. I find it a bit big for freehanding. The P-C 100 does that job nicely, though.

#5 is a Makita 2HP with a D handle. Great for freehanding with bigger bits. Screw in base but hard to adjust and lousy height lock. I like Makita tools, but they blew it on this one.

#6 will either be the Bosch "Colt," a little 1HP trim router, or a sweet little P-C that is half the height of the Bosch at twice the price.

In my opinion plunge routers are overrated. The plunge mechanism adds weight and height and you usually don't need it.

Why so many routers? I'm into redundancy, I guess. The Ryobi has a panel raiser bit in it full-time. The P-C 100 sports a trim bit most of the time. The B&D usually has a roundover bit in it. The 690 is for the other bits. It's easier to change routers than to change bits in one router. Watch g-sales and you can pick up a good router for the price of a bit.

What makes a router good? My #1 desire is a low center of gravity. That's where the PC 100 wins. You don't need more than 1.5HP most of the time. I like the screw-in base adjustment on the P-C routers. It's easy to adjust and stays where you set it.

Best router brands - Porter Cable and Bosch, hands down. You can't go wrong with these.

[Geron]

Have an Old, OLD Craftsman 1/4" chuck. Prolly 30 years old or better and still going strong.
Have the Bosch interchangeable motor (dual bases).

Ryobi mounted on a table.

Cheap trim router from Harbor Freight that I bought just to finish up a job and the silly little thing just won't quit. Been through two Tears and several laminate jobs among other things.

[toypusher]

I have a PorterCable 690D 1 1/2 horse and a DeWalt 1 1/2 hp. Also have a Harbor Freight trim router.

[doug hodder]

I'm with Danny.....Porter Cable are tops! I've got a couple of 1.5hp with fixed and plunge bases and the 3hp for the larger bits. I also have a couple of Craftsman, my first routers....they are my loaners. It may not be noticeable to many people but on the less expensive brands it's not uncommon to have too much run out in the armature and that will make some of the more decorative precise joints not work out well. I've also had the armatures come apart on them. Gets exciting really fast! Doug

[asianflava]

I ended up buying a Bosch router that came with the motor and two bases... One fixed and one with the plunge feature.
I mounted the fixed base under the side table of my table saw and that's where it's been ever since. I use the router motor with that base when I need a router table setup and I switch the motor over to the plunge base when I want to use the router free hand. The switch over from base to base is fast, easy and no tools or wrenches required. It was like getting two routers for the price of one.

Same setup here. I should also add that you should try to get a router with variable speed.

I got mine here: www.bosch.cpotools.com they have both new and reconditioned tools. I got a reconditioned set for a nice price.

[Larwyn]

I have accumulated several routers over the years.

The oldest is a Black and Decker which I bought at a Kroger grocery store many years ago.

There is an old Craftsman which I normally only use with a Craftsman router jig.

I have a DeWalt laminate trimmer which makes a nice compact 1/4" router.

When I needed a quick and cheap router table a few years ago, I ended up with a Ryobi table with "free" router which I have never removed from the table.

There's the DeWalt variable speed with 3 bases which is my most heavy duty router and I normally keep the D handle base on that one.

I recently picked up the little Bosch Colt palm router which is a nice little router with more features then the DeWalt laminate trimmer.

But, when I am in no hurry and using a handheld router I almost always reach for my old friend the Porter Cable 690 fixed base router. It just feels right.

[Woodbutcher]

Porter Cable D handle routers for me. I will only use D-handles cause I can use them with one hand if I need to with great control. I have an old plunge router but never use it.