Router - Which Features Should I Look For?

[Todah Tear]

Hey Router Users,

I want to buy a router, and I need your help please. From your experience:

a) Which features should I look for in a router?
b) What could you live without?
c) What features and brands should be shunned?
d) When would a person need a router table?

Thanks,

Todah

[Rhino Ray]

Depends on what you want it for. If it is building a TD then you will only be using it for less than an hour run time. A basic router will work, you will just have to use the correct bits. A table would be needed if you are doing lots of work such as making cabinet doors. It is easier and cheaper to buy raw doors then finish them if you never worked wit wood much. Do t spend a fortune if it is only going to sit on the shelf most of the time.

Just my thoughts

[CarlLaFong]

You can't go wrong with Porter Cable. I have 3 of them. The 690s are a good workhorse. Get the fixed base model. You can always buy a plunge base later if you find the need. I would avoid Harbor Fright. Ryobi is a cheaper brand as well, but not real bad. For general woodworking, cabinets and more involved projects, a router table is indispensable. That's one reason I have so many routers (6 or 7). One of the PC routers is under the table and has never been removed. Variable speeds are nice,but you can live without it. I have a speed controller on my table for large, heavy bits. I built a door today and the bit to raise the panels needs to run much slower than usual. I would also consider getting a small, trim router. They are super handy.
As to tables, I have a real fancy one with a lift mechanism and an Incra Jig fence system, but a simple piece of plywood and a 2X2 clamped on for a fence will do just about anything that my 500 dollar setup will do. I'm kind of a tool junkie and just cannot buy crummy tools. I may have paid too much for something that I rarely use, but I don't regret my choices

[wagondude]

I will add, Spend the money for one with a 1/2" collet. They usually come with an insert that will accept 1/4" bits. If you get 1/4 " collet, your bit selection will be very limited. I will also say get a decent brand with a higher HP rating. Soft start is a nice feature on the higher HP models for hand held operation. It helps with the tendancy for the router to try to spin itself out of your hands.

[aggie79]

To start, as others have said, get a porter cable fixed base router. I have one as well as three others, but the porter cable is the go to router. A router table is nice, but most of the routing you'll do is freehand. A 1/2" collet is the size of collet/bit I use most. Speaking of bits, spend the money to get good carbide bits. My favorite manufacturer for bits is Whiteside.

[Woodbutcher]

I agree with most of what's been said so far. I use Porter cable, but I prefer the D handle base.

[donaldraver]

I AM VERY LUCKY. My wife encourages to save up and buy a higher quality tool then buy cheap junk. I have on occasion suffered from a tight wallet and purchased a cheap tool and suffered the consequences . If you plan on using the tool for multiple projects then buy a good quality tool such as Porter Cable.

[halfdome, Danny]

I must have about a dozen Porter Cable routers and wouldn't buy anything else.
You get what you pay for, so don't waste money on something cheap.
Here's the best price I found ($136.00 & free shipping) for an all around router.
I agree Whiteside is the best carbide bits.
Amana is another excellent bit.
http://www.tools-plus.com/porter-cable-690lr.html

[lancew]

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. so it really depends on how much money your willing to spend. along with how much your going to use it. Router table is needed mostly when doing small pieces or narrow pieces.

[Todah Tear]

Guys,

Thank you all for the feedback. I will be using on a teardrop, some functional art pieces, and making ottomans. It seems Porter Cable router with a 1/2" collet is preferred by most. I will also look at the Craftsman models as well. Some of the art pieces that I will make will vary in sizes, so I will most likely get a table too...depending on the cost of the router.

Half Dome, thank you for the link too!

Todah

[legojenn]

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

[halfdome, Danny]

Guys,

Thank you all for the feedback. I will be using on a teardrop, some functional art pieces, and making ottomans. It seems Porter Cable router with a 1/2" collet is preferred by most. I will also look at the Craftsman models as well. Some of the art pieces that I will make will vary in sizes, so I will most likely get a table too...depending on the cost of the router.

Half Dome, thank you for the link too!

Todah

My very first router was a Craftsman, back in the 1970's, it didn't last a year.
I was told Porter Cable has more windings on the armature and hold up better for that reason.
You can make your own router table. I clamp mine to my work bench so it takes up less shop space.
It doesn't have a stand.
Danny

[halfdome, Danny]

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

Sorry wrong kind of router. Won't cut wood.
Danny

[jstrubberg]

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

Yup, I read router and didn't get woodworking at all.

[Todah Tear]

I looked up the Porter Cable routers on Amazon.com so that I could read the reviews. The Porter Cable routers have gotten a lot of good reviews. I am a huge DeWalt fan. I have a DeWalt drill (15 years) and a DeWalt jig saw (5 years); both have performed superbly. ...however, there are complaints in the Amazon.com reviews that they arrive with missing parts. That's not good.

Todah