DeWalt Makita Porter Cable Bosch Craftsman..... I Need A Router!

tundraman

I am looking for a new router. What are you guys using and what brand seems to be the winner in this catagory? What are important features to look for? Thanks for your help

Teetorbilt

You can check the archives (scroll to the bottom) as this topic has been discussed many times.

For a first timer, I'd go with the PC kit (includes the plunge base). They also make a good table.

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tundraman

Thanks. I'll take a look at that PC.

Hobroom

I would say any of those are good. Dunno about craftsman, at least their recent tools, but they do have a decent reputation. I have the DeWalt and it's a good router.

Bone Saw

I have an old craftsman router it must be like 20+years old, awsome router. i also have a pc 2-1/4 plunge/fixed (through the collum vacume port) and it is real nice too (a little top heavy), but I just saw the new milwaukee 2-1/4 plunge at a milwaukee service center bout 2 weeks ago and it is super sweet and very well balanced and thought out, If I didn't already have the pc I'd go for the milwaukee. Hitatchi total piece of $h!t

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silvertree

I have the DeWalt, which seems to be a copy of an old Stanley. I don't use a router much, so this one I kind of like. Inexpensive and very stable, get almost no chatter or skipping. It's 8 years old and it has seen a lot of use in the past and it still runs like new.

Greg Di

I'd get one that spins with a motor.


Any name brand will do the job. I have 3 Bosch myself, but I'd buy whatever's on sale.

Insert bit>turn on>rout

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RobertCDF

I like the bosch a lot. I had a cheap crapsman one and the bosch was a huge improvment.

Greg, did you just get tired of changing bases or did you get tired of changing bits why 3?

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dayspring

Routers, there are only two choices, PC or Bosch. can't go wrong with either.

Greg, ya got me beat, I have 2 Bosch, and 1 Ryobi, (I don't claim the latter in public, shhhh!)

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dkillianjr

I have an older craftsman that I replaced with the Milwaukee 2 1/4 hp body grip router, real nice for one handed operation and plenty of power. I've got my eyes on that little bosch colt though.


Dave

KillerToiletSpider

I see a lot of cabinet builders on jobs that have multiple routers with different bits on the job, one guy had five of them.

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troubleseeker

Like all tools, guys are usually happy with whatever brand they get comfortable with. With the exception of two of the new Bosch Colts trimmers that I use for edge profiling, I am strictly Porter Cable. They are work horses. I know lost of guys who feel the same about their stable of Bosch.

BACKWOODS

Check your local area for a repair center before you buy. If you have a center for 1 and not the other, go for the one with local repair/parts. Nothing like being down waiting on a part in the mail! PC-Dewalt-Bosch, I have them all.

Greg Di

Robert, I have 3 because you need at least three when you work on doors. One setup for hinge mortising, one for the latch, and one for the strike. I you stop to adjust everytime, it's terribly inefficient.

To be honest, I am always "on the prowl" for used routers.

I am a firm believer in the old addage..."How many routers do you need?...One for each bit".

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troubleseeker

If you use the little PC black templates for hinge and strike mortises, the thickness of the templates is different, so that the hinge depth setting works for the strike template also, but you do have to adjust for a deeper latch cut.

I'm with you on your theory. I have a PC laminate trimmer that stays set up for hinge work, a Dewalt trimmer that has pretty much been relegated to "spare" because the depth adjustment is so crappy, two of the new Bosch Colt trimmers that get set up with small edge profile bits, four PC690's, one of the newer 9 something series PC, and a big monster 3 1/4 PC that stays under a table. Three of the 690's, one Colt, and the PC hinge setup stay with me all the time, the others come out as needed.

neolitic

I thought all routers were PC gray!

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jiffy

You are right but they used to be PC Gray beore B&D bought them out.

neolitic

.....and Delta, and DeWalt.

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gtdail

I just bought a 3 1/4hp Frued plunge router for the router table from woodcraft fot $129, variable speed, soft start, micro adjustments this thing is sweet.

Griffino

Festool all the way. I don't even need hearing protection with the 2 smaller models. Talk about easy to use, smooth and quiet operation, and oodles of power. 13' cord? Yeah it has that too!