Posts Tagged ‘routers’

A lot of people have asked this question.  I am partial to fixed based routers for router tables.  Does this mean you cannot use a plunge router in a router table?  The answer would be you can use a plunge router, but it does have some drawbacks that a fixed base router does not.  I am sure if you asked 10 people you would get ten different answers.  The key would be to ask ten people that have both types of routers, that would give you the best answer.  I will include a poll over time that will help with this dilema and help gather information over time.  There is also a good article about the subject of routers for router tables here.

Do you buy reconditioned tools or does it scare you a bit?  Some people will not think twice about buying a used tool on Ebay, but stop short when buying a reconditioned tool new from a site or a retail storefront.  The funny part is, if it breaks you still have to take it to the same place to fix it whether it is new or used

Repairs to Routers

Most manufacturers do not do any type of repairs themselves.  In fact if you have ever had a problem, they usually state that they do not want you to return the item to where you bought it.  However that is what most people do if the tool is brand new and defective from the start.  Otherwise the rest of us are stuck with taking routers to a certified repair center for repairs.  This can be a good thing or a bad thing.  The good thing is that the tool now gets a thorough look over from the repair shop and is tested for proper functioning.  This does not happen in the factory.  The bad news is that these repair shops can be a bit pricey and then you have to neogiate with the manufacturer about who pays the bill.

Reconditioned

Here is what I like about reconditioned.  Most of the time, the tool is brand spanking new.  A good portion of the time you have a tool that had a very minor problem such as a bad switch or broken accessory and its repaired easily and quickly.  The best part is the tool is looked over and tested.  That means I know that someone has given it the green light and I can feel good that its going to run like its supposed to.  There is always the person that buys something and really has no idea how to run the tool, and returns it for some reason or another.  That tool cannot now be sold as new even though it works properly.  These are all good opportunities to save some money.

There a couple of places that sell reconditioned routers, usually you have to look around a bit since the offerings vary from day to day or week to week.  I like Tool King and CPO Bosch.

Tool King Routers

CPO Bosch

Ever heard of the triton router line of routers?  They are made in Australia and have a pretty good reputation.  One of the coolest features is that you can make above the table bit changes and work a bit faster on your router table.

I do have one problem with it though, and that problem is that it is a big honking router.  It’s not just this router, but I generally have a problem with big honking routers in general.  I have written several articles in the past debating the use of large routers in router tables.  In my opinion, I really do not understand why someone would want one this big.  That is neither here nor there because most people will do what they want, and that is all well and good.  The weight is the main issue when you mount it to a acrylic or phenolic router insert plate.  If you store the router on the plate and IN the table, you will have some problems since the weight of the router will eventually sag the plate.

So here is the newest dilemma, I suggest getting a aluminum plate to solve this problem.  A customer writes me and says that he upgraded his table with a metal insert but left his Triton in the table for a few months.  So guess what?  I was astonished, it bent.  Maybe it was the grade aluminum used, maybe there was something else on the table or maybe the stars were aligned wrong, but it bent the plate.  I mention this so I can stand on my soap box and say HEY don’t store your router in the table!  It’s kind of like saying ” I told you so” but that is wrong and no one wants to hear that.  I could say, why dont you buy a shaper if you have to have a big honking horse under the hood?  But know one wants to hear that either.  But there is a moral to the story, and a technique if I may add one too.

Use a 2 1/4 horsepower router (pick your favorite), don’t shave off more than 1/4″ in one pass ( or less if you can) , since you will most likely burn the wood anyhow.  Slow down and enjoy the project and take small passes.  You will save a hundred bucks and some sanity to go with it.  Other than that, its a great router.

Here is another link to a review of this router to be totally fair  Review

The very name of Bosch Routers gives people a confidence in the machine that we are handling. Bosch routers are very versatile machines which can do a broad range of work for the woodworker. The range of activities starts from the precise plunging of the piece of wood to the formation of edge. Bosch routers are also capable of trimming the laminates and also dovetails and other similar joineries.

The Bosch router brand are of different types to suit your exact needs.

The most common type of the Bosch router is the Plunge Routers. These machines are considered to be very versatile by the wood workers using them. These plunge routers can work both above and below the table and this makes the machines very easy to use.

Another popular type of Bosch routers is the Palm Routers. This is considered to be one of the best friends of the wood worker. The machine is both powerful and versatile, and can do a lot of jobs without a problem.

Another very common type of Bosch Routers is the Fixed Base Routes. This is very popular amongst the woodworkers who are involved in doing heavy jobs or using in router tables. The router has a precision centering design, which enables you to keep the router bits on the cut-line. This ability of the machine helps you while you are using jigs, templates, dovetail fixtures or other similar guidance devices. This is not all; there are more advantages of this machine. The fixed base Bosch Router also has a micro-fine depth adjustment system. The system comes with a re-settable depth indicator. This allows you to set the depth for the precise cut that is required for the wood.

Then you have the Bosch Router combo pack, the master of all routers. In this pack, you get the advantages of both a plunge base and a fixed base router. There is nothing more you need, when you have this machine with you.

By Eric Griffin

We have always liked the Porter Cable Routers, but they still need to go through our power tool review steps. The first thing we noticed was the case. When we opened the case, the router was a tight fit. We usually like a little room for bits or other items that belong with the tool. We took the router out, unpacked everything, and tried to put it back. Obviously it fits back into the case, but there is no room for any other related items.

At first we though it might be heavier than the weight of 8lbs. After picking it up we found that it was extremely light because of the machined aluminum case and base it is made from. This is good news! You want a lighter router because you don’t want to fight the weight of the tool. Heavier tools create more force when used, and this can wear a user out.

The 1/4″ and the 1/2″ is a nice feature because most workers have both sizes of router bits. Putting the router bits in place is a breeze. The router comes with two wrenches that will let you tighten or loosen the collet. This is much easier if you set the router on a workbench instead of tying to hold on to the router. We were a little skeptical of the auto release system that keeps the bits from freezing up in the tool. Anyone who has ever had this happens knows it is very annoying. After setting the router up, the rest was a breeze. There is a t-bolt that will let you adjust the height of the router, this is a snap. Once you have the router at the proper height, you can fine tune the height using the micrometer adjustment. This is just a ring you turn with your hand. You can adjust it up to 1/128″

We started out with some sharp bits and ran it through pine. The router ate through that easily. The router just laughed at us. We went to a harder wood, oak, and then walnut. Again, it ran through these without heating up. Yes, we did have a sharp blade, but as a craftsman you should know that having a sharp blade is extremely important. Well, we were bored with this testing rather quick because the router was handling everything with ease. So we ran the router blade over a bunch of plywood, hoping the blade would dull down from the glue. Well, the router ran through that test fine. The bits didn’t dull as quickly as we had hoped, so we filed them dull and tried the test again. Through the pine, the router ran fine. Then the oak and Walnut caused the motor to fight a little for some air. We did have a big bit and had it set deep. We took that bit out of the tool and it did slide out with no effort, so the auto release system seemed to work fine, but we weren’t done testing it yet!

We put the bit back in and tightened it as much as possible. We then beat on the side of the bit to jam it in there. We also dropped the router straight on the top of the bit and then gave it a couple whacks with a hammer. We basically did everything possible to make sure the bit would not come out, even though no one in their right mind would do all these things. Next, we loosened the collet, and this time the bit didn’t come right out. We did wiggle it, and pulled with a pair of pliers and with that, the router bit came out. This told us two things. First, under normal wear and tear, the auto release system should work well, and the bits should not get stuck. Second, once the bit is in the router, it will stay in the router. You shouldn’t have any worries about it coming out, unless you want it to.

All the other tests we ran the router through passed with flying colors. We dropped the tool a couple different times and it held up fine. The max height we used for the drops was 7 feet. I was pleasantly surprised that the base of plastic didn’t crack.

With a couple of tricks, this router was very easy to turn into a table router for use on a table saw extension. This makes the tool that much more attractive.

After using the tool for a long time, our arms felt fine. We did not experience any vibrations what so ever.

Over all, our power tool review for the Porter Cable router is EXCELLENT. We were extremely impressed with this power tool. This router has great power and wonderful features. Any craftsman should be proud to have this router in his/her wood shop.

Pro’s
Good power, Comes with 1/4″ and 1/2″ collets, will also accept 3/8″, Depth Adjustment, Seal power switch

Con’s
Case is very small – tight fit for the router

Porter Cable 690LR router

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