router help

[pjoseph]

Just started building my diy sub-box and I am looking to purchase a router to round the edges and to cut out circles.
Since I never have used one before I just figured I would ask if there is anything I should consider before I pick one up.
I am not looking for anything fancy just something to get the job done.
If anyone has any input or recommendations I would appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[jliedeka]

If you are not planning on doing a lot with it other than this project, anything will do. A plunge router may be your best bet because that's best for routing holes. You can always lock it down to use as a non plunge router.

If you plan on doing more projects, consider a router than comes with a standard and plunge base. I'd also consider higher HP models that also have 1/2" collets. If that's more than you want to spend, just get a decent plunge router to start with.

Jim

 

[highfigh]

Just started building my diy sub-box and I am looking to purchase a router to round the edges and to cut out circles.
Since I never have used one before I just figured I would ask if there is anything I should consider before I pick one up.
I am not looking for anything fancy just something to get the job done.
If anyone has any input or recommendations I would appreciate it.

Thanks

Before you haul off and start using a router, read about them and about how to be safe with one. If you have little woodworking experience, taking a class or going to a seminar at a local woodworking store (like Rockler or WoodCraft) is a good idea. If you have woodworking experience and just never used one before, I think it's still a good idea to go to a seminar.

Personally, I wouldn't cut circles without a template or guide. Several are available and if you shop around, you can find one at a good price.

How much do you want to spend? If you don't have a price in mind, look at Milwaukee, Porter Cable, Bosch, Makita, DeWalt and read as much as you can about them. It's probably time for Fine WoodWorking or one of the other magazines to do an equipment review. If not, go to the FWW site and look around. It's a good resource and they have forums, too.

 

[jliedeka]

If you need to know anything about using a router, I highly recommend the book Woodworking with the Router by Bill Hylton. It really tells you everything you need to know about using a router. I designed and built my own router table after studying the book for a while. It tells you about tons of useful jigs for all sorts of routing techniques. It not only the best router book I've seen, it''s probably the best woodworking book I've seen.

Jim

 

[sploo]

I'd strongly second reading up on routers before you buy. They're incredibly versatile, so a good book (such as the one jliedeka has mentioned) should give you some ideas of what they can do. This should ensure you can make an informed purchase, and get something that will do exactly what you need.

I'd also advise buying decent quality bits - the good ones last much longer, cut better, and I have had the odd cheap 1/4" bit break on me over the years.

Also, take some time to understand the techniques of conventional vs climb cutting, as well as general safety issues - these tools are very powerful and can do a lot of damage (you don't want to know why I know this).

Oh yeah, and if you're routing MDF you'll create lots of dust. An MDF rated mask (for the dust and gasses released) is a very wise purchase (factor the cost of a mask vs how you value your lungs).

 

[Midcow2]

Home Depot Riobi

Just started building my diy sub-box and I am looking to purchase a router to round the edges and to cut out circles.
Since I never have used one before I just figured I would ask if there is anything I should consider before I pick one up.
I am not looking for anything fancy just something to get the job done.
If anyone has any input or recommendations I would appreciate it.

Thanks

Actually Home depot has a RIOBI table router for $99 which is excellent to start.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100618267&N=10000003+90401+527284

Having router attached or detachaable form a table allows you to make a straigt even edge.

 

[Alex2507]

Look for Porter Cable routers in your local pawn shops for no more than 50% of retail prices. Pawn shops always put a way too high sticker price on items.

Midcow2's suggestion of a Ryobi Router Table might be best used in one of these:

http://www.fisher-price.com/us/lovingfamily/

Get the one for bigger girls.
I think Ryobi sucks and I know how to spell it.
No offense Midcow2, just a little friendly ribbing.

 

[pjoseph]

thanks for all your input I appreciate it.

 

[Midcow2]

So why does Ryobi suck ??

Look for Porter Cable routers in your local pawn shops for no more than 50% of retail prices. Pawn shops always put a way too high sticker price on items.

Midcow2's suggestion of a Ryobi Router Table might be best used in one of these:

http://www.fisher-price.com/us/lovingfamily/

Get the one for bigger girls.
I think Ryobi sucks and I know how to spell it.
No offense Midcow2, just a little friendly ribbing.

Okay what is wrong with Ryobi ? You probably don't like Sears Craftsman products either then, that is the current router I have. Yes, Porter is a commercial brand, but unless you buy it at a pawn shop as you asuggest you are going to spend $300 for a router. And I always wonder about pawn shop items ; epescially mechnical or electrical.

For what it is worth you have to be pretty skilled with a router and other woodworking tools to be able to build a good doll house

Later,

MidCow2

 

[Alex2507]

Okay what is wrong with Ryobi ? You probably don't like Sears Craftsman products either then, that is the current router I have. Yes, Porter is a commercial brand, but unless you buy it at a pawn shop as you asuggest you are going to spend $300 for a router. And I always wonder about pawn shop items ; epescially mechnical or electrical.

For what it is worth you have to be pretty skilled with a router and other woodworking tools to be able to build a good doll house

Later,

MidCow2

Ryobi is what a construction outfit will buy for their guys if they want to make sure that nobody will steal them. I'm not kidding.

Craftsman is awesome for mechanical tools except for the ratchets. The power tools are ... okay ... way better than Ryobi and they do have nice routers and great router tables.

My local pawn shop will give a 30 day warranty on stuff that I buy but they know me. It's pretty easy to talk anybody into an exchange if something is wrong.

I tip my hat to you for the wonderful dollhouse comeback.

 

[Midcow2]

Ryobi is what a construction outfit will buy for their guys if they want to make sure that nobody will steal them. I'm not kidding.

Craftsman is awesome for mechanical tools except for the ratchets. The power tools are ... okay ... way better than Ryobi and they do have nice routers and great router tables.

My local pawn shop will give a 30 day warranty on stuff that I buy but they know me. It's pretty easy to talk anybody into an exchange if something is wrong.

I tip my hat to you for the wonderful dollhouse comeback.

Alex-- Nice feedback! Actually I, did have a craftsman ratchet fail and they gave me a repalcement without hassle. And vbelive it or not I had a craftsman hose with a lifetime guarantee wear out and the yreplaced it ( i had the original 25 year old receipt).

Come to think of it, I did have a Ryobi gas edger and it quit working.. so I guess I am agreeing with you. I have gone to Honda and Husqvarna for power yard tools and they work great all the time.

My older son wants a router for his birthday, I guess i need to rethink what I was going to get him.

Cheers,

MidCow2

 

[Nemo128]

Craftsman ratchets have lifetime warranty. Yes, they fail. So what. The no-hassle exchange and low price of admission makes it worth it.

 

[Alex2507]

Craftsman ratchets have lifetime warranty. Yes, they fail. So what.

Ahhh, here's the kind of thing that would send my nicotine deprived sensitivities into a tail spin.

They fail when you have all the pressure you can muster up applied to them. Then your little paw is sent flying into the closest object with all your might behind it. As you crack knuckles, pinch fingies and tear away pieces of formerly manicured and moisturized nails (you Mary) the last thing on your mind will be how you can get another one for free to have this very same thing happen yet again.

Their sockets and wrenches haven't broken on me yet.
Even with impact tools.

I like their fine tooth ratchets because they really work nicely and I never use them for breaking nuts loose. They are absolutely marvelous for dainty work. I still use their other ratchets but I don't trust them. I have managed to get an S-K and Snap-On in my collection from pawn shops but even there, they were expensive.

Edit: I think the Husquavara stuff is top notch, but I don't have a yard.

 

[Alex2507]

My older son wants a router for his birthday, I guess i need to rethink what I was going to get him.

Craftsman are nice. I just think PC is better. I'm pretty sure Sears sells both. HD may have the PC for $10 less. I think you can get a nice enough one for ~$160.

All I ever use is a 1/4" PC Laminate Trimmer for personal projects. They're easy to handle. I think for a 3/4" round over I let the bit eat through the base a little. The bits are probably cheaper.

I think these go for around $100. I am my own plunge feature.

 

[Swerd]

All I ever use is a 1/4" PC Laminate Trimmer for personal projects. They're easy to handle. I think for a 3/4" round over I let the bit eat through the base a little. The bits are probably cheaper.

It would be fun to see a laminate trimmer with a 3/4" roundover bit mounted on it.

Seriously - do not think - not even for a minute - that you can use a laminate trimmer for making 3/4" radius round overs or cutting recessed speaker holes in 3/4" MDF.

 

[Alex2507]

Maybe it was a 1/2" round over bit?
I definitely used it on an oak end cap for a stair knee wall.
I didn't go at it with one pass either.

Maybe I should have said that I use that for my personal pee-pee projects.
I wasn't recommending it for use in making speaker holes as I have never done that.

Thanks for catching that.

 

[T2T]

If you only use the router 2 or 3 times a year, then, I don't see anything wrong with a Ryobi. Damn, everyone talks about them like they're a red-headed step child.

If I had to use the tool daily, I'd buy much better quality - something allowing one to replace the brushes, etc. when they burn out. At the moment, I do have the Ryobi router set with 3 bases (D base, Plunge base, etc.). For what I need to do, it does it. However, I don't think this set is available anymore as Home Depot only has the Ryobi with the single base - and, they probably want another $50 for the plunge base.

 

[Djizasse]

I've been following this as I want to buy a router to make rounded edges on two subwoofers. I'll need it later for some other wood projects so I want to get a good router.

I've allready ordered "Woodworking with the Router" by Bill Hylton (thanks Jim), but I would like to ask a few questions now.

A plunge router may be your best bet because that's best for routing holes. You can always lock it down to use as a non plunge router...
...I'd also consider higher HP models that also have 1/2" collets...

So, I should get a plunge router with how many HPs? Is 2 HPs enough? I don't see myself working with hard woods.

The 1/2" collets are stronger, more stable and let you use 1/2" and 1/4" bits, right?

I would like variable Speed control. I use it a lot with my Dremmel.

What model do you recommend me for $100-$150?
I'm from Europe and some brands are more easy to find than others.
Black and Decker and Bosh are common over here, Porter Cable not so common. I could (if the price is good) buy online as I allready have the needed 110-220 transformer (for a Porter Cable orbital sander/polisher - awesome machine).

Thanks,
Djizasse

 

[jliedeka]

On another forum, people advised that you should get a 3hp router. My DeWalt router kit has a 2 1/4 HP motor and it has more than adequate power for my needs.

Ideally, a router kit that allows you to swap between a fixed and plunge base will be nicest to have in the long run. I splurged on a 3 base kit. I keep the standard base mounted to my router table and use the plunge and D-handle bases for freehand stuff.

For a tool that you want to have for a long time, buy the best you can afford and don't cheap out on the bits. Buy good carbide bits. A router is one of the most versatile tools you can get and it's worth it to get a good one. I don't have any direct experience with Bosch but my impression is favorable.

Jim

 

[Alex2507]

Bosch is a fine brand for routers. I know that tools are expensive over there. I don't think you will find much for $150. A really nice Bosch over here cost me close to $300 about 10 years ago. I no longer have it but recall how impressed I was with a 'soft start' feature it had.

I'm pretty sure that Black&Decker will be more affordable.