Router

garys · Post by **garys** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 11:57 am

I'm in the market for an additional router. My 30 year old Craftsman 1hp router is working great, but it is small and has only a 1/4" collet so it can't handle the big jobs. It will continue to be my daily workhorse until it dies.
But, I need a larger one that has a 1/2" collet and enough horsepower to cut raised panels for doors.
I've been looking and the more I look, the more confused I get. It appears that today's HP numbers on the routers are as much smoke as reality. I know from other tools that HP ratings are often phony, and I try to buy my tools by the amount of AC current the motor draws as that seems to be a more accurate indication of the true horsepower. Over the years I've discovered that Chinese/Japanese horsepower isn't the same as old US horsepower. I guess the Orientals never had a horse.

All the routers I've looked at are either Chinese, Chinese/Mexican, or Mexican and the HP numbers printed on them vary greatly for the AC current they draw. I'm guessing that I need something that makes about 2 TRUE horsepower, but don't know what that might be in today's market.

I see that Bosch makes Skil, and they are Mexican/Chinese. Porter Cable are listed on the box as Mexican. Porter Cable seems to rate theirs a bit lower in HP than Bosch for the same AC current draw. So, are the Porter Cable motors a bit less efficient, or is Porter Cable more honest in their ratings.
The generic brands have ratings that seem to fall somewhere between Bosch and Porter Cable ratings.
It appears that pretty much all routers available come from either Mexico or China today. I haven't found any from other sources.
So, I'm stumped. I want something that runs troublefree for 30 years like my old US made Craftsman, but I might be asking for the impossible.
I do have a local tool shop that sells old used tools. I'm going to stop by his shop next week and see if he has any on the shelf. Maybe an old US made one might be as good as a new one built today.

What is everybody here using for heavy use like raised panels?

benush26 · Post by **benush26** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:50 pm

My journey through the router labyrinth left me with two choices, the Bosch MRC23EV and the Triton TA001. Because this particular router will live under a table the Triton won. It is listed at 3 1/4 HP versus the 2.3 of the Bosch but amps were similar. What I liked more about the Triton was even as it sat under the table there was an easier way to get the collet above the table to change bits. Also the fine adjustment rod is included (just need to remove a spring in a housing to use it under table).

If I had to live with one router, I'd have chosen the Bosch in the kit. Seems powerful enough to handle under table tasks, and the plunge system was very nimble and easy to use.

The woodworking table got pushed due to cold weather which means the cabinet doors are also pushed out a couple weeks, otherwise I would give you a real world opinion of how the Triton handles large router bits.

Best of luck with your search!

Be well,
Ben

rcplaneguy · Post by **rcplaneguy** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 3:01 pm

I have the Bosch with interchangeable fixed and plunge bases. Also have the matching Bosch router table.
If I had to buy one again I would buy Porter Cable fixed base. Simple, durable.

recurvearcher · Post by **recurvearcher** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 9:44 pm

Really depends on how you intend to use the router. If your going to do a bunch of raised panel work in a table, then go with a Porter Cable 7518 or Hitachi M12E. If your looking for a bullet proof general purpose router then you cant go wrong with a Porter cable 690.It takes 1/4,3/8 and 1/2 bits and has enough power to do the occasional raised panel. Splurge and get the kit with the fixed and plunge base and your all set. Might be nice to get the soft start too,but that might be stepping out of the bullet proof box a little. I have heard good things about the Triton and the Bosch but don't have any experience with either. Don't forget to look at factory refurbished units,I bought one a few years ago and couldn't tell it form new. Check ebay too, they seem to run on the high side,but I did recently pick one up for just a bit more than a HF cheapo. By the way,the build quality on the HF unit was just plain scary. Have fun on your router hunt and let us know what you end up with!

"Wild Bad Bob" · Post by **"Wild Bad Bob"** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 9:43 am

I my friend has a craftsman, soft start which is great for routing no tourque twisting when you start it, he has the plunge but also came with a "D" handle, really nice for long work. Also has speed adjustment for large diam bits which like panel bits, which are usually over 1" in diam MUST be run at lower speeds. Usually he has it mounted in a router table.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 9:54 am

Practically any modern router will serve you.
You need to determine HP. 1 1/2 for most hand routing, larger for table mount and smaller for delicate work.

You need to determine fixed or plunge base. Personally since all the improvement is the plunge mechanism I see no real reason for a fix base other than perhaps cost.

You need to decide how much you are willing to spend.

My advice. Shop carefully.

Every router I own was bought on close out and I didn't spend over $100 for any of them. I have a Hitachi 3 Hp plunge for table use, a Porter Cable 2 1/2 plunge for general purpose and a Sears fix base 1 1/2 for light duty and two smaller routers for laminate and delicate work. One is a Sears and the other is Dewalt. I am patiently waiting to get a Dewalt PK618 kit for the right price. I have already bought the D handle and edge guide made for the 618 router and Lowes keeps closing it out and bringing it back. One day their prices will be sub $100 and I will jump on it.
By the way the D handle base cost me $15 and the edge guide $5

rlkeeney · Post by **rlkeeney** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 7:51 am

These are a bargain if you can manage to get one of the refurbished ones. They go quick when they are in stock so you got to be fast. Big Sky Toolsalso has other refurbished routers.

[ATTACH]24764[/ATTACH]

I've heard they will use Porter Cable attachments.

letterk · Post by **letterk** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 10:48 am

A really cheap Craftsman router that is 1 3/4hp with free shipping. Appy the coupon code and it is a hair over $60. I just picked up a store return Triton 3 1/4 from a local retailer for $100 two days ago and a price match on a Bosch Kit which I learned later was an ad error, but I had gone to lowes for the price match because it was closer.

From Slickdeals
Sears.com or Kmart.com has Craftsman 10-Amp 100V 1 3/4 HP (the person was incorrect on it being (3/4 hp)Plunge Base Router (27666) on sale for $76.49 - $15 coupon code SAVE15 = $61.49. Shipping is free or select in-store pickup if stock is available. Thanks trustrsx

rlkeeney · Post by **rlkeeney** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:08 am

SAVE15 Code also works forCraftsman 12-amp, 2-hp Fixed/Plunge Base Router with Soft Start Technology.

$86.00

BuckeyeDennis · Post by **BuckeyeDennis** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 10:03 pm

benush26 wrote:My journey through the router labyrinth left me with two choices, the Bosch MRC23EV and the Triton TA001. Because this particular router will live under a table the Triton won. It is listed at 3 1/4 HP versus the 2.3 of the Bosch but amps were similar. What I liked more about the Triton was even as it sat under the table there was an easier way to get the collet above the table to change bits. Also the fine adjustment rod is included (just need to remove a spring in a housing to use it under table).

If I had to live with one router, I'd have chosen the Bosch in the kit. Seems powerful enough to handle under table tasks, and the plunge system was very nimble and easy to use.

The woodworking table got pushed due to cold weather which means the cabinet doors are also pushed out a couple weeks, otherwise I would give you a real world opinion of how the Triton handles large router bits.

Best of luck with your search!

Be well,
Ben

So Ben, how's that Triton 3-1/4 hp router working out for you?

Inquiring minds need to know, cuz I just bought one. It's been on my wish list for many months, and I have an upcoming project that requires converting about 400 board-feet of rough-cut hardwood lumber into T&G flooring and ship-lap siding. I do not want to be power limited for that adventure! The Triton will be permanently mounted underneath my vintage Shopsmith standalone OPR table.

I finally pulled the trigger because Menards currently has them on closeout for $209. Which should be a huge bargain for under-table use, as the router has a built-in lift. I got the last one on the shelf at my local store. The box was unopened, but quite dusty.

Something strange is going on. According to the reviews that I have found, that big Triton is top-rated for under-table use. But Rockler lists it as "no longer available", Amazon is out of stock (you can sign up for email notification when they become available), and Highland Woodworking currently has them on sale for $250. A new and improved model coming out soon, perchance?