What are must have router features?

[colday]

SWEET! Did you watch the amazon price before you bought or just dive in? Ever notice how high their list price is??

I waited for a while, but when I had made up my mind I just bought it. Yes, their "list" price is a joke on most items!

I struggled with getting this one over a Porter Cable model for quite some time. I read many reviews, and talked to lots of friends. Up here DeWalt is the tool everyone has or wants, so I got a LOT of get a DeWalt comments. I really wanted the Festool, but did not want to spend that amount of money on one. The Milwaukee motor is made in the USA, although rest of it is made in China.

The good thing about a Porter Cable is that EVERYONE makes accessories for them! The router plate from Rockler fits my Milwaukee, but I do have to drill a hole to enable adjusting the height from above the table.

Am I happy with my choice? Hmm, too soon to tell, but it is one sweet router!

[mickyd]

By the way.. Here's an article I stumbled across on picking a router.. Perhaps it can provide some additional insight on top of what you've already read here..

http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/readarticle.pl?dir=powertools&file=articles_481.shtml

Well......that article basically says that NONE of the newer type features are needed!!! Maybe I'll just go out and buy a new hammer and chisel and do the router work that way!!! I'll take the rest of the money and go out and buy another old Greenie.

[jimthej]

Well......that article basically says that NONE of the newer type features are needed!!! Maybe I'll just go out and buy a new hammer and chisel and do the router work that way!!! I'll take the rest of the money and go out and buy another old Greenie.

Or you could add another pocketfull and go buy a Veritas hand router plane.

[mickyd]

Or you could add another pocketfull and go buy a Veritas hand router plane.

Well now ain't that the sweetest thing!!
http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/veritasrouterplane.htm

[charlese]

Ran across this short blog from Chris Marshall of Woodworker's Journal - thought I'd throw it into the mix of router choices.
http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/woodw ... ld-friend/
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BTW - on your new photo (in user CP) Did you ever notice how everyone in your "crue" wears the same hat? Maybe the difference is in colors!

[mickyd]

Ran across this short blog from Chris Marshall of Woodworker's Journal - thought I'd throw it into the mix of router choices.
http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/woodworking_blog/index.php/in-defense-of-an-old-friend/
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BTW - on your new photo (in user CP) Did you ever notice how everyone in your "crue" wears the same hat? Maybe the difference is in colors!

The more I read about the routers, the more I'm on the fence regarding "features". Anything I would get would be more than I have now. Now, I am starting to lean more toward a good quality, reputable basic unit. All the bells and whistles are nice but.....This will change tomorrow though when I see the latest and greatest. Then I'll want that one.

This thread has been very educational though. When in knowing little and now, feel like I can at least make an informed decision. Keep the info coming!!

Regarding the "chapeaus" (French if you wondering) ...what a coincidence that we all that the same style. I wondered why we all look so funny!!.

[Len]

Let me say it again: Get the basic 690PC and use it for a year. You will probably want to build or buy a router table and you don't want to have a big hunk of upside down sharp metal moving at 25K/minute. As for hammer and chisel...build a couple of dovetail boxes just with that (and a square and an angle thingy (CRS: can't remember stuff)) and you will appreciate it even more.

[a1gutterman]

I'm in the market for my first router. What are the must have features I should look for if I am interested in a long term investment? (i.e. motor, adjustment features, etc.) Research shows specs / features vary widely. If asked what I will specifically use it for, I don't know but I DO know that I don't want to buy one and realize any major limitation.

This post by heathicus showing under table mounting on a ER10 seemed like it may be a consideration but wouldn't be a must.

"Must have router features" are really few. It "must" turn a bit fast enough to cut the wood and it "must" have a switch to turn it on and off. Everything else is frosting. If you plan on doing laminate trimming, I wood suggest a small hand held unit. If you EVER plan on buying an SS OPR, make sure the router you buy will fit it. If you do knot, you WILL be buying additional routers. Soft start is a nice feature, but knot a "must have". Variable speed is a nice feature, but knot a "must have". Plunge router or a plunge base is a nice feature, but knot a "must have". Extra bases (which you can mount to various tables so you can make changes quicker) is a nice feature, but knot a "must have". IMHO, bits with 1/2 shanks are stronger, so I wood buy a router with collets for both 1/4" and 1/2" shank bits. Now you have my 2&#162]worth too!

[mickyd]

On a1's outstanding advise, I picked up my first router a couple days ago. I came across a Craigslist ad for a Craftsman 3/4 hp, 1/4", 25K RPM oldy but goody ($8.50) along with 6 new bits ($7.50).

The only features.....an off / on switch and 1/32" depth scale, unless you want to include it's power cord, motor, and 1-1/2 (yes, 1-1/2) handles as features. It's not worthy of photos but I figure that this unit will be my sacrificial starter unit until I add to my collection.

[reible]

I think it worth a picture.

BTW some of these routers had the famous AHA feature. (auto height adjust)... and no that is not a good thing.

Ed

On a1's outstanding advise, I picked up my first router a couple days ago. I came across a Craigslist ad for a Craftsman 3/4 hp, 1/4", 25K RPM oldy but goody ($8.50) along with 6 new bits ($7.50).

The only features.....an off / on switch and 1/32" depth scale, unless you want to include it's power cord, motor, and 1-1/2 (yes, 1-1/2) handles as features. It's not worthy of photos but I figure that this unit will be my sacrificial starter unit until I add to my collection.