What are must have router features?

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:52 am

a1gutterman wrote:You get what you pay for!

Maybe! Sometimes! Rarely more than! Usually less!:mad:

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:19 pm

a1gutterman wrote:You get what you pay for!

I agree. I look at their stuff as potential stepping stone buys. It comes down to a lot of factors, cash for most being primary. I have the air compressor and 8" grinder / polisher from them. Both combined cost $110 which at this time fit my pocketbook.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:24 pm

I for one believe this is a good time to hold back from buying tools. I figure a week after Thanksgiving we will begin to see more sale prices offering far better deals. Jim:D:D:D

roy_okc · Post by **roy_okc** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:33 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:Tim
I often hear it on forums (this and others) and read it in magazine reviews you must buy multi base router packages. In fact that was the initial advice given to the person that asked the question.

I'm asking why? If you analyze the package price you see the manufacture actually double the fixed base cost that they include it in the package. Price out a fixed base router and a plunge base router and if you can just the purchase price of the router motor. Your eyes will be quickly opened to what is being done.

That and the fact I have found that with careful shopping I can purchase two high quality plunge base router ( and also fixed base if I had desired) for nearly the same price of most kits on the market.

Even Ed mentioned he got a rather high quality Hitachi for under $60. Buy two you have two bases, two motors for about half the suggestted retail of a Dewalt 618PK kit.

Obviously you figured this out already since you bought separate complete routers and I applaud you. What I was trying to do was answer the MickyD's question what should he look for in a router.

Ed in Tampa,

Could you point to some of the example prices you've mentioned? I need to replace my Craftsman w/AHA so bad that I now refuse to use it. I was strongly considering a kit before reading your posts, probably the Bosch 1617 or Hitachi KM12, listed for about $200 and $160 respectively at Amazon. However, I'm not seeing (on Amazon) the single prices anywhere near half those, and neither having plunge offerings. I would much prefer having two up front (and will probably have two or more anyway by spring/summer next year), one for table mounting and one for handheld operations, but need to stay close to the $200 point at this time to keep peace in the house ;^)

Thanks,
Roy

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 12:27 am

[quote="roy_okc"]Ed in Tampa,

Could you point to some of the example prices you've mentioned? I need to replace my Craftsman w/AHA so bad that I now refuse to use it. I was strongly considering a kit before reading your posts, probably the Bosch 1617 or Hitachi KM12, listed for about $200 and $160 respectively at Amazon. However, I'm not seeing (on Amazon) the single prices anywhere near half those, and neither having plunge offerings. I would much prefer having two up front (and will probably have two or more anyway by spring/summer next year), one for table mounting and one for handheld operations, but need to stay close to the $200 point at this time to keep peace in the house ]

Roy
You have to shop and look for deals. If you need a router today your at the mercy of the merchant, if you can wait until the right deal comes along the merchant is at your mercy.
I bought a PC 8529 2 1/2 horse plunge router brand new for less than $100 likewise I bought a Hitachi M12 3 1/4 horse on close out for I think $80. Both are excellent routers.
Sears has a plunge right now for under $100 that seems to have everything a woodworker could want.
I often go to the jobber tool stores to see what they may be dealing on today. I chat up the salesman asking for his advice and more than once this has landed me a excellent buy on a tool.
I rarely buy online and I let those I'm dealing with know that I want them to succeed so I don't go online to buy. Many are very appreciative and offer me a deals.

Bosch routers should be on close out as Bosch introduced a new router. If you local Lowes have any they will start dumping them. Also most of the old PC routers are being closed out as Black adn Decker modifies their product line to fit with their business plan. Again some Lowes are blotted with them so keep any eye on close outs.

Unfortunately with this economic picture most retailers are being real real careful with they stock. Many are keeping one on hand and backorder them if they sell two in one day. Again local job shop tools stores are often given super deals to past on to their "Good" customers. I got in on one of these a few years ago when my local tools store offered me a unadvertised special. A six tool Makita 14.4 Nickel Hydride 2.6 amp hour cordless set with an additional battery making a total of three for under $200. Replacement batteries are $84 at Lowes.

If you look you will find the deals.

roy_okc · Post by **roy_okc** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:27 am

Ed in Tampa wrote:Roy
You have to shop and look for deals. If you need a router today your at the mercy of the merchant, if you can wait until the right deal comes along the merchant is at your mercy.

...

If you look you will find the deals.

Thanks for the suggestions, Ed.

Roy