Router questions

[mattonthesea]

My 35 year old Bosch 800 router is showing signs of giving up the ghost. While it has been very useful I have found it fiddly to do some things with it. I made a wooden table/jig with fence for it but settng the depth was irksome. I had to practically dismantle it for every adjustment. So what should I look for in a new one? The prices vary enormously but I can't see much difference.

I mainly rebate, trim/shape, hockey stick for fiddle rails, biscuit joints and dovetail joints. And right now holes/sockets for kitchen cupboard hinges!

Does the panel think...?

 

[dankilb]

Milwaukee cordless!

 

[Klausen]

Festool

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I’ve got an Elu ½” router for sale. Top quality pro router in perfect condition.

See the for sale section.

 

[coopec]

I've done a lot of routing in the course of constructing my yacht. I found it necessary to have two routers - one powerful router (1200W+) mounted in a router table. Router tables are not at all expensive.



The table is very useful for all sorts of cabinet work

I also have a small hand held 700W router for trimming

Setting the depth irksome! I find it best to keep adjusting/testing the depth on scrap timber.

 

[dankilb]

I've done a lot of routing in the course of constructing my yacht. I found it necessary to have two routers - one powerful router (1200W+) mounted in a router table. Router tables are not at all expensive.

View attachment 152808

The table is very useful for all sorts of cabinet work

I also have a small hand held 700W router for trimming

Setting the depth irksome! I find it best to keep adjusting/testing the depth on scrap timber.

I’ve got one of these and found it a very decent tool for the price. I would recommend it…

But! The op has owned his current one for years and it was a premium brand/model at the time.

I would therefore suggest a current ‘premium’ brand, a la Bosch, De Walt etc. - although I proffer you’d come to appreciate the Milwaukee most! - as more a more equivalent replacement.

The cordless ‘palm’ routers are a great advancement - if you’re willing to invest the initial outlay in batteries, etc.

I agree about also having a second, more powerful, corded router. I’ve got a mid-range (‘Erbrauer’) 2100w that was around £100 and it’s great for bigger/longer boat jobs. Not as much of a handful when it gets going (soft start etc.) as you’d think.

I reckon you do get more for your money if spending a bit on the palm routers, though.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

For my router table which I originally had my Bosch GMF 1600 in and like you it was a pain in the arse to set up so in the end I bought a Triton TRA 001 for which it's easy to change bits and I can wind up or down from above the table. I also have a Bosch GKF 600 which is very useful.

It all depends on how much work you do with it and how much you want to spend but I can do a lot with a decent router in a decent table.

 

[ean_p]

My 35 year old Bosch 800 router is showing signs of giving up the ghost. While it has been very useful I have found it fiddly to do some things with it. I made a wooden table/jig with fence for it but settng the depth was irksome. I had to practically dismantle it for every adjustment. So what should I look for in a new one? The prices vary enormously but I can't see much difference.

I mainly rebate, trim/shape, hockey stick for fiddle rails, biscuit joints and dovetail joints. And right now holes/sockets for kitchen cupboard hinges!

Does the panel think...?

Makita 240v
though this looks very useful for versatility ( pity about the 1/4" collet )....... Makita DRT50ZJX3 18v LXT 1/4" Brushless Cordless Router Body Only Inc Extra Bases In Makpac Carry Case

 

[mattonthesea]

For my router table which I originally had my Bosch GMF 1600 in and like you it was a pain in the arse to set up so in the end I bought a Triton TRA 001 for which it's easy to change bits and I can wind up or down from above the table. I also have a Bosch GKF 600 which is very useful.

It all depends on how much work you do with it and how much you want to spend but I can do a lot with a decent router in a decent table.

Thanks everyone. On FrJH's recommendation I looked at the Triton and found that out not only fits my needs but they have the slightly less powerful one on offer; only slightly more than the ordinary ones.

Happy bunny