400$ to spend on router/circular saw/jig saw

[theothermike 10+ year member]

Hey guys im in need of some power tools because all i got is hand tools and a drill since my family isnt the diy'ers. I think it would be good to get some power tools up in my house for me building boxes, baffles, beauty panels etc... etc..

i no there are a few of you guys on here that really like certain items... and i just want to known what brands and models you all prefer.... i dont necessarily know what to look for in power tools, but all i know is that i dont want wireless. i think i could use the extra power and less weight of non battery tools.

so far i've been eyeing the following:

Porter cable router,

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100035094&N=10000003+90401+501489+4294966769&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

Bosch Variable Speed Jig Saw

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100077722&N=10000003+90401+502323&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

Rigid Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100078833&N=10000003+90401+500939&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

I dont know what ya'll think of the choices i made. im happy to hear what tools you prefer and why you prefer them.... Only ? i have is whats the difference between a worm circular saw and a circular saw.

I like to buy quality stuff once and not upgrade.... as you guys can probably see in my sig... im only 16 and thats my first system. As i said i do stuff 1 and i do it right sooo keep in mind. if i have to spend 500$ to ensure quality gear then so be it.

I will no buy a table saw.... No Room and honestly i think i have more control with a circular saw and i want to keep my fingers if possible =]

Thx for the help guys

Mike-

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[Mr Cabinetry 10+ year member]

Hey guys im in need of some power tools because all i got is hand tools and a drill since my family isnt the diy'ers. I think it would be good to get some power tools up in my house for me building boxes, baffles, beauty panels etc... etc..
i no there are a few of you guys on here that really like certain items... and i just want to known what brands and models you all prefer.... i dont necessarily know what to look for in power tools, but all i know is that i dont want wireless. i think i could use the extra power and less weight of non battery tools.

so far i've been eyeing the following:

Porter cable router,

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100035094&N=10000003+90401+501489+4294966769&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

osch Variable Speed Jig Saw

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100077722&N=10000003+90401+502323&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

Rigid Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100078833&N=10000003+90401+500939&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

I dont know what ya'll think of the choices i made. im happy to hear what tools you prefer and why you prefer them.... Only ? i have is whats the difference between a worm circular saw and a circular saw.

I like to buy quality stuff once and not upgrade.... as you guys can probably see in my sig... im only 16 and thats my first system. As i said i do stuff 1 and i do it right sooo keep in mind. if i have to spend 500$ to ensure quality gear then so be it.

I will no buy a table saw.... No Room and honestly i think i have more control with a circular saw and i want to keep my fingers if possible =]

Thx for the help guys

Mike-

Well, the jigsaw is a good buy and a very reliable tool and for the pirce you won't find none better than a Bosch //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsup.gif.3287b36ca96645a13a43aff531f37f02.gif

The router is good as well, but for versatility, think about spending alittle more and buy a plunge router to perform such tasks.

I have this Porter Cable Combo Set: Info can be found here:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.toolfetch.com/media/11883.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.toolfetch.com/Category--Power_Tools--Routers--Plunge_Base_Routers--693lrpk.shtml&h=208&w=280&sz=10&hl=en&start=63&um=1&tbnid=0jhgHcQq91qAVM:&tbnh=85&tbnw=114&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dporter%2Bcable%2Bplunge%2Brouter%26start%3D54%26ndsp%3D18%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

Porter Cable 693LRPK 1-3/4 HP Fixed Router and Plunge Base Kit

I have the complete kit with case and I have been considering selling it since I have 4 other Plunge and Fixed base Routers, it's in excellent condition and I sell it for $ 145.00 plus shipping.

The saw being a " worm drive " is more for heavy duty cutting, construction work.

A worm drive saw like spindle/pinion gear:

Not a Direct Drive like most circular saws, saw blade attached directly to the shaft of the motor.

The saw will last forever, but they are rather heavy to handle. These saws have good torque and will cut thru material like butter with the right blade doing the cutting.

 

[theothermike 10+ year member]

well i'm trying to figure out some stuff that i will be buying in near future. i'm guessing after christmas etc... if your porter cable router combo is still around ill definately look into picking that up from you.

so do u think its worth paying extra for a worm drive circular saw as opposed to a standard circular saw if ill only be using it occassionally to make my cuts on pretty much wood only?

Thx for vast amount of info. i tried to research as much as possible?

curious though what is the need for a plunger base on the porter cable router if the standard option already have a depth cut adjustment as well?

Mike-

 

[Mr Cabinetry 10+ year member]

well i'm trying to figure out some stuff that i will be buying in near future. i'm guessing after christmas etc... if your porter cable router combo is still around ill definately look into picking that up from you.
so do u think its worth paying extra for a worm drive circular saw as opposed to a standard circular saw if ill only be using it occassionally to make my cuts on pretty much wood only?

Thx for vast amount of info. i tried to research as much as possible?

curious though what is the need for a plunger base on the porter cable router if the standard option already have a depth cut adjustment as well?

Mike-

You can use a plunge router for all sorts tasks, making cutouts for speakers/subwoofer with Jasper Circle Jigs, Cutting Recessed Grooves for Flush Mounting.

The main ability/function of a plunge router is you can lower the cutting bit into the material and stop it a defined depth using the stops/gauges. You can perform that same function with a fixed base router, but, lower the bit into the material means you have to till the router down into material with the router on and you better have some nerves of steel and steady hand because when the bit gets a bite, the router will jump and that's when accidents happen.

 

[jcbabb 10+ year member]

I'd steer clear of the worm drive for this application. Just get a decent 7 1/4" circular saw with at least 12 amps, and you'll be much happier. They are lighter, less awkward, and easier to use.

As for the router, any decent name-brand *plunge* router will do. I think the better ones will have more precise/user friendly depth adjustments.

Also, with a good router and jig, you won't need a jigsaw as much, if at all. I don't see the need to spend that much on one unless you are going to be using it more. Even the best out there won't cut any straighter than you can aim it.

 

[Paul73 10+ year member]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OYIYNM/sr/ref=pd_cp_hi_2/102-6020860-1780165?ie=UTF8&qid=1194126545&sr=8-6&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_r=1QWDY0RJXR8P1F2XWNYX&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=277661601&pf_rd_i=B000WZZKJE

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-CS20-15-Amp-Circular-Connect/dp/B000257DQW/ref=sr_1_36/102-6020860-1780165?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1194127017&sr=1-36

Here is what I would buy with your budget and intended use. I own that router and love it, its not quite as nice as my Festool but it is a great box building router. For ripping sheet goods without a table saw it doesn't get much better than the Bosch saw with direct connect cord. Remember. If you buy good high quality tools, you buy them once, cheap tools you buy over and over again //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[sqhertz 5,000+ posts]

i was thinking the same about the fixed base routers and the depth adjustment. we just got this pimp little craftsman professional palm router with a 1" depth adjustment at work but ive never used one so ill avoid the accidents and stick to my jigsaw for now. sometime ill grab a plunge based.

btw , i picked up my jig on clearance for ~$20 and my circular saw for ~ $25. sears ftw.

 

[MSimz 10+ year member]

I'd steer clear of the worm drive for this application. Just get a decent 7 1/4" circular saw with at least 12 amps, and you'll be much happier. They are lighter, less awkward, and easier to use.
As for the router, any decent name-brand *plunge* router will do. I think the better ones will have more precise/user friendly depth adjustments.

Also, with a good router and jig, you won't need a jigsaw as much, if at all. I don't see the need to spend that much on one unless you are going to be using it more. Even the best out there won't cut any straighter than you can aim it.

I kind of agree with this. If it is just car audio related fabrication you're talking about, then I'd probably combine this and Mr. Cabinetry's advice and save the money on the jigsaw, and put it toward a plunge router with some good bits and a jig or two. Good bits aren't all that cheap, and jigs go a long way to making life easier.

 

[ballstothewall 10+ year member]

Don't worry about if its a worm gear setup, its mainly just a load of marketing BS. Just don't buy the cheapest one and you'll be fine. If you put a quality carbided blade on it you won't have to worry about how it cuts either.

 

[jcbabb 10+ year member]

Don't worry about if its a worm gear setup, its mainly just a load of marketing BS. Just don't buy the cheapest one and you'll be fine. If you put a quality carbided blade on it you won't have to worry about how it cuts either.

A worm drive is actually a different saw/motor setup, like Mr. Carpentry alluded to. They also normally have the blade on the left side of the motor, instead of the right. It's designed differently for different applications, but it's overkill for cutting plywood or mdf to build a speaker box. Unless you want to, say, build two identical boxes, and stack two pieces of wood together and cut both of them at the same time, lol! I'm j/k //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[MemphisCherokee 10+ year member]

ive got a big-*** wormdrive circular saw

i cant rmemember the brand but it's nice, although there have been a couple times where its jsut about torn my arm off

 

[theothermike 10+ year member]

guys how often do u normally have slips where ur tool can run wild (mostly talking about circular saw) i really dont want to loose any of my fingers =]. what can i buy to help prevent this and be a tad bit safer? do they make just benches to cut on with circular saws?

 

[azimuth 5,000+ posts]

guys how often do u normally have slips where ur tool can run wild (mostly talking about circular saw) i really dont want to loose any of my fingers =]. what can i buy to help prevent this and be a tad bit safer? do they make just benches to cut on with circular saws?

i use 2 tables and slide them close, leaving a space between under my cut.

 

[speedfreak28 10+ year member]

that ish only happens on tv,lol, dont let the saw go, problem solved

 

[THUNDERBIRD 10+ year member]

all good tools you picked but you dont need the worm drive, that is for everyday use, get a regular circular saw. and straight edge bar clamp, speed square and framing square.