choosing a router..help!

[rumblebee2 10+ year member]

So i have $110 for a router. this is for the router only. my friend will being buying the jasper jig and bits. Do i need a plunge router preferably or can i get by with a fixed base router? What bits would you recommend in the beginning- i.e. 1/4" roundover bit..etc.

thanks in advance for the help guys.

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[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

If you're only planning on one router, go for a plunge so you have the option to use it for circle cutting with a Jasper jig.

Having two can be handy, though...a plunge set up with the Jasper for circles, and a fixed with a flush trim or roundover for finishing work //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[soundstreamer 10+ year member]

The Skil 1820 2 HP plunge router is $64 on amazon. That leaves you money for a bit set.

 

[rumblebee2 10+ year member]

have been hearing ryobi for cheap is good, but, how is teh skil?

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

I have a Firestorm one(made by B&D I believe), and I've used it on several boxes...probably 30+ holes and roundovers on 5-6 boxes.

 

[rumblebee2 10+ year member]

i'll wait on more feed-back before i make a decision

 

[spencer321 10+ year member]

in my opinion, the bit is much more important than the router, just about any decent plunge router will do.

the bit that was recommended to me that i use is something like a twin flute upward spiraling carbide bit and it rips thru mdf like tissue paper

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

I've had good luck with Bosch & Hitachi...

I really want to try the Festool routers if I can afford them some day, everything else from them has been my favorite //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Fiercetimbo17 10+ year member]

in my opinion, the bit is much more important than the router, just about any decent plunge router will do.
the bit that was recommended to me that i use is something like a twin flute upward spiraling carbide bit and it rips thru mdf like tissue paper

All you really need are carbide tipped blades, spiral upcuts last longer but are much more expensive for a quality one. Also i prefer to only use them in the correct applications because they spit too much sawdust in your face.

 

[ramos 5,000+ posts]

have been hearing ryobi for cheap is good, but, how is teh skil?

I actually use a skil most all the time. Jim can attest to the age and functionality of it. It's older than the average registered user here, yet still works great. In all honesty though, the depth adjustment method they use sucks lol. the entire motor slides up and down on two 1/2" shafts that have springs on them. Dust constantly builds up on them and makes smooth depth adjustments a pain in the arse sometimes. If it were my first router I would probably save just a little more and go with this model

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=77344-70-9690LR&lpage=none

It's a fixed base, but a plunge base can be bought later on once your skills start to advance. But the router itself is a solid base to start and learn with.

Bit's

The jasper jig and most other circle jigs are calibrated to a 1/4" diam bit.

stright cut bit

http://www.woodcraft.com/product.aspx?ProductID=405277&FamilyID=8175

Flush trim bit

http://www.woodcraft.com/product.aspx?ProductID=24A81&FamilyID=8076

Roundover bits would be nice to have as well. A decent set of roundovers is going to cost almost as much, if not more than the router above //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif