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Router Vs. Plunge Router Vs. Laminate Trimmer

stosh

Darth Bailer
Jul 20, 2001
22,238
393
NY
I need to make some window sills for my house and some built in shelving. Most of it will be made out of pine and oak no bigger than 2" thick.

I would like to add some simple round overs and chamfers to the edges of the materials.

Later down the road once my remodel work is done I would like to build some simple furniture/shelving/cabinets around my house.

Which one is my best bet to use?
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,942
13,135
Portland, OR
I've never used a plunge router, but a nice router and table should handle it. What is the price difference between the plunge router and standard? The only difference is the base and bits, right?

If the price isn't too much different, then get the plunge router and table, then you are covered.
 

H8R

Cranky Pants
Nov 10, 2004
13,959
35
Don't skimp on the motor. Nothing worse than a sucky router than bogs down it the middle of the work.

Same goes for bits. I use Bosch or Freud. Avoid cheap bits that come in a kit. (Ryobi, etc)

Check Woodworker's Supply. I got a Dewalt 618 for a screaming deal. Plows through maple like butter.

http://woodworker.com/
 

H8R

Cranky Pants
Nov 10, 2004
13,959
35
Also, if you are complete router n00b, look for a motor with a soft start. Less freaky to deal with then having it jump in your hands.
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,942
13,135
Portland, OR
Nothing worse than crappy bits. I used to skimp on drill bits, not anymore. I bought a Drill Doctor and spent some dough on good bits. What a difference a good bit makes!
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,942
13,135
Portland, OR
Check out the reman stuff at Tool King. A co-worker is a serious woodworking dude and buys all of his high end stuff there on the cheap.
 

Leethal

Turbo Monkey
Oct 27, 2001
1,240
0
Avondale (Phoenix)
The big names are all good... but they all offer different power levels. If I had an unlimited budget I would probably only own Milwaukee. Hitachi routers are very good and a signifigantly less money than DeWalt and Milwaukee.. Mine was also made in Japan.. while not Made in the USA still better than the alternatives.

One thing also is whatever you get if you plan to use it for woodworking is you will want a 1/2" collet. Also Heavy routers are not a bad thing as it reduces vibration.
 

stosh

Darth Bailer
Jul 20, 2001
22,238
393
NY
The big names are all good... but they all offer different power levels. If I had an unlimited budget I would probably only own Milwaukee. Hitachi routers are very good and a signifigantly less money than DeWalt and Milwaukee.. Mine was also made in Japan.. while not Made in the USA still better than the alternatives.

One thing also is whatever you get if you plan to use it for woodworking is you will want a 1/2" collet. Also Heavy routers are not a bad thing as it reduces vibration.
This seems like a smoking deal.

http://www.toolking.com/Milwaukee_5615-24.aspx
 

stosh

Darth Bailer
Jul 20, 2001
22,238
393
NY
My brother is the product manager for Festool. I'm sure he'd appreciate the business. I still can't afford their tools even with a connection.
Damn, I'm jealous! But you're right I'm sure I still couldn't afford the tools.
 

Ian F

Turbo Monkey
Sep 8, 2001
1,016
0
Philadelphia area
Hey stosh... long time...

I agree Festool is the sh1t... but I can't imagine how many tools they're selling in the US.

A laminate trimmer is one of those tools you buy when you either, A) have run out of wood-working tools to buy and already have 2 or 3 routers (sometimes helps to have a few... one to keep in the table... and a couple set up for common tasks) or B) You have a crap load of laminate to trim....

Personally - I have one router...a 1/4" collet Craftsman I bought over a decade ago when I didn't know any better... but it still does the job.

Definitely get a 1/2" collet version. I've found myself limited at times with the 1/4" bit selection.

Woodworking can make cycling look like a cheap hobby... although good tools, well taken care of, will last near-on forever...
 

stosh

Darth Bailer
Jul 20, 2001
22,238
393
NY
Hey stosh... long time...

I agree Festool is the sh1t... but I can't imagine how many tools they're selling in the US.

A laminate trimmer is one of those tools you buy when you either, A) have run out of wood-working tools to buy and already have 2 or 3 routers (sometimes helps to have a few... one to keep in the table... and a couple set up for common tasks) or B) You have a crap load of laminate to trim....

Personally - I have one router...a 1/4" collet Craftsman I bought over a decade ago when I didn't know any better... but it still does the job.

Definitely get a 1/2" collet version. I've found myself limited at times with the 1/4" bit selection.

Woodworking can make cycling look like a cheap hobby... although good tools, well taken care of, will last near-on forever...

GREAT TO SEE YOU!!!
By no means do I intend to be a woodworker. A single router will do me just fine! :)
 

Ian F

Turbo Monkey
Sep 8, 2001
1,016
0
Philadelphia area
By no means do I intend to be a woodworker. A single router will do me just fine! :)
Oh how so many have said that... it's like crack... only more expensive...

Or to paraphrase Peter Egan:

Woodworking can make heroin addiction seem like a vague craving for something salty...

There's just something about turning a few pieces of wood into something useful and cool looking.
 
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H8R

Cranky Pants
Nov 10, 2004
13,959
35
Oh how so many have said that... it's like crack... only more expensive...

Or to paraphrase Peter Egan:

Woodworking can make heroin addiction seem like a vague craving for something salty...

There's just something about turning a few pieces of wood into something useful and cool looking.
I almost had to do a 12 step program after I built my drum kit awhile back.
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,942
13,135
Portland, OR
There's just something about turning a few pieces of wood into something useful and cool looking.
For me it's the smell (unless burnt, that sh!t stinks). There is just something awesome about the smell of fresh cut wood.
 

H8R

Cranky Pants
Nov 10, 2004
13,959
35
For me it's the smell (unless burnt, that sh!t stinks). There is just something awesome about the smell of fresh cut wood.
Depends on the wood. Some of the exotic hardwoods smell like burning ass no matter what bit you use.

In fact, some of them require a really good respirator when cutting.