Router Advice

[Juggy]

I'm in the market for a router but need advice. Obviously I'd like something that is powerful enough for any purpose and it must last. I'm not sure what features I should look for either so any advice would be appreciated.

I'm quite prepared to buy 2nd hand, I'd actually prefer to buy 2nd hand good quality than new average quality.

Budget is around R1000

This is my starting point

http://www.makro.co.za/live/content.php?Query=router&Action=search&Session_ID=fab4a97ea5b9d0e69ad4612a30922914

[alternativeroute]

I would say that you should extend your budget and or this one: http://www.makro.co.za/p/28832/aeg-1350w-plunge-router/

Second hand - this one would be good: http://capetown-westerncape.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-garage-yard-sales-MAKITA-3620-W0QQAdIdZ333139562

[Juggy]

Thanks Alta, would both have all the common features and would I be able to table mount them?

Sorry for the questions, I have never owned a router or a table saw and would like to be able to use the router on a table saw when I buy one in the not too distant future.

I guess what I'm asking is are the mounting screws all a standard spacing?

[alternativeroute]

A table is a definite +

The generic tables have facilities to mount any router... Other tables are manufacturer specific...

[Juggy]

A table is a definite +

The generic tables have facilities to mount any router... Other tables are manufacturer specific...

Great, thanks. I think I'll probably go with the AEG as it has a 3 year warranty.

Is 1350 watts going to be enough power though? The last time I bought something I realised afterwards that it wasn't strong enough and I had to return it.

[JimGore]

If you have a good clean 1350W from a brand like AEG then it will do most things well.  It will not however turn really big bits.  I have a 2400W router which is good for medium sized bits, but you need some really serious balls to turn things like panel raiser bits in dense solid wood

Make sure you get a 1/4 inch as well as a 1/2 inch collet.  This allows you to use both types of bit.  Also nice to have, but not as much of a requirement is an 8mm collet.

Ian.

[Juggy]

If you have a good clean 1350W from a brand like AEG then it will do most things well.  It will not however turn really big bits.  I have a 2400W router which is good for medium sized bits, but you need some really serious balls to turn things like panel raiser bits in dense solid wood

Make sure you get a 1/4 inch as well as a 1/2 inch collet.  This allows you to use both types of bit.  Also nice to have, but not as much of a requirement is an 8mm collet.

Ian.

Thanks Ian, I will take all this info with me on my shopping trip tomorrow.

[Cowboy]

And I thought you were talking about ADSL routers...

[Batman]

And I thought you were talking about ADSL routers...

Fooled me too.

[alternativeroute]

Great, thanks. I think I'll probably go with the AEG as it has a 3 year warranty.

Is 1350 watts going to be enough power though? The last time I bought something I realised afterwards that it wasn't strong enough and I had to return it.

Just to chip in, there are also loads of variables...

1) what material are you cutting?
2) how sharp are the bits?

I have a cheapie Ryobi router + table. As a rule of thumb, they say never cut more than 3mm at a time. With the Ryobi if I am cutting something hard or something likely to splinter (say 11ply hardwood ply) then I am more likely to reduce the passes I make to 1.5mm. It's a whole lotta more cutting but the result is so much better.

Another handy tip I have found is that I got a real cheapie vacuum that I use with the router table. Not only is there a whole lot less mess but the airflow keeps the bit cooler which means in theory it should stay sharper for longer....

On the subject of bits. Don't be tempted to buy those cheap torque craft multi bit sets for R200.00. Make your life easier and get some proper single bits. Shop around. Builders is a rip off. I can get the same bit from BPM for R150 where builders tries to knock you for R250.00

[NoSnipeLimit]

I have a cheapie Ryobi router + table. As a rule of thumb, they say never cut more than 3mm at a time.

With my dewalt I sometimes cut 14-15mm at a time , but doing a few rounds with less cutting is usually better

[Juggy]

I found a Makita 3600B for R800 in great condition. A bit old, around 2004 but it great nick with a recent brush replacement. 1500 watter which equates to around 2HP I think so should be powerful enough.

1/4 and 1/2 inch with the 1/4 inch collect and all accessories.

Always concerned about warranties though so will have to think this one through.

[GearSlave]

^^^ It's a good deal and is perfectly serviceable should something go wrong. You better off spending R800 here than R800 on the Makro specials - this from someone that's been through 3 routers.

[JimGore]

+1.

The great thing about buying a good brand like Makita, is that you can actually get parts for it if it breaks.  If you buy a R 1000 router from Makro it is a throw-away if it breaks.

Ian.

[Byrd]

I found a Makita 3600B for R800 in great condition. A bit old, around 2004 but it great nick with a recent brush replacement. 1500 watter which equates to around 2HP I think so should be powerful enough.

1/4 and 1/2 inch with the 1/4 inch collect and all accessories.

Always concerned about warranties though so will have to think this one through.

We used the 3612 in a factory every day while i was there (2 years). I saw it again about 3 years later and it was still going fine. That is in an industrial environment, with uncaring bastards slinging the poor thing around. It was a very nice machine IMHO.