Router recommendations

[EddieM]

Anyone recommend a 1/4 and 1/2 inch router as my ex has carelessly mislaid them. I used to have both a 1/4 and 1/2 inch makita router, but the new bosch ones look good. suggestions (for when i have enough money to replace them!!)

 

[Harbourwoodwork]

For the 1/2 I would say the Makita with the electric brake ,very handy for stop and start jig work,For 1/4"I would be interested in looking at the new generation of palm routers

 

[gregers]

if you have the dosh then get a festo.
had my 1/4 inch 1 now for over 16 years.great bit of kit.

 

[steveuk]

If funds allow the festool all day! if not makita, i own both, can't fault either

 

[cajar]

"Anyone recommend a 1/4 and 1/2 inch router as my ex has carelessly mislaid them"

She's ebayed them mate, look there first lol.

 

[Harbourwoodwork]

Anyone recommend a 1/4 and 1/2 inch router as my ex has carelessly mislaid them. I used to have both a 1/4 and 1/2 inch makita router, but the new bosch ones look good. suggestions (for when i have enough money to replace them!!)

I lost a good fishing rod the same way,A woman spurned eh

 

[EddieM]

I think she gave them to her "new" man, which is even more galling women eh!

 

[Deluks]

Don't worry Ed, I'll be sure to look after 'em

 

[big-all]

are you talking diy to light trade or full trade use ??


can you guess where this is going

 

[kjacko]

what's the biggest kind of job you'd expect a 1/4" palm router to handle?

And, why the need for a 1/4" and a 1/2" model? Will the 1/2" not do ALL jobs?

 

[big-all]

your definitely far better with several routers lol

the usual is one table mounted and a handy little router for light work

balancing a huge half inch router on a12- 20mm edge for a small molding can be a frightening experience if your not used to it

 

[gregers]

are you talking diy to light trade or full trade use ??


can you guess where this is going

NO aint got a scooby where your heading m8

 

[EddieM]

are you talking diy to light trade or full trade use ??


can you guess where this is going

NO aint got a scooby where your heading m8

Would that be ryobi street perchance

 

[big-all]

wow your clever lol
as routers go i have several like most bench joiners do
the ones that get most use are my ryobi r600 18v trimmers/ 1/4 routers mostly for fine edge detail but they will at a push do a 7x7mm rebate in one at a push rather than the 2 passes that are sensible
i have several cheap 1/4" routers but recently bought the dewalt duel base [1 year ago]not cheap at £225 from axminster but an awsome bit off kit but if its for occasional use then ryobi is worth consideration
i have the old et1150 that is a compromise as in a 1/2 inch routed but only for light work at 1150w yes i know it says 1/4 inch but it takes a 1/2" cutter but as i say not up to heavy duty 12 work
the good thing about ryobi is spares and service are available and often gteed for 2 years

i also have a hitachi under the table that never comes out except for worktops as the e1150 can do most middle jobs with 1/2" cutters

 

[FlagonDry]

For the 1/2 I would say the Makita with the electric brake ,very handy for stop and start jig work,For 1/4"I would be interested in looking at the new generation of palm routers

Hi there!

I'm a newbie on the forum and just starting out on doing some DIY for other people (if you see what I mean)... I'm by no means professional. This is my first post so be gentle!

I thought I'd do things right for a change and research my next tool before I bought it. That seems to have been my first big mistake!

So I know I want a palm router, particularly as I want to get all 'creative' with free-form routed designs on doors etc. I'll also be using it to cut holes for kitchen door hinges and the like, plus shaping picture frame moldings etc. Nothing too heavy - I have a big Erbauer for that sort of stuff.

I'd decided on the Bosch GKF600 with all the extras. But then I noticed that all my bits have max. speeds of between 18,000 & 24,000 rpm whereas (you know where this is going!) the Bosch has a fixed speed of 33,000.

The bits themselves come with some dire warnings about exceeding the given maximums. I've seen some forum threads where people argue that 'taking it easy' with a couple of gentle passes is OK, despite the difference in specifications - but I'm reluctant to see a router bit exploding in my face.

Strangely, the Bosch 'Colt' seems to be almost perfect for me - but it doesn't seem that you can get it in the UK. Why the heck not?

So some advice would be much appreciated. Should I go with the Bosch and be careful and/or buy some new, higher spec bits (if 33,000 rated bits actually exist). Or is there a good alternative?

As I say, it needs to be palm held - I've already tried a drop of creativity with the twin 'eared' 1/4" handle versions and failed miserably.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!