New Router for £250??

[jim12345]

Evening Gents,

I'm a shopfitter looking to do a bit more than put up plasterboard and hang the odd door so i'm looking for a router at around the £250 mark but, to be honest, am a bit bamboozled by what's on offer and, what it is i actually need (if this makes any sense??).

In short, i'd like to go more towards cabinet making in time but prior to that i'd like to get a router that can a) help cutting kitchen worktops with ease b) work alongside a jig to router out door hinges etc and c) to be used on finished kit ie: shop system panels (usually MDF).

So, do i go for a 1/2" collet or 1/4", 1000 watt or more/less, a trend, a triton, bosch etc etc?? I know that everyone has their own favourites so a few pointers would be helpful and appreciated.

Cheers

Jim

 

[wizer]

For kitchen worktops you need a lot of power. Definitely 1/2" Maybe the DeWalt 626

Or the large triton is always well spoke of (I have two).

 

[markwuzere]

for worktops it has to be 1/2 inch , i have a trend t11 and a atlas copco both are great machines in their own way, my advise is buy the best you can and stick to the quality makes like dewalt, bosch makita etc , if you can go where you can actually see and feel a range of routers and buy the 1 that feels most comfortable to you

 

[jim12345]

I had a look at the trend t11 a few months back so it's one of the favourites so far.

Thanks for the responses gents...

 

[OPJ]

Hi Jim,

The suggestion of 'kitchen worktops' means you should definitely be looking for a 1/2" router - don't worry though, you can still fit a 1/4", 8mm or 3/8" collet or collet reducer when the need arises to work with small diameter shanked cutters. Most manufacturers now supply a couple of reducers as standard. A motor of at least 1,800w would be ideal.

One question to ask yourself is whether you want a trigger switch or something that can be locked on and off (there are advantages and disadvantages in both - really, it's a personal choice). Some trigger-switches can also be locked on (the DW621 is the first example I can think of but, it's only a little 1/4" router).

My personal favourite is the Makita 3612CX, which I've been using for over for-years now (a lot of tradesmen and kitchen fitters - as well as members on here - also seem to favour this one). This has a trigger-switch, a bit of a kick when the motor starts up/shuts down but, it also has an awesome electronic brake, meaning the cutter stops within about three-seconds. 8) My biggest disappointment with this model has always been length of the fence rods - it's also the same with a couple of Hitachi routers.

Makita recently released a newer model - the RP230FCX - which has an improved fence and also a nifty LED light to illuminate the area around the cutter. It is just over your budget, though...

One thing I don't understand is why Makita supply a 3/8" collet reducers when 8mm is more desirable in the UK market? :roll:

The DW625 would be another popular choice - I think Trend's T10 and one of the old Elu routers are both near-identical. This one has a more traditional on/off switch but, from a personal point of view, I don't find it as comfortable as the Makita for hand-held work.

I'm sure others will be along soon with others comments and suggestions. For now though, I hope this helps!

 

[Triggaaar]

A little deal on the T11 at DM tools - well regarded here, similar to the DeWalt, with a nifty base that makes it easy to adjust should you put it in a table. That's what I was going to go for, but I've been leant a Hitachi, so my purchase is on hold.

Most recommended place for bits is Wealden Tool

 

[chippy1970]

For kitchen worktops you need a lot of power. Definitely 1/2" Maybe the DeWalt 626

Or the large triton is always well spoke of (I have two).

Thats the one I have its a very good router, I had a 625 and had a lot of hassle with it then Dewalt swapped it (after months of wrangling) then the metal casting broke on that so they then offered me an exchange for the even bigger 626 and thats been fine ever since.

 

[KeithS]

Hi Jim
Sounds like we do similar work and as such I find 2 routers much better,
a large 1/2 router for kitchen worktops (old elu177 still going strong)and fitting under a table and a Bosch GKF 600 palm router for hindge jigs, forming round overs on sills and a lot of mdf work.If you do decide on 2 routers I can recommend the small Bosch, as far as a larger one is concerned I would try the dewalt 626.

Keith

 

[superunknown]

The trend T11 is a great router, you wont be disappointed.

 

[chippy1970]

In my personal opinion I would avoid Trend they are very poorly made tools I wouldnt class them as Trade tools which is obviuosly what you need.

I have had 2 Trend T5's and both were very badly made and didnt last long. I dont know anything about the T11 maybe its better quality but I doubt it.

 

[Karl]

I've got a Trend T11 and I am very dissapointed.

It is powerful, but I find the plunge locker keeps on coming loose, which isn't good - especially when routing drainer grooves in solid worktops. I also find it uncomfortable to hold in use - the plunge lock lever fouls your knuckles.

My cheap Erbauer router was much better for worktop work - sure, the motor wasn't as robust, but mine lasted 4 years before it gave up. I think i'll be buying another and keeping the T11 for table use, for which I reckon it'll be perfect.

Cheers

Karl

 

[chippy1970]

Evening Gents,

i'd like to get a router that can a) help cutting kitchen worktops with ease b) work alongside a jig to router out door hinges etc and c) to be used on finished kit ie: shop system panels (usually MDF).

Jim

I just re-read your post and I would say you really need both a 1/4" and a 1/2" router. The 1/2" router is great for worktops and router table but if you plan on doing door hinges etc with it you will struggle with a large 1/2" router so its better with a smaller/lighter 1/4" router for that I use an elu 96e or my OF1010 Festool.

 

[Mr Ed]

I think Trend are poor. I have a couple of DeWalts and think they are excellent. A 626 in the router table and a 624 for handheld stuff and if buying now I would do the same again.

The deal at Axminster of the 625 with the new router raiser seems a reasonable offer.

Ed

 

[mailee]

Well I have more routers than you can shake a stick at. :roll: IMHO I feel the De Walt 625 is a great router. I use mine almost daily and have done many kitchen worktops with it and even dropped it a few times and it still works fine. (Only problem I have found with it is using it in the summer the Wasps seem to like it for some reason??) I can also recommend the Makita and the Hitcahi. I can't comment on the big Trend t10 or t11 as I have not used one but I can comment on the Trend T5 it's smaller brother and it is pants in my opinion. (I do have one somewhere collecting dust) I Try to buy De Walt mainly as I have found them to be almost bullet proof. I would also recommend buying a 1/4" or 8mm router as the large 1/2" ones are a bit heavy for light work like hinge recesses and the like. As has been suggested go for something of 1800 watts or above for the big one as you will need the power. Also my preference is for the positive click on/off switch as it becomes tedious not to mention tiring holding a switch on all the time. I will only remind you of one other thing buy quality buy once.

 

[jlawrence]

The Trend T11 is fantastic ........... in a static situation - read table or woodrat.
I've not had mine long but I sure wouldn't want to be using it freehand. That locking leever is very close to your knuckles and it would be very easy for it to be unlocked inadvertently (imho).
I've never had any other 1/2" router so can't comment on them - I like DeWalt simply because their kit looks good, bright pretty colours and all that

 

[Anonymous]

I've done a few worktops with my dewalt 626. Loads of power makes light work of the job. Will be going in my router table when the forum router plates get sorted.

Dave

 

[Streepips]

Have to agree with OPJ on this one, definitely the Makita 6312c for worktops and site/shopfitting work. I have had one for a year or so and its a delight to use.
I use a 1/4" router for lighter handheld work, an Elu 96e . Very good engineering. ( Very obsolete, but I bought it 2 years ago, old stock but brand new in box, Italian made)
I use a Triton TRA001 in the router table, and thats where it stays.

I also have an Elu 177 but its a bit of a brute and rarely gets used now.
I did buy a new Dewalt 625 but sold it within a week. Just didn`t like it at all.
Also had a Trend, but found it sloppy and hard to have confidence in so ended up giving it away.
Some years ago when on site work a friend of mine had all DW kit and mine was mainly Makita. Cordless drill drivers, circular saws, SCM saws, routers etc etc.....
All his gear has packed up and died. All my Makita gear is still going strong.
All his gear is now Makita.

 

[Dibs-h]

Have to agree with OPJ on this one, definitely the Makita 6312c for worktops and site/shopfitting work. I have had one for a year or so and its a delight to use.
I use a 1/4" router for lighter handheld work, an Elu 96e . Very good engineering. ( Very obsolete, but I bought it 2 years ago, old stock but brand new in box, Italian made)
I use a Triton TRA001 in the router table, and thats where it stays.

I also have an Elu 177 but its a bit of a brute and rarely gets used now.
I did buy a new Dewalt 625 but sold it within a week. Just didn`t like it at all.
Also had a Trend, but found it sloppy and hard to have confidence in so ended up giving it away.
Some years ago when on site work a friend of mine had all DW kit and mine was mainly Makita. Cordless drill drivers, circular saws, SCM saws, routers etc etc.....
All his gear has packed up and died. All my Makita gear is still going strong.
All his gear is now Makita.

Have to agree with OPJ and Steetpips - the Makita router is fantastic. I've used it to do kitchen worktops and never had a problem. The brake is fantastic.

It does sound you do need to routers a 1/4" one a sperate 1/2". I think you would have trouble with a heavy 1/2" router and a hinge jig.

 

[Racers]

Hi,

I have a Makita 3612c and a Hitachi M12V both are cracking routers, I like the depth stop system on the Hitachi (£23 from a carboot!) I also have the 1/4 inch Hitachi M8V which is another good bit of kit, well ballanced just right for smaller hinges etc.

So on ballance the Hitachis get my vote.

Pete

 

[Mike Wingate]

I am pleased with my DeWalt 625, both for table and hand held work. Buy good bits.