Router for a beginner

[Squibb]

Soooo... I know I need a router, and it will be my first.

Whilst I may be brand new to woodworking, I'm also aware that at some point I won't be, so I don't know whether to go for the cheapest option OR pay more now for the benefits/lack of annoyance I may receive in the future.

These are the two on my list:

£63.00 | Bosch POF 1200 AE Router (1/4") | http://www.axminster.co.uk/bosch-pof-1200-ae-router-1-4-212272
£238.00 | DeWALT D26204K 2 in 1 Router (1/4") | http://www.axminster.co.uk/dewalt-d26204k-2-in-1-router-1-4-952707

My budget is around the £250 mark. Would anyone have an opinion on whether spending the extra money is worth it, or should I use the £175 saving on something else? Or if there is another one you'd advise, I'm all ears.

Thanks

Squibb

 

[LancsRick]

Why not go between your options for something like https://www.amazon.co.uk/Triton-JOF001- ... B004OR17F2

It's small, versatile, and takes 1/2" shanks.

If you wanted a more powerful unit I'd suggest the Hitachi M12VE/J6 which is a great router but far less than the Dewalt. It's a fairly bulky unit though.

I wouldn't suggest buying 1/4", you'll outgrow it and find yourself frustrated.

 

[pcb1962]

Soooo... I know I need a router, and it will be my first.

Whilst I may be brand new to woodworking, I'm also aware that at some point I won't be, so I don't know whether to go for the cheapest option OR pay more now for the benefits/lack of annoyance I may receive in the future.

You can never have too many routers, even if you start now with that £40 Makita-copy trim router mentioned in other threads recently it will still be useful to you whatever you move on to.

 

[SteveF]

can I just chip in here please
make sure that your budget has a contingency for decent router bits and not carp ones made from butter
i confess to buying a cheap set and as I used them and they were "worn out" I then bought decent replacements
I survived with 1\4 " for a long time
I guess it all depends what you plan to use it for

Steve

 

[sunnybob]

buy a 1/2" router. then you can use any sized bits you want.
I started with a cheap 1/4" , realised its limits within a month and burnt it out within a year.

I now have a big makita in the table, and I know it will see me out.
Then i also have a 1/4" router mounted to a sled for planing small planks (Power Plus make, but I cant recommend this make).
and another 1/4"(bosch) plunge base.
and two makita edge trimmers.
I tell you, they breed faster than rabbits!

 

[Phil Pascoe]

A 1/2" is far more versatile. Trend do decent starter sets at good prices whether you go for 1/2" or 1/4".

 

[Bm101]

Warning!!! beginners advice to another beginner so this might make some people spit their beverage of choice over the screen.
When I bought my router I found it to be a minefield. You don't really know what you want or mayb even what you want it for, so its very hard to choose. In the end i chose the one I bought. Not saying it's the right choice mind. I did a fair bit of research and figured I'd rather have a half inch than be limited to 1/4. Better for me to lose the ease of use and learn than never have the option. Mid range prices and reviews seemed to measure the Triton against the Hitachi. In the end, the Hitachi got bought because from what I could gather it was slightly more manageable by hand which was how I saw me using it for the foreseeable. The Triton seemed to have more potential for fitting to a table, a little bulkier to use by hand maybe. Something that you might want to consider.
Tbh, I only post because experienced users might add more useful info and I haven't seen anyone mentioning a router table but this might be an inevitable step at some point for you?
As I say, certainly not advice but maybe it will help you do some research.
Wealdon Tools, do excellent bits (by all accounts! ) When I see the same advice written again and again I take the advice of the experienced. Especially when the bits go round that fast.

Cheers.
Chris

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Wealden bits are superb - I've dozens of them - as is their mail order, but for starter sets the Trend ones are unbeatable imo.

 

[MattRoberts]

I agree with Bob - buy a 1/2 inch router so you have the flexibility of using 1/2 or 1/4 inch bits.

Also, consider what you're likely to use it for. If it's mostly in a table with a bit of hand use, the triton is an excellent option.

If you're mainly going to go hand held, I'd steer clear of the triton as its unwieldy and has poor depth control. A trend might be a better option

 

[Steve Maskery]

+1 for Wealden.

But. On the subject of 1/2" v 1/4"...

Yes you can put a 1/4"into a 1/2" router, but such a router is a big beast and nowhere near as easy to maneuver. IMO you need both. As said above, you can't have too many. I had two Elu 96 routers nicked and I really miss them, even though I have a Festool 1010. And I miss my 177E (1/2") even though I have a Festool 1400.

I recently bought a little 1/4" laminate trimmer and whilst I haven't used it a lot, when I have I've really liked the fact that it is almost a hand tool.

 

[custard]

Choice of router really depends on what you'll do with it.

If you're fitting kitchens you need a really beefy machine that can chomp through worktops all day long. If you're a box maker or a luthier you might prefer a tiny router with excellent visibility of the bit for inlaying 1mm wide stringing and other delicate jobs.

But if you'll be making moderate sized furniture then a 1/2" plunge router will probably meet most of your needs, and if you subsequently decide to augment that with a palm router then no problems, palm routers aren't expensive. One thing to bear in mind though is that you may over time accumulate a lot of router accessories, and you'll probably find that a less frustrating experience if you have a mainstream router that will be catered for by makers of router tables, dovetail jigs, guide bushes, extraction systems, track systems, specialist bases, etc. Some small, off the wall brand might catch your eye now, but you'll regret it later when you want to do something a bit more adventurous and need an accessory. When it comes to routing it generally pays to stick with the herd.

Good luck!

 

[MikeJhn]

Do a search on here for the Draper Expert rang of 1/2" routers, I bought one and was impressed enough to buy another, these are used as a straight and dovetail combination for my Leigh dovetail jig and are very good, especially the LED lights that shine through the perspex base, means you can see what you are actually cutting.

Mike

 

[Squibb]

Some really sound advice everyone, and helpful to read through and process all the differing opinions. I think I've made a decision, so that k you all for your time

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi Squibb,

I'm probably too late, but I'll still pass on my suggestion. I would recommend that you buy a router that takes 8mm bits. You will find that there is much more steel in an 8mm bit, as opposed to a 1/4" and they are about the same price.

Diolch,
Neil

 

[El Barto]

Do a search on here for the Draper Expert rang of 1/2" routers, I bought one and was impressed enough to buy another, these are used as a straight and dovetail combination for my Leigh dovetail jig and are very good, especially the LED lights that shine through the perspex base, means you can see what you are actually cutting.

Mike

That router looks like a good bit of kit Mike but it seems to have been discontinued. This seems to be the nearest replacement, unless you can tell me where to find 'em!

 

[MikeJhn]

http://www.rapid-tools.co.uk/tools/Expe ... 53113.html :wink:

Mike

 

[El Barto]

http://www.rapid-tools.co.uk/tools/Expert-1300W-230V-Router-53113.html :wink:

Mike

Great thank you!

 

[Mike Jordan]

For £248 you can have the dewalt 625E 2000 watts of power will cope with anything you are ever likely to do. Comes with half inch and quarter inch collets. I bought one about five years back to replace an Elu that had served for about 25 years. The dewalt is every bit as good.

 

[MikeJhn]

And for £149 you can have a Hitachi 2000watt : https://www.londonpowertools.co.uk/elec ... GwodcL4Pkg but as the DeWalt it is big and cumbersome, IMO not what I would recommend for a beginner.

Mike

 

[JonnyW]

I own the Dewalt that you've linked and I really like it. It's a versatile little thing, capable of doing your basic quarter or half round edges or your basic moulds etc, and also if you want to do a little free-hand, scroll work or edging, it'll detach from it's plunge base and handle all that you throw at it.

However as per comments, it's quarter inch, so if you're moving into the bigger mouldings or joining etc etc, then the you're entering the half inch market where routers come with more wattage and power.

Yes it's best to have a bigger machine if you're ploughing through some tough exotics, or cutting some serious mouldings or doing a lot of shaker style joints etc etc, but you'll find a natural progression to a router table if that's what you're starting to work on and produce.

I say natural progression to a router table, as that's what'll happen over time should you do a lot of routing.

I also own a 1/2 inch 2000w Dewalt 625 that's permanently mounted to a table.

Good luck

Jonny